Retreat to Hayes Cottage

You are in for a treat today! I’m recapping my trip to Hayes Cottage in Bluemont, Virginia. I’m sharing all the details including a photo tour of this beautifully decorated space, the many reasons you need to come and stay for a few days, and several ideas for what you can do in the area. 

What is Hayes Cottage?

Several months ago I stumbled across the most beautiful account on Instagram: @hayes.cottage. The aesthetic, style, and overall vibe suited me so well. Every photo that popped up in their feed stopped me in my tracks. I found myself lingering, zooming in, and swooning at all the goodness. Not long after, as I was following along on the feed, I realized that Hayes Cottage was only 3.5 hours from me (in Pittsburgh) and it was available to rent. Dreams do come true!

Knowing I wanted a little mini summer getaway down the road, I reached out in June and booked a long weekend in August. All I needed to do was wait patiently (which is not one of my finest virtues) until the trip. 

A Beautifully Decorated Retreat:

As I waited for mid-August to arrive, my excitement grew as I fell more in love with everything that appeared on the Hayes Cottage Instagram page. Even before my stay, I knew this place was special.

Fast forward to arriving at the cottage and I was immediately in love. The cottage sets back about a mile or so into the woods, so it’s truly a private getaway. However, it’s the best of both worlds as there are several adorable small towns within 10-20 minutes. (Even more, if you want to travel a bit further.) The cottage is 3.5 hours from Pittsburgh, PA about 1 hour from Washington D.C., and only 30 minutes from Leesburg, VA which is home of the famous Lucketts Store. 

When you rent the cottage you get the entire space which includes a fully stocked kitchen with everything you need to prepare food, make coffee, etc. (You bring the food.) There are two bedrooms (queen and king), two bathrooms, a dining space (with an adorable and well-stocked bar), a living room, and an outdoor deck. There’s even a washer and dryer if you want to do your laundry before you go home.  The main (king) bedroom, which is located on the second floor, also acts as a “bonus room” with a sofa, bar cart, checkers board, and tv. You basically have all the comforts of home, away from home … and then some! 

While that would certainly be enough, you will be awe-struck by how Hayes Cottage is decorated to the next level. (And then, probably up 20 levels above that.) Because there are so many beautiful and charming details, I’m certain you won’t be able to capture them all in one stay. I can only imagine that this took the owner a lifetime to curate. The collection of books alone is incredible.

Speaking of the owner, her name is Amy! She clearly has an amazing eye for design and decor. If this cottage doesn’t prove that, be sure to check out her personal Instagram account @amycwhyte where she shares more of the cottage, her personal home, and her work at Lucketts Holiday Design House. Her talent is a notch above and I’m always impressed and inspired by her work.

I’m going to share a few photos here for you to get an idea of how beautifully these spaces are curated and decorated. I’ll make a note below each photo letting you know which room is which.

Pretty incredible, right? Cozy, charming, curated, welcoming, comfortable, and all sewn together with a whole lot of love and a touch of magic. 

What more could you ask for? 

Why You Need to Stay:

If I don’t have you convinced yet, here are a few other reasons to consider booking a stay at Hayes Cottage. 

A Restful Retreat: If you’re looking to totally disconnect from the world (don’t worry, there is wifi if you need it), then this is the place. Pack your clothes, some food, and your favorite craft/hobby/book and you’re set. If you never venture from the cottage, I’m certain you’ll still completely enjoy your stay. 

Design Inspiration Beyond Measure: As you’re seeing in the photos that I’ve shared in this post (which I had carefully curated because I took over 600 between my camera and iPhone), this place is a design lover’s dream. In fact, I may do another post that focuses on the design and some of my favorite details. (Would you like that?) I think this could be so much fun! I stayed three nights and even on the morning of check out I was still discovering new details and noting unique design elements I wanted to try in my home.

The Area is Gorgeous: As I mentioned above, Hayes Cottage is surrounded by several sweet little towns. I went to a few during my stay. Not only were these towns adorable, but getting to them was a feast for the eyes too. There is beautiful farmland, lovely homes, and so much more to see and do. (I’ve shared a few of my favorites below.) 

Things to Do in the Area:

Please note that the following lists are not comprehensive lists of things to do in the area. They just list a few things I did when visiting. I will be certain to update these lists after future visits. 

While I visited most of the places mentioned, a few have been included because they were suggested by Amy. If you want more beyond this list, well… just ask Amy! She lives in the area and can provide you with plenty of recommendations. 

Antique Stores:

Lucketts Store – Leesburg, VA 
One of my favorite places. An absolute must-visit if you like antique shopping, home decor, etc.

If you’re looking for a meal while in Leesburg, check out Tuscarora Mill, King Street Oyster Bar, Lightfoot, The New Rebellion, or Bourbon Bar.

Red Schoolhouse Antiques* – Millwood, VA
Hip and Humble* – Berryville, VA

*These are both lovely antique stories and I purchased something from each one. They are beautifully curated which makes them a bit more expensive than the antique stores I’m used to. However, there still are treasures to be found and inspired ideas to take with you. I recommend visiting both.

Hiking: 

• Shenandoah River has beautiful paved hiking trails.
• Shenandoah University is another wonderful option; park in the log cabin campus parking lot and take a river hike.

Places to Eat/Drink Nearby:

Breweries:

Dirt Farm Brewing: There was live music, the beer is delicious, and the view is incredible. There was also a food truck on the grounds for dinner options. 

Wineries:

There are several local wineries in the area. I didn’t visit any on this trip, but will on future visits. I will update this post with my favorites. Do a quick Google search to find some nearby.

Restaurants: 

Locke Store – Millwood, VA 
It’s great for lunch or a quick snack.

The Buttery at Locke Store – Millwood, PA
I only noticed this toward the end of my trip, but I will be making reservations during my next visit. 

Bluemont General Store – Bluemont, VA
Stop by for grab-and-go sandwiches, chips, and snacks.

The Sweet Elephant Bake Shop – Berryville, VA
They make killer molasses cookies!

Nalls Farm Market – Berryville, VA 
Try their fresh baked pies! 

One other thing I wanted to note is that I’m already planning a trip back to Hayes Cottage. (In fact, I went ahead and booked a long weekend in December in hopes of seeing some Christmas decor AND to give myself a forced retreat during the midst of a crazy holiday season.) As I make trips back I’ll be sure to update this post with new photos and local recommendations for things to do, places to shop, and restaurants to dine at. If you happen to stay at Hayes Cottage or know the Bluemont area, please leave your recommendations for local hotspots in the comments below. 

Ready to Book? Want More information?

For more information and to book a getaway you can visit the Hayes Cottage VRBO listing HERE. I highly recommend reviewing the listing carefully as things that I’ve written here may change or vary from the listing. 

You can also follow along with Hayes Cottage on Instagram @hayes.cottage. 

Finally, feel free to reach out to Amy with other questions/concerns. She’s such a joy and was incredibly helpful before, during, and after my stay. 

Enjoy Your Stay!

Is it obvious that I love this place? Ha! I honestly think I found my retreat from life and plan to return here whenever I need a break from it all. 

Whether you live nearby and want a sweet little getaway, are visiting the area and need a place to stay, or want to travel from afar and include this area in your travels, then Hayes Cottage is THE place to stay. 

I hope … I KNOW you’ll enjoy it as much as I did!