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Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats - 250 acres with one mile long of Bay shoreline

Breath taking view of Ransome's Chesapeake Retreats

Estate compound cozy for a couple or large enough for a family reunion

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.8

Exceptional

12 bedrooms8+ bathroomsSleeps 401045 sq m

Popular amenities

Pool

Hot tub

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Dryer

Washer

Explore the area

Church Creek, MD

Cambridge, MD (CGE-Cambridge - Dorchester)46 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

The property was great! The pool was a great amenity. A lot of open space and grass for kids to play. The tennis and bas...

Zack O.

Jul 24, 2023

Rooms & beds

12 bedrooms (sleeps 40)

8 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 9

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Kitchenette

Balcony

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

About this property

EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40

Ransome’s Chesapeake Retreats, LLC is in the business of bringing families, friends, loved ones together from around the country! Welcome to our Retreat/Getaway, a private, 250-acre, waterfront estate with one mile of shoreline on the magnificent Chesapeake Bay of Maryland's Eastern Shore! 'RCR' is the ideal setting for Family vacations & reunions, Weddings, Corporate Seminars/Retreats, Club events and Weekend Getaways. Looking for a unique and 'extra'ordinary vacation location for your family this year? A place to relax in beautiful and peaceful surroundings, yet be 'close to it all'?

Our Chesapeake Bay estate is located just outside Cambridge, a quaint maritime town filled with history and tucked away on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Travel through the countryside James Michener wrote about in 'Chesapeake.' It is the perfect getaway for boating, fishing, golfing, shopping, sightseeing, playing games and just relaxing with family, friends and all who want to have fun while playing and/or working! Our estate offers you an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful Chesapeake Bay shoreline!!

There are miles of walking paths and our boat dock/ramp offers direct access to the bay for water sports. Our facilities offer lots of places to relax and take in the beautiful surroundings - a 10'x 60' screened in porch, where great bay breezes pass thru, that overlooks a fenced-in pool (Seasonal Only), pond and the Chesapeake Bay itself. There are unparalleled views from all 3 homes and especially from the 2nd floor deck. Here, you can watch the sun come up on 1 side of our world & later that evening see a breathtaking - 'stop what you're doing & watch' sunset go down into the bay!!

Wildlife abounds; the surroundings are picturesque. You can go boating, crabbing and fishing on-site. The Blackwater Wildlife Refuge is our neighbor and offers more paths (for walking, hiking, and biking) and waterways (for canoe and kayaking). Boats, canoes, kayaks and bikes can be rented locally. Want to dine out or need milk, wine, etc - there is a restaurant & a grocery store in the watermen's town of Fishing Creek, just 5 minutes down the road.

Our multi-complex estate has a Family Room and a Great Room in the Main House. There is also a 30' x 30' meeting/rec room in the Fun Center where 40+ people can sit together for meals and/or meetings! Find all the amenities you will need to make memories that last a lifetime. We have thought of everything, so you don't have to!! Come and enjoy all blessings that our estate has in store for you!!

Property manager

Marie Ransome

Languages

English

Amenities

Pool

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Pool

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 30

Check out before 12:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Pets

No pets allowed

Ask Owner

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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

Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 99

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

North America

Church Creek, MD

Getting around

Cambridge Station - 51 min drive

Restaurants

‪Old Salty's - ‬19 min drive
‪Hall George W & Son - ‬19 min drive
‪Russell Hall Seafood - ‬21 min drive
‪A E Phillips & Son - ‬20 min drive
‪Terrapin Fish Co. - ‬21 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40 have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is EASTERN SHORE/CAMBRIDGE 250 ACRES on CHESAPEAKE BAY VACATION/REUNION sleeps 40 located?

Located on the beach, this family-friendly holiday home is within 12 mi (20 km) of Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Middle Hooper Island and Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park. Harriet Tubman State Park Visitors Center is 12.1 mi (19.5 km) away.

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Zack O.

24 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Experience

The property was great! The pool was a great amenity. A lot of open space and grass for kids to play. The tennis and basketball courts were a great addition with lots of equipment on hand. The houses were in good condition with lots of appliances and amenities on hand for use. The owners were very helpful and responsive to any questions or issues that arose and worked hard to help us in any ways we needed. The only downside were the bugs. A lot of gnats, mosquitoes and horse flies. But that can be the case anywhere. Overall it was a great experience and I would highly recommend the property.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lalbat C.

1 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worthy Place

Very quiet and many adventures thing to do. Fishing at the pond or bay area are so enjoyable! The owner is very friendly and polite.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erlina O.

