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Situated on 3,000 acres in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Barnsley Resort was once home to British shipping magnate Godfrey Barnsley’s 19th century Italianate villa, “Woodlands.” Today the mansion’s hauntingly beautiful ruins and surrounding gardens are just one of many attractions on this sophisticated, yet laid-back North Georgia property. Whether you delve into history, relax at the spa, savor the flavors of the region, or connect with the great outdoors, the holidays are a magical time to discover everything this charming resort has to offer.
Get up and go
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Grab a picnic table near one of the fire pits in the Beer Garden, and start the day off in true Southern style with a crumbly, buttermilk biscuit stacked with scrambled eggs and thick-sliced bacon. Then get warmed up for the day with a game of corn hole or bocce on the lawn.
Whether you’re on foot or bike (by horseback can also be arranged at the Outpost), post-breakfast is the perfect time to bundle up and explore the grounds and the lovingly restored manor ruins. You’ll want to carve out time for a self-guided tour of the Barnsley Museum for an in-depth look at the estate’s rich history of love and loss, dating back to 1840.
From the museum, make your way uphill to The Farm and visit with all the barnyard animals; time it right and you can catch one of the daily feedings at the farm, too. Before leaving, take a stroll around the chef’s garden, which might just end up providing inspiration for your plate later in the evening.
Choose your own adventure
Refuel with lunch at the recently renovated Woodland’s Grill, where you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the award-winning Fazio-designed golf course and fishing lakes from the restaurant’s screened back porch—the deep-fried deviled eggs come highly recommended by the staff. After lunch, slip over to the Spa for a relaxing body treatment or massage, or pick up an afternoon round of golf. Not up for 18 holes? Test out the TrackMan simulator or set up a private lesson with one of the pros and work on improving your swing instead.
For a true outdoor adventure, make reservations at Beretta Shooting Grounds by High Adventure Company. From clay shooting to quail and pheasant hunts to a Swarovski long-range shooting school, experienced staff are available to guide all skill levels in a safe, relaxed setting.
Light up the night
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During the holidays, as the sun goes down, more than one million twinkling lights come out, setting the ruins, gardens, and village green aglow in the spirit of the season. It’s also sure to set a festive mood for an evening meal at Rice House. Here, a 19th century farmhouse provides a cozy backdrop for Executive Chef Nicolas Lebas’ creative, garden-to-table Southern fare, like buttermilk-fried quail, cider-brined heritage pork chops, and truffled acorn squash risotto, along with a carefully selected list of cocktails and wine. After dinner, swing by the lobby to gather s’mores supplies for toasting up at the outdoor fire pits before tucking in for the night.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, traveling for work, or vacationing with the kids, Barnsley Resort offers a variety of accommodations to meet travelers’ needs. A handful of cottages started taking reservations when the property opened in 1999, and today there are 37 cottages, ranging from one-bedroom to seven-bedroom, many with pantry-style kitchens. The three-story Inn at Barnsley Resort, inspired by the British architect Edwin Lutyens, known for designing English country homes at the turn of the 20th century, opened in 2018, adding 55 rooms and suites. Catch-and-release fishing, canoes and kayaks, hiking and biking, lawn games, board games, s’mores, and Barnsley Farms are all complimentary for guests of the Inn and cottages.
Getting there: Barnsley Resort is a 3-hour drive from Nashville; remember to account for the transition to Eastern Time.
Christmas at Barnsley Resort
In addition to special holiday rates and packages, on December 7, 14, and 21, families can get into the holiday spirit by participating in various holiday-themed workshops and crafting sessions ranging from wreath-making to gingerbread house decorating, and more. December 14 and 21, families are invited to check in at the Outpost and head over to the Town Hall's ornate Christmas tree, where little ones can meet and take photos with Santa. On Christmas Day, the resort hosts an elaborate holiday brunch buffet in Georgia Hall filled with signature holiday favorites and specialty desserts created by Chef Lebas.