Middleburg



For other places with the same name, see Middleburg (disambiguation).
The historic Red Fox Inn

Middleburg is a town of 800 people (2019) in Virginia known as the capital of horse country. This quaint town features historic architecture, tree-lined streets, charming and unique shops, and a variety of dining establishments. Middleburg is also home to The Red Fox Inn, touted as the oldest original inn in the country.

Middleburg is a popular place for celebrities to reside or start a second home. Local celebrity residents include Robert Duvall and Willard Scott. Past residents have included President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, Elizabeth Taylor, and Pamela Harriman. Olympic equestrian riders, Fortune 500, and heirs are included in the towns prestigious list of residents.

The Civil War features prominently in the town's history, as troops from both Union and Confederate armies camped and skirmished here on their way to Gettysburg. Confederate Colonel John S. Mosby used Middleburg as a base camp from which to raid nearby Union outposts. Self-guided driving tour brochures, audio tapes, and CDs on the Mosby Heritage Area are available for purchase at the Loudoun County Visitors Center in Leesburg.

Annual Middleburg events include the Hunt County Stable Tour held on Memorial Day weekend when more than a dozen major horse estates and equine facilities open their doors to the public, and the annual Christmas Parade on the first Saturday in December which is led by the hounds of the local hunt followed by riders on horseback in their traditional hunting attire.

Get in[edit]

Getting to Middleburg requires a car, and it is on US-50. Coming from D.C., it is best to pick up US-50 from I-66 W. Once you are here, the village is delightfully walkable.

See[edit]

  • 1 The National Sporting Library, 102 The Plains Rd, +1 540-687-6542. A research center that preserves and shares the art, literature, and culture of horse and field sports. Rotating exhibits. National Sporting Library (Q5635514) on Wikidata National Sporting Library & Museum on Wikipedia
  • Fox Chase Farm, 23323 Fox Chase Farm Ln., +1 540 687-5255, . Equestrian and event facility located on Route 50. Hosts horse shows for many disciplines, as well as bus tours, riding demonstrations, pony parties for birthdays, farm-to-table dinners and other events.
  • Greenhill Winery & Vineyards, 23595 Winery Ln., +1 540 687-6968. 11 acres of vineyards set against the Blue Ridge Mountain range.
  • 2 Middleburg Community Center, 300 W. Washington St, +1 540 687-6373, fax: +1 540 687-3696, . Community center featuring public outdoor space including an herb garden and patio, playgrounds, outdoor pool, ball field and picnic area.
  • The Pink Box, 12 N. Madison St.. Middleburg's visitors' center.
  • Red Fox Inn & Tavern, 2 E. Washington St., +1 540 687-5780. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, still operational as a Drink/Eat/Sleep option, the Red Fox Inn is one of the oldest continuously operated inns in the United States.
  • Empower Adventure Middleburg LLC, 500 N. Pendleton St., +1 540 692-9471. 20-acre adventure center, includes a zip line canopy tour with 5 zip lines and 2 suspended bridges.

Do[edit]

Buy[edit]

