the conyers house country inn & stable

We just spent a most relaxing and comfortable weekend at the Conyers House and Stables. Our hostess Sandra was personable, warm and welcoming. We would have liked to ride the horses as the countryside is breathtaking but the weather did not cooperate so we poked around Sperryville's galleries, bakeries, winerys and restaurants. Not a bad way to spend a fun weekend!. The B&B was an interesting old establishment with lots of nooks and cranies. Our room was large and comfortable and breakfast was hearty and the guests we shared it with were delightful. We liked!!!

This guest will fondly be remembered for having solved a month long problem in the Old Kitchen where breakfast is served: a beeping fire alarm. So many of us have searched for it and he found it in a cabinet behind closed doors! The battery on this unused alarm was dated October 2010. No one had ever looked in the cabinet with glass doors before. Thank you, thank you. Also, they were really good sports on hearing my stink bug tutorial and consequently following my advice.

Upon arrival at The Conyers House, what came first to mind was a classic children’s book about a stuffed toy bear so cherished, that over the course of years, his “fur had been loved off” making him all the more appealing in his condition of lovable wear and tear. We soon realized that The Conyers House was not the typical, artificial, conjured B&B, soullessly staged to appeal to the masses hoping to experience charm. This is a place that feels familiar, settled, authentic, lived-in…and well, over the last nearly 200 years, some of its “fur had been loved off”.Although aged, “rustic” is not the correct descriptor for The Conyers House. The beauty and character seem to have been coaxed, cajoled and guarded through thoughtful restorations and upgrades, and with that, the voice of the house has been masterfully preserved and it speaks vociferously through the lexicon of creaks, yawns and groans. Details describing its antiquity and evolution remain such as the brass corner plates on the stairs, the exposed beams and siding and the hook and eye latches. The house is a labyrinth of shadowy, cozy niches containing tableaux vivants, many with equestrian or fox hunt themes, and many expressing the rich, adventuresome life of the owner, Sandra, and perhaps that of some passersby feeling compelled to add an artifact to the collection. The Conyers House huddles in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains on a quiet, lonely road winding through a valley that once served respite to exhausted troops during the Civil War. The wooded hollow is sanctuary to bubbling brooks, wild flowers, rock formations, and a myriad of wildlife including black bear (we admired three, in awe, from the vantage of horseback), coyotes, and of course, the noble fox who, unbeknownst to him, drives the passions of the community.The Conyers House offers horseback riding (to qualified riders) aboard spirited hunt horses instructed for the trail. Sandra provides a solid education in all things equestrian including tacking, horsemanship and the fox hunt. Sperryville, Virginia is hunt country, but this community is not characterized by snobbery and exclusivity dictated by the moneyed class. This group welcomes all levels of expertise and they are impelled by a genuine love of the art of the craft. We learned something of the community because, unexpectedly, we were invited to join Sandra to the “opening ceremony” of a real hunt. Fox hunting is about the skill and athleticism of the horse and rider (and hound and rider), the relationship between them as well as the coordination of the teams of hunters, all while tracking a sly, stealthy fox (the fox is not killed). This, attempted in an impossible morass of trees, bushes, vines, waterways, rocks, embankments, fences….So, on a misty fall morning, we experienced the excitement as we watched the assembly of baying hounds and nervous horses carrying their genteel riders decked in proper tack and turnout, respectively. The terms were announced, bugle sounded, and they were off! The grandeur and elegance of the affair was breathtaking and an honor to witness. Much of the Conyers B&B experience is shaped by the lovely owner, Sandra, who started her business over 30 years ago. Sandra treats her guests like old friends she has been hoping reunite with. Morning starts with complete silence broken by the sound of birds singing in the distance and welcomed with a gourmet meal made up of brewed coffee, eggs, fresh fruit, and juices prepared with a juxtaposition of flavors such as cranberry mixed with orange juice or fresh rosemary sprinkled in the fruit compote or salsa and sausage over pancakes or eggs benedict over creamed spinach. Yes, it works and it tastes even better when eaten with new friends over an old wooden table surrounded by a kaleidoscope of personal treasures telling the story of a family, community, a craft and the love of a sincere way of life lived on a quiet, lonely, winding road hugging in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

I was happy to learn in a subsequent email from this guest that she intends to resume horseback riding after our cross country ride. She was very timid, belying recent lesson experience preparing for riding in Iceland, and I'm glad to hear she wants to continue riding. I like giving the rider confidence. Two years ago another guest hadn't ridden since college and now owns two horses having been bitten by the "horse bug" while visiting. I love when that happens. Another guest resumed riding here and is now an enthusiastic and popular member of our local hunt.Last week a mother/daughter couple from Texas came as day trippers just to ride. Lovely to reintroduce them to the saddle again.

