Entire home

Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream

Photo gallery for Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream

Property grounds
Terrace/patio
Interior
Interior
Private kitchen

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Swoope, VA
  • American Shakespeare Center
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Mary Baldwin College
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • George Washington National Forest
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Weyers Cave, VA (SHD-Shenandoah Valley Regional)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream

Baldwin Farm is located in the central Shenandoah Valley, the house is a three-bedroom, two-bath modern country home framed with a large sitting porch looking out on the Alleghany mountains. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle.

The mattresses are brand new pillowtops with all new bedding so you can have a comfortable, restful sleep.
Pastoral setting. Outside Middlebrook, VA, the house is the center of a working farm. The property sits in a natural bowl with progressively rising hills culminating in the foothills of the nearby mountains. Mark the passage of time as the light descends the slopes in the morning and ascends later and finally gives way to the starry night after the sunset.
Contemplative. Sitting off a country road, quiet solitude with some country noise should be expected at Baldwin Farm. Get out, walk around the farm, and experience a simple, slower pace. Watch the cattle graze while looking out over pastureland framed by the mountains. On clear nights, enjoy a view of the starry night sky that one can only get in a relatively light free environment.
Meditative atmosphere. Sit on the large covered porch and listen to the wind chimes or gaze out the large picture window in the living room while contemplating the foothills of the Alleghany mountains, verdant in the spring and summertime, cloaked in color in the fall.
Location, Location, Location
Located 15 minutes from Staunton; 30 minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway, the George Washington National Forest; less than an hour to Lexington, Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, and Bath and Highland Counties.

Property manager

Harry and Susan Baldwin
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 4 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please remove your shoes in the house, and please wipe your dogs feet.
Please do not allow your pets on the furniture.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Swoope

Located in Swoope, this holiday home is in a rural area. The Camera Heritage Museum and R.R. Smith Center for History & Art are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at All's Well Massage Studio and Ox-Eye Vineyards. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Swoope, VA

What's nearby

  • American Shakespeare Center - 22 min drive - 19.6 km
  • Mary Baldwin College - 22 min drive - 19.8 km
  • Frontier Culture Museum - 24 min drive - 21.7 km
  • George Washington National Forest - 44 min drive - 15.7 km
  • Wintergreen Resort - 56 min drive - 50.1 km

Getting around

  • Staunton Station - 21 min drive
  • Weyers Cave, VA (SHD-Shenandoah Valley Regional) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Arby's - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Edelweiss Restaurant - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 4 total).

What time is check-in at Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Country Retreat, An Amateur Astronomer's Dream located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 12 miles (20 km) of George Washington National Forest, Staunton Mall and Gypsy Hill Dog Park. Orchard Hill Square Shopping Center and Dogwood Square are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 232 out of 234 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 234 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 234 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 234 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 234 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brytani F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet Stay with Beautiful Scenery

I don’t think the listing does this place justice. The home itself is what I would consider large with charming and comfortable decor. The living room and sitting room were perfect places to enjoy some sunshine and a book. The bed was comfy and the bathrooms and kitchen had everything you’d need.The scenery is what really makes the place. Sunrises and sunsets were gorgeous to watch and the night sky is so clear. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for humans to enjoy and a yard that had plenty of space for my two large dogs to run and play. The fencing is secure and around five feet tall.This will stay on our list of favorite getaways.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terri L. J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene

Peaceful, quiet, great for star gazing, bird watching and enjoying a cup coffee on the porch, an evening glass of wine and or a good game of Cribbage! The home is large with warm tones, very comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peace on Earth

Third Christmas visit. Our favorite VRBO - feels so good here. Wonderful hosts. Joys and glories of Mother Nature and of simple things fill our senses and bless our hearts. Love the large comfy house and rolling property and starlit sky and deer and wild turkeys and cows and birds and… stillness. Many thanks!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacey S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sixth Stay

This was my 6th stay at the farm. The house is always welcoming and clean. The absolute quiet is my favorite part. You feel like you are in the middle of nowhere but you are only 15 minutes from Staunton.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julia T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

peace haven

Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Favorite fall destination

Love this property! We have visited many times and it never disappoints. Very dog friendly with huge fenced area. So nice to arrive to find the best banana bread waiting along with eggs, milk, half and half and just about anything to get settled in. So much to do in the area…vineyards, antiques, fall festivals, orchards with the best apple cider doughnuts, downtown Staunton or just hanging on the porch looking at the mountains and cows!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely break from workaday cares

We thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views, great weather, and comfortable property. We left feeling recharged. The hosts were very kind and left us goodies!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vicki B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and Comfortable

Friends came for a wedding in the area. Wished we had more time here at the house. It was so peaceful on the deck and in the house. Really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

margaret c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from home

Perfect to relax from city life.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

John B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

great

had a great time. will be back soon.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Girls weekend getaway

This is house is amazing, the quiet and serene location was perfect for our girls weekend. The hosts were amazing, helping us with checking in and even left us cake - what a treat! The house was immaculate and felt so cozy and welcoming. There is a beautiful fenced in yard - though we didn’t have dogs with us they are extremely dog friendly and we would certainly book again and bring along or little fur babies! Perfect country stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Trisha M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quite lovely

Everyone enjoyed our stay and felt very comfortable. We found the porch and interior space a perfect work week getaway!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edward T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

Great hosts, great home, great scenery, and great comfort. Wonderful experience.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Absolutely Amazing!

I can’t say enough good things about this stay. The view from the back porch is beyond what words can describe. We watched the cows across the field as we drank our morning coffee and watched an awesome thunderstorm as we ate dinner. We saw deer every time we pulled into the driveway and it was an incredibly relaxing space. The house is about 20 min from Staunton, which had everything we needed, including places to eat, entertainment, and breweries/cideries. We hiked Crabtree Falls, which wasn’t too far of a drive, and overall loved that this house was kind of in the middle nowhere while still being close enough to what we wanted to do and to things to explore. The owner had a delicious apple pie baked for us upon arrival and check in and check out was effortless. The house was incredibly clean and very big. The best part of this house was that we could bring our 2 dogs. Our 2 German Shepherds (ages 13 and 5) LOVED the large fenced in yard, the spacious back porch, and the doggy door. We will absolutely be back and cannot recommend this place enough to anyone looking to visit Virginia.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

loretta w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Farmhouse and Location

Our family of 6 traveled to VA for a wedding and wanted to steer away from the hotel route. My husband found this gem of a house and let me say this home truly exceeded our expectations. The property is absolutely beautiful and the home itself was incredibly spacious and super clean. Will definitely be staying here for any future VA visits.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway for astronomy enthusiasts

The perfect get-away from the city. Our hosts were great. The house and property were immaculate. The kitchen was great and had a nice selection of basic cooking needs. There's a Food Lion about 15 minutes away for other needs. The gas grill was fantastic. We grilled out every night. Our dog, Millie really enjoyed the new sniffs and large fenced yards to explore. It was delightfully quiet except for the occasional moos from the adjacent fields. The weather cooperated and the night sky was clear. The stargazing was excellent due the the very dark sky. It's a great place to recharge. We will return.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Always a pleasure

We’ve stayed at this home 3 times and it always feels like home. So clean and comfortable. Close to Staunton but still get to enjoy the Mountain View from the huge porch. We saw so many deer on this trip. There were over 40 in a nearby field. Really enjoyed the chocolate cake waiting for us at check in.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

angela w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing

Our time was relaxing. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and beautiful

The place was fantastic. Views from the porch were fantastic. Watching the farm animals and the wild animals was peaceful. Great find to get away too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becky I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

This is our happy place

This was our 2nd stay at the property. We love the cows, the view, and that the dogs can run to their hearts' content. The owners were responsive. When you come, be sure to check out The Cheese Shop and Miller's Bake Shop in Stuart's Draft and the fun shops in Staunton.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

My piece of Heaven

My husband and I have here throughout the years. This time his work kept him from coming so I had to snag the date before it was booked and came by myself. It was amazing as usual. Harry and Susan are wonderful host's. Jax (pup) got extra attention and he too had fun. Will be back soon. Joy
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good Stay…

Enjoyed the stay. Love the porch and the views of the surrounding farms.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janet N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming home; beautiful scenery

A little slice of heaven if you enjoy nature. We are typically on the move every day but chose to just sit on the porch for an entire day out of the 3 we were in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful scenery

Wonderful place of inspiring views🌄
Stayed 6 nights in Apr 2024

About the host

Hosted by Harry and Susan Baldwin

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests