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Entire home·Private host

Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate

Riverside cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate

Property grounds
1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
Property grounds
Set on the tranquil Ware River, this 1890s hand-hewn post and peg cottage exudes romance with its cozy fireplaces in both living room and bedroom. Stroll down the private oyster shell drive to enjoy sunsets by the pier, perfect for wine sipping or launching your canoe. With ceiling fans keeping you cool, a restored icehouse nearby tells stories of steamboats down Chesapeake Bay.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate

Come spend your vacation in this quiet, peaceful setting on the Ware River. This charming and romantic 2 story cottage has hand hewn post and peg construction dating to the 1890's. There are fireplaces in both the living room and bedroom with ceiling fans in the bedroom and on the front porch. Just in front of the cottage is a restored icehouse used to store vegetables and dairy with blocks of ice brought from up north by steamboats down the Chesapeake Bay. The waterfront is a short stroll down our private oyster shell drive and has a pier with a floating dock, table, chairs and fishing gear. This is a perfect spot for watching our beautiful sunsets while enjoying a glass of wine, fishing, crabbing, or launching your canoe or kayak. The Cottage is 1 hr from Richmond or Norfolk, 2 hours from DC, 45 min from Williamsburg, 30 min from Yorktown, and 20 minutes to the Arts and waterman community of Mathews. It provides a great home base for exploring this beautiful and diverse region of Virginia.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 23 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 24

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please leave used bath towels in bathroom and do not strip beds. Wash dishes and return to cupboards.
Adjust thermostat to minimize usage for the season (78 summer and 65 winter)
Take garbage to green trash cans located in the round building. Lock door and return key to bird.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

$50 per stay doggie deep clean fee

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
1 total (up to 23 kg per pet)
Note from host: Please provide crate if you leave your pet alone.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

About the area

Map
Gloucester, VA

What's nearby

  • Yorktown Beach - 29 min drive - 32.5 km
  • Busch Gardens Williamsburg - 44 min drive - 47.8 km
  • Water Country USA - 46 min drive - 51.1 km
  • College of William and Mary - 53 min drive - 55.9 km
  • Williamsburg Premium Outlets - 54 min drive - 62.9 km

Getting around

  • Williamsburg Transportation Center - 47 min drive
  • Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Wawa - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Duke's Aloha Eats - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate located?

Situated on a river, this cottage is 3 mi (4.9 km) from Ware Parish Church and within 6 miles (10 km) of Fairfield Foundation and Main Street Center. Gloucester Public Library and Gloucester Museum of History are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 261 out of 273 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 273 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 273 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 273 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 273 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Christine P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely stunning property and adorable cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Denise W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tthe history of the property itself was amazing. Not to mention the surrounding area. The house was near to the community but also far enough out to be very quiet and peaceful. We loved the open floor plan of the main level but if you have issues with mobility, accessing the stairs to the second floor may be an issue.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

M A.

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

Quite Place

Nice place to rest and relax.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine F.

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

A cozy peaceful holiday

Everything was so charming and cozy! We appreciated the little holidy touches for our Christmas away from home. I would definitely come again when in the area!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Levi B.

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

Loved it!

Nice and peaceful cottage! Found everything we needed and more. Thank you for hosting us.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

David M.

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

Very Cozy Cottage

Our short stay in the cottage was wonderful. The fireplace was a nice touch on a chilly night. Very cozy for 2
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy M.

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

So cozy

My husband and I stayed at the cottage over a long weekend for our anniversary. We brought our dog and enjoyed a wonderful weekend. It was quiet and cozy! We also enjoyed talking with the neighbor about the history of the property. We definitely recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

david w.

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

Great Experience

Excellent base for exploring Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown. Beautiful historic cottage on expansive grounds. Dead quiet.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan W.

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

Glebefield Cottage

Clean, quiet and private. Easily accessible. Kitchen very well equipped. Bed and bedding very comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne S.

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

Lovely!!

The cottage was beyond adorable! It was decorated to perfection, and the property was quiet and peaceful. We took many long walks with our small dog who was in heaven!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

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

Beatiful area

Lovely cottage in beautiful setting. Half mile tree lined drive, well kept garden and great dock by the river. John and Sherrie are super hosts and very responsive. Would like to see a printout with a short history of the cottage and the area Thank you John And Sherrie for everything
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We had an amazing stay here I only wish we had more time to fish on the pier and explore more. We plan to return soon. Our 4 year old daughter loved the treehouse and tire swing they had as well! The history of the place is very interesting and the gardens are nice we got to drink our coffee and watch the hummingbirds.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenna S.

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

Spring Break Steeped in History

My son and I enjoyed spring break at this beautiful historic property. It was our base to learn about Virginia's colonial history, but we found ourselves longing to get back to the cottage and estate to enjoy the peace and quiet and watch the ospreys down on the river. The cottage is beautifully maintained and while historic has everything that we needed, including excellent WiFi. A huge thank you to our hosts for a wonderful spring break getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane O.

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

Paradise

We had such a wonderful time staying at the Middle Cottage. It is a beautiful quiet property away from the hustle and bustle of things. The owners, John and Sherri, were wonderful hosts and John even took time to tell us about the history of the Glen Roy estate. The cottage is the perfect size for two people and I absolutely loved relaxing on the swing on the front porch. Thank you John and Sherri! We hope to return in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Darlene and Jerry Y.

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

Lovely

Lovely accommodations. We felt like we were staying in our personal B&B! Clean and decor quite appropriate for the era. This would have definitely been a 5-star rating if not for the TV situation. We would have liked watching TV at night after our long days of sightseeing. However, you cannot simply watch network TV. So know your passwords for streaming!! Also, if you have ANY mobility issues, you will have difficulty navigating to the bathroom and bedroom which are up high steep stairs. But if you don’t have mobility issues or TV concerns, you will love your stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mandy B.

Heaven on Earth!

We had the best, most relaxing time at the cottage! The long driveway in was the first indicator of how wonderful this place was going to be. The cottage itself was amazing with it's historical awesomeness. I actually gasped several times while walking around it - I just love old houses. We LOVED walking down to the dock in the evenings. The grounds were just as beautiful as could be. The hosts could not have been kinder. It felt like we were staying with family. We loved visiting Nuttall's and getting some yummy food. We tried crabbing for the first time! We left the Cottage refreshed, rested and feeling so incredibly lucky that we found this place. It's rare for a rental to be so much more than you were expecting but this place delivers. We didn't have a single complaint and don't hesitate to recommend the Cottage to anyone!

10/10 Excellent

Douglas D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage was quaint, peaceful, and beautifully appointed. Everything you need for a quiet getaway. We absolutely loved it, and Sherri and John are the best hosts ever – extremely helpful and responsive. We will definitely look to come back!
Stayed 11 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicolas F.

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

Another great weekend at the Middle Cottage

This is our second time staying and we had a wonderful time. Sherri is a great host and very communicative. The Cottage is very clean and comfortable and has all the amenities one would need or expect. A great location for crabbing or fishing enthusiasts.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike C.

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

Gloucester Getaway

The cottage was just as described, well appointed and equipped.Property was secluded, just the right respite.Love the area and we will return again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Victoria S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

Lovely cottage

This is a lovely historical cottage on a peaceful and large property. Spring was a beautiful time to be there. Great home base for side trips to Yorktown. Highly recommend Olivia’s in the Village in Gloucester.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerry C.

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

Historic cottage

We enjoyed the quiet beauty of the little cottage. The decor fit the home beautifully. Everything one could need was provided. Our dog enjoyed being able to get in the yard and chase her frisbee. Our side trips around the area were wonderful. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

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

Perfect weekend getaway

My husband and I loved our stay at the Middle Cottage! The setting was idyllic and the amenities were phenomenal. It was the perfect retreat from our busy lives in the city. The only thing of note is the steep staircase up to the second floor. If you have any sort of mobility issues, this may not be the spot for you. We enjoyed visiting downtown Gloucester and making a day-trip to Williamsburg. We also considered a dinner on Yorktown beach because of its easy access. We truly loved our stay and hope to be back very soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

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

warm and cozy

stayed here while visiting friends at border collie rescue . cottage had everything you have may forgot to bring. . Nettles country store just down the road . Cottage is warm and cozy . A very peaceful place. My dog was in love with property. Host was a pleasure to . deal with Linda
Stayed 20 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sally C.

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

Delightful

The cottage was a wonderful place to get away and decompress. We loved the peaceful location and side trips to Williamsburg and Gloucester. Would love to return.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Levi S.

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

Quiet relaxing stay in beautiful cottage

My wife and I enjoyed our stay here very much. The property was beautiful, and the dock fishing area was really cool. The town was cute and the restaurants we went to were delicious. We recommend staying here.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024