What is there to do in Fearrington Village?
Located on a historic farm near Chapel Hill, N.C., surrounding The Fearrington House Inn, Fearrington Village is home to restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, gardens, a farmers’ market anda beer garden. For a delicious farm-to-fork meal, go to The Fearrington House Restaurant. There, you’ll find intimate tables, seasonal dishes and a wine list with more than 800 selections. Arrive early to stroll through the romantic gardens that surround the Four-Star restaurant. Be sure to check out the herb beds there — you might see those same spices later in your dinner.
The Fearrington Granary offers a more causal dining spot, and it hosts wine and beer classes once a month. Also in the village is the independent shop McIntyre’s Books as well as the accessories and gift haven Dovecote. Outdoor lovers will want to take a trip to the farm and, of course, stop by The Belted Goat for ice cream. But if nature’s not your thing, you might feel more comfortable spending a few hours at The Spa at Fearrington.
-
On August 27Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What events are held in Fearrington Village?
Although Fearrington Village is a small community, it likes to party and holds year-round events. In the fall, locals and visitors flock to Pumpkinfest, which features a spooky storytime for kids, live bluegrass music and pumpkin carving. Thanksgiving and Christmas bring holiday luncheons to The Fearrington Granary and The Fearrington House Restaurant. The wintertime is also when the village holds its annual Holiday Market, an open-air, European-style fair that showcases gifts from local artists and vendors. For more local art, check out the Fearrington Folk Art Show. Held each winter, this show offers the rare opportunity to meet and buy pieces from more than 30 of the South’s most noted folk artists.
If you can’t make it to any of those annual events, don’t worry — you’ll find plenty to do, no matter which time of year you visit. The village’s independent bookstore, McIntyre Books, holds author readings nearly every week. Past shop guests have included Amy Tan, Peter Mayle, Frances Mayes and culinary celebrities Giada De Laurentiis and Paula Deen. Foodies can sign up for a two-day cooking class at The Fearrington House Inn with executive chef Colin Bedfordor or join The Fearrington House Restaurant for one of its winemaker dinners with wine director Maximilian Kast. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is Fearrington farm like?
While records of the historic farm at Fearrington Village can be traced as far back as the 1770s, it wasn’t until the 1970s that it began to grow into the village that it is today, filled with restaurants, shops and the Five-Star Fearrington House Inn. Even though it has transformed into a chic country village, it still functions as a farm. Rolling pastures, animals, the dairy barn and silo, along with other farm structures, are still a major focal point here; and the greenhouse behind The Fearrington House Restaurant provides the Four-Star culinary hotspot with its fruits, vegetables and herbs.
You won’t be able to miss the adorable striped Belted Galloway cows that have dotted the property since 1982, or their farm friends, the black and white Tennessee fainting goats and the family of donkeys. But make no mistake, there’s no roughing it at this farm. A visit there might include a tour of its beautiful gardens, a stop at the boutiques or a trip to The Belted Goat for ice cream — and no, you won’t have to milk any cows. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
How do I get to Fearrington Village?
The closest major airport to Fearrington Village is the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, which is about a 30-minute drive away. If you are flying into town, take I-40 West and exit at 273A/Chapel Hill. Then follow Route NC 54 West for three miles until you come to an overpass. Just beyond the overpass, turn right on NC 54 West/15-501 South bypass. Stay on there for 2.2 miles and exit at Chapel Hill-Pittsboro. Turn left onto US 15-501 South, and then go eight miles until you see Fearrington Village on the left.
You also have the option of taking an Amtrak train into Durham — the station is about 22 miles northeast of the village. The directions are pretty straightforward from the station. Just take US 15-501 South and exit at Chapel Hill-Pittsboro; go toward Pittsboro and bypass Chapel Hill. Then turn left onto 15-501 South and go eight miles until you see the village on your left. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
Where is Fearrington Village located?
Fearrington Village is located on a historic farm just eight miles south of Chapel Hill, N.C. With the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill) just a 15- to 30-minute drive away, you’ll have the best of both worlds at Fearrington Village — a country-chic setting that’s not far from the big city. Another perk to its North Carolina location is its mild climate, which varies between 50F in January and 89F in August.
Within Fearrington Village’s farm environs, you’ll be surrounded by forests, rolling hills and pastures that are littered with the property’s adorable Belted Galloway cows. Once you’ve had your fill of the country, you can take a three-hour drive to visit the state’s famous beaches and mountains. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
How are the holidays celebrated in Fearrington Village?
Fearrington Village doesn’t let a holiday go by unacknowledged. Each fall, the North Carolina country-chic community celebrates the season with its annual Pumpkinfest, which includes a spooky storytime for kids, live bluegrass music and pumpkin displays.
Come Thanksgiving, you’ll find a delectable luncheon at The Fearrington Granary and the Four-Star Fearrington House Restaurant. Let these farm-to-fork restaurants do the work for you, as you dine on seasonal fare like apricot and sage sausage stuffing, Brussels sprouts and bacon, and of course, turkey.
