Nestled in the Virginia Foothills, surrounded by Beautiful Lake Waters, Rolling Hills and Blue Virginia Skies lies a place suspended in time, a historical place, recalling days of Great Plantations, Active Water Commerce, Grand Balls and Southern Hospitality.
Originally the Home of Sir Peyton Skipwith, the Original Plantation, “Prestwould”, covered over 5342 acres, and was described in this way, “ Water as clear as liquid crystal, the land rich and the climate mild,” This Beautiful Home and many of its Original Outbuildings have been carefully preserved and are open to the public providing a glimpse of our Southern History.
“The Cliffs at Prestwould,” a spectacular new Subdivision, located on the original Plantation Property was developed, keeping in mind that proud history. Now offering Exclusive Waterfront Home Sites on
Kerr Lake, “The Cliffs” provides the amenities discriminating buyers look for
when selecting their homesite. These building sites offer spectacular views of Kerr Lake boasting over 850 miles of shore line. Whether you want the view, or unbelievable water front,this property offers it all, Great Fishing, Water Sports, Boating, golfing nearby, as well as hunting, or simply lazing away the hours enjoying nature, “The Cliffs” is the ideal place to call home.
We are honored to have the opportunity to assist in the development of this unique piece of History.The development of this property has been a trust. Come back in time, relax, and enjoy True Southern Hospitality. We encourage you to visit and feel free to contact us for further information and become acquainted with “The Cliffs of Prestwould”.

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Clarksville...Virginia's Only Lakeside Town!
It's the lifestyle that attracts visitors to Clarksville and that keeps them coming back year after year...or for a lifetime. It's the friendly people, small town charm, low cost of living, mild climate, and recreational opportunities that makes Clarksville a great place to visit and an even better place to call home.

While things move at a more leisurely pace in Clarksville, the town continues to move forward to embrace the changing economy and provide a 21st century approach to the historical charm that brought Clarksville to where it is today. It's a town of new opportunity built on a history of trade. The rivers which brought the tobacco trade to Clarksville now feed the lake that provides the economic and recreational backbone of the Clarksville community.
Buggs Island Lake/John H. Kerr Reservoir
Buggs Island Lake is the largest lake in Virginia and one of the most scenic in the south. Clarksville is the only incorporated town on this 50,000 acre lake (or any Virginia lake for that matter). Created for flood control and hydroelectric power in the mid-20th century, the lake extends 39 miles from the John H. Kerr Dam up the RoanokeRiver.
The lake offers some of the best fishing on the East Coast and is a haven for outdoor recreation including boating, sailing, skiiing, and swimming. Wildlife is plentiful along the 800 miles of wooded shoreline, where you might see a Bald Eagle, heron, or other migratory waterfowl.
Around the lake you can find many day-use areas, 30 boat launches and secluded lakefront residential properties. The lake also offers a fishing pier to meet the needs of handicapped fishing enthusiast.
Fishing
With 50,000 acres of fresh water filled with white, striped and largemouth bass, catfish, crappie and walleye, Buggs Island Lake has been home to many fishing tournaments sponsored by such organizations as Virginia B.A.S.S. Federation, Southern Crappie Association, Bobcat’s Bait & Tackle, and FLW Outdoors during its 52 year history.
With the addition of fishing lights on the local bridge, Clarksville is now the premier location for nighttime fishing activities and tournaments and the only location in the country with this unique feature. The bridge lights are comprised of two rows of iridescent green lights installed on each of the 19 bridge pylons, one row above the lake water, and one below. The glow of the underwater lights attract millions of tiny feeder fish, which then attract the larger game fish, thus creating a unique nighttime fishing environment. The set of lights above the water provide motorists traveling on the new Highway 58 Bypass Bridge a striking view leading into downtown Clarksville.
Boat Rental
Boat rentals are available at the Clarksville Marina and at OcconeecheeState Park.
Clarksville Marina – Pontoon boat rentals. Located at 411 Fourth Street, South of Virginia Avenue. (434) 374-8501. http://www.clarksvillevamarina.com
Public Docks 
The Town Dock is located at the foot of the local bridge next to the Lake Motel, between buoy markers 19 & 20. Tie up your boat at one of 20 complimentary day-use slips and head into town for some unique shopping or a bite to eat. There is also a docking facility at Uppy’s Convenience Store on the opposite side of the bridge for boaters wishing to access their services.
Marina
Clarksville Marina has served this area for 31 years. It’s located at 411 Fourth Street, South of Virginia Avenue. It offers a waterside store with gas, snacks, and boat accessories. (434) 374-8501.
Public Boat Launch
There are 30 public boat launches available around the lake. The following are the closest to Clarksville. Ramp/day use fees apply. Annual passes are available.
Occoneechee State Park– Three boat-launching ramps and parking. Located on US Highway 58, approximately 1/10 mile east of Clarksville. For more information call 434-374-2210.
Bluestone Landing – Concrete boat-launching ramp and parking. Located on US Highway 15, approximately 5 miles north of Clarksville.
Rudds Creek Recreation Area– Two concrete boat-launching ramp/docks and parking. Located on US Highway 58, 8 miles east of Clarksville. 434-738-6827
Longwood Recreation Area– Concrete boat-launching ramp/dock and parking. Located on US Highway 15, approximately 7 miles south of Clarksville. 434-374-2711
Beaches
Public beaches are available at State Parks (excluding Occoneechee) and Corps of Engineer recreation areas around the lake. Those closest to Clarksville are listed below. Day use fees apply.
Rudds Creek Recreation Area– Designated beach, multi-purpose court (sand). Located on US Highway 58, 8 miles east of Clarksville. 434-738-6827
Longwood Recreation Area– Designated beach, multi-purpose court (sand). Located on US Highway 15, approximately 7 miles south of Clarksville. 434-374-271
Golf
Kinderton Country Club, 799 Kinderton Drive, Clarksville, VA 23927 offers an eighteen-hole golf course designed by Donald Ross, putting green, driving range and club facilities. (434) 374-8822.
Lakestar Golf Practice Range, 1720 Highway 58, Buffalo Junction, VA 24529. Located five minutes west of Clarksville on Highway 58. Open year round, dawn to dark. Automated ball machines. Children Welcome. 434-374-7827.
Hiking
Occoneechee State Park–3.1 miles of walking trails wind through woodlands and past scenic lake views. A one-mile interpretive trail takes visitors to the terraced gardens of the Old Plantation grounds. The park also features a 15-mile multi-purpose trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Located on US Highway 58, approximately 1/10 mile east of Clarksville. For more information call 434-374-2210.
Liberty Hill Nature Trail (foot traffic only) - The trail is located on the south side of Kerr Dam and ample parking is available. The 1.6 mile trail is a self-guided interpretive trail and is white blazed. Liberty Trail meanders through mixed hardwoods, an old cemetery, and descends to river which overlooks Buggs Island as well as the back side of the Dam. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 434-738-6101.
Tailrace Park and Wildlife Observation Platform - A Watchable Wildlife Area, located immediately below Kerr Dam. A short 0.1 mile, wheelchair accessible nature trail and platform offers excellent viewing of migratory Bald Eagles from December through March. Picnic and restroom facilities are located nearby, benches are provided for viewing the Dam, Tailrace, and Buggs Island. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 434-738-6101.
Robert Munford Trail(non-motorized use only) - Seven miles one way. Trailheads located end of Taylor's Ferry Road and end of Greenwood Road, at Eagle Point. Take 58 West out of Boydton, turn left on Jefferson street (756), then left onto Taylor's Ferry Road (705).Taylor's Ferry meets Greenwood Road and turns to dirt at Greenwood Baptist Church. White blazed trail along reservoir shoreline through lowland hardwoods and upland mixed oak, pine, and hickory stands. The trail is named for an important resident of early Mecklenburg County and the trail passes his gravesite. Evidence of pre-dam era life including cemetery,foundations, ice storage structures, rock and rubble walls. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 434-738-6101.
Hunting
Occoneechee State Park– Panhandle Area provides public hunting for those with a valid state hunting license; you must register at the area's access gate. Located on US Highway 58,approximately 1/10 mile east of Clarksville. For more information call 434-374-2210.
White Oaks Hunting Preserve & Shooting Sports – Six hundred gently rolling acres of mature hardwood woodland. Pellet gun range, air rifles, clay target games, rifle range, and silhouette targets. Four stocked ponds. Hunt for quail, pheasant, chukar, deer, or turkey. Located on Highway 49 North, approximately 7 miles from Clarksville. 434-374-2025. www.whiteoaks.ws
Cornerstone Farm - 40 private acres of forest. Guests can hunt in-season for: deer, fox, rabbit, squirrel,turkey - all open seasons in Virginia will be granted for guests. Located 15 miles north of Clarksville off of Highway 15. 1-866-977-FARM (3276). 434-735-0527. www.cornerstonefarm.net.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wildlife Management Areas - The US Army Corps of Engineers manages areas to improve and protect habitat for various wildlife species. These areas are available for many uses, including hunting (in season), nature viewing, foot, horse and bike travel. Some of the dirt and gravel roads are open to vehicles. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 434-738-6101.
Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area - Nationally known for hosting bird dog field trials, the Dick Cross Wildlife Management Area (formerly Elm Hill) is also a major wintering area for waterfowl, popular dove hunting area, and home to a diverse resident upland wildlife population. The entire management area serves as a refuge for various waterfowl and no hunting for waterfowl is allowed. From U.S.Route 58 near Boydton, between South Hill and Clarksville take State Route 4 south. Go about five miles to the management area entrance. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries – Wildlife Management Area
Visitor/Education Centers
Occoneechee State Park Visitor Center - The center features Native American history, "The Occoneechee Story," a living hut and artifacts. Also within is a year-round gift shop featuring Native American merchandise, t-shirts, hats, souvenirs, postcards and educational material.
Occoneechee State Park Interpretive Programs - Interpretive programs are offered from May to September. Please contact the park for specific dates, times and locations within the park. A fee is required for some programs. 434-374-2210; occoneechee@dcr.virginia.gov
Visitor Assistance Center for the Corps of Engineers - located adjacent to the John H. Kerr Dam, next to North Bend Park. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 4:30 pm. It is closed for holidays. Specific programs and times may be obtained by calling the Visitor Assistance Centerat 434-738-6143
Joseph S. J. Tanner II Environmental Education Center - just down the road from the Corps of Engineers visitor center at the intersection of Mays Chapel Road and VA Route 4 (which leads across the Dam). The Tanner Center is open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Thursday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Specific programs and times may be obtained by calling the Visitor Assistance Center at 434-738-6143
The Powerhouse - located down the hill from the Corps of Engineers visitor center in the Tailrace Park area, is currently closed to the public.
Corps of Engineers Interpretive Programs - available to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Tanner Center, North Bend Park and Rudd's Creek Campground. Special programs can be scheduled throughout the year for groups and schools. For more information, or to set up a program, call (434) 738-6143 ext. 151.
Picnicking
Occoneechee State Park– two shelters that can be rented from 8 a.m. to dusk (all day), or 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to dusk (half day). Call 1-800-933-PARK to reserve. Shelter users may use the volleyball area, and the park lends volleyballs as well as horseshoes. The shelters are available for rent from the first weekend in March through the first weekend in December. Located on US Highway 58, approximately 1/10 mile east of Clarksville. Fee.
Rudds Creek Recreation Area– Picnic area with shelter. Reservations accepted for shelter. Located on US Highway 58, 8 miles east of Clarksville.434-738-6827. Fee.
Longwood Recreation Area– Picnic area with shelter. Reservations accepted forshelter. Located on US Highway 15, approximately 7 miles south of Clarksville. 434-374-2711. Fee.
Buffallo Springs Wayside– Picnic area and gazebo. Artesian Well. Historic site. Located ¼ mile off US Highway 58, approximately 7 miles west of Clarksville. No Fee.


After being built, Prestwould Plantation sat high on a hill on the eastern bank of the Roanoke River. The house was the home of Sir Peyton Skipwith and his family. The legacy of documentation left by the early Skipwiths is said to be the most complete and extensive of any non-political family in Colonial or Federal America. Invoices and bills show Prestwould to have been three-fourths completed in 1794 and the family to be living in the home by 1797.

Prestwould was one of the largest and most complex gentry houses built during its time when it was completed in 1795. The seven bay mansion is 68 feet by 52 feet with an English basement. The interior of the manor has large rooms, mostly furnished with Skipwith heirlooms. Some rooms still have original wallpaper that Lady Jean, Sir Peyton's second wife, ordered from England. The cellar has an eight foot ceiling, the first floor a twelve foot ceiling and there is a ten foot ceiling on the second floor. Each room has a fireplace built by local people. The interior woods are pine and oak.

Tradition has it, though, that Sir Peyton skipwith won the land in which Prestwould was built off of William Byrd III in a marathon poker game.

A house such as Prestwould was not easy to build in the late 1700s. Stone and wood were abundant, but hardware, paint, wallpaper, and rugs had to be ordered from England. The lime-sandstone used to build the house was quarried from the plantation. Other original buildings included a gazebo, a plantation business office, and loom house, slave house, a meat house, and a spring house.

A foundation was formed which bought the house and set about restoring it to what it was in the late 1700s. Many of the original furnishings were donated by their current owners and many of the interior items, such as paintings and mirrors, are on loan from area museums. Many of the outbuildings have been restored, and the massive garden is still in the process of being restored.

The house is open for tours May through October and is the site for festivals and weddings. Prestwould is located two miles north of Clarksville on US15 in south-central Virginia.

For more information call :
Bertie Jones 252-456-3033
252-432-6620 cell
Bertijones@embarqmail.com
Ann Mead 252-456-2211
757-407-7774 cell
amead@yadtel.net
Use the form below for Inquiries about The Cliffs at Prestwould