Formerly the Isle of Wight Inn, the newly renamed CHURCH STREET INN is conveniently located on South Church Street, close to historic downtown Smithfield.  The new owners, Peter & Angie Lowry, are from Cheshire, England.  They are completely renovating the twelve bedroom Bed & Breakfast Inn, giving it a British flavour, which, coupled with Smithfields friendliness and Southern Hospitality will guarantee you a lovely stay.

As the Innkeepers are also the owners of an Interior Design Company the Inn will showcase their decorating talents.   Many of the artwork and accessory items will be available for purchase.

Business Travel

The Church Street Inn is ideally located for business travel.    Smithfield Foods, Smithfield Packing, Gwaltney, Dominion Virginia Power, Verizon, Ciba, Obici Hospital, Smithfield Medical Center and Magnolia Manor/Riverside Nursing Home are all located just a few minutes drive away.

The Colonial Funeral Home is located just two doors from the Church Street Inn.

Click on the location button on the left hand side of the page and bring up a Mapquest locator map of Smithfield, showing the Church Street Inn.

The Weather in Smithfield

Click on the following link and put in our zipcode (23430) for uptodate weather information from Weather.com       www.weather.com 

Dining Room

A complimentary breakfast is available every morning in the dining room from 6:00am to 10:00am.     Featuring our Keurig "one cup brewing system" and a variety of products from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, the Church Street Inn probably serves the best and freshest cups of coffee and tea in Smithfield. 

Guest Rooms

The Inn has 12 charming guest rooms/suites, each with a private bathroom.  There are 2 suites, each with a fireplace, four poster queen bed and a private Jacuzzi, for those romantic getaway times.  There are also two suites each with 2 queen beds complete with sitting areas and small kitchenettes, for guests wanting to prepare a simple meal for themselves.  Rooms are equipped with coffee makers and most rooms have refrigerators and microwaves.  All rooms have cable TV with HBO and high speed cable broadband internet access ( at no additional charge.)

Some History on the Town of Smithfield

In 1608 Capt. John Smith sought food from the Warascoyak Indians living along the banks of the Pagan and James Rivers.  The Indians helped the starving settlers of Jamestown survive a bitter winter.  On September 10, 1637 Arthur Smith patented 1450 acres in Isle of Wight County, described as "a neck of land running S.E. along a creek behind the Pagan Shore."  It was Arthur Smith IV, who in 1750, had the land surveyed and laid off as a town.  Smithfield derived its name from this Smith family, not John Smith.  Settled in 1752 primarily by British merchants and sea captains, this riverpoint town thrived for more than 20 years as a British colony before the signing of the Declaration of Independance.

Born on the banks of the Pagan River and nurtured by the trade and commerce that sailed on its tides, Smithfield was, from its very beginning, a "river town," and its whole life and growth have been conditioned by the river.

Today, Smithfield is a thriving County Town of around 7,000 people, famous for its salty Smithfield Ham.

Smithfield is proud that its Historic District is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Historic Register. 

Area Attractions

St. Lukes Church (1632),now fully restored, is the oldest Anglican Church in the country.   Inside you will find many treasures, including a rare example of a circa 1665 Church Organ, signed by the maker, and many beautiful stained glass windows.

Located at 14477 Benn's Church Blvd. it is open Tuesday - Saturday.  Closed Mondays, Major Holidays and the Month of January.  Gift Shop and docents on site.

The Old Courthouse of 1750 was used as a courthouse until 1800.  The gracefully rounded end of the main courtroom was copied from the old capitol in Williamsburg.  The building has been completely restored.  It contains one of the states richest collections of historical county documents.

Fort Boykin has been a part of American history since 1623 and since that date has been involved in every military campaign fought on American soil.  Located on the banks of the James River it's close by, and a great place for a picnic.

Boykin's Tavern   Located at 17130 Monument Circle (route 258) in Isle of Wight, the recently restored tavern, a landmark of local, state and national significance represents an important part of Isle of Wight's unique role in history.  It is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Resources.

Hours vary.  call 757 365 9771 for additional information.

Smithfield Main Street   Walking along the brick paved street you can browse the numeous antique stores and specialty shops, before stopping for a Ham Biscuit and a Cup of She Crab Soup at a local eatery.  Visit the Isle of Wight Museum and take the Olde Towne Walking Tour of the Historic Victorian Homes. 

