Entire home·Private host

Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country

Photo gallery for Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country

Property grounds
Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Unclassified image, 5 of 48, button

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8121 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country

I want everyone to be able to enjoy the serenity and peace this property offers. On Monday-April 13, 2020-at the pond nearest the house, I sat and watched a Loon, 6 Mallard Ducks and a mother and father swan with 5 young ones. The evening before, there were 6 or 7 deer grazing in the yard and field by the barn. It might not be everyone's idea of heaven on earth, but it's mine.

Surrounded by amber fields in the summer and fall and over 1,000 acres of wooded lands, our 30 acre country property is located far enough away from population that you won’t hear any of the traffic noise that goes with a typical city, other than the sound of the train whistle from the tracks about 3 miles away. Nestled almost exactly in between the city of Arthur, the hub of Illinois Amish Country; Lake Shelbyville, a fisherman’s and boaters paradise; the city of Charleston, home of Eastern Illinois University and Lincoln Log Cabin; and the city of Mattoon, home of Lakeland College, you're less than a 30 minute drive in any direction to a host of family friendly activities in small town surroundings.

Enjoy a fully equipped kitchen (including most typical condiments, herbs, spices and pantry items), two enclosed sun porches, and the lower level game room that includes a pool table and foosball table. The house was built in the early 1940’s single handed by a New York Central railroad engineer. Although the house electrical and plumbing mechanics have been updated to modern standards, and additions have been added, you can still see his meticulous craftsmanship throughout the house particularly in the solid oak floors and thick hickory planking used for the interior walls.

With a blanket of stars against a coal black sky on many nights, this rural country estate offers all the comforts of your own home, along with the peace and quiet of a wooded remote country setting.

Complimentary fresh baked bread from the farm kitchen greets each rental guest.

Property manager

David Blum

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Video games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Up to 23 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Foosball table
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Table tennis
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,300 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
2 total (up to 23 kg per pet)
Note from host: Dogs only.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Map
Mattoon, IL

What's nearby

  • Mattoon City Hall - 15 min drive
  • Mattoon Peterson Park - 17 min drive
  • Lake Shelbyville - 21 min drive
  • Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital - 25 min drive
  • Eastern Illinois University - 36 min drive

Getting around

  • Mattoon Station - 13 min drive
  • Decatur, IL (DEC) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Villa Pizza - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Little Caesars Pizza - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Downtown Diner - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country located?

Located on a lake, this family-friendly holiday home is within 9 mi (15 km) of Mattoon City Hall, Kinzel Field and Lake Shelbyville. Beachy's Bulk Foods and Mattoon Peterson Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

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Wooded rural country estate near Lake Shelbyville and Illinois Amish country Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie W.

Home away from Home
Our go to spot!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott L.

great host
great location, quite and peace full host is awesome
Stayed 28 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

Very charming farm house
Loved the bread and the scenery was just beautiful. David was very helpful whenever we had questions. We had a great stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brad T.

Great host
David was an excellent host and our children (11 and 9) lived the place.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tracy K.

Wonderful experience
David was extremely helpful and friendly. Our stay couldn’t have been any more pleasant.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brandon W.

Home away from Home
We've used this home multiple times. It's one of my favorite places to stay every year. Perfection.
Stayed 19 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Peter K.

Simply splendid
Amazing property. Great fishing at the pond, for all ages. Quiet, relaxing and enjoyable. Dave was a great host!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Brandon W.

Perfection!
This is our second time staying at this property. It's truly a home away from home! We love Mr. David and can't thank him enough for all he does to make our stay amazing.
Stayed 14 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Josh B., Illinois, USA

Great Getaway!
We had a wonderful time at the Blum Farm. My wife and I, along with my parents, were guests during Thanksgiving week and we all had a nice break. We spent a few days in Arthur and certainly ate well, while in Amish country. David is a fantastic owner and staying at his farm has made our trips to Mattoon very memorable.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary M.

Amazing
I would highly recommend this place. From the moment you book to the moment you left you can tell the owner really cares about the place and your stay. We felt right at home. The owner even went to the degree making sure you had everything you need for a day at the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

William N.

Fishing Base Camp
Property was well furnished with everything imaginable. Only down side was Garbage disposal not operational and backed up a little from time to time and main bathroom could use an upgrade. Other than that the property is very Charming and Comfortable. BN
Stayed 7 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Miroslav K.

Great Gettaway
The house was great, and the location is exlellent. The house felt very cozy and comfortable. Downstairs there is a basement with many different games such as table tennis that was very fun and a great way to enjoy the stay with family. The property is also quite fun and nice to use since it is large and wide open. We brought our dog who very much enjoyed the large backyard. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Josh B., Illinois, USA

Just sit back and relax...
My wife and I stayed at “The Farm” over the 2020 Thanksgiving week. This has been a crazy year and we were looking for a place to take a break and exhale. We loved the property and the amenities available. The pond and grounds were fun to explore and we also spent several days in the surrounding communities. We had a very relaxing stay and David was a fantastic host. With no shortage of baked goods, great Amish food and some local treasures in Mattoon, we ate very well. We would certainly consider another stay here in the future, we enjoyed every second!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2020

8/10 Good

Carol H.

Beautiful Farm
We rented the house for a small family Reunion. The house was well supplied with all needed cooking supplies, bedding, towels, firewood, etc. It was in good repair. The futonlyllk on the porch can be used as a 4th bedroom. Quiet location with a lot of local activities. We explored Lake Shelbyville, had dinner with an Amish family, drove through a wildlife center and saw the world’s largest chair.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Katherine P.