15 Nov 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, communicative hosts!

This is a beautiful location for a family reunions or weddings like we did. The houses were cozy and welcoming, and plenty of space for people to sit and chat. The hot tub was a hit. The Fun Center was easily transformed into a rehearsal dinner space, a game room, and a dance club for our wedding after party. The hosts were communicative and positive. A few things of note: The ramp out of the main house got very slippery when it rained causing two people to fall, so maybe a warning there would be useful as well as a few locations where the grass is not even with the sidewalk and someone tripped and someone else fell pretty hard. No one was seriously hurt but with children and elderly folks it is definitely a hazard. More sheets and blankets available would be nice, especially as it got cold a few nights. Also the clean up process to receive full security deposit was rigorous so just plan for that. Still, definitely worth it and no one will forget the great time we had on the Chesapeake Bay :)

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Charlie B.

11 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location. Everything you need

We had an awesome experience. The sunset from the second floor deck was unforgettable. We played tons of sports and games on the tennis court. We played frisbee in the yard. We were in and out of the pool and hot tub all weekend. The kitchen offered everything you need to host a large group. All around fantastic location for a reunion or large group get together.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alexander B.

8 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Property

The property was exactly as advertised and very spacious. The hosts had great communication. We even accidentally caused some damage to the fire pit and they were very understanding, worked with us to get it resolved. Would highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Josh P.

6 May 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Bayside Stay

This was the perfect property for our group. The house was well kept & prepared and the grounds were truly stunning. The hosts were great-check-in and communication couldn't be easier and we had a wonderful time

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Terry A.

9 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Time

What a great place to spend time with family. Enough space to have everyone together and to have privacy. So much to see and do. We never left the site except to go to Blackwater Refuge. Perfect way to relax and have fun with family. It's a boomerang place for a vacation. You just keep returning.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Gary B.

7 July 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

July 4th Family of 30 Reunion

The property was perfect for our family of 30. The layout in the main house is wonderful as the hallway leading to the bedrooms from the living area has a door on it and you can't hear any of the late evening frolics. The screened porch between the house and pool was also perfect. And the pool was great. The other houses were also very accommodating. The location is very private and quiet and safe for everyone. We would highly recommend this vacation home.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

30 June 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Unforgettable Wedding Weekend with Family

We had our wedding here, and it was perfect! Both sides of our family stayed here with us for the weekend and worked together to help with food prep. Many hands make light work. No one was too busy to relax and enjoy the bay. The adults explored the ins and outs of the waterways via kayak. The kids loved the pool, and everyone loved the hot tub. Many of us also took bike rides down the long romantic lane. Everyone was very impressed with our venue, including us. The bay views are even better in person; pictures really don't do it justice. And to top it off, Marie and Perce were beyond amazing. Sweet, attentive(the good kind), and helpful. We seriously couldn't have asked for better hosts. When Marie found out we wanted to get married there, right off the bat, she sent me vendor lists from previous brides. That was such a relief as I live in Nevada and wouldn't be physically in the area until the wedding. My work was almost done for me! She also kept good communication and responded quickly to my questions. When our weekend came, Perce drove from another state just to be close by in case anything went wrong during our wedding, which nothing did. He also went out of his way and made an unexpected purchase to make sure my family was comfortable with the air conditioning. From a separate and very different rental experience, we learned the hard way that negligent hosts can ruin even the most beautiful rental. Marie and Perce, Your hospitality is invaluable. Many wonderful memories are created on your beautiful property! Thank you so much! Kelly

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Sanjaya K.

19 Mar 2019

A very nice place to hold a large group gathering

My sincere apologies to the owners for my taking more than 7 months to write this review. We were a group of 20+ adults and 10+ children (ages 2 to 17). We stayed in all of the buildings on the property including the RV. The friendly owners and their representatives were easy to work with throughout the booking process. They also kindly accommodated us when we asked to visit a month or so prior to the rental to chart out where our various group members might all sleep. While not a brand-new property, it certainly was inviting and comfortable. Access to the water right from the property was a great benefit. We rented kayaks, etc. from Blackwater Outfitters and kept them on property. The pool was clean, the kitchens were well appointed, and we used both of the big ones in the main house and in the fun house to make most of our meals over our week's stay. We valued the large amount of refrigerator space across all of the buildings. The bathrooms were clean, beds were pretty comfortable, and the grounds were well kept. The screened-in porch got a lot of use and was a great place for us all to hang out any time of day or night. We had one super-amazing sunset, which we enjoyed viewing from the deck as well as from kayaks out on the bay. The area is nice for exploring which we did by bike and by car. We also enjoyed a nice meal and good beer in Cambridge, MD at Jimmie & Sook’s and RAR Brewing, respectively. The owners also connected us to a local historian who came over and gave us a presentation on the history of the area which was quite interesting. In terms of dings, just a few - The pool lights did not work so it was a bit dark at night, but we still happily swam. We also found some other outdoor lights that were not working. Finally, there was a small wasp's nest in the porch. It did not appear to be active with any wasps, so it didn’t cause us any problems. The owners were responsive to each of these issues when we brought it to their attention and were genuinely focused on us having a great experience at their property. Finally, the RV ended up being a disappointment to the family of 4 in our party who stayed in it. They felt it was better set up for two people maximum. Nonetheless, I recommend this property to anyone wanting a nice, quiet, comfortable and beautiful spot on the Chesapeake Bay to host a large gathering. If VRBO would allow me to give it 4.5 stars instead of only 4, I would.

