Entire home

Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains

Photo gallery for Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains

looking up to the house from the river road
Exterior
North view from the porch
Porch overlooking river
winter view from porch looking southeast

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 9353.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Pool
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Boyce, VA
  • Watermelon Park Campground
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Shenandoah University
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Summit Point Motorsports Park
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Winchester, VA (WGO-Winchester Regional)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 4

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 2 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains

The Play Garden is a charming renovated country home nestled on 20 acres in the heart of Horse/Hunt country at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in historic Clarke County, Virginia. From the large veranda on top of the plateau you have the best view in the county of the bending Shenandoah River and there are up to 150 boxwoods of all varieties on the property. The house is surrounded by wineries and historic sites located an hour and 15 minutes west of Washington, DC, 25 minutes west of Middleburg/Upperville, 20 minutes east of Winchester, 10 min from Millwood, and 10 min from Berryville. The main house, which has been recently renovated, was built in 1908 and has been in our family since 1920 and maintained with loving care. The adjacent guest house is more contemporary and has the 4th bedroom.

In addition to the view there is a swimming pool and total privacy from the outside world, with basically no houses in view. The main house has three bedrooms (two kings and twin full size beds), a sleeper sofa in the den, 4 baths (two full and two half) and a large kitchen with double oven, washer/dryer, etc while the adjacent guest house has one full bath, a king bedroom and a sleeper sofa in the living area. Both are tastefully furnished, including many antiques.

In the area you will be able to see and do the following (we have more info to send you upon booking):

- A multitude of WINERIES (including Delaplane Cellars, RDV Vineyards, Barrel Oak Winery, Veramar Winery, Bluemont Vineyards), BREWERIES (Dirt Farm Brewery, Bear Chase Brewery) and DISTILLERIES (Copper Fox, Catoctin Creek)
- Shenandoah River - with fishing and kayaking
- Appalachian Trail Hikes- Sky Meadows State Park
- Historic Middleburg
- Salamander Resort and Spa
- Watermelon Park for canoeing , tubing, fishing (though we have 8 kayaks and our caretaker can assist with logistics)
- Burwell-Morgan Mill, an historic water wheel grist mill and the most original operating Mill in the country, circa 1792 that grinds wheat and corn. Grinding days on weekends during May- October
- Shenandoah National Park
- Blandy Experimental Farm and State Arboretum of Va.
- Skyline Caverns
- Harper's Ferry
- The Long Branch Historic House and Farm
- Red Fox Inn (oldest continuous Inn in the U.S., Middleburg, Va)
- Berryville Monastery (opened to public)
- Bear's Den Trail, Raven Rocks Trail and Hollow Brook Trail
- Millwood village, Locke Store
- Red Schoolhouse Antiques along with many other antique shops within 25 minutes
- Clarke County Farmer's Market, May-Oct
- Mount Airy Farmer's Market, year around
- Shenandoah Seasonal Farm Stand, May -Oct
- Horse Trail riding , ask for details
- Wilson's Animal Park (great for kids)
- Barns of Rose Hill (great venue for music)
- Blue Ridge Hot Air Balloons
- Dinosaur Land (great for kids)
- Civil War Battlefield tours
- Revolutionary War sites
- Upperville Horse Show (oldest in the country)
- Golf , ask for details

Restaurants in the area:
- The Buttery, Millwood, Va.
- Ashby Inn and Restaurant, Paris, Va
- Hunter's Head Tavern, Upperville, Va
- The Berryville Grille, Berryville, Va
- Red Fox Inn, Berryville, Va
- L' Auberge Provencale, White Post, Va
- Hidden Horse Tavern, Middleburg, Va
- King Street Oyster Bar, Middleburg, Va
- Field and Main, Marshall, Va
- The Rail Stop, The Plains, Va
- Front Porch Market and Grill, The Plains, Va
- Girasole, The Plains, Va
- The Whole Ox, Marshall, Va
- Locke Store, Millwood, Va (great boutique food to take out or eat at Burwell-Morgan Mill meadow across the road)
- Camino Real Mexican, Berryville, Va
- Mario's Pizza, Berryville, Va (delivery)
- Fox Pizza, Berryville, Va (delivery)
- HorseShoe Curve (good bar with music as well) Bluemont, Va
- Sweet Nola's, Winchester, Va
- Union Jack Pub & Restaurant, Winchester, Va
- The Butcher Station, Winchester, Va
- Violino Ristorante, Winchester, Va
- Crush Bar, Winchester, Va
- Patsy's Pastry Pizzas, Winchester, Va