Long Weekend
Our family needed a “home base” while visiting friends in the area for a long weekend. We also wanted a place where our 2 year old German Shepherd could run. David’s place served our needs perfectly. He also went above and beyond in helping with activity ideas, restaurants, and even helping when we accidentally got locked out. There was also fresh baked bread, butter, and peanut butter and jelly waiting for our arrival. We had a great time.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carolynn P., Chicago

The Peaceful Country Getaway
David was a wonderful host, providing so much information and always immediately responsive to any questions. During my stay, I lost a dear loved one; David was so kind to send me flowers- just an example of the caring host that he is. Pictures are very accurate of the house. My dogs loved being able to spread their legs and run around the charming, open land. While you get the cabin feel out in the country, you also are made to feel at home. I hope to make it back!
Stayed 26 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carolynn P., Chicago

Good For The Soul
I returned to this peaceful place to get away from the craziness of Chicago. David is the best host. Property is accurate in photos, inside and out. I unexpectedly fell in love with the area last time we visited. It’s even more of a vacation for my dogs, as they get to stretch their legs. I have been sad about being home since I left and definitely hope to make it back again sooner than later. Thanks again, David!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Arlene S., romeoville

Family Bonding Away from Home
We had an excellent communication with David (Host) which is very important in the booking as well as check-in and check-out process. He made sure everything is going well smoothly. We love also the welcome breads he prepared for us. He made sure all the needed basic stuffs are well prepared and ready for use. Made a thorough instructions for everything. The house is romantic. The place is nice and quiet… our fur babies enjoyed so much playing around the big yard. We really had a wonderful and memorable stay. Looking forward to be back there in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

jennifer r.

Perfect country getaway
I cannot say enough how amazing our stay was. David exceeded all our expectations and more as a host. From the freshly baked breads, attention to details in the house, overall cleanliness, and communication this was by far the best experience we have had with a host. Our 6 and 4 year old boys absolutely loved fishing in the pond. They caught HUGE bass and some bluegill. They had a blast in the game room area and ran freely in the wide open land all around. Our one year old son had a great time as well. We would love to come back one day and enjoy the beautiful scenery again. While you feel nice and secluded, there’s plenty of fun things to do nearby if you choose to have an adventure. Definitely worth checking this unique property out!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Quiet and unplugged
My boyfriend and I stayed here with our pup for a local getaway from Chicago. We really enjoyed how quiet and peaceful it was which was exactly what we wanted. David was very kind and great with communicating. When we arrived, he had a welcome message on the board for us and LOTS of fresh baked bread waiting. We truly enjoyed being away from everything going on and felt that we could truly relax. We found ourselves cooking and taking walks around the property, feeling like we were the only people in the area. While we didn’t see any dear, our pup definitely heard them and we saw tracks. She loved feeling like she was tracking something when we were outside. Thank you David for allowing pets and thank you for letting us borrow your place for the week!!
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

William S.

Father & Son Fishing Trip
Upon arriving at the property, my first thought was, "well maintained"! Directions were easy to follow & spot on. Entering the home was well explained & easy to remember. As listed, the home provided all the necessities & comforts of a "home away from home". Excess packing was not needed. Everything was clean, orderly & easy to access. There was plenty of room to stretch out & be comfortable. The game room in the basement was an added bonus. We enjoyed the rural setting, especially the peacefulness, the stars at night, the wildlife and the pond (a hidden gem!!!). Although the location is rural, a relaxing drive leads you to town, shopping, restaurants, the lake, the river... The owner provided numerous bits of information on the surrounding area and all the activities available. It was very easy to contact him with any questions or concerns. We were welcomed with delicious homemade rolls, friendship bread & cinnamon butter. Although we never met the owner, we felt we knew him as a friend. He went above & beyond to make us feel welcome . I would highly recommend & plan to vacation there again
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mike F., Wheaton

Cozy Spot
I stayed at this place while visiting my folks for Christmas and it was perfect for us! The property is located on the west side of Mattoon so it was very close to my folks and it made the commute very easy. It is located in the country where you get peace and quiet but not too far away because its only a short trip to gas stations/stores if you needed anything. The place itself was very cozy. It reminded me of a cabin feel. There was plenty of personality with all of the stuff hanging on walls and the chalkboards hanging on the kids bedroom. This place and was also very clean, which was huge since my wife is a germaphobe. I was worried about that since it is an older house but David did a great job of having it clean for us. Speaking of David, he was very responsive to us, from messaging us when we booked the place to quickly answering any questions that we had to checking in on us right before our stay to helping us getting back into the house after being locked out. And if all of that wasn't good enough, he had fresh baked Texas Roadhouse rolls and this friendship bread, (which I would describe as a dense cinnamon sugar bread that was unbelievably good) with a stick of butter sitting out for us when we got there. It was such a nice touch and it really made us feel welcome. I would 100% stay there again and I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Mattoon or the surrounding areas. I am looking forward to staying there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dana F.

Great stay!
The property is amazing. Small family gathering we played cards in the evenings. Saw deer daily and amazing star gazing spot.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary G.

I'm jealous
The house was beautiful. There was everything you could possibly need, including the best bread and rolls i have ever eaten. (grand daughter wants friendship bread recipe. ) Everything was very organized for each room. There was enough room that we did not have to be be in anothers space. The things that were provided, took some carefull planing that was for both inside and outside and a wonderful amt. of information including mileage phone numbers and websites. We had a wonderful stay for my grand daughters graduation from the university. Thank You
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shawn N.

Great homey feel!
A lovely cottage in the country. Wish I could have enjoyed more outside time, but.....SNOW. LOL owner was amazing. Very welcoming and helpful. Super responsive to any concern. Lovely area and perfect to just enjoy the solitude of Mother nature. The chirping of birds and frogs was a very relaxing way to wind down on a warm evening (only had a few of those warm days during my stay). Highly recommend this VRBO!
Stayed 86 nights in Dec 2021