Information
Landmark: Blackberry FarmCity: Aurora
Country: USA Illinois
Continent: North America
Blackberry Farm, Aurora, USA Illinois, North America
Overview
Blackberry Farm is a luxury retreat tucked into the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Walland, Tennessee, where mist lingers over the rolling fields at dawn.Spread across 4,200 acres, this Relais & Châteaux retreat pairs elegant rooms with unforgettable dining, restorative spa treatments, and adventures in the open air, all framed by rolling hills and sunlit meadows.Florida and David Lasier founded Blackberry Farm in 1940, starting with a quiet family estate shaded by tall oaks.In 1952, the Jarvis family bought it, and years later Sandy and Kreis Beall-founders of the Ruby Tuesday chain-took it over.In 1990, the Bealls turned the place into a cozy six-room inn, each room warmed by the scent of fresh pine.Sam Beall, their son, helped turn Blackberry Farm into a top getaway, guiding its rise with care and vision until his sudden death in 2016.The resort has 68 places to stay, from cozy estate rooms and airy suites to charming cottages and spacious homes with several bedrooms.Every room mixes rustic charm with modern luxury, offering comforts like a crackling fireplace, a deep whirlpool tub, and a porch all to yourself.Each guest gets a golf cart, perfect for cruising the wide paths and rolling lawns of the property.At Blackberry Farm, culinary excellence shines in every farm‑to‑table meal, from fresh-picked greens to bread still warm from the oven.The Barn, the resort’s signature restaurant, serves up refined Southern dishes made with herbs from its garden, fresh milk from the dairy, and jars of preserves pulled straight from the larder.The wine cellar holds more than 160,000 bottles, from crisp whites to deep, velvety reds, ready to match any dish you serve.At The Wellhouse, Blackberry Farm’s spa and wellness retreat, you can choose from treatments inspired by the hills, woods, and fresh mountain air all around.You’ll find eight treatment rooms, a fitness center, steam rooms, and quiet lounges where the air smells faintly of eucalyptus.Guests can join a sunrise yoga class, work one-on-one with a trainer, or explore other wellness activities meant to refresh both mind and body.Guests can head outdoors for all kinds of activities, from wandering through pine-scented meadows to hiking more than 12 miles of scenic trails.Fly fishing: cast a line and enjoy an Orvis‑endorsed adventure on the water.Horseback riding welcomes everyone, whether you’re a first-timer or can already feel the leather reins warm in your hands.Sporting clays let you sharpen your aim in a safe, guided setting, with clay targets breaking midair at the crack of your shotgun.Cycling: pedal past rolling hills and bright wildflowers.Farmstead Tours: Step into the dairy barn, peek inside the creamery, and explore the rest of the grounds.Lagotto Romagnolo Kennel: Spend time with the resort’s truffle-hunting dogs, watching their noses twitch as they sniff out hidden treasures.At Blackberry Farm, sustainability and conservation drive every choice, from the way they tend the soil to how they protect the creek that runs past the orchard.Half of the 4,200-acre estate is set aside for conservation, from rows of drought-resistant crops to quiet stretches of preserved habitat and a lively compost heap steaming in the morning air.The resort works to protect the region’s delicate ecosystems while giving guests a chance to wander through pine-scented trails and truly connect with nature.In 2019, the Beall family expanded their reach with Blackberry Mountain, a sister property nestled on 5,200 acres of rolling hills just down the road.This sister property blends wellness, adventure, and conservation, offering guests a chance to hike forest trails, pedal rugged mountain paths, or stretch into aerial yoga, then unwind with plush rooms and chef-crafted meals.
