340 Persimmon Ln

Shadow Ridge Farm is 531 acres of rolling pasture, mountainous forest, streams, massive rock outcroppings and dramatic topography between the Rush River and the summit of Jenkins Mountain, at over 2,000 feet. From every vantage point there are mountain views of the Shenandoah National Park and long vistas across the Piedmont that melt into the horizon. The property affords perfect privacy, yet it is easily accessible and only about 3 miles from the square in Little Washington. Scattered across the fenced pastures and meadows are small stands of hardwoods, streams and small wetlands creating the ideal eco-system for woodpeckers, songbirds, and birds of prey. Bees, butterflies and beneficial insects abound, and small game, bears and deer haunt the wood’s edge. There are about 80 acres of pasture that are currently hayed and grazed by cattle. The forests are a mix of poplar, oaks, walnuts, beech and ash and even a few American chestnuts still hold on. Hundreds of dogwoods and redbuds dot the hillsides and there are impressive thickets of mountain laurel and wild azaleas. It is the sort of farm where you can deliberately lose yourself for hours and it begs to be explored. Shadow Ridge Farm is crowned by a charming family compound that is reminiscent of an old Adirondack camp or the classic lodges in early National Parks. It is beautifully sited above the upper pasture where there are endless views across the pond and pastures to the horizon. Under a canopy of immense poplar trees, the compound consists of a main lodge, two smaller guest cabins and several accessory structures. The buildings are surrounded by native plantings, rock walls, stone terraces and a lovely wildflower meadow. Just below the buildings there is a home orchard with apples. peaches, pears, apricots, persimmons and paw paws. The main lodge is a c.1938 wood framed building centered around a large open living room with a high trussed ceiling, a brawny fieldstone fireplace, wide pine floors and wood planked walls. Through glass double doors, the living room opens to a wood paned dining room with a rustic kitchen behind. It features a wood cookstove and a 1940’s refrigerator that is still working perfectly! The front of the lodge is a wide screen porch that leads to an observation deck with magnificent views. Across the rear of the lodge is another impressive deck shaded by towering trees. The main lodge has four bedrooms and three baths. Across a fieldstone walkway, a smaller log guest cottage has a kitchenette, full bath, bedroom and sitting room. Another cottage provides overflow sleeping quarters. The property includes a tenant house that could be repurposed as additional guest space. From wide open spaces with panoramic vistas to pristine hidden glens of ferns and succulents to shaded riverside plains to rugged mountain land, Shadow Ridge Farm is a timeless and fascinating country escape. The entire property, and much of the Jenkins Mountain upon which the property is located, is forever protected by a conservation easement held by Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF). Shadow Ridge Farm is close to Little Washington and the fabled Inn at Little Washington. The town has interesting shops, galleries and is the historic county seat including a Court House, Clerks office and a Treasurer's office. Sperryville is five miles west where there are more unique shops and galleries, five restaurants, three breweries, a distillery, organic farms, a nine-hole golf course, a gym and yoga center, walking and hiking trails and more. Just west of Sperryville there is an entrance to the Shenandoah National Park. The farm is about one and a half hours from Washington, DC and 25 minutes to the towns of Warrenton and Front Royal where there are more stores and restaurants as well as the typical grocery stores and big box retailers.