The Hoon family has done an amazing job of restoring and maintaining wonderful Thornton.  Just outside of historic Chestertown, Thornton is an ideal location for family gatherings or corporate get-a-ways.  Our group felt so at home there.  Thornton is very comfortably appointed, very spacious, and full of history.  We’ve traveled the world, and have found few places nicer.  Highly recommended.  The only problem is that you might not want to leave!

Dave C., Williamsburg, VA

What an amazing home!  Historic, comfortable, beautiful, restful and fun!  Every inch of this home is well appointed.  There is plenty of room to gather together or to find a quiet nook to get away from it all with a good book.  The grounds are gorgeous and impeccably kept.  Great open spaces for viewing wildlife or going for a walk.  Beautiful modern kitchen that is well stocked with great workspace.  This truly is a place that has the BEST of everything! Owners are amazing…very friendly and accommodating and made sure we had everything we needed!

Heather Y., Amissville, VA

Had a wonderful stay at this gorgeous home!  Plenty of space for sleeping, eating and relaxing. The pool was perfect for lounging and swimming.  The proximity to Chestertown was convenient and the owners were great to work with.  Highly recommend!

Patricia M.

A friend and I stayed at Thornton in January.  It was terrific. The house is beautifully appointed with high ceilings, magnificent woodwork, a gourmet kitchen, a wet bar and audio throughout. We enjoyed a bottle of “Morgan Merlot” made from the grapes grown in the small vineyard in front of the house. Outside, there is a feeling of total privacy and tranquility.  While we were there, Canadian geese were feeding and honking in the fields.  Fantastic. We did not use the fire pit made from stones taken from the Thornton fields, but it looks like fun, and we will do so the next time.

While this place is perfect for family vacations, it is also just right for 3 or 4 couples who want “to get away from it all” for some time to enjoy the finest of Eastern Shore living.  Bravo.

Joe E.

If only Thornton’s walls could talk!  What wonderful stories would come forth, I’m sure.  The Hoon family is to be congratulated for their preservation of this important piece of the past – and allowing others to enjoy it’s many charms.Very convenient to the charms of historic Chestertown, but removed and peacefully quiet, we found all of the amenities one could possibly want.Beautiful grounds to walk a vineyard to inspect, a gourmet kitchen and all the comforts of home!

It’s at the top of our recommendation list.

Coombs, Connecticut

What a beautiful home!!  Plenty of space for a few families.  The kitchen is FULLY equipped, they didn’t miss a thing.  Beds are very comfortable and the bedrooms are cheerful and spacious.  We went with 2 other couples and kids and our stay was very enjoyable!  The pool was great addition and the grounds were perfect for an evening walk.  The town of Chestertown is beautiful.  Good restaurants if you want to venture out and the farmers market was fantastic.  I would highly recommend a visit to this beautiful home!

L. G., Towson, MD

What a great trip and stay! The pictures definitely don’t do Thornton justice! The house is perfect for a large group and the landscape is stunning. Our group had never been to Chestertown, but the owners were a fantastic resource for local attractions and places to go/see (big thank you to Lisa for answering all of our questions and for all of the great recommendations!). For us the combination of the houses privacy, the activities to do on site and having quaint downtown Chestertown just a short drive away made our trip to Thornton a fun yet relaxing getaway. We’ll definitely be back!

G. A., Washington, DC

The house, property, and amenities were better than expected! My group and I were amazed by the property and loved that the house has such interesting history. The marketing manager, Sarah, was super helpful and quick to respond to my messages. I met the groundkeeper upon arriving and he has helpful as well. Perfect for our Girls Weekend, but I would also recommend staying at Thornton Estate for a family staycation. It’s great for all ages!

Taylor L

This property is truly great. Has everything you need, space, quiet, and a pool! Everything is in great condition in this unique historical house. Can’t wait to book it again.

Alexander H

Our extended family and friends gathered at Thornton Estate to celebrate being together after 15 months of isolation from the pandemic. Our ages ran from 4 months to 95 years. We had a truly wonderful time. Many thanks to Phil for his responsiveness, Sarah for care and Matt for being there whenever we needed him.

We can’t wait to return to paradise!

Joyce M.

We had an absolute memorable stay at Thornton. The estate has a rich history and every room has a distinct, charming character. Could easily spend the entire afternoon in the Library, playing games with the family. And yet, the best part is that there are so many wonderful spaces to explore and enjoy outdoors. Our family enjoyed walking down the long path to the creek and pond, and we made use of the pool every morning, afternoon and evening. We really enjoyed watching the sunrises and sunsets from the outdoor patio and looking up at the stars from the garden at night. Oh, and the staff was very friendly and responsive. Highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a private, adventurous escape with your family. My family and I will certainly be back!

Rajiv T.

We recently had a family vacation at Thornton to celebrate our parents’ 50^th wedding anniversary. We wanted a “destination” house given the size of our group and our desire to reconnect after a long year plus apart due to the pandemic. Thornton fit the bill! The property is gorgeous-we watched the sunset every night and even got up early our last morning to watch the sunrise. We spent most of the time in the wonderful pool-very clean and well-maintained. The tree-lined driveway and vineyards were a plus. The house itself is also well maintained and offered all of the modern-day amenities you could ask for. As another reviewer said, Matt the caretaker was the icing on the cake- he gets 5 stars too! He was professional, courteous and so personable in his interactions. We would definitely stay here again.

Janice H.

Amazing Property!! Property even better than advertised; you must see for yourself. Over 300 acres of pure serenity and a private hideaway. We had an incredible time! Our family enjoyed the spacious home, private pool, and so much more. We are grateful to have experienced the Thornton Estate and its family history. Glad they made the decision to open the home to guests. Excellent home, superbly clean, underground high speed internet is installed at this property, pet-friendly, fully equipped Gourmet Kitchen, wet bar, winter and summer porches, throughout the house sound system, Greenhouse for viewing pleasure- the list goes on! You are also within 10-15 mins from town. Last but not least was Matt the caretaker whom responded promptly with any questions that we had. Such a pleasure to deal with. All in it was the perfect home for our family vacation. We look forward to visiting Thornton again!

JoAnn D.