Horse pasture near Middleburg
  • The Christmas Sleigh, 5 East Washington St, +1 540-687-3665. Specializes in handmade or handcrafted traditional European wares.
  • Crème de la Crème, 23 East Washington St., +1 540-687-4796. Specializing in artful items from Italy and the South of France.
  • The Fun Shop, 2117 W Washington St, +1 540-687-6590, toll-free: +1-800-371-9924, . Gift shop and department store.
  • Home Farm Store, 1 E Washington St, +1 540-687-8882, . Gourmet butcher, local and organic groceries, wine, and soda fountain.
  • Journeymen Saddlers, 18 South Madison St, +1 540-687-5888. Casual country clothing for men and women. Gifts, accessories and repairs.
  • Wylie Wagg, +1 540-687-8727. 5-B E. Washington St. Basics and beyond for cats and dogs.
  • Foxfire Antiquities & Objets D'Art, 7 E. Washington St.
  • Gallery On Madison, 9 S. Madison St, +1 703 789-0124. This gallery contains an eclectic collection of original paintings, sculpture and artisan-made fine craft.
  • [dead link] The Outpost, 6 S. Madison St, +1 540 687-4093. Retail shop specializing in authentic British campaign antiques, sporting and club antiques, vintage textiles and rugs, and unique finds from around the globe.
  • The Shaggy Ram, 3 E. Washington St., +1 540 687-3546, fax: +1 540 687-3049.
  • Country Classics, 21 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-3686. Sources fabric from the British Isles and creates luxury business and formal wear for men and women.
  • Duchessa, 100 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-8898, fax: +1 540 687-6125, . Ladies apparel and accessories. Modern fit, classic and primarily made in North America.
  • Highcliffe Clothiers, 112 W. Washington St., Suite 101, +1 540 687-5633, fax: +1 540 687-5933. Highcliffe Clothiers is an “old school” haberdashery for both men and women. The clothing is made in the USA and Europe. They also offer alterations and tailoring as well as tuxedo rental services.
  • J. McLaughlin, 112 W. Washington St., Suite 103, +1 540 326-4589, fax: +1 540 326-4605, . Apparel, men’s and women’s clothes.
  • Les Jardins de Bagatelle, 12 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-5253. French products. Imported from France.
  • Lou Lou, 9 E. Washington St, +1 540 431-2318. Lou Lou is a family-owned business with stores in Virginia, Maryland, the District of Columbia and Massachusetts.
  • Native Barre Studios, 22 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-4643, . Mind, body, wellness and apparel studio featuring Native Barre classes and beautiful fitness apparel.
  • Nature Composed, 8 E. Washington St., +1 540 687-8300. Nature Composed is a garden-based floral design studio located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, sourcing the bulk of its blooms from local gardeners and farms.
  • Olio Tasting Room, 17 E. Washington St., +1 540 687-3004, . Tasting room featuring a wide selection of extra virgin olive oils and aged balsamics (varietal and flavor infused), as well as pastas, sauces, teas, sea salts, tapenades, specialty condiments and more.
  • Richard Allen Clothing, 100 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-5677, fax: +1 540 687-6125, .
  • Second Chapter Books, 10 S. Liberty St., +1 540 687-7016, fax: +1 540 687-7018. Independent bookstore with new and used books, newspapers, handmade greeting cards, reading games and skill development items, meeting/reading space, free wifi and coffee.
  • Stitch, 112 W. Washington St., +1 540 687-5990. Needlepoint shop offering canvases, fibers, tools, gifts, classes and community groups.
  • The Tack Box Inc., 7 W. Federal St., +1 540 687-3231, fax: +1 540 687-5171, . Offers tack and equestrian attire for many disciplines such as eventing, fox hunting, racing and showing for the professional to the pleasure rider, along with accessories and supplies for the stable. Also provides services including boot and saddle fittings, custom equestrian linens, tack drapes, custom trunks, nameplates, clipper and blade service, blanket cleaning and repair, horse vacuum service and repair, and tack oiling.
  • [dead link] Thomas Hays & Son Jewelers, 19 S. Madison St., +1 540 687-6997, fax: +1 540 687-5994. Offers antique and contemporary jewelry and silver. Fine custom jewelry and repair.
  • Tully Rector, 13 E. Washington St, +1 540 687-5858, fax: +1 540 687-8877, . Women’s contemporary clothing and accessories. Beauty boutique, skincare, make-up, all else beauty.

Eat[edit]

Hearty breakfasts, casual lunches and elegant candlelight dinners await you in the Red Fox Inn's cozy dining rooms which display original stone fireplaces and hand-hewn ceiling beams over thick fieldstone walls. The seasonal menus feature many local ingredients sourced from farms in the area. The Inn's wine list includes a vast selection of domestic and imported vintages and showcases many wines from local vineyards.

Drink[edit]

Dining in Middleburg
  • Gold Cup Wine Bar, 500 N. Pendleton St., +1 540-751-3164, . Piedmont-inspired cuisine paired with featured Virginia and international wines.
  • 1 Mount Defiance Cidery and Distillery, 207 W Washington St, Middleburg (Route 50), +1 540-687 8100. Daily noon-6PM. Local distillery, making and serving bourbon, rum, absinthe, agave spirit, amaretto liqueur, apple brandy, cider, and more. Have a taste on-site, and take away a few bottles for late.
  • Middleburg Common Grounds, 114 W. Washington St., +1 540 687-7065. A local favorite — coffee, tea, beer, wine — breakfast sandwiches all day — salads — soup — sandwiches — local providers whenever possible — rotating art gallery of local artists.

Sleep[edit]

  • 1 Goodstone Inn & Estate, 36205 Snake Hill Rd, +1 540-687-3333, toll-free: +1-877-219-4663, fax: +1 540 687-6115. A luxurious country retreat sitting above Goose Creek in Middleburg with a spa, an outdoor pool, a golf course, a fitness center, and an outdoor hot tub. Five distinctive dwellings on a 265 acre estate. Features the adjacent Hilltoppers Restaurant.
  • Briar Patch Bed and Breakfast Inn, 23130 Briar Patch Ln., +1 703-327-5911, fax: +1 703 327-5933, . Historic property on 47 rolling acres with mountain views. 8 antique-decorated bedrooms in the 200-year-old main house, one-bedroom cottage, 3 bedrooms in a renovated chicken coop building. Host events such as weddings, parties, retreats and meetings for up to 200 people.
  • Salamander Resort & Spa, 500 N. Pendleton St, +1 540-687-3600. Set on 340 acres nestled into the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. All 168 rooms and suites include an outdoor patio or balcony, and plush bedding.

Go next[edit]

Routes through Middleburg
ClarksburgWinchester  W  E  ChantillyWashington, D.C.



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