Southall Farm & Inn in Tennessee: A feast for the senses

Classy meets country at Southall Farm & Inn, one of Tennessee’s most luxurious and exclusive hideaways.

Nestled on 325 acres of farmland along a winding country road, Southall is located between historic Franklin and the tiny community of Leiper’s Fork which is famous for its open-mic nights. A number of country stars and actors call this area home, so it’s no surprise Southall has also become a celeb staycation spot.

Quick find

Southall Farm & Inn

Southall Farm & Inn opened at the end of 2022, quickly winning accolades as one of the world’s best new hotels and praise for its sustainability practices where everything is done in harmony with the land.

Despite being only a half hour drive from the bright neon lights of the raucous Broadway strip in Nashville, the farm-focused resort feels a world away from city life, making it the ultimate escape in the Middle Tennessee countryside.

When visiting Southall Farm and Inn, all five senses are awakened.

See

…the rolling Tennessee landscape from the hilltop pavilion. It’s all about the big skies out here, and this is one of the best places to soak it all in–especially during sunset.

Southall Farm & Inn has 16 standalone cottages, including treehouse-inspired cabins tucked among thick foliage to guarantee privacy. The Arbor Cottages are as close to glamping as it gets, with a king bed, spa bathroom, an outdoor swing bed to relax on, and a large wraparound deck with panoramic views.

The Hillside Cottages are ideal for groups, with one to two bedrooms, large bathrooms with soaker tubs, fireplaces, a screened in porch and living space.

An artist was commissioned to paint the surrounding landscape, and those creations were transformed into the wallpaper that decorates the rooms.

Guests staying in the 62-room inn have all of the amenities right on their doorstep (those staying in the outlying cottages tend to use bikes or the golf cart service to get around), and there are a few different room types.

Most feature four-poster beds, a seating area, fireplace and large bathroom with a rainfall shower, while suites also have a separate powder room. Sink into the luxe linens on plush, king size beds, or relax in the soaker tub after a fun day on the farm.

Touch

…a fish as you reel it in during a catch-and-release fly fishing lesson at Lake Mishkin. Catfish, Bluegills, Largemouth Bass and even turtles call the seven acre lake home, which was built for regenerative water retention to irrigate the orchard and production fields.

Lake Mishkin is also used for some of the complimentary guest experiences, and kayaks and stand up paddleboards can be borrowed from the activity centre which also loans out e-bikes for exploring the property and supplies maps for the 13 miles of on-site hiking trails.

Cornhole is set up under the shade of nearby trees, and there’s also an aerial adventure course, archery, axe throwing, guided mountain biking and falconry (additional fees apply).

Taste

…Southall’s award-winning honey fresh from the hive, during Beekeeping 101.

Four million honeybees buzz around the property, and guests can visit the apiaries and learn all about beekeeping basics, including why these pollinators are critical to the surrounding farmland. Those who book the Guided Apiary Tour will also suit up in an actual beekeeping suit for the ultimate photo-op.

An apiary at Southall Farm & Inn in Tennessee

These are just some of the nearly two dozen unique experiences Southall offers, highlighting what goes into a working farm. Get some tips on seasonal gardening techniques during Ready, Set, Grow!, learn about their innovative seed-saving program by signing up for Everything Starts with a Seed, and take part in a wild tea ceremony.

Foodies will want to sign up for special events like the Tasting Trio which combines gourmet honey, wine and small plates, or the hour-long Field Tour & Tasting where participants tour the production field where tomatoes, beets, carrots, corn and squash are grown, and get to nibble fresh produce along the way.

Smell

…pickled veggies when you walk into the jammery.

Jars of seasonal vegetables line the shelves in this welcoming space which features floor-to-ceiling windows, and all that work ensures seasonal favourites are found on the menu for Southall’s restaurant Sojourner all year round.

Forget the farm-to-table cliche–here, it’s seed to fork.

Sojourner uses eggs from their chickens in the breakfast dishes, sprinkles bee pollen on healthy smoothies, and the meat is smoked and cured in house.

A hydroponic greenhouse yields about 800 pounds of lettuce each week, while 40 different varieties of apple trees were planted in the orchard.

Fresh produce, jams and honey are also sold at Southall’s farm stand, and anything left over is donated to the local community.

Hear

…the vibrations of crystal bowls during the sound bath meditation.

A deep relaxation sets in while you lie still under a cozy blanket, as incense wafts up and healing sounds lull you into a meditative state.

The daily sound bath meditation is held in The Spa at Southall, a serene, 15,000 square foot space overlooking Lake Mishkin.

Each change room has a Himalayan Salt Sauna and steam, leading out to the relaxation lounge with windows to the large outdoor pool which is heated to 104 degrees and infused with 60 essential minerals.

There are two suites and eight treatment rooms for therapeutic massages, nourishing body treatments and hydrating facials, all using herbs and botanicals foraged from the farms.

Access to the spa is included with treatments, day passes can be purchased for $50.

Booking a stay at Southall Farm and Inn

Southall Farm & Inn is pet-friendly, and families can take advantage of babysitting services, adjoining rooms or cabins.

Pricing starts from $559/night, which includes access to the outdoor pool and activities like cycling, paddleboarding, hiking, kayaking, farm tours, yoga and the sound bath meditation. There’s also complimentary valet service, and charging stations on site.

Charging station at Southall Inn & Farm — A charging station at Southall Farm & Inn

Southall partnered with the sustainable and luxurious 1 Hotel Nashville to offer The Tennessee Tandem package, ideal for guests also wanting to experience some fun in Nashville. It includes:

A 2-night minimum stay at 1 Hotel Nashville
A 2-night minimum stay at Southall Farm & Inn
Transportation to and from each property provided by 1 Hotel Nashville’s fully-electric Audi e-tron house cars
A $200 credit towards dining, wellness, retail and more at each property
A welcome amenity at each property