Stay in the Storybook Cottage at the Holliday Castle! The Storybook Cottage is a tiny crooked fairytale house located behind our home (which is being converted into a castle!) Enjoy the view from your private back porch! Close to ski resort! The space The Storybook Cottage is a fairytale-inspired tiny crooked house. The Cottage is located directly behind our house - which is in the process of being converted into a castle. Our property houses apple trees, plum trees, cherry trees, grapevines, peach trees, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, and pear trees- in addition to mass quantities of vegetables. (Please be aware though these things are seasonal. Not all are available all the time. For example, we've learned that our cherry trees bear fruit every other year. Odd, I know.) In the photographs posted, you'll be able to see more about the property, the placement of the Cottage in relation to the main house, and some of the animals. :-) ***Update as of September 24, 2024 --- We've been on a waiting list for a couple pieces of equipment to clean out around our pond and make room for a dock and little turtle pond. They became available this week. As a result, the pond area is clearly a muddy work in progress at the moment. I understand that a lot of our guests choose our location for the lush view of the pond. Once things grow back in, it will be beautiful again! Thank you for your consideration and understanding. ~ Jill. *** In the Cottage, you'll find books, board games, and general whimsy. During the late spring and summer, the front porch opens up into an edible front yard- feel free to help yourself! The back porch overlooks the pond (beautiful, but not suitable for skating!). Rental of the cottage comes with access to the fishing supplies located in Ishmael's Tackle Shop. Ishmael's is located just below the cottage- we keep it unlocked for our guests. (However, swimming is not allowed in the pond- and when it's frozen over, no skating is allowed either.) We do have a pedal boat that you're more than welcome to enjoy while you visit! :-) The Cottage is a tiny house, yet still has a lot of amenities! You have your own private kitchenette, equipped with a sink, mini-fridge, breakfast station (which includes a coffee pot, toaster oven and griddle), a microwave and a table with seats for two. (Due to the size of this kitchenette, we were unable to include a traditional oven with stovetop. If you have any questions about the kitchenette, please just let us know! ) This kitchenette also includes dishes (mugs, larger cups, plates, bowls and silverware) and a folding tray for reading or enjoying your meals in bed. During the warmer season, we provide a retro cooler for your use while fishing or picnicking. You will also have your own private bathroom with an antique sink and claw foot tub (with shower). We provide you with towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo, conditioner, bubble bath and a hair dryer. (If you've forgotten anything else, just let us know- we probably have extras!) The Cottage also has, what we call, a "mud room." It's a small room where you'll find a bench and a picnic basket (during season). During the holidays, the mudroom is decked out with a Christmas tree. The mudroom is intended as a place for you to unload, store your umbrella and shed your shoes. In the winter months, this room is also outfitted with boot warmers. The main room houses a queen size bed, a rocking chair, a tv (w/ dvd player), and a dresser (which converts into a lighted desk.) We also provide you with an iron and ironing board. There is not a closet; however, there is a hook on the door for hanging your garment bag. There are three separate heaters located throughout the cottage. There is also a window air conditioner. The main room/bedroom overlooks the pond with an entire wall of windows (don't worry- there are room-darkening curtains if you prefer to sleep in!) If you would like to bring your child(ren), please send me a message beforehand. I am sure that a small air mattress will fit beside the queen size bed (and I will prepare it for you!), but I want to share exact dimensions with you to ensure you'll be pleased with the layout of the room. Also, if you're bringing young children, please let me know! I will ensure the cottage is stocked with some age-appropriate toys. Regarding breakfast, your kitchen will be stocked with a standard brew of coffee, as well as tea bags. Upon your arrival, you will find a basket of fruit and zucchini bread (or something similar), as well as a couple bottles of water in your fridge. We have decided to leave this welcome/breakfast basket for you so as not to disturb your sleep the next morning. During the winter months, your kitchen is also stocked with hot cocoa mix. We currently have a dog, cats, and chickens. This past winter has been hard on the animals. Pumpkin, our pet turkey passed away, as well as our duck, and one of the chickens. We currently have 2 roosters, Elvis (a bantham who is short and yellow and thinks he's the bomb) and Clyde (a Jersey Giant who is tall and handsome and, try though he might, his cockadoodledoo is not nearly as glamorous as Elvis') and we also have a hen named Bonnie. She is also a Jersey Giant. Bonnie makes a beautiful little sound like a kitten. :-) Guest access The entire Cottage is for your use. You have complete access to the fishing supplies in Ishmael's Tackle Shop. Ishmael's is located just below the cottage- we'll have it unlocked for you. We do require that after any photographs, you throw your fish back in the pond. We do have a pedal boat that you're more than welcome to enjoy. (Swimming is not allowed in the pond.) (Ice skating on the pond is also not allowed.) We are currently building a pencil museum for Jill's collection. The pencil museum opens up to our Blackberry Boardwalk. It's a nice walkway through the edge of the woods near the pond. It also helps make the blackberries more accessible during season (they're typically ripe in August and you're welcome to help yourself!) Although the museum is still in a construction phase, the Blackberry Boardwalk is complete. Also, we are located in a very popular area for ATV riders. We are 38.8 miles to the Pocahontas Trail Head (Hatfield & McCoy ATV & UTV Trails). You are welcome to use any tools in our garage for maintenance of your ATV or UTV while you are visiting. You're free to walk throughout the property, including the gardens. Please also treat the gardens like a buffet. You're welcome to eat all of the vegetables and fruit you want while you're here. You're also welcome to help with any animal chores and gardening (especially fun for kids!) and we love to answer any questions you have. When it is time for your check-out, you can just walk away! No cleaning or locking up needed. We like for folks to be able to completely relax and not worry about any of the details. :-) Other things to note We are only a little over a mile from I-77. We are less than a mile from Winterplace Ski Resort, Dollar General, Exxon and Little General Gas Stations, Ski Barn, and the Ghent Post Office. We are almost exactly halfway between Princeton, WV and Beckley, WV. We are 17 miles from Beckley and 22 miles from Princeton. **Important to note: We are a castle-in-progress, so you will see construction materials in the common areas. Believe me, we're working as fast as we can! :-) Thank you for understanding!