10/10 Excellent

Francis (Fran) M.

14 July 2018

Great Family Reunion - Strongly recommend RCR

Great place for a family reunion. The property is located in a choice spot and well maintained. Pleasant dealings with the landlord. My family had a great time and I would highly recommend it to anyone.,

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Erin K.

6 July 2018

Beatiful Property TONS of space

This property was beautiful with tons of space for our extended family. Our only complaint would be that we wished we could have stayed longer!! Thank you Marie!!

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Scott H.

17 Apr 2018

Perfect Getaway!

Our group had a great time at this property. Marie, the owner, was extremely responsive and answered all my questions right away. The property was exactly as pictured, was clean and perfect for our group. There was plenty of room inside, plenty of outside space and all amenities matched their profile. We would rent this property again. Thank you.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Samantha P.

7 Nov 2017

Wedding of my dreams

The Ransome Estate is a wonderful place to have a wedding. Marie Ransome was very helpful with any questions I had, and was quick to respond. She was also able to make some vendor suggestions from previous brides. We ended up choosing a DJ based off those suggestions, and could not have been happier with him. Many of our guests took his card. We invited both of our families, and the bridal party to stay with us for the weekend. Since there are 3 homes, each family and the bridal party had their own area. This allowed for privacy while still including everyone in the happenings. Being on location also took a lot of the stress out of a very stressful and busy day. We rented a tent and restroom trailer for our big day, and had no issues with either. Since most tents are delivered on Friday for a Saturday wedding, we were able to have our rehearsal dinner underneath it. However, the fun center could probably accommodate a dinner for at least 25 people. Speaking of the fun center, the ping pong table and pool table were huge hits, and allowed for some down time before and after the wedding. The groomsmen mostly gathered here. The pool was amazing, and the hot tub is the biggest one I've ever seen, and we always make sure a rental house has one when we vacation. There is a kitchen in each house, which was very helpful for so many people. The coffee pots were used frequently. Our family friend, who is a chef, was able to cook our rehearsal dinner and breakfast the next day in the kitchen. The biggest perk to the estate, however, is the amazing view. Our pictures (even ones captured on phones) were out of this world beautiful. The day after our wedding, I am pretty sure all our guests changed their profile pictures to them with the view in the background. We were asked repeatedly more about the location and we overheard many people discussing planning a family vacation at the estate. I wish we could go back to this day, because everything was perfect. I fell in love with this estate a few years ago while I was scrolling online, and am still in love with it today.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

7 Nov 2017

Can't find a more gorgeous wedding location!

"We very much enjoyed our stay & having our wedding at RCR. The grounds were beautiful and we loved having all our close family and friends together to celebrate for the entire weekend. Even though it is expensive to rent a large estate/retreat, we ended up spending less than if we had done a hotel wedding and we had a lot more time to enjoy everyone. We were able to save money on catering and alcohol by not being forced to use a specific contractor. Everyone we worked with at RCR was very helpful and responded quickly to any questions. You could not find a more gorgeous location to get married!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Gina L., Washington, DC

6 Nov 2017

Fun multi-family reunion

This property is in a gorgeous, secluded setting, with beautiful Chesapeake Bay views and birds everywhere. It's an easy drive from Baltimore/DC and not too far from NY and Philly. The three buildings are not fancy, but relaxed and very functional. There are tons of beds and bathrooms, 4 fridges, gas grills, etc. It was the perfect place for about 40 adults and kids to get together after not having seen each other for years. The kids loved playing pool and ping pong in the fun center, playing soccer and other sports on the large lawn, and relaxing in the hot tub. The adults enjoyed sitting in the very large screened porch and talking walks around the property. Highly recommended for groups!

Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Casey S.

8 Sept 2017

Wedding weekend!

