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
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
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)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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
Located in Gloucester, this cottage is in a rural area and on a river. Gloucester Museum of History and Walter Reed Birthplace are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Gloucester Golf Club and Severn Yachting Center. Cobbs Creek Arts Center and Bay School Community Arts Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking, power boating and sailing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails nearby. Visit our Gloucester travel guide
Newport News, VA (PHF-Newport News - Williamsburg Intl.)
39 min drive
Restaurants
Wawa
15 min drive
Duke's Aloha Eats
10 min drive
McDonald's
10 min drive
Chick-fil-A
10 min drive
Domino's Pizza
12 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.
How much is parking at Historic Cottage on Ware River Estate?
On-site parking is available at the property.
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
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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.
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.
The cottage was adorable and perfect for a couple and small dog. It was so peaceful and the grounds were beautiful and expansive. We would love to go back.
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.
Cute cabin. Porch was perfect in the morning. Listening to the birds while drinking coffee was relaxing. Location was perfect as we have family in Onemo. It was a relaxing & perfect.
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!
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.
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!
This beautiful property is the perfect place for a wonderful, relaxing, long weekend. Even our dog, Misty, fell in love with this location. Sitting on the swing reading, looking at the stars, watching the ospreys and herons from the dock, taking long walks, and exploring the area were exactly what we needed. We are looking forward to returning as soon as we can.
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
We love going to the Gloucester area. The ware river is tucked away off the beaten path and it is lovely and peaceful. This area is also very close to historic York, Williamsburg, Jamestown and Norfolk. So much to do. The cottage and the surrounding grounds are historic as well and very well taken care of. It was a pleasure to stay here.
Hi.. I was expecting just a peaceful, quiet, and relaxing couple of days and was not disappointed. Check in was extremely easy and the communication leading up to it was perfect. The entire time was special. Thank you.
The host had everything prepared for our December visit, including holiday decorations and fire laid in the fireplace! The cottage is thoughtfully designed and furnished. The surroundings are peaceful. We did not hear a single car, plane, or siren for our entire stay. And the stars! We would definitely rent this cottage again!
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!
We really enjoyed visiting the historic cottage and learning more about the history of the estate from our host. Fascinating! It is a beautiful spot. There's even a historic ice house right there. The cottage itself was so interesting, especially the upstairs with its high ceiling and I loved the quilt. However, the stairs are steep. You can take a little walk past the garden to the dock with beautiful views on the Ware River.
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
Partner and I stayed here with our elderly dog for a weekend getaway. The cottage itself is lovely; immaculate and very tastefully decorated. All we needed was provided and then some. Location is rural but a quick drive to amenities and Gloucester Court House's Main Street is a must as is the nearby Nuttall Country Store---the Dean and Deluca of Ware Neck :-) Yorktown and Williamsburg are a short drive down 17S. We enjoyed crabbing off the dock which is adjacent and available to guests of the cottage. Owners and neighbors were extremely friendly. Overall highly recommended and we plan to stay again.
It is a lovely location and the cottage is very nice. The steps to the only bathroom are very, very steep. If someone is older, it would be difficult for them. Also, I had the impression that the kitchen garden was attached to the house a well as the river being closer. The distance to each was not too far and both were lovely to see.
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!