Latest news with #Middleburg
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Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Travel + Leisure
This Small Town in Virginia Is a U.S. Dupe for the English Countryside—Here's How to Visit
Middleburg, Virginia, is a picturesque rural town about an hour outside of Washington, D.C. This under-the-radar destination is rich in old world charm, including rolling hills, independent shops, small vineyards, and country inns. These elements attracted icons like Jackie Kennedy and Elizabeth Taylor, who both called Middleburg home for a time. You don't have to be Jane Austen obsessed to be dreaming of the English countryside in 2025. This year is the 250th anniversary of the Pride and Prejudice author's birth and the idea of an idyllic, rose-scented, never-too-hot English countryside has permeated imaginations, bucket lists, and social media feeds seemingly the world over. While we cannot all swing a trip to Austen's birth country this summer, we can visit somewhere a little closer to home—especially if your home is on the East Coast. Middleburg, Virginia, about an hour from Washington, D.C., is the state-side answer to a Cotswold's craving, and there has never been a better time to go. Known for its sprawling horse farms, rolling vineyards, historic country inns, and independently owned boutiques, Middleburg has the type of streets and scenery that seem directly pulled from one of Austen's books. Yet the town has managed to fly under the radar for years, despite being located in the wealthiest county in America (Loudoun County) and despite being a favorite destination of numerous political and Hollywood icons. Elizabeth Taylor called Middleburg home during her marriage to Senator John Warner, and the Kennedys owned a 166-acre farm here, which they used as a weekend home during their time in the White House. And although JFK famously disliked his weekends here, Jackie remained a local fixture in town even after her husband's assassination and was a regular at The Red Fox Inn and Tavern. 'The unassuming lifestyle of the Virginia Piedmont,' is what charmed Jackie, says Matilda Reuter Engle, who runs Red Fox and whose family has been in Middleburg for seven generations. That lifestyle—with its tony pursuits of fox hunting, horse racing, and polo playing—adds to what Engle points out is Middleburg's 'old-world charm.' The old-world, Austen-esque charm is palpable in the postcard-sized downtown, with antique stores and independently owned boutiques like Crème de la Crème, which sells a highly curated selection of European homewares. Owners Tara and Ben Wegdam opened the shop 25 years ago, after successfully running a similar business in Holland. Middleburg proved to be a natural place to open their business after they left Europe. Tara Wegdam is quick to point out that it's Middleburg's 'European charm meets everyday living' that has made the shop such a success. They currently have a customer membership base of more than 100,000 people and run several other locations of their shop in Virginia and Maryland, although the Middleburg spot remains the biggest travel-worthy draw. Many shops have followed in Crème de la Crème's footsteps and have thrived in the town, whose population is just 700. Middleburg Books, which opened in 2023 by a local librarian, credits much of its success with those who travel here. 'We've found that about 75 percent of our customers are out-of-towners,' says owner Mary Beth Morell. 'It's been a delight to see our charming little jewel-box of a bookshop become something of a destination in its own right.' Other small shops, such as Highcliffe Clothiers, which sells elegant country wear, Federal and Black, which offers home goods and gifts, and Knead, which bakes homemade pizzas, Virginia peanut cookies, and sells sommelier-selected wines, all have devoted fan bases. Middleburg's wineries have also helped to establish the area as a destination. And while the wine produced here may not be truly old world, it is a thing of beauty on its own. Virginia's wine industry has grown substantially in recent years, and local producers, including Greenhill, Boxwood, and Cana are the perfect spots to take it all in. Outside of town, visitors will find two country inns: Salamander and Goodstone. Both hotels are tucked away from town and on substantial parcels of land, and it's easy to imagine any Jane Austen heroine wandering their grounds.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
SWAT response shuts down residential roads in Middleburg
The Clay County Sheriff's Office is expected to provide details Sunday night about what is causing a large police response to one Middleburg neighborhood. SWAT has been deployed in a residential area at Thunder Road and Dowling Road. The first alert about the police presence was sent out by CCSO around 4 P.M. Sunday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax has received several calls from neighbors who have not been allowed to return to their nearby homes for hours. Just after 9 P.M., CCSO announced that the investigation is still active, but it is allowing neighbors who live on Sunnyside Drive through the blocked road. Those people are asked to come in from the County Road 218 and Thunder Road side and to let deputies know. Officials say this is an isolated incident and there is no threat to the community. Action News Jax is at the scene and working to learn more about what triggered the response. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘It's just a beautiful time': Vatican journalist from Clay County reflects on covering conclave
Never in a million years did Kielce Gussie think her faith would take her from Middleburg, Florida, all the way to the Vatican. Reading the first reading at Pope Francis' funeral mass and reporting on the conclave are experiences she said she will never forget, and she feels truly blessed. Gussie moved to Rome in 2019 and began working for Vatican News in October as a journalist. She covered Pope Francis' papacy and was asked to read at his funeral. 'I didn't know I was going do it until a couple of days before,' Gussie said. 'And it was a big surprise, but it was a huge honor and a huge blessing because for me, Pope Francis was the first pope that I really followed.' [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Gussie was doing commentary for Vatican News when she first saw the white smoke flying out of the Sistine Chapel chimney. She said that as soon as the name of the new Pope was read, she was shocked and excited. 'We turned to each other, and we were like, 'Oh my gosh.' None of us imagined that it would be an American,' Gussie said. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Gussie said she couldn't be more grateful for the opportunity. 'It's just a beautiful time,' Gussie said. 'And it's really, it's a historical moment and I'm really happy to be here.' Gussie said she's excited to cover Pope Leo XIV's papacy and feels blessed for the opportunity. Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