I knew I wanted to make my wedding a weekend-long, nature filled event and Ransome's was the perfect candidate! We brought kayaks and enjoyed the winding waterways, hung by the pool and had lawn games and played on the tennis courts. The houses held our bridal party and dates (37 people) comfortably and allowed us to reunite with friends from all over the world. Unfortunately it rained on our wedding day but with a tent, it wasn't a problem and we still got the 'nature feel' like I wanted. It was great to not be quickly ushered out of a venue at the end of the party and were able to spend more time with guests the following day. Marie and Percy were super accommodating and helpful, and I would highly recommend their beautiful property for a wedding or event. It's such a laid back and natural atmosphere!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

1 Sept 2017

Great spot off the Chesapeake

Great place for a bunch friends and family to convene in comfort. All three houses are close to the bay and convenient for bay activities, lawn games, and relaxing. The owner, Marie, is very accommodating and a pleasure to work with. Can't wait to plan another trip.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Pat M.

8 Aug 2017

A great vacation spot

We had a family reunion week at Ransome's and it is a great venue for that kind of event. Lots of space for individual families for privacy and at the same time good shared spaces, including a large loft in the fun center that the children enjoyed for a group sleepover. The screened in porch in the main house picks up cross breezes and is right next to the pool. Being on the Chesapeake is awesome and if you rent kayaks or bring any kind of boat, the venue provides for hours / days of exploration. The eagles! The property is secluded and gives such an expansive, relaxing feeling. Sunsets are breathtaking. The hosts and caretaker easy-to-reach and responsive to anything that comes up. If you are looking for a nature-oriented place for a group of people, we recommend it.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Prashanth J.

11 May 2017

Excellent Property

We were a group of 35 people stayed there over the last weekend of April. It is just a perfect vacation home for large groups. The property has a separate fun center where you can engage people over the evening. The Kids loved it too. There are multiple beds and rooms very conducive for accomodating large groups. They had tie up with a company who provided Kayaks for rent. They were very flexible and nice too. The property owner Marie was one of the sweetest and helpful person EVER!!!! I highly recommend this property and we are sure we will come back once or twice every year!

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

joe a.

30 Mar 2017

PLENTY OF SPACE TO SPREAD OUT

Last week our company held a corporate retreat at the RCR estate. The 3 buildings gave us plenty of space to spread out. People who like quiet time, found their own space. The younger ones stayed in the Fun Center where they could play pool and/or ping pong. As the designated “chef” for our group, I had all the cooking supplies one would need. There were lots of pots, pans, utensils & such to prepare & serve meals for 30+. It all worked & everybody enjoyed their stay at Ransome’s retreat! Our group was pleased to have such beautiful scenery all around us, right on the Bay!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly H.

15 Mar 2017

Great place for a work retreat

My organization rented this property for my team's work retreat. We have around 30 people and stayed for 3 days and everything was great! The owners were very flexible and accommodating, and readily available and responsive if/when we needed assistance. What a gorgeous place to spend a few days! The weather was a little windy (but that's expected in February), but you really can't beat the view. The buildings were clean and there was plenty of room for meetings. We had to have a few people share beds (so if you'd like each guest to have their own bed, you may want to either rent the love boat or have less than 30 people in your party), but everything worked out well. I'd definitely recommend this rental to anyone!

Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rachel H.

11 Jan 2017

PERFECT ENVIRONMENT FOR CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING & STRATEGIC PLANNING!

Our nonprofit organization had the pleasure of staying at Ransome Retreat for a week of team building and strategic planning. The location and property were the perfect environment for our event, giving us plenty of space to work as a group and enjoy nature in our down time. The property owners provided responsive, clear communications, and were committed to our happiness. Looking forward to the next opportunity to reserve Ransome Retreat!

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lily R.

11 Nov 2016

Beautiful scenery and perfect facilities for our retreat

In the past, we've done our annual choir retreats at places like camps and conference centers, and I was worried about having it at more of a vacation property. I shouldn't have worried -- the facilities were perfect for the 35 of us who came out for the weekend, and it was a wonderful opportunity for singing and bonding. Marie was helpful, the listing was accurate, and the place was clean and well cared for. We can't wait to go back when the Harriet Tubman museum has opened nearby. We only wished we could have spent more time exploring the area -- but we were there for singing, and sing we did!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2016

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

4 Nov 2016

THE GAME ROOM KEPT EVERYONE ENTERTAINED!

RCR retreat is scenic, secluded and the perfect space for a group getaway. The game room kept everyone entertained and it provides space for people to play while others gather to socialize, cook, or eat. The pool is perfect for a lazy hot day and more active people can enjoy the water onsite for kayaks or other water sports. Runners and hikers have plenty of space to roam. Quite literally, fun for all!