Although Shelburne's Heart of the Village Inn is located in a village setting, there are beautiful perennial gardens with comfortable lawn chairs from which to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere. Rocking chairs on the wrap-around porch overlook the incredible Hydrangeas as well as the historic Shelburne village shops and old town hall. 

The footprint of the perennial garden is original and appears to have been planted so that it could be enjoyed from the dining room windows. The new perennial garden, planted in 2000, reuses several older plants. The phlox, which was taking over the garden, was given to various Shelburne neighbors. The beautiful hydrangeas around the porch are very old, probably planted by Helen Gadue 30 or 40 years ago.

The main perennial garden has been allowed to mature over the years and now has some substantial specimens of a number of our favorite plants. In 2007, a small annual garden was added, adjacent to the main garden, with a comfortable teak bench and gazing ball.

Surrounding the main house and in front of the Carriage Barn are abundant dafodils, tulips and lilacs in the spring. Come early summer, the 1/2 barrel planting containers overflow with annuals and ivy. Hanging baskets of colorful petunias highlight every porch. Don't miss the spring bloom of peonies in our main garden, and be sure to visit the 24 gardens of the nearby Shelburne Museum.

The Inn, as well as the entire original Shelburne village, is on the National Register of Historic Places. Within  a short walk of the Inn are a number of interesting buildings as well as shopping, art and wonderful restaurants. One of the most beautiful renovations are to the residence just to our South with a well photographed "fire hydrant" sculpture out front.

 When you visit the Heart of the Village Inn, we hope you will take the time to relax and enjoy a morning cup of coffee on the veranda while watching our historic village wake up. At the end of the day, you and your guests can relax and recap your day with a glass of wine and get ready to enjoy one of the fine restaurants within walking distance of the Inn. Make your reservation right now!