Shamrock Thistle & Crown

Located on a hilltop in the rolling countryside, this Central Florida bed and breakfast is near Lake Weir, 30 minutes from downtown Ocala & close to The Villages and Lady Lake. The Inn is on the Marion County historic register as the Thomas B. Snook House. One of Florida's "10 Cozy B&B's", Palm Beach Post, & featured in Irresistible Overnights in Florida; All accommodations have Private Baths and lodging includes WiFi, Cable TV, coffee makers & complimentary snacks (Cookies & Klondike Bars) and beverages. Some suites have a fireplace, whirlpool, jacuzzi or spa. A full breakfast is served in a formal dining room including juices, teas, coffee and fruit. Entrees may include Belgian Waffles, Decadent French Toast, Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, or several other savory dishes.

"One of Florida's ten Most Romantic B&B's"
Palm Beach Post Jan 27, 2008, Miami Herald Feb. 10, 2008
Florida's 7th Bed & Breakfast designated a Green Lodging Property by the Florida Dept of Environmental Protection... and only B&B from Jacksonville to Everglades City.

Pioneer Thomas Snook arrived in these parts around 1880 when he purchased 40 acres of land for $7 per acre. He may have been one of 28 residents counted in the 1880 census of Foster Park (now Weirsdale). Attracted to Florida by the flourishing citrus trade, Snook went about developing the business into a productive livelihood. At the same time he worked on his three story Victorian masterpiece which was completed in 1887. Now an historic landmark, it stood for some time as the tallest structure from Ocala to Leesburg.

The great freeze of 1895 devastated the groves for miles around and it took years to recover. But by God's grace, guava groves grew up where once many orange trees had been, providing an income (or a means to barter) until the groves were reestablished.

It would be 88 years before the groves felt the bitter sting of winter again. It came in 1983 & again in '85 & '89. The 1985 freeze was the final blow for the Snook family (then grandson John) and after more than 100 years the groves were abandoned.

In 1989 Brantley & Anne Overcash purchased the original Snook Grove plantation. Brantley, who grew up in Brandon, Florida, is a Florida State University accounting graduate. Brantley worked as a Certified Public Accountant in taxation law.  Brantley is past president of Florida Bed and Breakfast Inns and continues to contribute his knowledge to local and state Tourist Development councils. You may hear him freely dish out tax advice over breakfast also! 

Anne is the last of eight children born in CO. Antrim, Ireland. As a feature correspondent, Anne has written for  business publications in Ireland and Florida.  Anne's work is more readily seen in the New York Times owned Ocala Star*banner.   In 1994 the doors opened for the Shamrock Thistle & Crown Bed and Breakfast.  The Overcash kids Olivia, Natalie and Brantley Jr.  help keep the Inn running like a well oiled machine.

Accommodations Include
Private bathrooms 
Full elegant breakfast served 8:30-9:30
Snacks (Klondike® Bars, cookies, sodas) 24 hours
Coffee maker (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, apple cider supplied)
Cable TV / VCR (CD/DVD some rooms)
Hair Dryers, Irons, Ironing Boards
Robes in Whirlpool Rooms & Cottage
Wireless internet
Solar heated swimming pool 

From: Turnpike South
Florida Turnpike - North to Leesburg Exit #285. Go north (rt.) on Hwy 27 about 20 miles through Leesburg and Fruitland Park to Lady Lake - continue north on Hwy 27 to the 3rd light in Lady Lake & go left. There is a sign for Weirsdale 2 tenths of a mile before the light. You are now on C-25. Go approx. 4.25 miles to the 2nd light on C-25 ( which is C-42) & go left. The Inn will be 8 tenths of a mile on the right. Make sure you come up the paved drive. There is an equestrian crossing sign about 75 yards before the drive.

From Orlando Airport
Hwy 528 (Beeline Expressway) West to Florida Turnpike. See directions from Florida Turnpike above.

From South I-75 North to Hwy 44 exit #329 @Wildwood.
East/right 3 mi. to U.S. Hwy 301. North/left approx. 9 mi to light at County Road 42 and turn right. Inn is 6 miles on the left, exactly 3 miles east of Hwy 441/27. Turn up the paved drive immediately past the inn's sign.

From Florida East
Hwy 19 to CR 42 (light in Altoona). West on 42 approx. 18 mi. to Weirsdale. Continue west on CR 42 8 tenths of a mile past light in Weirsdale to Inn on right.

From North 1-75 South to Belleview exit #341 Hwy 484.
Go East/left 2.5mi. to CR475. South/rt. 3mi. to CR42. East/left 11 miles to inn on left (exactly 3mi. east of U.S. Hwy 441/27).

From Lady Lake:
North 441/27 drive 5min to CR42 (traffic light after Stonecrest) Turn right on CR42, drive exactly 3miles east, Inn will be on the left.

From Ocala 441/27 South to CR42 (6 1/2 miles south of Belleview). Turn left/east on CR42, Drive exactly 3 miles east, Inn will be on the left. Turn up the paved drive.