Fairville Inn Bed and Breakfast
Table Of Contents
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The Fairville Inn Bed and Breakfast, with its elegantly appointed rooms and suites, is situated in the heart of the Brandywine Valley. The Inn is just minutes from Longwood Gardens, the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, and the Brandywine River Museum. The Hagley Museum, the Brandywine Battlefield, and local wineries are close by. For the business traveler, the Inn is a short commute to the business district in Wilmington, Delaware and the rail line to Philadelphia.The Inn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as part of the Fairville Historic District. Although the historical records are inconsistent, the Inn's Main House was most likely built between 1825 and 1837. The original summer kitchen with root cellar remains as well. The Inn has been home to members of many of southern Chester County's early families, including Mendenhall, Pyle, Trimble, Sharpless, and others. James Trimble was a relative of Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe. His wife was sister to Ellwood Mendenhall, a prominent figure in the town that bears the family name. Voted MOST ROMANTIC INN in the Mid-Atlantic for 2010 by the readers of Karen Brown's Guides
Featured on the Spring 2010 "Private Gems Garden Tour" sponsored by the Delaware Center for Horticulture
Situated on over five acres (including the adjacent innkeepers' quarters) and surrounded by miles of back roads, the inn has 13 rooms and two suites, each individually decorated. All rooms feature king or queen beds. Five rooms are in the original Main House, one with a private deck. The Carriage House has four rooms and two suites, each with a private deck overlooking the gardens. The Springhouse has four rooms, each with a deck and a panoramic view down the meadow to the neighboring pond.
The Inn has been featured in many publications, including the New York Times, Southern Living, and Philadelphia Magazine. In July 2009, the Inn was featured in Ralph Collier's syndicated column, Tours and Detours and on his radio show on the WRTI network.
Throughout the Inn, fresh flowers, and elegant country décor create a warm and quiet atmosphere. Each guest room has a private en-suite bath, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, telephone with unlimited local and long-distance service, and high-speed wireless Internet access. Many rooms have a canopied bed and eight have fireplaces (in season). The Inn serves a complimentary full breakfast with a choice of three hot entrees daily, together with a continental buffet of fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, and Inn-baked breads and muffins. Afternoon tea is served daily, with a selection of cheeses and Inn-baked goods. There is a wide-ranging selection of fine restaurants for lunch and dinner, and the staff will be pleased to make recommendations and reservations.
In Spring 2008, the Inn opened the Fairville Inn "Pitch But No Putt" four-flag golf course in the meadow. So, feel free to bring your 7-iron, 8-iron, 9-iron and/or wedge (there are no greens, so you can leave your putter at home). Flag distances range from about 50 to 90 yards, and provide a good opportunity for golfers and duffers alike to practice their approach game from fairway and low rough (depending on when the meadow is mowed). There are no green fees (because there are no greens), but please bring your own balls (we will have some on hand for those who forget). For true golfers who also want to play the real game, there are a number of fine golf courses in the area. They are located in Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland and most are less than 35 minutes away.
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From BWI Airport: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
Take Rte. 195 West to I-95 North to Downtown Wilmington, DE. In Wilmington, take Exit 7, which will be Rte. 52 (also known as Pennsylvania Avenue). Follow Rte. 52 North through Greenville and Centreville. Cross the Delaware/Pennsylvania state line into Fairville. The Inn is on the right just past the Fairville antique shops. The mileage from Exit 7 is about 8 miles.From New York and Northern New Jersey:
Approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Take the N. J. Turnpike South to Exit 2 (Swedesboro). From there, take Rte. 322 West across the Commodore Barry Bridge to I-95 South. Continue south on 95 until you get into downtown Wilmington, DE. In Wilmington, take Exit 7-B, which will be Rte. 52. At light, turn right. Follow Rte. 52 North through Greenville and Centreville. Cross the Delaware/Pennsylvania state line and proceed into Fairville. The Inn is on the right just past the Fairville antique shops. The mileage from Exit 7 is about 8 miles.Alternate:
Continue on Rte. 322 West across the Commodore Barry Bridge to I-95 South. Rte. 322 will put you on I-95 South for a short distance before exiting off to the right. Look for a sign for Route 322 West towards West Chester. Continue on Rte. 322 until you get to Rte. 1. Take Rte. 1 South about 6 miles and start looking for a sign for Rte. 52 South. It will be a left turn. Take Rte. 52 South 2 miles to Inn.From Pennsylvania Turnpike:
From the West, take Downingtown Exit. Take Rte. 100 South to Rte. 202 South to Rte. 1 South. Take Rte. 1 South about 5 miles, look for sign for Rte. 52 South. Go left for about 1-1/2 miles and the Inn will be on your left.
