Notes from the host
Blackberry Springs Farm In Marshall
When you round the corner and come onto Blackberry Springs property you’ll suck in your breath and wonder where this grand estate came from!
We are an idyllic property to host retreats (yoga and empowerment groups love us), gather large groups of family and friends, and to host small events (contact us for more details on events).
Scroll further down to see property layout but first read from the many ideas of things to do to create a truly unforgettable stay.
PRIVATE SPA & MEDITATION CENTER: FINISHED END OF JUNE 2024
Slip away from the group to watch the sunrise at what we call Blackberry Springs Forest Spa- our new spa/meditation retreat center (being completed some time in June 2024, inquire for your specific date if booking for June). This area sits at a high point above the property with long-range mountain views. Gather your group or take some alone time to meditate in the geodome primarily for meditation, yoga, tea ceremonies, training, etc (no sleeping areas in the geodome). Pamper yourself with an onsite massage therapist or team of therapists to pamper the whole group (we will coordinate therapists for you). Sweat out your worries in our shou sugi ban sauna. Recharge your body in the cold plunge. Relax or swim in the 12' swim spa or turn down the temps and let the kids use it like a small pool. Hike through the adjacent forest. You'll want to spend all day every day at Blackberry Springs Forest Spa.
POND PLAY! Race to the end of the dock, jumping into the cool waters of our pond beneath the trees (a ladder is provided so kids can easily jump off the dock and climb back up). Or enjoy the paddle boat as you lazily go about the pond. Don’t forget to host a fishing competition to see who can catch the most fish, or can someone catch Mr. Whiskers the elusive catfish? We provide fishing poles and the pond is stocked with bass, blue gill and catfish.
NIGHT FUN AT BLACKBERRY! At night, revive the art of storytelling as you tell chilling ghost stories around the evening fire while roasting marshmallows from our free S’mores gift baskets; or create two fires at the two different fire pits so the kids have a kid friendly ghost story option. Don’t forget to look up and bask under the blanket of stars so easily seen in the country. If it’s summertime be delighted by the hundreds of fireflies that compete with the stars to light up the night sky. The kids will love running around catching fireflies to watch them light up in jars before they set them free.
DINING EVENTS TO REMEMBER! Hosting memorable dinners here is easy plus our guests often bring in private chefs to make it easy and memorable (we have contacts for chefs). The dining table was custom made for the space and seats 12. We also provide a folding table and 8 additional chairs, seating 20 just in the dining room.
OFF-SITE ADVENTURES! You’ll run out of days before you run out of excursions a short dive away. Blackberry Springs is a central hub of adventure! Just 15-20 mins away you can enjoy world class hiking, biking, zip lining, white water rafting, horse back riding, and restaurants. We are 30 mins to Asheville with its numerous trendy and innovative restaurant scene (Asheville just snagged the No. 1 spot in Yelp’s and Travel & Leisure’s top food city). Asheville also has one of the best craft beer scenes in the country, a spectacular arts and crafts scene, shopping, museums and the world famous Biltmore Mansion. We are 15 mins from the quaint town of Weaverville with it’s walkable Main Street with lovely coffee shops and restaurants; or grab dinner to go and enjoy a lovely walk and picnic at Lake Louise just minutes from Weaverville’s main street. We are 10 mins from historic Marshall with it’s fabulous up and coming downtown sitting just off the French Broad River. We are 7 mins from Mars Hill with its small main street and idyllic university where you can grab dinner if you want to eat closer to home. In the winter enjoy skiing at Wolf Laurel just 30 mins away. If you want to venture farther explore Smoky Mountain National Park, the most visited national park in the US and completely free- just 1.5 hours away. Wanna do a theme park day? Enjoy Dollywood or all that Gatlinburg has to offer just 1 hour and 45 mins away. If you’re looking for a home base to explore all that this amazing area has to offer, we are literally central to it all!
House floorpans and layouts:
THE MANOR HOUSE:
For a virtual walk through go the site that allows you to upload movies (airbnb is blocking the site) and then /D9Yqg8CvKnc
Front room:
This room is a wall of glass and is a perfect place to hold group trainings or family/friend gatherings.
Living room:
The front room segues into a second living room area. This open area is also connected to the kitchen and dining areas so that it is easy to chat while dinner is being prepared.
