Southern Spotlight: Glory Restored at Barnsley Resort

A treasured landmark’s riveting past entwines with its awe-inspiring natural surrounds, lending allure to a distinctive Georgia resort.

Barnsley Resort, nestled in the foothills of northern Georgia, is ensconced in a fairytale ambience. From restored historic buildings to a village of picture-perfect accommodations, Barnsley holds fast to its nearly 200-year history while affording 21st-century luxuries.

An hour north of Atlanta and an hour south of Chattanooga, Tennessee, the small town of Adairsville has welcomed all those seeking a reprieve from day-to-day bustle since Godfrey Barnsley first arrived in the 1830s. The wealthy cotton-shipping tycoon built a stately home for his family surrounded by Mother Nature’s restorative powers and ample resources.

As years passed, Godfrey’s descendants were unable to maintain the extravagant estate and it fell into disrepair. In 1988, German Prince Hubertus Fugger and his wife, Princess Alexandra purchased the overgrown property and restored it. By 1999, rose gardens and the Manor House Ruins museum along with a Downing-style village, a championship golf course, a spa, and two restaurants had opened to the public.

Cottages showcase pitched gables and inviting front porches, complete with rocking chairs or swings perfect for listening to the birds’ morning serenade.

“Everything we do here is thoughtful and with intention,” says dining manager Jon Mattson. A 55-room inn complements the resort’s English-style aesthetic. In every room, artwork depicts scenes of Barnsley’s 3,000 acres along with sentimental spaces like the Manor House Ruins, garden fountains, and original boxwood parterre. At the end of the day, guests can gather around an outdoor fire pit and enjoy complimentary s’mores.

Visit our Instagram feed @southernladymag to enter for a chance to win a two-night stay at Barnsley and other perks of the resort’s Warm & Cozy Winter offer.

Photography Courtesy of Barnsley Resort

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