Staying at the Fearrington House Inn + 7 Things We Loved

Published by Christina Riley. Last Updated on August 2, 2024.

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For refined rest and relaxation, look no further than the Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant in Pittsboro, North Carolina (near Chapel Hill). Not only is The Fearrington an inn and a restaurant, but it’s also a spa, with all designed explicitly with sophistication and hospitality in mind.

The Fearrington is one of our favorite luxury resorts in North Carolina. If you’re located in the Research Triangle area or visiting Chapel Hill, we recommend a stay here for a truly transformative lodging experience.

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In this guide, we will list all the things we love about the Fearrington House, including the inn’s location, its world-class restaurant, gardens, and more.

Where is the Fearrington House Inn?
History of the Fearrington House Inn
Staying at the Fearrington
- Rooms
Dining at the Fearrington House Restaurant
Fearrington Gardens
Fearrington Spa
The Shops at Fearrington
Things to Do Nearby (Pittsboro, Chapel Hill, and Carrboro)

Where is the Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant?

Address: 2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro, NC
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The first thing we love about The Fearrington House Inn is its location. It sits in Central North Carolina and is within a short drive from many of its biggest cities.

The Fearrington is closest to Chapel Hill (20 Minutes Away), in a secluded part of the state surrounded by UNC-Chapel Hill to the north and Jordan Lake to the east.

Along with Chapel Hill, here are some other places in North Carolina near the Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant:

Cary (35 Minutes Away)
Hillsborough (35 Minutes Away)
Durham (40 Minutes Away)
Raleigh (45 Minutes Away)
Asheboro and the NC Zoo (55 Minutes Away)
Greensboro (1 Hour Away)
Southern Pines (1 Hour Away)
Pinehurst (1 Hour 10 Minutes Away)

Fearrington is a small community untouched by bustling city life. Most guests are drawn here for the peace and quiet that the resort promises them.

You can visually travel to The Fearrington House Inn with our Central North Carolina Map and our North Carolina Travel Map, both created with Google Maps.

The History of the Fearrington House Inn

Fearrington House as it stands today was the brainchild of R.B. and Jenny Fitch. The couple had spent some time in Europe and admired the tight-knit communities of small European villages, and they wanted to emulate that in a village in the US.

They stumbled upon Fearrington Village, named for the Fearrington family who had played a pivotal role in its construction.

The 640 acres of land that is now Fearrington was purchased by William Cole Sr. in 1786.
The land passed through generations of his family until it was inherited by Cole’s great-granddaughter and her husband Edwin Fearrington in 1915. Their ownership has influenced the property’s name today.
A fire destroyed the original homestead in 1925, but Edwin Fearrington’s son rebuilt it in what is now the Fearrington House Restaurant.
The property was transformed into a working dairy farm that operated in the 1960s.
At this point, the Fearringtons were nearing retirement and looking for a buyer who would preserve the historic value of the property.

R.B. and Jenny Fitch came across the Fearrington property and fell in love with the charming European-style land. They refurbished the house to serve as the chic Fearrington House Restaurant and were welcomed with wild success.

While traveling across Europe, the Fitches encountered many Relais & Châteaux institutions. French-owned and operated, Relais & Châteaux is a worldwide association of independent luxury inns and restaurants. In the 1980s, the Fitches sought Relais & Châteaux affiliation for the Fearrington House Restaurant.

However, since membership is only granted to inn and restaurant pairings, the Fitches built the Fearrington House Inn in 1986 and received Relais & Châteaux affiliation in 1988.

Since then, the Fearrington brand has expanded to the Fearrington Village, a country-style community center with a spa and gardens.

Staying at the Fearrington House Inn (Rooms)

Staying at the Fearrington House is a lavish affair. The inn boasts 32 bright and airy rooms with upscale furnishings, original artwork, and fresh flowers.

Each room is decorated differently, reflecting a European country house with floral prints and pastel hues.

There are four types of rooms to choose from:

Grand Suite: Grand Suites are the largest rooms available, with separate bedrooms and bathrooms, expanded sitting areas, and a fireplace. Several of them also have private gardens and outdoor seating. While on the pricier side, these suites will make you feel like European royalty.
Superior Suite: This suite has a king bed, spacious bathroom, and separate living area. A level below the Grand Suite, the Superior Suite is a beautiful place to stay.
Deluxe Room: Deluxe Rooms are offered in a king, queen, or two-double bed layout. They are slightly larger than the standard room and feature a charming window nook with comfy chairs and accommodations.
Standard Room: Guests in the standard room will enjoy a spacious bedroom and private bath. While the rooms are smaller, staying here is still as delightful as any other lodging option.

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Dining at the Fearrington House Restaurant

Like the Inn, the Fearrington House Restaurant is a Relais & Châteaux member. While the title alone is remarkable, the restaurant very much lives up to its reputation.

The Restaurant is a refined establishment, serving fine dining cuisine to the Triangle area for over 40 years.

The menu is a curated collection of upscale entrees, flavors, and spices. Guests can also choose to indulge in a four-course meal complete with exceptional service and seasonal desserts.

We’ve heard nothing but great things about the hot chocolate soufflé!

For a more casual, yet still upscale, dining experience, visit the bar at the Fearrington House. In addition to the long list of drinks, there are some food options for guests to snack on.

Another reason we love the Fearrington is because they host afternoon tea on Thursdays through Sundays. The Fearrington House Restaurant cultivates a truly European-esque experience with loose-leaf and herbal teas, classic tea sandwiches, and pastries such as French cakes and treats.

Reservations are required ahead of time, but this is one experience that guests do not want to miss out on!

Within the surrounding Fearrington Village, there are two other restaurants to visit:

The Belted Goat: Located in the Village, the Belted Goat is a casual breakfast and lunch spot. It’s wonderful for a cup of coffee and morning pastry before a day of relaxation.
Roost Beer Garden: In the heart of the Village is Roost Beer Garden, a community gathering center with music, beer, and great wood-fired pizza.

Overall, Fearrington House has many dining options, from upscale establishments to laid-back pizza.

Fearrington Gardens

Possibly our favorite aspect of Fearrington House Inn is the gorgeous outdoor grounds. The immaculate gardens are the crowning jewels of the property.

The seeds of the gardens were sowed by Jenny Fitch in 1980 when she planted hundreds of daffodils behind the Restaurant. Since then, the gardens have bloomed and expanded into her legacy.

There are over 60 garden beds connected by brick pathways that weave through fountains, sculptures, a vegetable and herb garden that the Restaurant uses, and even a farm with rolling pastures and adorable animals.

Jenny’s Garden is one of the more recognizable spots at Fearrington. Located next to the Inn, Jenny’s Garden is a circle of ivy-lined pathways and white structures leading up to an artistic fountain. It’s a popular spot for weddings and events.

Inn guests will also enjoy the Courtyard Gardens that greet you as you enter the Inn, and Camden Park, a serene 17-acre plot dotted with a pond and native shrubs.

Perhaps the most unique part of the grounds is the Knot Garden, a funky outdoor attraction that imitates formal European gardens. The gardens add a layer of elegance to the Fearrington that helps make it the amazing resort it is today.

Fearrington Spa

Finally, guests of the Fearrington and visitors from the Triangle Area can relax at the Spa at Fearrington. The treatments offered here will help you unwind using top-of-the-line products and processes.

The Fearrington continues to stay true to its European influences by being the only NC spa to incorporate Elemis products in its skincare treatments, which is the leading British spa brand.

The Shops at Fearrington

The Shops at Fearrington are another example of this being a true getaway. Here are a few of them that we absolutely loved:

McIntyre Books has a wide variety of books including their personal favorites, mystery & thriller, new & noteworthy, and kids’ picks.
Nest Boutique will help you recreate your stay at the Fearrington House Inn, with pillows, accessories, furniture, and more.
Sprout Children’s Boutique has gifts for kids up to 4 years old, including skin care, apparel, books, games, and more.

Things to Do Near The Fearrington House Inn

Things to Do in North Carolina Bucket List Cats Cradle Carrboro NC — Cat’s Cradle

If you have some more time on your hands or are interested in exploring the surrounding areas, the Triangle Area has some great things to do!

Pittsboro: Beyond the Fearrington House Inn being in Pittsboro, we love this Chatham County town for a few more reasons. Its walkable downtown is a great start, and there’s also Carolina Tiger Rescue, which is doing its part in the fight against the exotic animal trade. Carolina Brewery also has a brewpub in Pittsboro, with great food to pair with wonderful NC craft beer.
Chapel Hill: Just 20 minutes north of Fearrington is the town of Chapel Hill, home to the flagship University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chartered in 1789, UNC is the oldest public university that still accepts students today. Campus and its immediate surroundings including:
- Morehead Planetarium
- The Carolina Basketball Museum
- The Ackland Art Museum
- Franklin Street Shops and Restaurants
Carrboro: Connected at the hip of Chapel Hill is Carrboro, fun community of indie restaurants, shops, and events. Thai Station Restaurant and Grey Squirrel Coffee are two great places for dinner or coffee respectively. Cat’s Cradle is also in Carrboro and one of the most iconic music venues in North Carolina.