Our Story

North Georgia foothills History, romance and outdoor adventure

Barnsley Resort is a place that—literally—wears its heart on its sleeve. Godfrey Barnsley poured his heart and soul into this grand, Southern estate; a gift for his beloved bride two centuries ago. Today our Southern traditions and storybook setting seduce travelers from near and far. Barnsley Resort is the ultimate retreat to unplug and find balance. If you crave a connection to an outdoor lifestyle, nature and history and yearn to pursue your passions, then welcome.

This North Georgia resort offers visitors the pleasures and pursuits of a fine Southern estate: exceptional cuisine, a championship golf course, a sporting club, relaxing spa, excellent horseback riding and trails and wilderness for hiking, walking and biking. Ideal for leisure vacations, romantic getaways, business meetings and sparkling events, this celebrated retreat is just a short drive from both Atlanta and Chattanooga.

history in the makingbarnsley resort historic timeline

A Rich Celebrated History

Behind Barnsley Resort's storybook setting is a true story filled with as many twists and turns as a work of fiction. The original manor, called Woodlands, was an estate built by Godfrey Barnsley—for the love of his life, his wife Julia. Godfrey Barnsley began construction on his Italianate villa in the 1840's in the North Georgia foothills, on land that had once been inhabited by the Cherokee Indians. Unfortunately, however, Julia passed away before the home was completed. Both the home and its elaborate gardens were inspired by the work of Andrew Jackson Downing, a pioneering landscape designer and proponent of Italianate and gothic revival architecture.

Below are some historical highlights about the resort. To learn more, visit the Barnsley Museum, which is open daily. There you will hear fascinating stories of love, loss and intrigue compiled by Barnsley Resort's Historian and Museum Director, Clent Coker.

1824

1828

1840’s

1845

1846

1848

1861-65

1906

1906-42

1988

1991

1999

2004

2007

2016

2018

Godfrey Barnsley comes to America from Liverpool, England. He becomes one of the 10 most affluent men in the South through the shipping business and cotton trade.

Barnsley weds Julia Scarborough of Savannah.

Barnsley purchases some 4,000 acres of Northwest Georgia land to build Julia a grand mansion.

Sadly, Julia, mother of six, dies of a lung ailment and Barnsley ceases construction of the estate.

Barnsley returns to the estate. While there, he dreams of Julia visiting him in the formal garden. In the dream, she instructs him to finish the estate for their children and future generations.

The estate and gardens of Woodlands are eventually completed, with gardens modeled after the architectural designs of Andrew Jackson Downing, and a luxurious manor house featuring modern plumbing, marble from Italy and France, and furnishings from around the world.

The Civil War rages. Situated directly in the path of Sherman's advance, the estate is the site of a battle on May 18, 1864 and suffers irreparably during occupation of troops commanded by U.S. Gen. James McPherson.

A tornado damages the home, tearing away the roof.

Descendants of Godfrey and Julia occupy the estate until it is auctioned in 1942. The gardens and manor house fall into disrepair.

Prince Hubertus Fugger of Bavaria purchases the estate, reviving and expanding the Historic Gardens so that more than 200 varieties of roses thrive. The remains of the Manor House Ruins are restored.

Barnsley Gardens opens to the public as a historical garden and museum available for day visitors.

Barnsley Resort opens, offering a charming English-inspired village setting influenced by the works of Andrew Jackson Downing. In addition to luxurious guest cottages, the experience is enhanced by a Jim Fazio-designed golf course, world-class amenities such as The Spa at Barnsley Resort, regionally inspired dining in The Woodlands Grill and Rice House, and diverse outdoor activities such as horseback riding, sporting clays and hiking.

Prince Fugger sells the resort to a private family from North Georgia.

The resort's offerings are expanded to include the addition of four large multi-bedroom Estate Cottages, ideal for corporate groups, multi-generational family travel, friends' getaways and wedding parties. Activity offerings also grow to include wing shooting (quail hunting, pheasant releases and more) with the addition of SpringBank Plantation.

Ground is broken for a 55-room Inn at Barnsley Resort and Georgian Hall, a new venue for meetings and special events.

The Inn at Barnsley Resort and Georgian Hall open in March 2018, bringing the resort's total number of accommodations to 150 guest rooms and suites. Georgian Hall expands the resort's meetings and events venues with the 5,000-square-foot Savannah Ballroom and additional indoor and outdoor gathering space.