10 Picturesque Farms You Can Actually Stay At
If the farmers market is your happy place, get ready to swoon. We scoured the globe for gorgeous working farms, ranches and orchards, and discovered some major gems. These estates aren’t just picturesque, they’re also taking reservations. Whether you’re looking for a down ‘n dirty harvest experience or something closer to glamping, there’s a farm-stay out there for you.
RELATED: The 10 Best Rentals for Stargazing
Blackberry Farm (Walland, Tennessee)
Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains is a 4,200-acre dream farm. A bright red barn with white trim overlooks rolling green hills, a romantic pond, wildflowers and row after row of vegetables and herbs. Friendly sheep, ducks and chickens wander the pastures giving guests a taste of real farm life. But you’ll be staying in the luxurious inn, built in 1930, offering six farmhouse-chic rooms with working fireplaces for peak hygge. Get ready to eat seasonal produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner, learn about growing techniques from a master gardener and observe cooking demonstrations with tips to take home when you leave—ahem—if you leave.
Château du Beugnon (Pays de la Loire, France)
The Château du Beugnon offers a pristine mix of upscale agro-tourism and low-key farm life. Located in the French countryside near the Loire River and the Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park, this remote farm’s max capacity is 15 people in five bedrooms—take book clubon the road? Rooms are exactly what you’d expect from a wine estate built in the 1850s: exposed stone walls, wooden shutters and French doors that gloriously open onto patios. Frolic in the fields with the horses on the property or admire the swans paddling around the lake out front. Best of all: $44 buys a dinner at the on-site restaurant, Table d’Hôte, with fresh produce from right outside the door. Make sure to order a bottle, they store ample natural Anjou wines in their expansive cellar.
RELATED: 6 Stunning Midwest Lake Rentals at Every Single Price Point
Mountain Village Farm B&B (Kingfield, Maine)
With the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain drawing tons of skiers during winter months, it’s no wonder this Appalachian Trail community has been referred to as the “Aspen of the east.” Peaks on the horizon, sprawling meadows, walking trails and 18 acres of farmland provide endless opportunity for outdoor exploration and internal relaxation. The rooms are straight out of an Elizabeth Strout novel with quaint floral prints, delicate curtains and paintings of the sea. Each room has a private bathroom, and breakfast is included in the price. Dig into some farm fresh eggs and then get out into that fresh Maine air. Ahhh.
Babylonstoren (Simondium, South Africa)
About an hour east of Cape Town is an exceptionally well-preserved eight-acre historic Cape Dutch Farm. Babylonstoren’s original buildings date back as far as 1750, but its Farm Hotel received some hefty renovations in the early 2000s. The rooms are meant to maintain the vibe of the original manor—white stone walls with wooden accents. With the Simonsberg, Du Toitskloof and Franschhoek mountains towering in the background and 300 unique types of flowers, veggies and fruits growing at your feet, what else could you ask for? Oh. A vineyard and a spa? Not to worry: Babylonstoren has both. Rates vary depending on the season, but honestly there’s no wrong time to visit this haven.
Turtleback Farm Inn (Orcas Island, Washington)
The San Juan Islands of Puget Sound aren’t exactly the first place people think of when conjuring images of farms. However, Turtleback Farm Inn on Orcas Island is a totally legit—and picture perfect—working farm in Washington state. Think: pear and apple trees, sheep, chickens, ducks and miles of bright green hills with mountains and ocean in the distance. Like we said, swoon. The folk national-style farmhouse dates back to the end of the 19th century, but, like most of the farmhouses on our list, has been updated over the years. Rooms in the main house look out onto a wide valley, have private bathrooms and provide comforters made from the property’s sheep’s wool. Talk about hospitality. There’s also the Orchard House, a larger inn overlooking Mount Wollard designed to look like a weathered barn. Included in all rates are breakfast each morning and a glass of sherry each night. Because you deserve it, that’s why.
Maple Hill Manor (Springfield, Kentucky)
OK, get ready for a magical scene to unfold. In Springfield, Kentucky, not only can you hang out with Suri alpacas (some of the rarest alpacas in the world), but you can also mosey through an orchard of fruit trees or a wildflower nature preserve before falling asleep in a Greek Revival-style Plantation Home with 14-foot ceilings (and nine-foot windows). Rooms are decked with antique furniture, lavish fabrics and private bathrooms. While the mansion is one of the best-preserved Antebellum buildings in the state, its owners and innkeepers have launched it into the 21st century by dedicating themselves to an eco-friendly operation. Maple Hill Manor has Triple-Leaf Green Lodging Certification and donates a portion of every reservation fee to environmental organizations.
RELATED: The 7 Most Luxe Eco-Resorts in the World
Renello Holiday Farm (Trequanda, Italy)
In the heart of Tuscany, this castle overlooks the Val d’Orcia region, the Chiana Valley and Lake Trasimeno. With olive groves and greenery as far as the eye can see, wine tours, sailing opportunities and a luxurious swimming pool, you might not ever want to head back to your room. The suites and apartments are jaw-dropping with gorgeous exposed stone walls, wooden ceilings, private terraces and rustic Tuscan design. Just four miles from the ancient walled city of Siena, Renello is also surrounded by woodlands full of mushrooms and truffles. Go on an authentic truffle hunt or attend olive oil and wine tastings. The sky’s the limit, and a perfect shade of blue.
Smithfield Farm (Berryville, Virginia)
About an hour outside D.C., at the top of the Shenandoah Valley, is Smithfield Farm. Family owned and operated for the past eight generations (currently run by a mother-daughter team), this farmstead knows how to host. With the Blue Ridge Mountains around the corner, guests are invited to hike scenic trails and picnic outdoors by the water garden. Breakfasts feature fresh produce from the farm and grass-fed products from Smith Meadows Meats (another family operation). Rent one of the adorable American Colonial-style rooms (we recommend the one with the claw-foot bathtub for post-hike soaking) or the private cottage for some extra seclusion. This place is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers art classes, too. Before you know it, you’ll be full-blown Allie in The Notebook painting topless on a deck.
Serenbe Farms (Palmetto, Georgia)
Just 30 miles outside Atlanta in Chattahoochee Hill Country the eight acres of farmland run by a husband and wife duo. But this is more than a farmstead; it’s also a wellness community devoted to arts, agriculture, health and education. The New York Times called it “a utopian experiment in New Urbanism.” Color us intrigued. The Serenbe community members focus on healthy food, fresh air and strong bonds between people and nature. Since 2004, certified organic Serenbe Farms has produced hundreds of unique varieties of plants, vegetables, fruits and herbs. Choose from 27 rooms at The Inn at Serenbe for your stay (the inn is a three-minute drive from the farm itself). There are also cabins and cottages available for bigger groups. Honestly, hurry to book before we get there first.
Bio-Bauernhof Reitmayrgut (Goldegg, Austria)
The hills are alive with the sound of organic farming! This Austrian organic farm uses naturally-occurring effective microorganisms to keep its soil healthy and eco-friendly. Reitmayrgut also hosts guests in two apartments, each with private balconies and bathrooms. The décor is modern—you could say it’s woodsy-cabin-chic—replete with full kitchens and updated amenities. Pick fresh herbs from the garden to use for cooking, dine overlooking the Goldegg and Alpendorf mountains and ski on nearby runs during winter months. FYI: this is a super kid-friendly location, as evidenced by Reitmayrgut’s play tower and trampoline on the lawn outside. Golf and tennis for the adults are also just a short walk away. Sick of walking? Go for a canoe ride or toboggan down the hill.
RELATED: 5 Historic Properties (Including Castles) You Can Actually Rent in the U.K.