From the East, take the Valley Forge exit to Rte. 202 South to Rte. 1 South. Take Rte. 1 South about 5 miles, look for sign for Rte. 52 South. Go left for about 1-1/2 miles, and the Inn will be on your left.
From Philadelphia Airport:
Take I-95 South to Wilmington, DE. In Wilmington, take Exit 7-B, turn right onto Route 52, stay left and follow Rte. 52 North through Greenville and Centreville across the Delaware/Pennsylvania state line (approx. 8 miles from Exit 7). The Inn will be approximately 1/2 mile further on the right-hand side. -
Brandywine Valley Attractions
Longwood Gardens: 5 minutes
Longwood Gardens, created by Pierre S. du Pont, offers horticulture displays on 1,050 acres. Don't miss the beautiful conservatory and fountains.Winterthur: 5 minutes
Henry Francis du Pont assembled a collection of early American antiques (1640-1860), which are displayed in 175 rooms of his country home.Brandywine River Museum: 10 minutes
Houses the premier collection of Wyeth family and Howard Pyle (School of Pyle) paintings.Brandywine Battlefield: 10 minutes
See artifacts that bring life to the Battle of Brandywine, times in which it was fought, people, Washington's Headquarters, and Lafayette's Quarters. Also do the Driving Tour.Chaddsford Winery: 10 minutes
The Winery produces and sells to selected restaurants nationwide. As you tour the site, you can envision a charming country atmosphere, and explore the wonderful world of wine.Nemours Mansion & Gardens: 15 minutes
Nemours, a 300-acre country estate, was built by A. I. du Pont between 1909-1910, contains 102 rooms, and is a fine example of a modified Louis XVI French chateau.Hagley Museum: 15 minutes
Hagley is the site of the birthplace of the du Pont company and the first du Pont home in the new world.Chadds Ford Historical Society: 10 minutes
Located on Rt. 100, the Chadds Ford Historical Society is a private nonprofit organization. It owns, operates, and maintains two 18th century restorations and hosts many events.Chester County Historical Society: 25 minutes
225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380-2691 Phone: 610. 692.4800. See website for directions, hours, exhibits, etc.Chanticleer Garden: 40 minutes
The beautiful estate of Christine and Adolph Rosengarten was originally known for its majestic trees and verdant lawns. Today, the trees and lawns remain, but the focus is on plant combinations, containers, textures, and colors, often relying on foliage more than flowers.Delaware Art Museum: 15 minutes
The heart of the Delaware Art Museum remains its outstanding collections of American art and illustration. The Museum's permanent collection is focused in four areas; Howard Pyle & American Illustration, British Pre-Raphaelite Art, John Sloan, and American Art, 1757 - Present.Delaware Museum of Natural History: 5 minutes
Exhibit Highlights include: A visit to an African Waterhole, a Walk over the Great Barrier Reef; the Largest Bird Egg in the World, Extinct and Vanishing Birds.The Barnes Foundation: 40 minutes
The Barnes Foundation, 300 N. Latch's Lane, Merion, PA 19066, established 1922 by Dr. Albert C. Barnes, to promote advancement of education and the appreciation of the fine arts.Glassblowing at Simon Pearce: 15 minutes
Experience demonstrations of the classic art of glassblowing. Wednesday - Sunday, 11am to 7pm. If dining at Simon Pearce appeals to you as it does to us, check out our Simon Pearce dining certificate special.Historic Houses of Odessa: 40 minutes
Winterthur's village of 18th & 19th century houses, 23 miles south of Wilmington on Rt. 1, exit 136. 302-378-4069. Tues-Sun 1-4 pm. Closed Mon. $8 Accessed thru Winterthur link.Air Ventures Hot Air Balloon Flights: 25 minutes
Experience new heights with Air Ventures experienced pilots, professional crew and state of the art balloons! Individual, couple and group rates are available on one hour flights daily. If viewing the Brandywine Valley by balloon excites you, check out our special package with Air Ventures.Read House and Gardens: 40 minutes
42 The Strand in New Castle, DE. Built in 1801 by the son of one of Delaware's signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Read House exhibits the height of Federal grandeur.Va La Vineyards: 30 minutes
Va La is one family devoted to the creation of wines from a tiny piece of land.West Chester University: 20 minutes
The university offers degrees in the arts and sciences, teacher training and certification, advanced study in medicine and law, and continuing education.Wilmington Blue Rocks: 15 minutes
Minor League Baseball in Frawley Stadium on the Riverfront.