Christmas is another idyllic time to visit the village. That’s when its Holiday Market opens, offering a festive, European-style marketplace to buy gifts from local artists and vendors. It also marks the time of year that storyteller Donald Davis visits the Fearrington Barn (always to a packed house), and The Fearrington House Restaurant offers a scrumptious four-course Christmas lunch.
For a romantic New Year’s Eve for two, book a room at The Fearrington House Inn. There, you’ll be treated to afternoon tea, a tasting dinner for two, and champagne and truffles in your room, so you can celebrate the holiday on your own. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What restaurants are there in Fearrington Village?
While the dining options in Fearrington Village are limited, the quality of the food is top-notch. Head to The Fearrington House Restaurant for Four-Star farm-to-fork cuisine. This intimate spot, which is in the white-columned Fearrington House, features an ever-changing menu that sources its ingredients from local farmers — even the herbs come from the garden that sits just outside. While you’ll always find different dishes here, a few staples remain, such as the wild garlic Carolina Gold risotto studded with apples and vanilla jam, and the roasted beef tenderloin with boulangère potatoes and thyme sauce.
For a more causal setting, grab a seat at The Fearrington Granary, which offers brunch, lunch and dinner. Brunch favorites include the shrimp and grits with andouille sausage, applewood bacon and soubise cream sauce, and the vanilla French toast. For lunch and dinner, order items off the grill, like hanger steak and mahi mahi, and choose your favorite sauce or side to go with it.
Pick up a quick bite or a cup of coffee at The Belted Cow, which is in the heart of the Village Center. And if all you want is a nice cold beer, head over to Roost (also in the Village Center), where you can sip a craft beer under a large oak tree while you listen to live music. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What is there to do in Fearrington Village?
Located on a historic farm near Chapel Hill, N.C., surrounding The Fearrington House Inn, Fearrington Village is home to restaurants, boutiques, bookstores, gardens, a farmers’ market anda beer garden. For a delicious farm-to-fork meal, go to The Fearrington House Restaurant. There, you’ll find intimate tables, seasonal dishes and a wine list with more than 800 selections. Arrive early to stroll through the romantic gardens that surround the Four-Star restaurant. Be sure to check out the herb beds there — you might see those same spices later in your dinner.
The Fearrington Granary offers a more causal dining spot, and it hosts wine and beer classes once a month. Also in the village is the independent shop McIntyre’s Books as well as the accessories and gift haven Dovecote. Outdoor lovers will want to take a trip to the farm and, of course, stop by The Belted Goat for ice cream. But if nature’s not your thing, you might feel more comfortable spending a few hours at The Spa at Fearrington. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What are the Fearrington Village gardens like?
It’s hard not to be impressed by the expansive gardens in Fearrington Village. Sprinkled throughout the area are about 60 garden beds that include bulbs, perennials, shrubs and trees. Many of the buildings in the village, including The Fearrington House Inn, The Fearrington Granary and Roost beer garden, feature perfectly manicured lawns and beds of blooms.
The groundskeepers here take a full-spectrum approach to gardening, meaning you’ll see a bit of foliage no matter which time of year you visit the small North Carolina community. If you can take your eyes off the gorgeous flower arrangements, look up to see the trees that surround you. Fearrington Village is home to a black gum tree as well as pecans, pines and towering white oaks. If you have a dinner reservation at The Fearrington House Restaurant, arrive early so you can stroll through the adjacent herb garden — take a good look, because you’ll probably see some of those same spices in your meal. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What shops are there in Fearrington Village?
When you need to do some shopping, peruse Fearrington Village’s small number of quaint, country-chic boutiques. Most notable is Dovecote, which sits in the Village Center and has a wide selection of accessories, home décor and unique gifts. You’ll find everything here from custom-made dog beds to gorgeous leather bags and designer watches.
Next to The Spa at Fearrington, you’ll find Haven — a small spa boutique that offers up high-end skincare products, casual apparel and luxury home goods, including furniture and bedding from local company French Laundry.
Readers will be in heaven at McIntyre’s Books, the village’s independently owned shop. It boasts an impressive collection of local authors as well as cooking, gardening and fiction titles. Of course, if a Gap or Nordstrom is what you crave, you’re just a 15- to 30-minute drive from the malls of North Carolina’s Triangle area. -
On June 19Forbes Travel Guide Inspector answered the question:
What should I know about Fearrington Village?
Fearrington Village is a country-chic community just eight miles south of Chapel Hill, N.C. While it has about 2,000 residents, the village is mostly centered around The Fearrington House Inn and its adjoining restaurant. The peaceful, farm-like setting offers a refuge for locals and visitors who want to take in the area’s homey ambience.
Since Fearrington Village is just a 15- to 30-minute drive from the Triangle, it’s easy to spend a day here perusing the independently owned bookshop and boutiques, strolling the extensive gardens or just taking it easy at the beer garden or spa. For a longer visit, book a room at the Five-Star hotel, which is accommodating to both families with kids and couples looking for a romantic getaway. It should be noted that the village is a retreat from the more bustling Triangle area, so you won’t find any malls or Starbucks here. What you will get is lots of nature — complete with a working farm and the area’s famed Belted Galloway cows — so come prepared to live the country life (albeit, a chic one).
