Black Horse Inn

The town of Warrenton is known for its colorful history, horse shows, Main Street charm and gracious way of life. During the Civil War, the town was near the scene of battles and skirmishes during which the churches and schools were used as hospitals. Even the Black Horse Inn was used as a hospital during this time and also served as the courthouse for Fauquier County when the original burned down during the Civil War. Frequently occupied by Federal Troops, Warrenton was the object of raids by Col. John Mosby known as the "Gray Ghost'" who later made his home there and practiced law. A monument to Mosby stands beside the Old Courthouse. He is buried in the Warrenton Cemetery.

After the Civil War, Warrenton became a mecca for horse lovers. In 1883 the Warrenton Hunt was established and in 1900 the Warrenton Horse Show, which has achieved fame as the "Hunter Show of America," began. In 1922 the first Virginia Gold Cup Race was run. Other hunts, such as the Cassanova and the Old Dominion, are located within a few miles of town.

The quaintness, tradition and charm of bygone eras are apparent along Old Town Warrenton streets lined with historic houses and brick sidewalks. Townsfolk gather on the steps of the post office or at a coffee shop to pass the time of day, perhaps pausing to listen as the old courthouse clock strikes the hour. A blend of old and new businesses offer antiques, furniture, rugs, toys, books, artwork, clothing, jewelry, equestrian supplies and gifts. Specialty shops and a variety of fine restaurants satisfy the most discriminating palates. A thriving farmer's market offers home grown vegetables, preserves, baked goods, flowers and crafts. Located at 5th and Lee Streets, one block off Main Street, the market is open Wednesday and Saturday mornings from April through November.

Civil War History
The area is steeped with tradition of the Civil War. For a personal tour please contact one of the area's experts or visit one of our famous museums or battlefields. Personal Tours by Dave Goetz, president of Mosby's Confederacy, Inc.

The Old Jail Museum
Two buildings, 1808 and 1823, house Civil War revolutionary era Indian artifacts and Col. John S. Mosby exhibits. One of the oldest remaining jails in Virginia. Free.

Battlefield Tours
Manassas, Bull Run, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania Battlefields and Parks are nearby. Ask the innkeeper for more information.

Horseback Riding, Fox Hunting and Equine Spectator Sports:
Great Meadow Gold Cup Races, Friday/Saturdaynight polo and other special events


Horseback riding in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Rides at 10 am, 12 noon, and 2 pm

Fox Hunting
Arrangements can be made through your innkeeper for fox-hunting six days per week. Hunt in Virginia's finest hunt country. Exquisite, made hunters are available for hire, or bring your own hunter and stay at the Black Horse Inn, where stalls are available for $55 per night.

Steeplechase Racing
Warrenton and the surrounding area has become the center of steeplechase racing in America. Twenty four race meets and point-to-points provide participants and spectators with opportunities to enjoy the color of the sport at scenic locations. Horses that are trained and ridden by professionals competed for purses that totaled over $700,000 dollars last year. Bring a tailgate picnic and enjoy beautiful spring or fall days at the races. (Spring: February-May, Fall: September-November)

Warrenton, Middleburg Classic and Upperville Colt and Horse Show
Participate or be a spectator at some of the finest horseshows in the area. Warrenton (A-rated) Labor Day weekend; Middleburg Classic (May); Upperville (June).

Virginia Gold Cup Association Races
Great Meadow Race Course, Routes 17 and 245--only 10 minutes from the Inn Advance tickets required. (May and October)

Vineyards & Wineries
There are over 50 farm wineries tucked away in valleys or nestled on the slopes of Virginia's rolling hills. Virginia ranks seventh nationally among commercial wine producing states behind California, New York, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Virginia's wine tradition dates back to 1609 when Jamestown settlers fermented native American grapes and made the first wine in the New world. However, it was Thomas Jefferson, Virginia's original wine pioneer, whose travels as ambassador to France led him to recognize the similarity of Virginia's soil and climate to the great winemaking regions of Europe. Most recently, Virginia was named as the "nation's most promising emerging wine region" by the Wine Spectator. Virginia Wines consistently grab the national and international spotlight from their competitors.

Wine tours are featured in the Virginia Wineries Festival and Tour guide. The guide includes detailed regional maps that make it easy to locate not only individual wineries, but also to plan trips which will include several wineries in close proximity, such as those prominently featured in the Blue Ridge Wine Way. The guide also lists numerous wine festivals and special events which feature craft shows, live bands, grape stomping and more.