Smithfield Cultural Arts Center  On exhibit now through July 3rd, "Her Own Woman: Clyde Connell"  -  A major exhibition of the nationally renowned Louisiana painter and sculptor.   SCAC hours - Wednesday thru Saturday 10 to 5, Sunday 12 to 5.  For more information call 357-7707

Bacon's Castle, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1665 by immigrant Arthur Allen, and is one of the oldest brick houses still standing in English North America.  It is one of the earliest Virginia houses to be constructed in a cruciform design, that is the main body of the house is joined by a porch tower on the front and a stair tower to the rear. Nearly a century before the American revolution, in 1676, the colony of Virginia exploded into full rebellion against the tyrannical rule of Royal Govenor William Berkley. Young Nathaniel Bacon assumed the role of leader of the rebels and directed his aggressive actions first against the Indians and then towards Berkley's government.  Purchased by the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA) in 1973, Bacon's Castle possesses several architectural features that have become all but extinct today.  Bacon's Castle is located in Surry County, approximately 15mins drive from the Church Street Inn.

Chippokes Plantation State Park is located along the banks of the James River in Surry County, approx 20 mins drive from The Church Street Inn.  Established in 1619, Chippokes Plantation is one of the oldest continually farmed properties in the country.  Stroll the grounds of the historic James River Plantation, tour the Jones-Stewart Mansion with its formal gardens, and visit the Farm and Forestry Museum and Sawmill exhibit.  Picnic overlooking the James River, swim in the Olympic-sized pool, or take a relaxing stroll down the beach.  Enjoy the park's trails on foot, bike or horseback in designated areas.

Colonial Heritage    Smithfield is located approximately 45 minutes from Jamestown, the start of the Famous Colonial Triangle of Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg. Get there by taking the free car ferry from Surry, Va and then take the scenic drive along the Colonial Parkway towards Williamsburg and Yorktown.

Oceanfront    The beauiful Atlantic beaches of Virginia Beach are about 45 -60 mins. drive away.

Golf      The area has many excellent public golf courses, including:

Cypress Creek Golfers Club, located just a few minutes from the Inn is a par 72, 7159 yard, Curtis Strange Signature Course.  Cypress Creek offers a unique golf experience with pristine landscape, sweeping fairways, manicured greens and challenging bunkers.

Nansemond River Golf Club is the region's premier waterfront golf course, and is a very convenient 20 minutes drive away.  This course offers seven holes with Nansemond River frontage. It plays to a par of 72 and features five sets of tees  ranging from 5,171 to 7,307 yards, thus offering options for players of all abilities.

We would be pleased to arrange tee times at these , or any other local course.

Historic St. Luke's Church - 49th Annual Pilgrimage - Sunday, May 21st, 2:00pm - Come celebrate with us!  Each year we hold a service and recognize a family early in St. Luke's history.  This year's honoree is the Bridger family.  The Bridger family was instrumental in completing the 3rd story of the tower on the church and the interior in the 1600's.  They employed the Driver family (Charles and Thomas) where you can still see their initials in the 3rd story tower, C.D. and T.D.  We will also present the Arbee Edwards Memorial Scholarship.  Following the service and presentation will be a reception on the grounds of the church.  This event is open to the public.  

Olde Towne Curb Market - Grand opening May 20th.  Bank of Southside parking lot, 115 Main Street, Smithfield.  The market will run each Saturday from 9am - noon through August 26th.  Fall Market, October 14; Thanksgiving Market, November 18th and Holiday Market, December 2nd. (Specialty market will be open 9am - 1pm)  For more information visit www.shopsmithfield.com to sign up for the Market's e-newsletter!     

 Smithfield Gallery Hosts Mort Kunstler Reception - Imagine Art Studios Gallery will host a reception for Mort Kunstler. Mr. Kunstler will be available to sign limited editions of prints and giclees of "The New World" landing at Jamestown 1607.  May 19, 2006 Opening Reception and unveiling of artwork Friday, May 19, 2006 6-8 p. m. Exhibit Open to public during the reception. Mr. Kunstler will be signing artwork on Saturday May 20, 2006, 10 a.m.- 3 p. m. Cost is Free.  Located in Imagine Art Studios Gallery, 131 Main St., Smithfield, Virginia For more information, please call 757-357-0690