I made the trip to Summit Hill Gardens from Dallas, and I could not have been more pleased with the accommodations and beautiful surroundings. Directions were spot-on, and check-in was a breeze. The Cottage is charming and comfortable, decorated by the careful hand of Patsy, the owner, an artist with great imagination and wonderfully eclectic taste.
After settling in, I ventured across the grounds and was fortunate enough to run into Patsy, a barefoot gray-haired pixie wearing jeans and a tee-shirt, who greeted me with a warm smile and a firm hand-shake. She had just finished work for the day and offered me a tour, which I gladly accepted. I soon learned that this petite hippy-chick artist, who traveled the world visiting architectural treasures with her husband, is also a tough-as-nails farmer's daughter who can build anything and fix anything. He runs her soap making operation out of a restored barn that she and her father re-located from a nearby farm using jacking equipment, bridge girders, and a flatbed trailer. (Because, you know, who doesn't have a dad with bridge girders laying around?) Patsy also gave me a tour of the old schoolhouse which she and her husband beautifully restored including an addition with a grand fireplace and large seating area.
The property is meticulously maintained and features a number of unique art pieces that fit perfectly with the rural setting. The pool offers a nice place to cool off on warm summer days. I visited in late August after a mild summer with good rain that left the property lush and green. It is easy to see why Summit Hill is the picture-perfect wedding venue. The bridesmaids room is above the shop, accessed by a vintage cast iron spiral staircase that leads to a large dressing room with a picture window where the ladies can look out and see the guests arriving. Spectacular.
If you are searching for the perfect place for a wedding, a party, or just a brief get-away (like I was), do yourself a favor and visit Summit Hill Gardens. read more
