by RACHEL HAHN
video by MIKA ALTSKAN AND MATVEY FIKS
At the historic Barnsley Resort and in the nearby city of Cartersville, life’s simplest pleasures are within reach
A North Georgia Gem
Nestled in the rolling hills of North Georgia, just one hour from Atlanta, lies Barnsley Resort, a 3,000-acre former estate that marries heritage, natural beauty, and world-class outdoor activities. Originally built in the 1840s by British shipping magnate Godfrey Barnsley as a home for his Savannah-born wife, Julia, the resort was designed in a unique walking village layout where guests can choose accommodations in the
fifty-five-room inn or one of the luxurious stand-alone cottages—some of which are even pet-friendly. For a perfect introduction to the resort, guests are invited to climb aboard a complimentary bicycle and cruise around the verdant grounds, or meander down the property’s trails that wind along still ponds and over wooden bridges.
...visitors shouldn’t miss a day trip to nearby Cartersville, or even an extended stay to explore the town. While small and close-knit, Cartersville is full of cultural gems, including several Smithsonian-affiliated museums.
To start planning your trip, visit BarnsleyResort.com
When ready to roam beyond the Barnsley Resort grounds, visitors shouldn’t miss a day trip to nearby Cartersville, or even an extended stay to explore the town. While small and close-knit, Cartersville is full of cultural gems, including several Smithsonian-affiliated museums. The Tellus Science Museum, for one, houses natural science and science in motion galleries, as well as a children’s gallery and a digital planetarium. Another must-stop, the Booth Western Art Museum has the largest exhibition space of Western art in the country, as well as the only complete collection of one-page hand-signed letters from every U.S. president in history. To close the adventure, grab a meal at one of Cartersville’s many acclaimed restaurants, then take in the scenery at the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, the most intact Mississippian cultural site in the Southeast. Interpretive trails and displays tell the story of the Native American community that thrived here from AD 900 to the mid-sixteenth century.
Once settled in and refreshed, guests can engage in a range of activities, including a session at the on-site Beretta Shooting Grounds. The facility offers premier open-field experiences, including quail hunting and sporting clays with two fourteen-station courses set under full tree canopies. If you prefer shooting of the quieter sort, a round or two at the Jim Fazio–designed championship golf course will fill the bill. The first two holes might give the impression that Fazio was designing a links-style course—until you arrive at the par-three third. Here, the course takes advantage of the hilly terrain and the expansive valley, giving way to a challenging layout with lush fairways and Bermuda grass greens, all in harmony with the natural surroundings. Beyond these world-class sporting pursuits, Barnsley Resort offers plenty to do, including horseback riding with seasoned trail guides, hiking along carefully laid trails, introductory archery workshops, and disc golf on a nine-hole course. While parents, couples, and solo travelers will find bliss via amenities such as the newly redesigned spa, children are also welcome at the resort, which hosts dedicated activities for little ones such as lively bingo games, arts and crafts that make use of natural foraged materials, and family movie nights under the stars.
—Linda Vater
“The benefit is obviously that they bloom more often, but they are also much more tolerant of heat and sunlight. I couldn’t go back to those old-fashioned azaleas when Encore azaleas are such a wonderful alternative.”
When guests have worked up an appetite, Barnsley Resort’s three distinct dining experiences beckon, all bound together by utilizing ingredients from the carefully tended gardens throughout the property. Woodlands Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed setting overlooking the golf course. Delectable pimento cheese beignets start any meal on the right note, while dishes like snapper sliders with jalapeño slaw and pepper bacon are among the memorable entrees. The more formal Rice House showcases the excellent continental fare of executive chef Javier Cuesta (who also hosts frequent fire kettle cooking demonstrations on the property, employing locally crafted ironware by Sea Island Forge). For something more casual, the open-air Beer Garden serves a rotating cast of craft brews while dishing out eight-hour smoked brisket and other masterfully barbecued fare, as well as pizzas such as the popular pulled pork and arugula pie.
By the time travelers return home, it won’t be long before they’re daydreaming of their next North Georgia retreat. That’s the beauty of a place like Barnsley Resort, and the charm of its surrounding area: It stays with you, becoming a treasured tradition for years to come.
By the time travelers return home, it won’t be long before they’re daydreaming of their next North Georgia retreat. That’s the beauty of
a place like Barnsley Resort, and the charm of its surrounding area:
It stays with you, becoming a treasured tradition for years to come.
At the historic Barnsley Resort and in the nearby city of Cartersville, life’s simplest pleasures are within reach
When guests have worked up an appetite, Barnsley Resort’s three distinct dining experiences beckon, all bound together by utilizing ingredients from the carefully tended gardens throughout the property. Woodlands Grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a relaxed setting overlooking the golf course. Delectable pimento cheese beignets start any meal on the right note, while dishes like snapper sliders with jalapeño slaw and pepper bacon are among the memorable entrees. The more formal Rice House showcases the excellent continental fare of executive chef Javier Cuesta (who also hosts frequent fire kettle cooking demonstrations on the property, employing locally crafted ironware by Sea Island Forge). For something more casual, the open-air Beer Garden serves a rotating cast of craft brews while dishing out eight-hour smoked brisket and other masterfully barbecued fare, as well as pizzas such as the popular pulled pork and arugula pie.
When ready to roam beyond the Barnsley Resort grounds, visitors shouldn’t miss a day trip to nearby Cartersville, or even an extended stay to explore the town. While small and close-knit, Cartersville is full of cultural gems, including several Smithsonian-affiliated museums. The Tellus Science Museum, for one, houses natural science and science in motion galleries, as well as a children’s gallery and a digital planetarium. Another must-stop, the Booth Western Art Museum has the largest exhibition space of Western art in the country, as well as the only complete collection of one-page hand-signed letters from every U.S. president in history. To close the adventure, grab a meal at one of Cartersville’s many acclaimed restaurants, then take in the scenery at the Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site, the most intact Mississippian cultural site in the Southeast. Interpretive trails and displays tell the story of the Native American community that thrived here from AD 900 to the mid-sixteenth century.