This area of Loudoun County features a myriad of recreational opportunities. The Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park offer everything from hiking and biking to river rafting and fishing. The nearby George Washington and Jefferson National Forests feature 1.8 million acres of scenic drives, hiking & biking, swimming, boating, horseback riding and other activities.
Other attractions include local vineyards, a number of magnificent bed and breakfast inns, plenty of world-class golf courses, historical homes and farms, equestrian facilities and many Civil War sites. A number of historic battlefield parks are within a short drive including Manassas, Fredericksburg, Wilderness, Chancellorsville, Antietam and Harper's Ferry.
Middleburg was so named because it was midway on the Winchester-to-Alexandria trading route known as the Ashby Gap Road, which is now Route 50. Middleburg is known as the "capital" of horse country for its steeplechase racing and fox hunting. The community was founded and named by Revolutionary War hero Leven Powell. He purchased the land for Middleburg at $2.50 an acre from Joseph Chinn, first cousin to George Washington. Previously called "Chinn's Crossroads," Middleburg was home to the confederate "Gray Ghost: Colonel John S. Mosby, and is located in the Mosby Heritage Area. The natural beauty of the area provides a backdrop to enjoy Middleburg's unique mix of shops, small town charm, and equestrian events.
Foxhunting in Virginia began in the Middleburg area around 1748, when Thomas the sixth Lord Fairfax, set up the first pack of foxhounds in the English manner of the order of the present day hunts. Hunting was a casual sport enjoyed by local families until the first hunt, the Piedmont, was organized in 1905. Today there are 10 active hunts in the Hunt Country proper.
There are several inns located within the corporate limits, including the historic Red Fox Inn and Tavern. It is billed as the "oldest original inn in America," The Red Fox Tavern was a meeting spot for Confederate Colonel John Mosby and his Rangers. A century later, President Kennedy's press secretary, Pierre Salinger, held press conferences at the Red Fox in the Jeb Stuart room.
Across the street is another gracious reminder of the past, the Windsor House Inn, circa 1824. During the Civil War it was known as the Colonial Inn and was run by Catherine Broun. Although Catherine sympathized with the South, she generously served meals to Union troops at the inn as well when they occupied Middleburg in 1862.
Aldie is a community at the base of the Bull Run Mountains. A “run” is another name for a small creek. The Bull Run, which lent its name to the famous Civil War battles at Manassas junction just to the east, originates in these mountains. Virginia Congressman Charles Mercer laid out Aldie in the early 19th century. The village is best known for the aforementioned mill on U.S. 50 at Little River. Union soldiers lodged inside the mill during their raids in this vicinity. A cavalry battle was fought near Aldie in October 1862.