There are a few things I need for a perfect weekend getaway. Proximity to the great outdoors, easy access to amazing food and wine and a luxurious yet cozy place to rest my head at the end of the day. I found all of this and more at Walden Hall.
Walden Hall is an upscale country retreat outside the town of Culpeper, Virginia located about 90 minutes from Washington DC. One word perfectly describes the setting of Walden Hall…..
Bucolic.
Neighbored by small family farms with the Blue Ridge Mountains on the horizon, Walden Hall sits on 10 incredibly picturesque acres. A beautiful pond stocked with fish completes the view that would make Norman Rockwell proud.
Steve and I were warmly greeted by owner Eric Fulton who showed us around the property. Throw out the notion of the dusty Victorian B&B, the vibe here is more your best friend’s amazing country house.
Wrap around porch with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains?
Done.
Patio complete with a saltwater pool and grill?
Yep, they got that too.
With these kind of amenities and a gorgeous piece of Virginia countryside Walden Hall is a natural setting for a wedding. They’ll even help you plan everything from flowers to food to make your big day special.
The “Best friend’s awesome country house” vibe extends downstairs where you’ll find a fitness center, theater room( with a huge collection of DVDs along with Netflix and Amazon movies) and a game room with a billiard table and a dart board.
Also when is the last time your bed an breakfast had an 80’s style arcade room complete with Ms. Pac-man and Galaga?
Walden Hall is luxuriously cozy with only five very well appointed suites. We stayed in the Emily Dickinson Suite, a second floor room tastefully decked out in in hues of lilac with black accents. The spacious bathroom features both a large glass walled shower and a stunning claw-foot soaking tub.
What is the best part about staying at a B&B? Why the breakfast of course and Walden Hall definitely doesn’t disappoint. There is no better way to start the day than a gourmet breakfast with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains; my morning started with fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with homemade blueberry mint compote served alongside smokey bacon sourced from a local farm (the eggs at Walden Hall are also about as local as you can get with a small flock of Icelandic chickens kept out back). Walden Hall can also accommodate any dietary preferences or needs with advanced notice.
While you could spend your entire trip without leaving the grounds of Walden Hall and have the best time ever this inn is located smack dab in the middle of some of the prettiest country in Virginia. You can spend your time hiking in Shenandoah National Park (I highly recommend the White Oak Canyon trail for some gorgeous Blue Ridge waterfalls), and check out some of Virginia’s best wineries (Early Mountain, Barboursville and DuCard) and be back to Culpepper in time for dinner. 
If craft beer is your thing a stop at Bald Top Brewing is definitely in order. This historic farm brewery (owned by the same lovely folks that run Walden Hall) grows it’s own hops (does your favorite brewery do that?), from the Barnstormer Kolsch to the White Oak Stout Bald Top crafts a roster of beers to suite every taste.
Days at Walden Hall are best ended around the firepit taking in one of the prettiest sunsets you’ll ever see. Grab one of the handmade smores kits, a bottle of prosecco and watch the sun set below the Blue Ridge mountains as fireflies dot the surrounding meadows and stars light up the night sky.
Luxurious rooms, service with a personal touch and proximity to Virginia wine country and Shenandoah National Park; Walden Hall may be my new favorite weekend getaway.
Anna Makridi says
This place is fantastic! Thanks for sharing!