A vacation at Lightwood offers a truly unique opportunity to experience living with history first hand. The house is an historic gem, with beautiful original woodwork, period furniture and an atmosphere that will transport you to another time. While historically authentic, it also features all the modern comforts one expects in the 21st century, including air conditioning, modern kitchen, free long distance calls, whirlpool bath,  and even sattelite TV. All linens are provided, as well as soaps and other necessities.

           Fireplace in Dining Room

The winter months can be the most cozy at Lightwood. Natural looking gas logs and stoves work at the push of a button, and are wonderful to sit by on a cold winters' day. The Christmas season, always a great, festive time in Williamsburg, is also celebrated at Lightwood with traditional decorations and a Christmas tree.

Nature is the other big draw for staying at Lightwood. The house is surrounded by seventy acres of old growth woods, streams and fields, and two miles of hiking trails.Wildlife abounds, including deer, hawks, turtles, foxes, turkeys and an occasional bald eagle. Hunting can be arranged for experienced  hunters in season.

There are many things to see in the Williamsburg/Surry Area. The house is only one and one half miles to the Town of Surry, where basic essentials can be had. Three and a half miles away is the free 24 hour car ferry to Jamestown and Williamsburg. The ferry docks at Jamestown, and Colonial Williamsburg is a six mile drive away.

Even with all that the area has to offer, it is clear from the responses of our guests that staying at Lightwood can be a destination in itself. The hands on historic experience of a stay at Lightwood is a very rare opportunity in this country.

We want to make sure that our guests are happy with their choice of Lightwood. The house and grounds offer many wonderful things. The house is definately in the country however. If you need the sounds of traffic outside your window, would feel lonely not looking out over an urban landscape, or are looking for the most convenient place from which to get to Busch Gardens, then there are other choices in Williamsburg. Wildlife is everywhere at Lightwood, and even an occasional (harmless) black snake could wander into the yard, although it doesn't happen very often.

The house also has a few idiosyncrasies of its own, as might be expected with a house almost two hundred and fifty years old. Stairs are a bit steeper than a modern house and could be a problem for the elderly or infirm. We do have a small bedroom downstairs with a double bed however, for those who don't wish to navigate the stairs. Doors upstairs are low, at about 6'1". The upstairs ceilings have very beautiful open beams, but the height to the bottom of the beams is about 6' 7". Ceilings downstairs are almost 9 feet.

All this being said, the comments we have had from our guests have been wonderful. To view some of our guest

comments, click on

www.rentors.org/guestbook.cfm?pid=47657  .

Lightwood can accommodate up to 8 persons.

Pets allowed with permission.

Child/family friendly

No smoking

We ask for a 20% deposit upon signing the rental agreement, with balance due 45 days before arrival.

                 Living Room                                                           Back Porch and Patio                                       Attic Bedroom