Keywords: House

Property manager

Will Robinson
Premier Host

Languages

English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pool
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Max number 20, otherwise talk to owner
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
With pet fee and pet contract
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
SMOKING ALLOWED ON THE RIVER PORCH

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
Parties and events are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 16
Note from host: max number 20, otherwise talk to owner
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Boyce

Located in Boyce, this holiday home is in the mountains and on the waterfront. Burwell-Morgan Mill and Myron Glaser Cabin Tract are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include State Arboretum of Virginia and Paris Barns. Consider Barns of Rose Hill for a night out or Virginia River Trips if you're travelling with kids. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Boyce, VA

What's nearby

  • Shenandoah River - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Watermelon Park Campground - 10 min drive - 8.1 km
  • Shenandoah University - 20 min drive - 21.9 km
  • Summit Point Motorsports Park - 24 min drive - 20.8 km
  • Bluemont Vineyard - 31 min drive - 28.7 km

Getting around

  • Martinsburg, WV (MRB-Eastern West Virginia Regional) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Camino Real Family Mexican Restaurant - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Mario's Pizza - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Fox's Pizza - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Veramar Vineyard - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Historic Home Overlooking Shenandoah River and Blue Ridge Mountains located?

This family-friendly Boyce holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Shenandoah River, Duvall Designs Gallery and Burwell-Morgan Mill. State Arboretum of Virginia and Robinson Crusoe Island are also within 6 miles (10 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. 79 out of 83 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 83 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 83 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 83 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 83 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

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

Wonderful Stay

My family and I had a great stay here for Thanksgiving. The listing matched the house accurately and the house and surrounding area were beautiful. The kitchen was really well-stocked and the check-in and checkout processes were smooth. We'd happy stay agan.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna M.

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

Family gathering at the Play Garden

We are repeat guests and hope to return to the Play Garden for years to come.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly B.

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

Private and peaceful property

Lovely place to stay, fully equipped, accurate pictures and description.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

stuart l.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Shenandoah week

Beautiful country historic home with great views. But close to Shenandoah national park. Our week was awesome
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill D.

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

Best VRBO stay

We were extremely happy with our stay. The property was everything we hoped it would be, and communication with the host was excellent. Our best VRBO stay ever.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia D.

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

Peaceful Retreat

The gathering was 8 college girlfriends for an annual Christmas get together weekend and we had a fantastic time. House was very clean and well appointed, warm and cozy for some cold weather and Will and Ricky most helpful and responsive to all our needs. Close to town for Holiday activities and beautiful , natural setting nice for long walks and sitting on the porch looking at the Shenandoah.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy C., Chesapeake, VA

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

We had an amazing time exploring play garden and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

The rental process was seamless and we would definitely rent again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Christina S.

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

Beautiful view

Highly recommend. House is beautiful and view perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023

8/10 Good

Thomas L.

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

Play garden

Great home and location with all the needed amenities. Beautiful river view and sunrise and sunsets. Will definitely be back.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cathy W.

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

Lovely time!

The pictures don’t do this wonderful place justice. The house has everything you need and the views/grounds are breathtaking. We were able to see 3 eagles soar over the river from the kitchen table. Totally recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

David H.

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

Relax

Good time
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shirley S., Spencer, Massachusetts

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

Play Garden is Spectacular

Kyacking, relaxing on the veranda watching the river and beautiful sunrises and sunset. Flying our drone, special time with our son and daughter in law swimming and cooking wonderful meals together. We all had wonderful and enjoyable time to together in a very peaceful and beautiful setting together with every convenience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

William H., Washington, DC

Relaxing week in an idyllic setting

We visited for a week with our two young daughters and had a great time! The house is well-stocked with everything you'd have in your own house and very comfortable. In addition to a big yard to play in, there were plenty of games and toys to keep them entertained. We would love to come back when it's warm enough to use the pool!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2017

10/10 Excellent

tina h.

