PRING 2021 GREAT TIME TO PLAN YOUR TRIP HERE

The area that surrounds the historic gem of Lexington is most pleasant and attractions abound.  we have large amounts of farmland and large areas of state and National Forests. All of our country roads, highways and by-ways are very scenic.  Endless opportunities for seeing historic landmarks, vineyards, caverns, a drive through zoo, an historic working Mill, one of American's Natural Wonders, the Blue Ridge Parkway and much more will make a trip to A B&B at Llewellyn a trip for the ages.

• Natural Bridge State Park- Natural Bridge, 13 minutes from the Lodge, is one of Nature's true masterpieces. Thomas Jefferson surveyed the massive limestone bridge and it also features a local Native American Indian village. More Below.
• Natural Bridge Trail System- Featues several trails which follow trails, waterfalls and hillsides.
• Blue Ridge Parkway 11 miles East of the Lodge- more below. Exceptional seasonal foliage displays.More Below.
• Rt 39- Applachian Scenic By-Way Follow this to Goshen Pass, one of Virginia's most beautiful Natural spots-. Take a swim,fish, kayak or tube. Picnicking at its best.
• Rockbridge and Lexington Valley Vineyards
• Wades Mill Water powerered mill with gift shop, sone ground flours Apr-Oct
• Sam Houston Wayside honors the  birthplace of  the famous Texas Governor
• Hull's Drive In  Theatre - Enjoy a 1950's throwback experience weekends Apr-Oct- first run movies.
• Virginia Safari Park - Mar-Nov- 180 acre Drive through zoo
• 2 Large Antique Malls - Dukes's and Lexington Antique total over 60,000 sq. ft
• Clark's Old Time Music Center-  Fridays- Old time mountain music & flatfootin'
• Devil's Backbone Outpost  Beer Brewery - Tours and Tasting
• Boxerwood Nature Center and Garden- 31 acres of horticulture to enjoy. Open Daily.
• Virginia Gold Orchard--Asian Pears for sale & tastings. Aug-Nov.
• Devils Backbone Brewery- includes beer tasting, special events brewery tours.
• Virginia Horse Center - a world class equestrian facilty close to the  Llewellyn Lodge hosting many competitions and other events most weeks of the year.
• Natural Bridge Speedway-Racing on a fast 3/8 mile track most Sats. Apr-Oct
• Glen Maury Park - hosting various Blue Grass festivals during the summer

Just A Short Drive Away- This is just one of Our Scenic Drives From the Lodge: Goshen Pass.

Marvel at the Natural Bridge- The 215’ high span of solid limestone towers above a stream which has a hiking trail along it, Spectacular light show at dusk. A Monocan Indian encampment is on this trail. Caverns, wax museum  and kid's playground. The Asian Gold pear orchard is just up the road with nice fruit in season. The Safari Park just a bit further up is a drive through zoo where you can see and feed exotic roaming animals from the car. The Virginia Horse Center is only 5 minutes from The Lodge. This world class facility offers shows and events most weekends.

Experience the Blue Ridge Parkway’s spectacular seasonal foliage displays with its outstanding vistas, wildlife viewing and scenic leg stretcher trails. The Appalachian Trail is closby, we have lots of maps detailed loop drives using part of the Parkway.any of our guests like to trek up to the Peaks of Otter on the parkway to catch a great hiking and meal in a post and beam lodge overlooking a small lake with mountain backdrop.

Just A Short Drive Away-  This is just one of Our Scenic Drives From the Lodge, a Guest favorite.:

Enjoy a fantastic Loop Drive to the Rockbridge Vineyard, Wades Mill, Dukes Antique Mall, Lexington Antique Mall, Orchard side Yarn Shop, Cyrus Mc Cormick Farm, Lexington Valley Vineyard and our favorite, Goshen Pass. Wine tasting, wildflower walks, a glimpse at the inner workings of a grist mill, c 1750 and soaking in some of the best natural beauty in Virginia in Goshen Pass are just a few of the possibilities on this excursion.oop hikes including segments of it in John's HIKING BOOK which represents a lifetime of enjoying the great outdoors of Rockbridge County

Blue Ridge Parkway. Natural Bridge and Caverns, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Virginia Horse Center, Goshen Pass Natural Area, Scenic Highway 39, various seasonal Festivals, Bluegrass Music, Orchards, and Southern Virginia University. Rockbridge Vineyard, LexingtonVineyard, Historic Wades Working Mill. Cyrus McCormick Farm Canoeing, Hiking, Golf, Horseback Riding, Fly-fishing, Night tennis Trans-America Bike Route 76. Antique Malls Lake Robertson Recreation Area. Homestead Resort. Bath & Highland Counties

FOR THOSE PARENTS DOING WASHINGTON & LEE AND VMI CAMPUS TOURS & INTERVIEWS

We have hosted  many thousands of Washington & Lee University  and VMI Parents and students for over 37 years, the Lodge is very convenient to admissions office, museums, restauraunts and shops down town. Lexington is very walker friendly.  For our college tour Parents and students doinfg campus visits  we offer a full breakfast to get you started on time  for your appointment to admissions - walkable or 2 minute driveable.

