The Hornsby House Inn boasts a breakfast every morning comprised of southern sweetness, and behind almost every dish is a story of how it came to be on the menu.

Take the granola for example, which is served first along with fresh fruit. Dave and Rene discovered this recipe at the Riverview Terrace B&B in New Zealand years ago and brought it home with them to recreate for the Big House, making it gluten free. (Hey, New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so it still counts as a southern recipe, right?)

The “World Famous Cheese Grits” are a treat that you can recreate yourself easily – the recipe has been passed down through the Hornsby family and is now forever imprinted in Mom’s Cookbook.

If there are a minimal number of guests when you stay with us, you may be lucky enough to experience the glory of our homemade Eggs Benedict, topped with Smithfield ham and hollandaise. This takes extra time, as the meal is made and served individually, and is truly a special occasion when it happens!

During the week we rotate between four main casseroles – the Mushroom & Artichoke Quiche, the Bacon & Cheese Quiche, the Sausage, Egg & Cheese Casserole and the Blueberry French Toast Casserole. These are accompanied by a plethora of delicious sides, including biscuits, toast, oven-baked bacon (makes it crispy!), multi-berry cobbler, and more!

The Blueberry French Toast Casserole is a recipe we borrowed from the Fife & Drum Inn in Williamsburg. Delicious with or without maple syrup, this casserole will definitely soothe your sweet tooth.

The savory and delicious Sausage, Egg & Cheese Casserole is Phil’s specialty – he has prepared this dish since the opening of the Inn!

Pair all this deliciousness with good company and conversation, and you have a Hornsby House breakfast!

What’s your favorite part about breakfast at the Hornsby House Inn?

We devised an hour-by-hour plan of the “Perfect Day” for you when you come to visit! We hope you enjoy!

9 AM Breakfast at the Hornsby House.

10 AM Take the driving tour of the battlefields that the Hornsby House has. We highly recommend it.

11 AM Tour the Yorktown Battlefield before the heat of the day.

12 PM Tour the Yorktown Victory Center (in the air conditioning!)

1 PM You can’t go wrong with lunch at the Yorktown Pub!

2 PM Stop by On The Hill Gallery to view some one-of-a-kind art or participate in the multiple events and classes they host.

3 PM Spend some time shopping on Riverwalk Landing. Whether you’re looking for gifts for friends, family or yourself, you’re sure to find the perfect thing!

4 PM Catch a Pirate Cruise on the waves with Yorktown Sailing Charters.

5 PM Come back for Wine, Cheese and history at the Hornsby House.

6 PM As the temperature cools, take a relaxing walk down by the beach.

7 PM Enjoy a fresh seafood dinner and more at the Water Street Grille.

8 PM Watch a multicolored sunset on the York River.

Are you ready for a perfect day on your next visit? Did we miss anything that’s on YOUR list of things that make up a perfect day in Yorktown? Let us know!

For those of you who have visited The Hornsby House before, you are probably familiar with our daily tradition of serving wine and cheese at 5 in the afternoon, relaxing on the porch rocking chairs with guests if the weather is good, and basking in the fresh air of the York River just a stone’s throw away and the history that surrounds this house. (If your first stay with us is still in the future, you’re in for a treat!)

Your hosts, Dave and Phil, will catch you up on all of the amazing stories of history surrounding the very place you’re communing in, including the most famous one – The Siege of Yorktown, the final battle which determined the colonies’ future as a country and ensured our independence from Great Britain!

In a VERY short summary of the siege, General Washington marched his troops from New York to meet General Rochambeau with his 8,000 French troops from Connecticut in Williamsburg. Together, they met with the Marquis de Lafayette and his 1,200 troops as well as 3,500 Virginia Militia under the command of Thomas Nelson, a Yorktown Native. The troops came and laid siege to Yorktown – 30-40,000 shells poured in on the town! Marquis de Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton then stormed readout 9 in the middle of the night, the final straw before British surrender. The formal surrender ceremony took place two days later on October 19, 1781, now known as Yorktown Day.

Now, history (and wine) are always made better with some playful stories and speculation mixed into conversation for entertainment, right? That’s why the Hornsby boys like to add their own little twist onto the end of the siege. Their version: Cornwallis came out of the cave by the river in which he was hiding during the battle and came up the hill to find out that he lost readouts 9 & 10, precisely in OUR front yard, leading to the surrender of the British! Voila, the great change of course of our nation’s history practically fallen into our laps!

Of course, there is no particular evidence for this version of the story. However, the surrender of Yorktown certainly would have happened close to the property! And it just makes a wonderful ending to the story of an epic battle in our nation’s history… don’t you think?