Dining room:
Voted the favorite room of the house, this recent addition has soaring ceilings adorned with tongue and groove wood giving it a Scandinavian design flare. It’s a fish bowl of floor to ceiling windows, in fact from the front room into this space there are 20 windows and three sets of glass doors!!! The table seats 12, there is also room and a folding table and chairs provided to seat another 8.
Kitchen:
Two fridges, two freezers, a double oven, and a separate ice maker, we can easily host your large gathering’s food needs. Just off the kitchen you’ll enjoy our coffee bar.
Half Bath:
This large half bathroom is just off the living room areas.
Laundry Room:
Actually we have two laundry rooms- one in the basement and one on the main floor that doubles as a pantry and also has a second fridge/freezer.
West Wing Library:
This little library is a perfect place to curl up, take in the views outside and grab a good book off the bookshelves to enjoy.
Queen Suite:
This queen room is getting a redo-- so pictures coming soon. This room is a smaller queen room with bathroom (shower only).
Primary King Suite:
This large room has expansive views of the pond and forest. No better spot than next to the windows to enjoy a good book or quiet reflection as you stare outside. This room is complete with a TV, walk in closet, and large ensuite bathroom with walk in shower.
Upstairs Family Suite:
This room is getting a total makeover so no pictures yet. This room has a king bed and day bed in one section of the room and in the other section is a full bed. Fabulous views of the pond and mountains here! The luxury bathroom will be finished April 2024 and has large walk in shower with two shower heads, soaking tub, and double vanity. This will be the nicest bathroom in the house.
Downstairs Living Room and Game Room:
The downstairs is a great place to host a game night with it’s wet bar complete with sink and mini fridge, poker table, and ping pong table. We also provide poker sets and board games. In addition, we have a large sofa and TV to gather and watch movies.
Downstairs King Suite:
This room has a full bathroom that jack and jills with the living room, or you can lock it off if you don’t want anyone to share it. This room has desk to work at and a TV.
Downstairs Queen Suite:
This room is getting a redo and pics will be up soon. This room has new floors, new paint, new woodwork, and a newer full bathroom. This room has a walkout to a space under the deck and out to the pond.
Downstairs Laundry:
Second set of washer/dryer is perfect for large groups.
Deck:
The large deck with African red wood is a great place to sit and enjoy the views or lovely weather.
Greenhouse:
The greenhouse is mostly used as a space to store inflatables and outdoor games.
Outdoor Kitchen Area:
This area sits perched above the pond and has two dining tables.
Waterfall:
This is a lovely spot to sit and watch the small waterfall on our property.
THE LOFT SPACE:
For a virtual walk through go to- the site that allows you to upload movies (airbnb is blocking the site) and then /shLQMPA1uMQ
Entry:
To enter the loft you do have a set of stairs to come up into the loft from the parking and then the loft is all one level. If stairs are an issue, the queen bedroom has a door and a deck where you can drop off guests where they can enter the loft without any stairs.
Living Room:
The loft was originally an old tobacco barn that we converted in 2021 to a chic loft-type apartment. The loft is a 1700 square foot home above a hobby workshop (the bottom floor, that is not accessible to the loft, is only used as hobby wood project space by the owner— the loft feels like it’s all yours and is not a shared space). The loft is an open space concept with soaring ceilings, enormous windows, and unique custom made lighting.
Deck:
The deck is a great place to take in the sunset, roast S’mores on the propane fire pit, and have long conversations as the stars come out to to play. The deck seats eight with outdoor seating.
Kitchen:
The kitchen is a favorite with brick walls, concrete counters, a beautiful weathered workbench used as an island, and a large window to stare out at the mountains from. Stocked with the essentials, a gas fired oven, and a Keurig/normal coffee maker, you have everything you need for cooking.
Dining:
This custom made dining table is a great place to enjoy a meal with a West Elm leather banquette to sit on.
King Suite:
Ensuite bathroom with shower/tub combo.
King Suite:
Ensuite bathroom with large walk in shower.
Queen Suite:
Ensuite bathroom with walk in shower and large soaking tub. This room also has a door leading to outside and is a place where people who have a hard time stairs can come into the house and not deal with stairs at all.
Half Bathroom
This half bathroom is just off the living room.