Fifteen years ago, I visited the Conyers House for the first time. It started with a lovely horseback ride through the fall foliage of the mountains and ended in front of a crackling fire with hot apple cider and cookies - a much-needed respite from the hectic pace of life in Washington DC. From that day on, The Conyers House became my haven and I've returned season after season. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property sits off a quiet country road, free from the sounds of cars, planes, shopping centers or people talking too loudly on cell phones. Innkeeper Sandra Cartwright-Brown has created an atmosphere of rustic elegance throughout the inn. Each room invites guests to slow down and relax, Sandra's vast collection of country antiques bringing character to every room - my particular favorite has always been The Old Attic. I love falling asleep to the sound of rain falling on the tin roof. And for horse-lovers like me, the equestrian touches throughout the inn, remind you that you are in the heart of Virginia horse country. Sandra is the ideal innkeeper. Warm and welcoming, she is always ready to answer questions and provide ideas for adventures of all kinds in the area. The best way to get a sense of The Conyers House and Sandra's own delightful personality is to watch the brief video on The Conyers House website. It introduces you beautifully to this inn which I have come to think of as my Blue Ridge sanctuary.

I can't tell you how much fun it was to meet two happy, well behaved Jack Russells and have them stay in the Springhouse. I served breakfast on the saddle porch which is gated so they would stay in and the guests could dine without worries. Alex knows the gate is jumpable and we were happy the guest dogs showed no inclination to follow suit. We'll look forward to their next visit.

What fun to have a former guest return and find no changes but the color of my hair. I love having guests tell me what was going on when they last came----they often remind me of adventures I have long forgotten. Glad you liked the upgrade. I like doing that when possible. Don't wait another twenty years for the next visit though. :^)

Despite a scheduling error on my part, Mrs. Cartwright-Brown was extremely gracious and accommodating. We were greeted by her and her staff with the same warmth and charm that surrounds the 200 year old, very well kept, house and grounds.She took us on an equestrian adventure that lasted most of the afternoon.Her knowledge of and ease around horses made our time special and memorable - both on the trail and off.It was a lovely way to celebrate my daughters 13th Birthday and I highly recommend The Conyers House to anyone wishing to experience something "off the beaten path."They have much to offer!

Just off the beaten Virginia 231 path and adjacent to the Shenandoah foothills trail heads of Old Rag, White Oak Falls, Cedar Run and Little Devil Stairs is a cozy 1790’s farmhouse turned Inn. Conyer’s Inn and Stables is now run expertly by Sandra Cartwright-Brown a no-nonsense but extraordinarily friendly, able and knowledgeable inn keeper who bought the house with her husband 30 years ago. We found the website on visitRappahannockVa.com when other inns were filled and we were thrilled we did! The Inn has grown over 200 years maintaining its turn-of-the-century small house charm with lots of antiques and finery. Each of the well sized spotlessly clean,country rooms has all the features you need with armoire closet and TV, coffee and tea service, large and high king bed, and pleasing bathroom. We stayed in Helen’s Room for 2 nights and overlooked the pasture and stables. Breakfast was ready whenever we were; made from scratch including fresh fruit, eggs, sausage / bacon, toast… whatever we desired. We were her only guests and Sandra has a knack at being in touch with all our needs. Monday morning was the biggest surprise. We chose to stay and assist herding the horses from the paddock, tacking them and prepping them for a mornings journey. Each was majestic and wonderful to ride as we prodded through the creek into the forest and up the pastures toward the foothills below the Blue Ridge. Upon coming home, we unsaddled and unbridled the horses and led them to their pastures returning to lemonade and cookies before we left hunting for another Virginia Vineyard. Thank you Sandra for a incredible weekend. We look forward to another season with you!

After spending a day with business associates at a farm house in Sperryville talking about organizational issues, the cozy B&B was just what the doctor ordered! The bedrooms were welcoming and comfortable. And Sandy, the proprietor was so kind and eager to meet our every need. After a wonderful night's sleep, the warm blueberry pancakes with applesauce and sauteed sausage (which followed warm, glazed fresh grapefruit and hot coffee!!!) was just what we needed to get us ready for another day of meetings. Perfect!!

My husband and I stayed at Conyer's while attending an event at the Castleton Festival. The stay was outstanding in every way. The welcome of our hosts, Sandra and Norman, was warm and hospitable and the house itself is fascinating. Our room: "Grampy's Room" was extremely comfortable, with more than all necessary amenities. And the breakfast was wonderful! Plenty of excellent coffee, lovely breads, and delicious eggs. We sat on the porch for our very leisurely breakfast and enjoyed the company of our hosts, and the beautiful garden and surroundings in the foothills of the Shenandoah. We are planning our next trip there soon.