Amherst, Virginia
Quiet foothills living. Home to Sweet Briar College, 20 minutes north of Lynchburg in the shadow of the Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge Foothills
Amherst County sits north of Lynchburg, stretching from the James River into the Blue Ridge foothills. The town of Amherst is small and quiet, with a population around 2,200, but its location puts you in the middle of some of the best scenery in central Virginia.
Sweet Briar College, a women's liberal arts school on a stunning 3,250-acre campus, is the area's anchor institution. Its nationally ranked equestrian program draws visitors year-round. Graduation and family events at Sweet Briar create seasonal lodging demand.
The area is known for wineries, orchards, and the kind of rolling Piedmont countryside that feels unchanged. Rebec Vineyards, Lazy Days Winery, and several craft beverage producers are within a short drive. The Blue Ridge Parkway is accessible from Route 60 heading west.
Things to Do
Attractions
- Sweet Briar College campus tours
- Rebec Vineyards
- Lazy Days Winery
- Amherst County Museum
- Local orchards (seasonal)
Outdoors
- Blue Ridge Parkway (via Rt 60)
- James River access points
- Wintergreen Resort (45 min)
- Apple Orchard Falls trail
- George Washington National Forest