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

219948

The home/location were lovely. thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shirley S.

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

Play Garden

Family fun, tubing and kayaking on the river. Spending time with our son and daughter in law from NC and our newest grand baby, and my family in Northern Virginia. The home is very comfortable and offers many areas to sit and chat. Groceries are close and goumet meals and foods and wines just around the corner. Safe gravel road to run or walk on. Winchester is very close and many farm to table restaurants and wineries can be found thorough out the Piedmont area of Virginia and surroundings towns. We enjoyed the cool breezes on the veranda watching the river run and eagles fly and hearing our 8 month old grand daughter giggle. A wonderful home to make memorable times with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C., Syracuse, NY

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

Rest and relaxation on the Shenandoah!

We absolutely LOVED our stay at the historic “Play Garden”, a house with great character and charm. Every summer my husband and I spend a week with my sister in law and brother in law to reconnect. We’ve rented many beautiful historic houses but this magical place is very special … just lovely, it truly was like staying at a friend’s house. Everything we needed was there: pans, dishes, glassware, spices, oils, tableclothes, great bed linens & towels, a brand new grill, kayaks and bikes, and the pool! Our favorite activity was to relax and dine on the front porch/veranda overlooking the bend in the Shenandoah River. The owner, Will, and caretaker, Ricky, were both very accessible via text and phone. This is a very well appointed historic house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Paige B., Leesburg

A nice historic property to call home for a few days.

We rented this house for our annual Women Unplugged retreat. 6 women ranging in age from 8-51 shared, created, ate, sipped and played together in this private, quiet property. The pool was nice, the veranda was magical and the home and living spaces were clean and livable. We enjoyed exploring the rich history of the home and families that owned and loved it. The old guestbooks from Annefield were particularly fascinating. Some of the antiques were quite rare. We enjoyed the river and everything the home had to offer. Also, the caretakers were very helpful and responsive when we had a concern about the pool. Many thanks for allowing us to stay in your magical PlayGarden. Women Unplugged 2017
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

G S.

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

Beautiful property less than 2 hours from D.C

We were 2 families with young kids and a dog, that rented this property for a long weekend in mid January. The house, the adjacent carriage house and the expansive grounds offered plenty of space for everyone to explore and enjoy the beautiful views of the Shenandoah river. The house has lot of character and is tastefully decorated. It had all the necessary amenities and a well stocked pantry with spices, condiments and utensils. The property feels very private, with no other houses in sight, but is within 10-15 min range of grocery stores (Martin's/Walmart), a McDonald's, Sheetz and gas stations. The owner Will and the caretaker Rickey are just as great as the house. We decided to leave a day early due to a winter storm, and Will refunded us the rent for that night, without us even asking for it! Would definitely come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thomas L.

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

Great thanksgiving!

Everyone enjoyed the Play Garden for thanksgiving week and the great location and views!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kevin J., Richmond, VA, USA

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

Beautiful Property in a Great Location

Gracious and comfortable house with beautiful views. Our three generation family had a wonderful time at this property. The private guest house was perfect for the grandparents, and the cozy TV room was great for the kids while the adults enjoyed the fireplace in the living room and the amazing views from the large bluestone patio overlooking the river. Very comfortable beds with high-quality linens, a nicely appointed kitchen, and a beautiful pool. Conveniently located to many wonderful local attractions. The host and the caretaker were very helpful prior to and during our stay. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

William H.

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

The great escape!

Property was amazingly beautiful and tranquil. Nearby activities were interesting and fun.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

william v.

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

Beautiful setting

We enjoyed the property very much and all the little things that were available for our use.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Anna M.

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

July Week

Back for the fourth time in 2 years. I hate to advertise the Playgarden because we want to keep it for ourselves, but Will and his family deserve the great review. Thank you, again! We will be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen C.

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

Delightful Retreat

The property is a loving maintained family home in an idyllic setting.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

John G., Washington, DC

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

Excellent Property / Excellent Management

One of the best VRBO experiences I've had. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

About the host

Hosted by Will Robinson

Host profile image
I'm one of the family owners along my 4 cousins

Why they chose this property

In the family since 1920

What makes this property unique

The view of the river and Blue Ridge Mountains, the history and overall beauty and serenity of the area

Languages:

English, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests