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Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view

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The Dryden House Beachfront
Aerial view of The Dryden House and beach
Master bedroom with memory foam mattresses in every room
Master Bedroom with king bed, looking directly out across the bay.
Bedroom with views across the bay

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12292.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Ocean view
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Cape Charles, VA
  • Place, Cape Charles Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Central Park
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Oyster Farm Marina
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Airport, Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.)
    ‪50 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5

4 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view

The Dryden House offers the most amazing sunsets the Chesapeake bay has to offer and the ultimate in flexible amenities with all the comforts of home and high-speed (up to 100Mbs) whole-house wifi for Zoom meetings, video streaming, etc.

The Dryden House was featured in 2015 Real Simple Magazine: "6 Historic Homes You Can Vacation In" and is perfect for that extended family vacation with Bike and kayak's and beach toys galore.

This 1912 historic private home is located within a registered historic district, known as the Sea Cottage Addition of Cape Charles, which is comprised of Arts and Crafts, Victorian and other architecturally elegant homes dating from 1850 to 1915, that display a variety of styles popular during this era. The Dryden House is unique due to its prominent size, intact historical details and central location upon Bay Avenue just steps from the beach and only two blocks from the town's charming business district.

This three-story beachfront Victorian home has an extensive wrap-around porch, with stunning views of the Chesapeake Bay. The home is extremely light and airy due to the tall ceilings and large picture windows, featuring bay views from almost every room in the home, including the kitchen.

All bedrooms and the third floor finished guest quarters have water views. There are two master bedrooms with king beds and sweeping water views, a queen size bedroom with en suite bathroom, two full baths on the second floor with a third extra large waterfall shower bathroom on the first floor near the convenient washer and dryer. An additional outdoor shower with temperature control is available to wash away the salt and sand. Private fenced yard with outdoor grilling area, herb garden and fire pit.

The large, chef's kitchen has stainless steel high-end appliances, including a five-burner gas stove, with electric oven and two full size sinks spacious enough for two chefs, and a separate beverage center and coffee station with Keurig. The over-sized dining room features an expandable dining table that can easily seat 12 for meals just off the first-floor living room and parlor each with fireplaces and flat-screen TV/ DVD.

Finished third-floor family room with 42' flat-screen TV, DVD, HBO, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Streaming. Xbox 360 with a large selection of games. There is a good selection of over 50 movies for both kids and adults. A full-sized foosball table completes the game room for when you're feeling competitive. There is three-zone air conditioning to keep you comfortable on those hot days and nights.

The town gazebo and free fishing pier are to the left of the home and the extensive town walkways make this ideal for strolling or catching an evening horse and carriage ride on the Bay. Sunsets are nightly!

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Perfect location for young children
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
All items in the garage are used at the renter's risk. The owner accepts no liability for injuries caused by the use of any of these items.
Renters must use life-jackets when using kayaks. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
No indoor fires (fireplaces were made for coal and not wood). Please read our contract before booking.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Cape Charles

Located in Historic Downtown Cape Charles, a neighbourhood in Cape Charles, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Kiptopeke State Park and Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, while Cape Charles Museum & Welcome Center and Barrier Island Museum are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and hiking.
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Map
Cape Charles, VA

What's nearby

  • Cape Charles Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Central Park - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Cape Charles Museum & Welcome Center - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Oyster Farm Marina - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Virginia Beach Boardwalk - 58 min drive - 83.7 km

Getting around

  • Norfolk, VA (ORF-Norfolk Intl.) - 50 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Small’s Smokehouse - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Hardee's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Shanty - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Sting-Ray's Restaurant - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view?

As of 31 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view on 11 Apr 2026 start from AU$941, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Beach Front Home: Victorian Elegance. Large Rooms with AMAZING bay view located?

Located in Historic Downtown Cape Charles, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre, just steps away from Chesapeake Bay and Cape Charles Beach. Cape Charles Harbor and Central Park are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 78 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing and relaxing stay! Great views! Love the porch! And just a quick walk to the beach. Host was great! Would stay here again!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful visit

We had a lovely stay. Very relaxing weekend, great location & enjoyed a very peaceful getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Thanks for such a wonderful week. Not only is this an incredible house that was great for multiple families but it’s the best location in Cape Charles with quick access to the beach and close to everything. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meredith W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great property
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our 4th year spending a week at Dryden House, so obviously we’re huge fans. There’s no beating the location, the garage is stocked with plenty of beach gear, and the third floor is the perfect kids zone. We’ll definitely be back next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We had a wonderful stay. The home is well appointed and in a perfect location.

Great communication. We hope to stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elyssa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic beach weekend!

Incredible location right across the street from the beach entrance and walking distance to the shops in downtown Cape Charles. Lovely roomy historic home for two families with kids to stay in and go back and forth from the beach as needed and have s’mores in the backyard fire pit. Would definitely come back!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Greatest trip ever

Our trip was absolutely perfect. The house was fabulous right across from the beach with great restaurants and ideal place to take the family for a very relaxing vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful home in idyllic Cape Charles. Extremely well stocked with kitchen items and all household items. Garage full of beach gear. Thanks for the special family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

This is a beautiful and grand home full of historic charm. The location is perfect - close to the beach and the main street with shopping and restaurants. It had everything we needed for a relaxing stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

THOMAS R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Dryden House Always a Hit

Wonderful experience all-the-way-around !! Owners go out of their way to ensure everything about your stay and transaction is smooth and pleasant.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

bonnie y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house!

Gorgeous house. Had everything we needed and more. Highly recommend this home. Loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashleigh C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house for families!

Extremely well stocked house with lots of kitchen supplies, board games, and plenty of space for a big family! Very close to the water and excellent location overall. The owners were very easy to book with and communication was great. Absolutely would book again for a large group.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Third Stay @ Dryden House

This was our third year staying at Dryden House and are looking forward to our fourth. You can’t beat the location - especially convenient for kids who need bathroom or AC breaks. And the attic hideaway with foosball is always a hit with the kids. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay.

Dryden is magnificent. The location is great and it is very convenient to both the water and the town. I really thought the owners were attentive. The toys and garage contents made it very easy to have a good time. Recommend highly.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best house in Cape Charles!

Dryden is an amazing location and house. With being steps to the beach, it was incredibly convenient to set up and spend the day at the beach. The house is huge and easily accommodated the whole family. The house also had beach gear, bikes, and other great amenities. Paul was a great host. We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

April W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Long weekend

We had a wonderful long weekend with the family. The location is perfect for walking over to the beach, hoping on the golf cart for town and meals. The grand kids love the third floor bedroom suite and all of the adults had large comfortable bedrooms on the second floor. This was our second time staying here and will rent again. ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Archival

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Best vacation home on the Cape Charles Boardwalk!

Beautifully renovated home. Plenty of chairs on front porch, with outstanding view. Well appointed home with everything you would need when away from home. Kitchen well stocked with appliances and everything needed for cooking. Very comfortable mattresses. We look forward to future visits!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nora S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Victorian house in fantastic location

The Dryden House was perfect for our group of several old friends and young children. The house's location across the street from the beach couldn't be better. The house itself is a beautiful historic Victorian but with all necessary modern amenities. We really appreciated how well it was stocked with basics like dish soap, detergent, toilet paper, etc., which you often have to buy yourself in rentals like this. We very much hope to return!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We've been coming to Cape Charles for 17 years and we've stayed in a lot of homes. This was one of our favorites by far. The house is really spacious and nice but we were also able to feel comfortable in it. Sitting on the porch was one of our favorite things to do. It's super convenient to town and the beach (right across the road). We didn't have to bring a lot of stuff because the garage had everything (bikes, kayaks, chairs, toys). There was an extra refrigerator in the garage. The owners were easy to communicate with, and they didn't have a long, unreasonable list of house rules about using the home or checking out. We loved it and we hope to stay there again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Timothy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home, perfect location, and everything you could possibly need!

This is the perfect home for a group. The owners have provided EVERYTHING you might need. The garage is stocked with beach toys, bikes and even a kayak! In the kitchen, there is every pan, dish, glass, appliance you could want, my kitchen at home is not this well stocked. The beds were super comfortable and the place was spotless. We could not get enough of the views from the front porch. Our family loved every minute of our time in this vacation treasure!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house, thoughtful amenities.

Truly lovely, charming house, with so many thoughtful touches. We especially appreciated the provision of extra charging stations for our electronics, as well as the number of kayaks, bikes, games, and other fun things available. Beds were very comfortable. This is not the house for anyone who has trouble navigating fairly steep bare wood stairs, as they are what you might expect in a three story house of this age. Location across from the beach cannot be beat.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Francesca P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent Week in Cape Charles

Week with family enjoying charming Cape Charles. Communication with owners was wonderful! Bedrooms at this home are very spacious and the A/C on the first two floors was excellent! Game room/5th bedroom was a little slower to cool down with the A/C split but it was a great roomy space for kids to sleep and lounge. Huge seating area on the roomy side porch was so great! Kitchen had everything you need ice maker in fridge and smaller unit by coffee area. Stocked with tons of kid friendly cups bowls and plates which was so nice! Access to the garage with extra fridge/freezer and beach toys and chairs and kayaks was awesome! So so easy to pop over to the beach and back for bathroom breaks or to the access ramp to the beach to watch the gorgeous sunsets!We loved being so close to the water and the easy walk or golf cart into town, tennis courts, park, etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Dryden House

This was a perfect house for us. The two boys stayed on the third floor which had everything a teenager could want. The 4 bedrooms on the second floor met our needs as well. The beds and mattresses were very comfortable. The kitchen is the best equipped kitchen I have seen in a rental property. My husband and I spent most of our time on the front porch where there was always a breeze. As mentioned in the description of this property the garage has everything you need for a day on the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving Stay

The Dryden house was the star of our Thanksgiving family get together - they certainly don't build houses like they used to! The rooms are incredibly large and the furnishings are beautiful. Everything was clean and the beds were very comfortable. The kitchen is very well appointed - we had everything we needed and the dining room table seated 10 with no problem. Being a November stay, we didn't use anything in the garage, but we did cross the street to see sunsets over the bay or walk out on the pier, which was pretty empty off season. It also was a quick walk to the shopping area. Paul was very responsive with questions -- it was a wonderful stay from start to finish.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

About the host

Hosted by Paul Chandler

Host profile image
We are a busy family of 4 who has over the years enjoyed restoring historical properties and sharing our love of unique older homes with other travelers on VRBO. We are a premier host of Dryden House in Cape Charles, VA, and now have over 50 reviews on VRBO and we are also frequent guests of VRBO properties. We have learned the value of some of the smaller details that can detract from or enhance a family getaway and try to make our guests feel welcome in our home.

As a host in 2022, we have added our most recent property Marshall House, in Richmond Virginia which we trust will prove to be a unique experience as this Spanish Colonial home boasting an elegant salt water pool and mature gardens abounds with elegance.
Be our first booking at the Marshall House and receive a travel discount on your next visit to Dryden house at the beach or Marshall house in the City of Richmond!! We attribute our success to repeat guests and often have bookings a year in advance while our guests are still enjoying their stay. This speaks to the VRBO experience of renting a historic home in one of Virginia's picturesque historic district

Why they chose this property

Location! Location! Location!! Sun! Sea! and Sand!

What makes this property unique

Our guest say it best see a recent 2022 Review below.
5-star DRYDEN HOUSE BEACH PROPERTY- Best family vacation ever!!!! This property was the nicest house and location we have rented in 25 years. This house had everything you could ever need or want. It was by far the most well-equipped vrbo imaginable!!! We have rented a property on the coast (mostly OBX) for 25 years. For our family of grandparents, 30 to 40 year old children., 8,5,and 9 month old grandchildren.....The Dryden House was a vacation that we will never forget!!

We have so many emails from customers who truly love to cook and the Dryden house is a great kitchen to show off your skills. This year we will be adding to our door spaces as we add more plush outdoor lounging with an updated and upscale outdoor grilling area so keep an eye towards more improvements to come in 2023. If you are a repeat visitor thank you for choosing the experience of renting a historic home in one of Virginia's picturesque historic districts. Your visit to our town keeps the Virginia Eastern Shore vitally alive while maintaining and conserving it's unique atmosphere.

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