Lodge Guests visiting the colleges, find the delightful 2 minute drive to both campuses and admission houses, veryconvenient. We will get you started with Blue Ribbon breakfast and keep you on time for your campus tour or other appointment. The two colleges, Washington and Lee University - c 1749, and Virginia Military Institute founded 1839 have beautiful adjoining campuses and both are steeped in history.

There are many historical ties with Civil War study most interesting. Gen. "Stonewall" Jackson taught at VMI until the war and General Robert E. Lee came to Lexington after the War to become President of what is now Washington & University. Both are buried in the town they both loved. The Lee Chapel and museum pays honor to General Lee. President George Washington was the first major donor to what is now Washington and Lee University.

Home Away From Home!

I came to stay with John for a night while visiting Washington & Lee School of Law. I had never been to the area before and as a 22 year old on my own, it was such a relief to be staying with someone who not only took me under his wing and made me feel comfortable, but also took the time to tell me the ins and outs of Lexington.

Karen S. Connecticut March 2017

Washington and Lee University

Washington & Lee University was originally founded as Augusta Academy in 1749, 20 miles awayfrom the current campus, making it the 9th oldest U.S. university. The campus was moved to Lexington in 1776 and renamed Liberty Hall Academy. The school ran into financial trouble in the 1790's and luckily General  George Washington stepped in to provide the school's 1st endowment of $20,000 in James River Canal Stock which kept the school in operation. In 1813 the newly named  private all male Washington College was holding class where the current campus is today.

Confederate General Robert E. Lee came to Lexington 1865 after the Civil War to become President of the university.  The college had $67 in its checking account at this time. His goal was to do ''all in his power to aid in the restoration of peace and harmony'' in the South.  General Lee served as President until his death in 1870. The school name was changed to Washington & Lee University . The school went co-ed in 1985, today there are over  1800 undergrads. An additional 400 attend the Washington & Lee University School of Law. the Lee Chapel  and Museum on the Colannade where General Lee is buried is free to the public, Lee's office is on display just as he left it.

Distances to Other Colleges

Virginia Military Institute (VMI)

 VMI, the nation's oldest state supported school. was founded in 1839. The post joins the Washington and Lee University campus in town. It is one of six military schools in the country and the current enrollment is  right at1500 cadets. Confederate General Thomas ''Stonewall'' Jackson taught there prior to the Civil War.  World War II General George C. Marshall was a VMI and the Marshall museum on post honors him and is open to the public. The VMI Museum is also on post and has many exhibits that cover the history of the school. ''Stonewall'' Jackson's horse Little Sorell is on mounted display along with the rain jacket the General  wore on the night he was shot. A very impressive antique gun collection can be found on the second floor down from the chapel level. Full Dress parades are always a favorite with guests as the Corp of Cadets march through the huge Parade ground. These are free to the public and they are scheduled on many Friday afternoons and other special occasions when school is in session August-May.

This independent liberal arts college is 6 miles east of Lexington in Buena Vista, Va. The student enrollment is around 800.

A B&B at Llewellyn Lodge makes the perfect home base  for singles, couples or a group of motorcycle drivers to map out day trips for their bikes to some of Virginia's most scenic country.  The Blue Ridge Parkway, Skyline Drive, Viginia Scenic Rt. 39, multitudes of backroads combined with higher elevations in the nearby mountains should all fit within the criteria for finding the perfect motorcycle, We have several routes detailed in our Outdoor book here at the Lodge including rides from 50-250 miles or so. Riders can pick a different direction  to head out to each day .

Rockbridge, Bath & Highland County, Augusta Loop NW 3 has some of the the very best mountain riding anywhere. Highland County to its North has some challenging mountain climbs along with fine high altitude scenery, the Blue Grass Valley up that way might be the prettiest in Virginia. One sub  loop can take you by the Back Creek Pump Storage station, one of the largest in the world, another to Snowshoe Mountain , West Virginia.  The Cass Railroad Ride near  is always outstanding as it the old  Shay steam engine takes you up the mountain. Take the waters at the Jefferson Pools to relieve the muscles.

Blue Ridge Parkway & Skyline Drive offer different options east of Lexington 11 miles, one can go North or South for many miles. The Skyline Drive is reachable by heading North on the Blue Ridge Parkway 45 miles to I-64. The Skyline Drive starts N from this point and goes 105 miles to Front Royal. Spring and Fall foliage times are awesome.

Appomattox and Charlottesville are another great destination rides for riders though this can be a 230 mile or more loop. See where the Civil War ended, tour  President Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home  and President James Monroe's home on this one just to name a few.

Roanoke Valley and Rockbridge County Country Rides are detailed in a special brochure we keep for riders here at the Lodge. Many of these combine parts of the Blue Ridge Parkway and other scenic backroads. A couple will take you by Natural Bridge, just 14 minutes from the Lodge. or Goshen Pass , a boulder strewn beautiful mountain pass with the fast flowing Maury River etching its way through a state forest. 

A B&B  at Llewellyn Lodgein Lexington, Va makes the perfect homebase for seeing some of Virginia's most historic spots.  Many of our guests like to plan multiple day stays with us as they explore the incredible history and natural beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge mountains.