“To me the sea is a continual miracle; The fishes that swim–the rocks–the motion of the waves–the ships, with men in them, What stranger miracles are there?” – Walt Whitman

For us here at Warner Hall, the Chesapeake Bay is our sea and our window to it is the bank of the Severn River where our bed and breakfast stands.

But the miracles of the sea, and the activities you can enjoy along our Chesapeake Bay while staying here, are endless.

Love the water as much as we do? After breakfast on the river porch, consider some of these extraordinary Chesapeake Bay activities.

Like to fish?

The Chesapeake Bay is a world-class fishing destination. Rich in rockfish, flounder and perch, the Chesapeake Bay is home to more than 350 species of fish.

Stroll down to the boathouse after breakfast and fish from our pier on the Severn River or make plans to go into deeper waters with one of the many charter boat Captains in the region.

York River Charters here in Gloucester offers river cruises for fishing and sightseeing and were voted in 2013 by Virginia Living Magazine Readers as the best place to fish.

If freshwater fishing is what you crave, Beaverdam Park is a 10-minute drive from Warner Hall and offers the only public freshwater fishing on the Middle Peninsula – 635 acres of it, to be exact. While not technically the Chesapeake Bay, it’s definitely a water-based destination spot here.

Jon boats, paddleboats and canoes can be rented. Virginia fishing licenses are available at the Ranger Station.

While you’re there, take a walk on the beautiful nature trails or enjoy miles of multi-use trail (for hikers, bikers & horseback riders).

If you’re visiting Gloucester the 3rd Saturday of May, June and September, you could sign up for one of their fishing tournaments.

Drive over the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge nearly any time of day and look down toward the Gloucester Point Beach and Fishing Pier. Chances are, no matter what the hour, someone is out there. That’s how popular a spot it has become since 1998 when Gloucester received a grant to expand the pier at Gloucester Point jutting out into the York River.

No fishing license is needed thanks to the sponsorship of local businesses. Fishermen report catching croaker, spot, flounder, striped bass and gray trout.

If you head that way and get hungry, head across the bridge and into Yorktown’s riverfront area. The Yorktown Pub has long been a popular spot for locals and visitors. Located right on the York River, it’s the perfect spot to see the water and dine on local seafood.

Tip? York River Charters mentioned above and the Yorktown Pub have created a dinner cruise package. Ask them about it!

Enjoy tall ships? Also in Yorktown is the Tall Ship ALLIANCE, a 105’ schooner that offers daily two-hour sailing cruises from the Riverwalk Landing Pier (same street at the Yorktown Pub). It’s like stepping back in history, much like here at Warner Hall. Only on the ALLIANCE you “sail down the York River under a cloud of canvas past the Battlefield where our country won its independence.”

Kayaking along Dragon Run is an activity not to be missed.  This unique ecosystem has been ranked second (out of 232 areas) in ecological significance by the Smithsonian Institution. Dragon Run boasts natural beauty, 90 species of birds and 55 species of fish.

The Gloucester Blueways Trails is a system of five separate water trails that leads kayakers and canoers along Gloucester’s 40 miles of five tidal rivers, dozens of navigable creeks and a lake.

Visit www.gloucesterblueways.org to download trail maps

Don’t want to go anywhere to kayak? We have kayaks and canoes here, too, down at the boathouse.

Want a personal guide on a kayak trip? Bay Country Kayaking offers eco-tours of the region.

Calling all golfers…who also love the water!

Kingsmill Resort describes their River Course, roughly 30 minutes from Warner Hall, as “bordered by the calm azure waters of the James River, this famed championship course has tested the mettle of the game’s most famous names. On a still morning, dew still beading on the precisely manicured greens, you can almost hear the echoes of applause for crisply struck irons and delicately holed putts. The River Course inspires you to test your own mettle. To see how you stack up against the greats of today, and of years gone by.” Need we say more?

The Piankatnank River Golf Club is billed as one of the most unique and beautiful courses in Virginia and located in the Northern Neck. The front nine is tree lined with gentle rolling hills and the back nine features three holes along the Piankatank River.