There is so much going on this summer in Yorktown and throughout the Historic Triangle! Whenever your trip is planned for, rest assured there will be a plethora of educational and entertaining events to do and things to see! Here is a list of just a few things that we are really excited about:

• WEDNESDAYS Fifes and Drums of Yorktown  4:45 pm at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center

• THURSDAYS Shagging on the Riverwalk Beach Music Concert Series 6:30-9:30 pm

• FRIDAYS in June 6-9 PM Watermen’s Museum Music Jamboree

• SATURDAYS Yorktown Market Days every Saturday of the season.

• SUNDAYS Summer Concert Series in the Grace Episcopal Churchyard

• All Summer See the peninsula from another perspective in all its natural beauty on The Jamestown Discovery Boat Tours

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June 8 York River Floating Folk Jam

June 11-12 Watermen’s Museum Military Appreciation Weekend 

June 17 Summer Solstice Celebration and Seafood Festival at the Williamsburg Winery

July 3-4 Liberty Celebration (a Grand Celebration of the birth of the United States with a spectacular fireworks display to end the day!)

July 14 Bastille Day Wine Dinner (5 course french dinner paired with acclaimed wines from France) at Riverwalk Restaurant

August 7 DoG St Pub Big Bold Beer Festival

August 2, 9, 16 & 23 Military Band Concert Series 

What will you pack your bags for this summer? Did we miss anything on your list? We hope we see you soon!

You know what they say, friends… location, location, location. Well, we have truly hit the jackpot when it comes to being around great spots to eat. All of these fabulous restaurants are within a short and scenic walk! How many do you have checked off your list?

1. The Riverwalk provides fine dining with a very nice bar area, “river view” seating, and the dress is casual. Tell them you’re staying with us and they’ll take 10% off your bill! (757) 875-1522

2. Water Street Grill, right next door to the Riverwalk, also boasts a large bar area, covered outside seating, live music on weekends, craft beers and good food. You can’t go wrong here!

3. The Island Grille at the Duke of York (Hotel) is located right across from beach and is currently open Tuesday-Sunday. This local favorite has great seafood and Greek salads. The head chief Russell was trained by “Jimmy” of Nick’s Seafood Pavilion, a Yorktown icon for 60 years.

4. Yorktown Pub is another family friendly “beach bar/restaurant” also located across from the beach. They have amazing crab cakes, fresh seafood, burgers, a long bar, live music on Tuesdays 9:00 pm. A local hangout favorite!

5. The Carrot Tree Restaurant is located amongst the great shops in the area. They have a great “light” lunch fare, and possibly the best Carrot Cake in the world! Be sure to check their hours, as they’re normally only open for lunch.

Hungry yet? Which Yorktown Restaurant is your absolute favorite?

Perhaps you haven’t stayed with us yet, or perhaps you are a frequent visitor at the Hornsby House Inn. Either way, some of David’s answers to these questions are sure to surprise you!

How long have you lived in the area?

I was born in Yorktown and raised in this house. I left to get married and lived a half hour away in Williamsburg for 32 years before coming back here.

What are the best memories you have in this house?

My three brothers and I were raised here with 2 ponies and a horse in the backyard! This was the boys’ house to hang out on the weekends and although we could cause a ruccous, especially when the football players came over, Mom had written out Articles of Conduct for her sons that we were expected to adhere to always. This included date rules. We had to wear a coat and tie when taking a girl out, which we subsequently left at the bottom of the hill once we were a safe distance away! Rule #26 was ”Stand up when your elders enter the room and remain there until they tell you that’s no longer necessary.”

Can you tell us something interesting about your brother and fellow Hornsby House host, Phillip?

Phil was a pyromaniac growing up. He helps cook and clean, and like most brothers we don’t agree on anything!

What is one thing you recommend everyone do in Yorktown?

Take the driving tour that we have on CD at the Hornsby House, it’s a good history lesson. It is narrated by a British general and an American general and takes 55 minutes if you don’t get out of the car.

What is your favorite food in Yorktown?

We have SO many great restaurants around us, but I’d say Go to the Duke of York, open Thursday through Sunday (Wednesdays in the summer) for Greek salads & flounder with crabmeat on top. The servings are generous!

What made you decide to turn the Hornsby House into an Inn?

First and foremost, we wanted to keep the house in the family.

What’s the best part about owning an inn?

I have learned so much from the guests. They have taught me more history than I have told them. We’ve had some really interesting people stay with us, and I haven’t had a bad apple yet! So the best part is probably telling and hearing stories at breakfast with the guests.

If you could host one famous historical guest, who would it be?

That’s a tough choice! Either Marquis de Lafayette or George Washington.

Now you know one of your hosts here at the Hornsby House just a little better! Do you have questions? Are you ready to make a reservation? Don’t hesitate to call us or browse our site, and stay tuned for more blog posts coming soon!