NAVIGATE
The Best Resort near Atlanta for a Weekend Getaway
Barnsley Resort – A Slice of Paradise
I had an amazing experience visiting Barnsley Resort. It’s got to be the best resort anywhere near Atlanta. It is a world away from the hustle a bustle of Atlanta, but just about an hour north. It looked liked a magical fairyland with the most gorgeous scenes around every corner. I completely understand why so many people want to have their weddings here! And frankly, I wish I could go back and re-do mine underneath their romantic ruins and starlit skies.
However, because I can’t go back in time and convince my 23 year old bridezilla self to skip the 300+ person wedding, I’ll settle for an amazing girl’s trip getaway with my sweet pal Chanel VanReenen.
We got to tour the ruins, the grounds, horseback ride, and stay in their stunning brand new inn. In order to make the most of our trip, we took every opportunity to shoot photos in each of the picture perfect locations around the property. We shot for three days, yet still didn’t even get to half of the stunning locations we had on our list. Believe me when I say this place was absolutely magical.
WE STAYED
The Inn at Barnsley Resort, their brand new 3 story inn with rustic charm and beautiful views from every room. Our room was extremely clean, well decorated, and had a beautiful bathroom and balcony view of the property. Traditionally they have only had guests stay in one of their cottages on the property, but now they offer a hotel style inn as well. I’d say it was well suited for couples and families alike. We stayed in a double queen room with a fridge, and ample storage and counter space. I could easily see it working well for our family of 4. One thing I loved most is that you could easily walk anywhere. ( But you could also easily drive to the different parts of the resort if you needed to with kiddos)
There were bikes to ride, live music to hear in their beer garden cafe, and the sweetest little s’mores set up right outside of the inn.
WE SAW
The most picturesque streets, two cute shops, restaurants and bars. Every corner is a IGers dream! Rows on rows of historic cottages with the perfect rustic charm. The paths are stroller friendly for the most part. Perfect for wandering with ice cream in hand (and preferably baby is asleep in the stroller!)
My favorite cottage on the grounds! 
Sweet little s’mores bar! 
They even had a pet bunny Blueberry who lives on the grounds and can be seen hopping around. 
The Barnsley Manor ruins were by far my favorite part. It was just so whimsical and magical and I felt such a pull towards it. Maybe it is just the romantic history lover in me – but the manor house surely had me under its spell.
We got to tour the grounds on horseback and had a great experience. The instructor was so kind and patient with us two city dwelling girls who hadn’t ridden a horse in a VERY long time. We took about an hour ride to see the grounds. It was both beautiful and almost hypnotic in a way. The gentle rhythm of the horse’s gait and the gorgeous greenery that surrounded everywhere we looked left me totally relaxed and mellow as we ended our ride.
They had the cutest little farm with baby goats and baby cows that we got to pet after the horseback ride, and I am totally in love with baby goats now! I ( not so) secretly want to get one for our backyard!
WE ATE
There are two main restaurants on the resort, The Rice House and The Woodland Grill. They also have a super cure Beer Garden that is open on the weekends and seasonally. Since we were there during the weekday, we didn’t get to test that out. We ate our meals at the Woodlands grill and OMG every dish was delish! My favorite was the risotto and the beet salad. Every bite was heavenly.
However, I will say that if you want specialty coffee in the morning, make sure to go down to the Woodlands Grill for breakfast to get it. The inn only has regular black coffee available. But the cappuccino I had at the grill was well worth the walk!
Overall it was an incredible trip. I really hope to return with my hubby in tow for a romantic getaway sometime in the near future. It’s just an hour north west of the city and yet seems worlds away. AND I MUST MUST MUST TRY OUT THE SPA!!
AND SINCE YOU MADE IT TO THE END>>> YOU GET A SURPRISE!
Chanel and I are hosting a BARNSLEY RESORT WEEKEND GETAWAY GIVEAWAY!! Head on over to this post to enter! AHHH! Can’t wait to give one of you amazing ladies ( or guys ) a weekend trip to see their beautiful Christmas display and tour of lights and a 2 night stay at one of their gorgeous cottages!
PRIZE DETAILS >> A Light Up The Holidays prize package. Includes a 2 night stay at a Barnsley Resort Cottage, $50 resort credit, and a commemorative ornament.
Valid November 24th – December 27th 2018
If you want some tips on how to take photos like I have here in this post – check out my recent post on all my best tips!
Leave a Reply
Be the first to comment