Wineries:

Bleu Rock Vineyard
Farfelu Winery
Gray Ghost Winery
Oasis Vineyards & Winery Inc
Pearmund Cellars Winery
Rappahannock Cellars
Unicorn Wineries
Chrysalis Vineyards
Horton Cellars Winery
Linden Vineyards
Naked Mountain Winery
Oakencroft Vineyard and Winery
Piedmont Vineyards & Winery
Prince Michel Winery
Rogers Ford Farm Winery
Shenandoah Vineyards
Swedenburg Estate Vineyards
Tarara Winery and Vineyard

Tours:

Albermarle Wine Excursions
Reston Limousine

Guests can now indulge in Luxury tours to Virginia Wineries, restaurants, historic and tourist destinations. What a perfect way to view the majesty, history and tradition of Virginia and Washington, D.C. Oasis Limousine offers a diverse selection of vehicles ranging from sedans, stretch limousines and motor coaches to transport you in luxury safety and style.

Winery Tours
Fall foliage Tours
Washington D.C. Monuments
Skyline Drive Tours
Corporate Outings
Airport Transfers

Hiking and Boating

C.M. Crockett Park and Germantown Lake
County park with lake, great walking trails, picnic sites with grills, concessions, fishing boat rentals, pedal boats, Ropes Course for Corporate Teambuilding
Warrenton Greenway Trail System
Located only 1 mile from the Black Horse Inn.

Sky Meadows State Park
Hiking trails, riding trails, picnicing

Lake Brittle
Electric motor boats, row boats and canoes

Shenandoah Trail System
Please ask your innkeeper for a map and description of over 50 hiking trails in the Shenandoah Mountains, featuring Old Rag Mountain, Devils Staircase and White River Canyon.

Massage and Spa Services
Treat yourself to a day of beauty and relaxation while staying at the Black Horse Inn. Masseuses are available on an on-call basis. Please call our innkeeper for further details and information, as appointments are recommended well in advance of your stay. Full service spas are located only minutes away from the Inn, where a full range of services are provided including:

Manicure
Pedicure
Deep Pore Cleansing Facial
Salt Glow Scrubs
Body Masques
Hair Design
Make-up Consultation and Application

Golfing
There are a variety of interesting and challenging golf courses only a short drive away. Championship golf courses and practice facilities including driving ranges, practice greens and sand traps are available in the immediate area.

Bristow Manor
Fairview Golf Center
Kastle Greens
Prince William
Robert Trent Jones
South Wales
Stone Wall Golf Club
Virginia Oaks

The Flying Circus Air Show
Precision aerobatic flying, wing-walking antique open cockpit airplanes, hot-air ballooning, skydiving, rides available.

Monroe Park and Gold Mining Museum
Fourteen acre park with museum housing artifacts and gold mining history of the area.

Recently restored, the Inn has nine rooms, all with their own private baths, many with four-poster canopy beds, Jacuzzi tubs and fireplaces. The Inn also accommodates horses in their stables for overnight visits. A perfect setting for weddings, our elegant wedding facility and gazebo makes the most beautiful focal point for photographs.

The Black Horse Inn is a beautiful hunt-country estate, located less than one hour from Washington D.C. in Warrenton, the heart of Virginia's finest horse country. Enjoy the comforts of country living set in the elegance of the pre-Civil War era.

The Inn has ample porches, landscaped grounds, boxwood gardens and spectacular views. Many guests enjoy simply relaxing in the Inn's comfortable rooms and public areas, or strolling the grounds. Wildlife abounds, and white-tailed deer and red fox can be spotted in the fields.

The lovely boxwood garden, with its' white gazebo, offers a serene setting for afternoon tea or a pre-dinner cocktail...or choose the library, or one of the Inn's comfortable porches.

Tempting breakfasts are served in the main dining room, or on the sunny dining porch, and afternoon tea and sherry are provided. The library is stocked with an eclectic assortment of reading material and many classic films on video.

Description	Distance
Twilight Polo	15 miles
Horseback Riding	30 miles
Antiquing	1 mile
Shopping	1 mile
ROPES adventure course	4 miles
Boating	4 miles
Hiking	1 mile
Biking	0.5 miles
Sight-seeing in Washington D.C.	30 miles
Hot Air Balooning	5 miles
Winery Tours	2 miles
Steeplechase Racing	10 miles
Fox Hunting	2 miles
Old Town Warrenton	1 mile
Civil War Tours	1 mile