Bed and Breakfast Set on Civil War–Era Farmland

In 1863, Confederate and Union troops clashed near the sleepy Virginia town of Middleburg, damaging a farmhouse dating back to the turn of the century. That farmhouse would eventually become Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn. A 47-acre estate set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn harks back to its past with antiques and colonial-style quilts, providing a comfortable base for exploring the many Civil War sites in the region. This beautiful country setting helped earn the inn a spot on the Knot's list of best wedding venues in 2012.

Built in 1805, the main house has eight antique-decorated rooms, six of which can be combined to create two-bedroom suites. The Violet room, which was the sleeping area in the original log cabin, features a charming standalone fireplace and views of the nearby Bull Run Mountains. On the second floor, the spacious Rose room includes a sitting area with a settee and an antique vanity desk. Down the hall is the Sunflower room, where you can look out on the resident horses grazing and braiding one another's tails in the pastures below.

In the morning, guests gather in the dining room for a buffet breakfast with items such as spinach-and-mushroom quiche and pancakes with freshly picked blackberries. From here, it's off to the Virginia trail vineyards for an afternoon of wine tasting at three local wineries. There, you can learn about winemaking from area vintners and sample balanced varietals and blends, with the backdrop of rolling hills and countryside.

Middleburg, Virginia: Horse Country near the Blue Ridge Mountains

Located one hour west of Washington, DC, Middleburg occupies only about six blocks in the middle of the green Virginia countryside. Despite its size, the town has become known as the nation's horse and hunting capital due to a long-standing fox hunt and steeplechase tradition. Some of the world’s finest horses—including legendary Triple Crown winner Secretariat—have been raised in Middleburg farm estates, which are famous for their pristine hills. The town has also drawn prestigious horse owners, such as President John F. Kennedy, who had a summer home here. For an in-depth look at the area’s equestrian culture, head to the National Sporting Library and Museum, where paintings, books, and rocking-horse tour guides chronicle the history of field sports.

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