About Our Lexington, Virginia B&B
About the Inn
Our Lexington, VA bed and breakfast retreat sits on 17 beautiful acres with panoramic views. Our historic property is home to organic farms and gardens, friendly farm animals, a yoga barn and private gym, plus three luxurious guest accommodations. It’s truly a respite from the stress of daily life, and a wonderful place to stay for those looking for a romantic escape, girlfriend getaway, or wellness retreat.
The original Thorn Hill Estate graces the property with its stunning Georgian architecture. Built in 1792, this Virginia Historic Landmark has been described as one of the most historically significant homes in southwest Virginia and is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
All guests will enjoy a gourmet breakfast each morning to fuel their fun day ahead of exploring downtown Lexington’s unique shops and restaurants, local area wineries & breweries, and majestic outdoor recreation areas in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains.
A Place to Focus on Wellness
Our guests have access to a gym on the premises, which includes an elliptical machine, a stationary bike, and free weights. In addition to the gym, the Thorn Hill Inn features a fully equipped yoga studio, where guests can find a tranquil place to meditate and unwind.
For an extra fee, private yoga lessons or individualized retreats can be arranged with Alyson, who is a certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor and IAYT Yoga Therapist with over 30 years of experience.
Inn History
Thorn Hill was the home of General John Bowyer (1732–1806). A school teacher from Ireland who settled in western Virginia in 1753, Bowyer promptly married Magdalene Woods McDowell Borden, who was the widow of two of the wealthiest men in the valley. Her first husband – Captain James McDowell – was an early Virginia settler who died in battle with the Iroquois Indians in 1742. Her second husband – Benjamin Borden – was the heir to the so-called Borden Grant by which Governor William Gooch on behalf of King George III granted 100,000 acres along the branches of the James River in the upper part of the Shenandoah Valley to Borden’s father.
Months after Benjamin Borden died of smallpox in 1753, Magdalene married Bowyer, who was approximately 18 years her junior. According to Bowyer family records, “there was some insinuation” that Bowyer married Magdalene “for her money or her estate.” In 1761, Bowyer purchased 553 acres along Wood’s Creek, including the land on which Thorn Hill was built approximately 30 years later.
Bowyer served as sheriff of Botetourt County and was a representative in the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1770 to 1776. He signed the Williamsburg Association in 1773, which created the first intercolonial committee to improve communications between and assist in the defense of the colonies.
After fighting at Lexington and Concord, Bowyer represented Botetourt County at the Second Virginia Convention in 1775, during which Patrick Henry gave his “give me liberty or give me death” speech. Bowyer also represented Botetourt County in the First Virginia Constitutional Convention, which approved the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776.
As a member of the Virginia General Assembly, Bowyer was instrumental in the establishment of Rockbridge County from parts of neighboring Augusta and Botetourt counties in 1777. Bowyer was the first presiding justice of the Rockbridge County Court and served as justice of the peace and sheriff of Rockbridge County. He later represented Rockbridge County in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Bowyer served in the Augusta County militia during the Revolutionary War, initially as a captain before being elevated to colonel in 1781. Bowyer commanded a regiment of the Augusta County militia that opposed General Benedict Arnold’s “invasion of Virginia.” He was wounded at the Battle of Green Spring during which the Marquis de Lafayette was ambushed by the British army led by Earl Charles Cornwallis in the last major land battle in Virginia prior to the siege at Yorktown.
After the war, Bowyer was named an Adjutant General of Virginia. Appointed by then Virginia Governor and eventual U.S. President James Monroe, Bowyer also served as a presidential elector in the election of 1800, which was won by Thomas Jefferson.
Bowyer had important connections to Washington and Lee University. He served as a trustee of Augusta Academy and was one of the first trustees of Liberty Hall Academy when it was chartered near Lexington in 1782. Bowyer served as a trustee from 1776 until 1784.
Upon Bowyer’s death in 1806, Thorn Hill passed to his nephew, Captain John Bowyer, who was a graduate of Washington College and a member of the Virginia legislature for 20 years. When Captain Bowyer died in 1851, his daughter and her husband, John Brockenbrough, inherited Thorn Hill.
Brockenbrough studied law at Judge Henry St. George Tucker’s law school in Winchester and became Commonwealth’s Attorney for Hanover County. He was appointed to the federal judgeship for the Western District of Virginia in 1846. Brockenbrough established the Lexington Law School in 1849 (which eventually became the Washington and Lee Law School).
Map of Thorn Hill Inn & Surrounding Area
The Thorn Hill Inn is located outside Lexington, Virginia and is easily accessed from Interstates 81 and 64. Our VA bed and breakfast is just over 2 miles to downtown Lexington with its unique shops and restaurants, within easy driving distance to several wonderful wineries, and convenient to lots of hiking trails and the Appalachian Mountains.
Driving Directions
- Take I-64 West/I-81 South toward Roanoke VA/Charleston WV
- Merge onto I-64 West via Exit 191 toward Lexington VA/Charleston WV
- Take the US-11 exit, Exit 55, toward Goshen/Lexington/VA-39
- Turn left on North Lee Highway/US-11 South, Travel 3.0 miles
- Continue straight through the traffic signal onto Thornhill Road/VA251
- Continue on Thornhill Road/VA251 for 1 mile
- Turn right at the sign for Thorn Hill and continue up the stone driveway
- At the top of the hill, follow the sign to the Thorn Hill Inn
- Take I-81 North toward Lexington VA
- Take the US-11 exit, Exit 180, toward Natural Bridge
- Turn left on South Lee Highway/US-11 North
- Continue on South Lee Highway/US-11 North for 8.6 miles
- At the first traffic light, turn left onto Thornhill Road/VA-251
- Continue on Thornhill Road/VA-251 for 1 mile
- Turn right at the sign for Thorn Hill and continue up the stone driveway
- At the top of the hill, follow the sign to the Thorn Hill Inn
- Take I-64 East toward Lexington VA/Richmond VA
- Take the US-11 exit, Exit 55, toward Lexington/VA-39
- Turn right on North Lee Highway/US-11 South
- Travel 3.0 miles on US-11 South
- Continue straight through the traffic signal onto Thornhill Road/VA-251 for 1 mile
- Turn right at the sign for Thorn Hill and continue up the stone driveway
- At the top of the hill, follow the sign to the Thorn Hill Inn