The Williamson Family

Barclay Cottage Bed and Breakfast, a lovely Virginia Beach cottage, is one of only two remaining original beach cottages in the city. Nestled in a quiet neighborhood, this historic bed and breakfast inn is convenient to so much of what makes our city such an exciting vacation spot.

Our historic inn was built in 1895 by the Norfolk and Virginia Beach Railroad as the clubhouse for a golf course on Lake Holly that was never built. The property was then sold to Vertie Griggs and W. E. Williamson.

Miss Lillian Barclay

It became the home of Lillian St. Claire Barclay and her parents in December 1916. Lillian began accepting guests in 1917, making Barclay Cottage (called Barclay Acre on a vintage postcard) the longest continuously operating lodging facility in Hampton Roads.

Located at the corner of 16th Street and Arctic Avenue in Virginia Beach, Barclay Cottage was also the site of several of Edgar Cayce’s readings. This world-renowned healer was a friend and neighbor of Miss Lillian Barclay. Edgar Cayce lived on Arctic Crescent.

Miss Barclay also ran a primary school here for 50 years. At our annual reunion for Barclay School students, we continue to collect stories about this Virginia Beach historical treasure.

“Miss Barclay would be ecstatic to know that the School/Inn is in such capable hands. I have not slept so well in school since freshman chemistry.” -Frank and Cathleen “It was great to be back here after 30 years! You all are a lot more fun than Miss Barclay was!!” -Hannah