A GEORGIA PEACH

Barnsley Resort, a tranquil resort village in northwest Georgia, offers Southern hospitality and modern luxury.

Located just 60 miles outside Atlanta on a historic 1840s estate, Barnsley Resort invites guests to create cherished memories on a 3,000-acre setting that brims with Southern charm. With its thoughtfully updated accommodations, enticing dining experiences, and expanded recreational activities, Barnsley Resort is a premier destination for elevated Southern hospitality and adventure. Whether savoring a pint at Biergarten, testing your skills at the Beretta Shooting Grounds, or relaxing in the serenity of your cottage, Barnsley offers something for everyone from the sporty to the contemplative and from the golf aficionado to the historian.

In addition to personal getaways, Barnsley is also an excellent choice for corporate retreats. The resort’s inspiring surroundings, upscale accommodations, and team-building activities make it a standout venue for businesses looking to mix work with play.

ACCOMMODATIONS
The resort village feels like something out of a storybook. Picturesque cottages, cozy fire pits, and inviting hammocks dot the property, while soft music from hidden speakers floats through the air creating a welcoming, close-knit atmosphere. Strolling the property, we often felt like we were starring in a Hallmark movie.

The resort recently underwent a transformative $6.2 million renovation to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Reimagined by the acclaimed Charlotte Lucas Design firm, the interiors of the 84 cottage suites pay homage to Southern design traditions infused with elegant, modern touches.

Warm plaids and stripes complement the rooms’ soothing, neutral palette, while wall coverings and draperies feature subdued florals and sporting dog motifs. Bathrooms boast wood vanities, updated fixtures, and some sport checkered tile floors.

We stayed in the darling, two-bedroom Julia Cottage and spent evenings around the living room’s tiled fireplace playing board games and reminiscing about the day’s experiences.

DINING
Barnsley offers an exceptional culinary experience highlighting Southern flavors and using locally sourced ingredients (many directly from the Barnsley Farm). For weekend dinners, we savored seasonal, chef-curated dishes at the Rice House, the resort’s fine dining option housed in a historic 19th-century farmhouse (which at press time was undergoing an exciting renovation that will unveil a brand-new concept later this year).

Barnsley’s new, open-air Biergarten features a two-sided, stacked stone fireplace under a covered pavilion in the heart of the resort village. Guests can indulge in regional, German, and European brews alongside an all-day menu featuring biergarten classics like pretzels and bratwurst, and barbecue favorites prepared by the resort’s Pitmaster.

Woodlands was our favorite spot for breakfast and lunch. As we admired the beautiful view overlooking rolling hills and a mirror-like lake, we enjoyed Southern favorites like fresh, homemade buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy—decadent but worth every forkful! For dinners, an impressive wine list and thoughtfully crafted menu make it a must for all epicureans.

ACTIVITIES
Barnsley offers a variety of recreational adventures. Recent additions include six lighted pickleball courts. We had a ball during our family pickleball lesson on a court overlooking the stunning Jim Fazio-designed golf course.

The Beretta Shooting Grounds have been enhanced with a new five-stand station, two redesigned 15-station clays courses, and a Helice field—an Italian-inspired sport featuring unpredictable, spinning targets that challenge participants’ instincts and speed—and are now considered to be one of the Southeast’s finest shooting facilities. My husband and daughter especially enjoyed shooting clays while picking up tips from the expert instructor. After our lesson, we visited the bird dog pavilion—an immaculate building full of elite hunting dogs, who are available for full or half-day hunting packages that also include the services of a professional guide and the rental of Beretta shotguns.

One afternoon, we borrowed bicycles from the Outpost for a scenic ride around the village, riding on picturesque paths past lush stands of Georgia pines and waving to other guests who were headed to the stables for a guided trail ride. The Outpost, housed in a log cabin, is a treasure trove of Barnsley merchandise, private-label wines, and hand-forged grills and accessories by Sea Island Forge.

The resort also offers archery and axe throwing. Walking to the archery range takes you past the ruins of the original 1840s manor. Towering over the resort’s legendary boxwood gardens, the ruins offer a glimpse into the love story of the English-born merchant who built the Italianate villa for his cherished wife. Before reaching the archery platform, you will also pass a barn, where frisky ponies and sweet little goats vie for your attention.

Another favorite activity was stopping by the Inn nightly to pick up s’more kits. We then headed to the village fire pits to toast marshmallows under the stars or back to our snug living room for s’mores by the fire. For bourbon lovers, the Inn also hosts bourbon tastings on weekends.

With its 25th anniversary marking a milestone year, this is the perfect time to enjoy one of the South’s most celebrated retreats. Pack your bags and “Set Life Alight’” now that Georgia is on your mind.

For more information, visit barnsleyresort.com.