Our extended family enjoyed a relaxing and interesting two weeks at the Inn at White Gate Farms. The Inn is well-maintained with a nice blend of antique and comfortable furniture. The sofas are roomy and there are enough chairs, inside and out, for large groups to "hang-out". The 7 bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, easily accommodated five couples, two infants, a newborn and a nanny.
The brand new kitchen is spacious and well-equipped. It had everything that we needed to create meals for our large group, which we ate at the large dining room table inside or the picnic tables that are right outside the backdoor. We moved the grill from the pool area up to the backdoor to make it easier to grill and serve both indoors and out.
Each Wednesday and Saturday, there is the White Gate Farm Farmers Market which features fresh produce and baked goods that are grown and baked right there on the farm - truly farm-to-table. And there are plenty of supermarkets nearby to find whatever you might need. And when we didn't want to cook, we asked the on-site chef, Tami, to do it for us -- fabulous! The Saturday Farm Fest on the lawn outside the Inn's backdoor featured live music and delicious pizza made in a wood-burning stove - fun for the whole family. We also took advantage of one of the Inn's Farm to Table Dinners - an evening that included an excellent, multi-course dinner (thanks again, Tami) and a live jazz band under a gorgeous night sky on the back lawn.
Of course, the center of most of our daytime activities was the pool. Both kids and adults gravitated down there at some point in the day for a swim or relaxing float. The bathroom, outdoor shower and kitchen down there all came in quite handy. We also went over to boat and swim in the lake, which is a short walk way. And there was nothing better than wandering around the farm with the boys, visiting the chicks, chickens, lambs and turkeys. They fed the lambs and turkeys, grabbed some eggs, picked some flowers, and even did some planting in the hothouse.
Finally, well, everyone there at farm was just so darn friendly and helpful from Pauline and David, the owners to Kevin, the Inn Manager (who took care of our every need) to Tami to Corey and the whole gang that keep the farm running so smoothly.
This was a vacation that we will all remember for a long time to come.