Disclosure: I was invited to stay at Barnsley Garden Resort on a media trip but all opinion and photography is my own.
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! Today I want to share a fun girls trip I took with Shelby from Shelby Rae Photographs a few weekends ago to celebrate her birthday! Have you heard about the beautiful Barnsley Resort? This 3,000 acre resort-meets-village playground is a true Southern gem! Located just 60 miles outside of Atlanta, on the storybook site of an 1840s estate, Barnsley Resort is where history, outdoor adventure and Southern comfort come together as one. With authentic, locally sourced cuisine, a boutique spa, and Southern charm for days, Barnsley Resort offers an escape that’s undeniably Georgia.
The Inn at Barnsley Resort
After an hour drive north of Atlanta, Shelby and I arrived to the beautiful Barnsley Resort! From the moment you set foot into the property you are greeted by friendly faces and warm hospitality. We checked into the new Inn at Barnsley Resort and headed to our room.
The Inn at Barnsley Resort is inspired byAndrew Downing’s Italianate and gothic revival style and the works of noted British architect Edwin Lutyens, known for his English country homes from the turn of the 20th century. Designed to complement the resort’s existing English-inspired village and merge into its relaxed Southern resort setting, the new building welcomes guests at registration with an expansive Living Room gathering area that features a grand staircase and fireplace as focal points.
As you can see by our photos, the room was true depiction of southern elegance. It was very spacious and had large windows that overlooked the property. Shelby and I also couldn’t get over how comfortable the beds were!
Culinary Escape
What makes Barnsley Resort unique from other resorts in the area is it’s culinary and beverage program. Let me explain.
A few years ago I was fortunate enough to attend a media dinner at Sun Dial restaurant in downtown Atlanta {you can read about it here}. What made that dinner more memorable than others was that Chef Jason Starnes came out and sat with us after dinner and told us his culinary journey. I left that dinner feeling inspired and taken back by his story and his true passion for food. Well that Chef is now the executive chef at Barnsley Resort! When I arrived to Barsley and found this out, I knew we were in for a treat! And just to make things even better, the head of the beverage program is Sommelier Jon. He helped open various restaurants here in Atlanta, including one of my personal favorites, Varuni Napoli. This duos passion for great hospitality and even better curisne is evident in the exceptional culinary experience you get at Barnsley.
Everything we drank and ate at Barnsley was superb but our dinner at Rice House was particularly remarkable. Chef Jason’s creations can be summed up into one word, masterpieces. The freshness of the locally sourced produce, along with perfectly paired cocktails, made this dining experience unlike any other and truly unforgettable. I would be willing to drive one hour just to eat at Rice House again!
With three onsite restaurants serving the freshest tastes of the season, your toughest decision will be picking a dish to order…and a perfect cocktail to pair it with. Here is a little more information on the three restaurants on the resort-
Rice House
At the opposite end of the “main road”, this 19th-century farmhouse restaurant doubles as a slice of history. Known today as Rice House, the structure was originally the home of The Rice Family in nearby Rome, Georgia, that was delicately relocated to Barnsley Resort. The culinary team pays homage to its Southern heritage, and serves modern farmhouse cuisine, with a menu that changes every other week, if not weekly.
The Woodlands Grill
A meal at The Woodlands Grill is like a warm hug from a friend. With its English hunting lodge atmosphere and views of the golf course, this is the place to gather and indulge in home-cooked Southern fare. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, the restaurant offers Southern regional comfort food that’s delicious any time of the day, plus an extensive wine, craft beer and spirit list. For those looking for a little privacy, try the restaurant’s cozy Wine Library.
The Beer Garden
Enjoy al fresco dining — and a cold one! — under the stars or throughout the day on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Beer Garden offers a casual menu featuring items from Atlanta’s Spotted Trotter Charcuterie that pairs perfectly with over 30 craft beer selections.
Southern Playground
Aside from eating and drinking delicious food, you can also stay busy with all the experiences Barnsley has to offer. Since this was a girls trip to celebrate Shelby’s birthday, we booked facials at Barnsley’s newly renovated spa. Such a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Here is a list of the many activities you can sign up for while staying at Barnsley:
- 18-hole Fazio-designed golf course
- Horseback riding along picturesque trails
- Boutique spa and fitness center
- 10-acre lake for fishing and canoeing
- Wing shooting at SpringBank Plantation
- 28-station sporting clays course
- Shooting instruction and shotgun fitting offered through Caesar Guerini Wings & Clays School
- Fly fishing lessons and catch-and-release fishing
- Miles of hiking and biking trails
- Paintball, bicycles, canoes and kayaks
- Seasonal saltwater pool
- Fire pits and s’more supplies
- Historic Manor House Ruins, museum and woodland heirloom gardens
- Unique and well-curated retail options, including Addie’s Boutique, The Golf Shop and SpringBank Sporting Club
Whether you are looking for a relaxing escape from the city, or perhaps you want something fun to do with the whole family, Barnsley Resort has you covered. A huge thanks to Barnsley Resort for having us for! And a special thanks to Sommelier Jon for his beverage education tour and for being the epitome of Georgia hospitality. We can’t wait to return for another culinary escape! Cheers!
THank you so much for sharing your weekend getaway to Barnsley resort with your readers! those food photos are incredible, and we’re so glad you reconnected with chef jason and jon! We are delighted they are both part of our team.