City Editor Cat here. Allie and I recently traveled ~40 minutes down the road to spend the day in Fearrington Village and what a treat it was. From sipping afternoon tea and shopping to seeing cows + goats, this English-inspired village between Pittsboro and Chapel Hill provides the perfect weekend escape.

Where to eat

The Fearrington House Restaurant | Besides a delightful afternoon tea, this fine-dining restaurant offers a seasonal menu with cuisine enhanced with herbs from the garden. Items that can't be grown on the property are sourced locally from Duckwood Farms and Heritage Farms.

Bonus: My cousin and her husband recently celebrated their 10th anniversary here.

The Belted Goat | If you're looking for something a bit more casual, this breakfast and lunch spot fits the bill. Enjoy house-made pastries or a garden-fresh sandwich on the patio. Plus, stock up on wine + snacks at the elevated market place filled with pantry staples and treats.

Roost Beer Garden | Open during the warmer months, guests can order a wood-fired pizza + beer to listen to live music.

What to do

McIntyre’s Books | Get lost in your imagination while exploring this independent bookstore. There is a wide selection of genres to choose from with an emphasis on children's books, cooking, mystery, and local authors.

Retail | Shop 'til ya drop. Pick up home decor items like a signature Fearrington Village scented candle from Nest, shop toys + special children's gifts at Sprout Children’s Boutique, or pop into Dovecote Style for thoughtfully curated apparel + accessories.

The Spa at Fearrington | A Relais & Chateaux establishment, the spa offers relaxing massage, facial, body, and nail treatments. Bonus: Stop by the spa boutique to pick up items used in your service.

Editor's picks

City Editor Cat: The afternoon tea experience was so nice — service was exceptional + the bites were delicious. After tea, we stopped to peek at a room in The Fearrington House Inn, it looked like something from a storybook and is now a bucket list stay for me. We also both loved all of the cow merch available in the shops.

City Editor Allie: Make sure to moo-ve over to the barnyard while you visit. We fell in love with The Belted Barnyard including the 30+ Belted Galloway cows, belted goats, as well as chickens and donkeys. These animals aren't used for food and are frequent show animals at local + national venues.