Coming Soon! Our cottage is being improved to and we will be welcoming artisans soon. There will be a dedicated space for art and writing. Stay tuned for updated pictures and booking details.

Gwynn’s Island

Artist’s and Writer’s Haven

Hosted by Angie & Scott Clawson

Welcome to
Gwynn's Island
in beautiful
Mathews, VA!

Situated in the quaint county of Mathews, Virginia, Gwynn's Island is a small island located where the Piankatank and Rappahannock rivers empty into the Chesapeake Bay. The Mystic Seahorse cottage is located at the end of a private road with a view of Kibble Creek. In our quiet neighborhood you will be able to work peacefully on your current writing or art project.

The Seahorse is a mysterious-looking creature that appears to float around coastal seas with a grace and level of perfection that sucks in observers and admirers from all quarters of society. The Mystic Seahorse Cottage, like its namesake, is a mystical and graceful retreat near the coast of the Chesapeake Bay.

When you need a day off, we are located within a hour of many historic sites, entertainment, and shopping: Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, Busch Gardens, Kilmarnock Antique Mall, Williamsburg Pottery, and much more! Mathews County also has two public beaches you may visit to relax and unwind.

There are numerous wineries, breweries, and great seafood restaurants just a short drive away.  We would love to help you plan your visit and suggest some of our favorites.  

The Island

Gwynn’s Island is 45 minutes north of Hampton just off the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay area around Gwynn's Island is home to some of the most scenic boating and watersports in the country.Whether you’re paddling the river trails, fishing, sightseeing along the historic shorelines, or cruising with friends and family, Gwynn’s Island has something for everyone. The island also features a unique turnstile draw bridge that is one of the most active bridges in Virginia and the last in the state to open on demand to waterborne traffic. Gwynn's Island features its own museum showcasing island life from its first native inhabitants through the colonial years and to its more recent history.
The Island is home to the Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill which offers great food and great views.  You'll want to plan a visit!

Aerial view of a coastal residential area with houses, trees, and docks along the shoreline and water.
Logo of J. S. Clawson, photographer, with an image of a camera.
A white heron standing in shallow water with green grasses in the background, and its reflection visible in the water.
Two people kayaking on a body of water during sunset with a distant shoreline and partly cloudy sky.
Logo of photographer J. S. Clawson with a vintage camera.
A red brick lighthouse, Wolf Trap Light, standing alone in a body of water with a clear blue sky.
A collection of black lovers, a vintage yellow camera, a pair of sunglasses, and a needle with thread on a black background.

Mathews

Mathews is a small, rural county on the Chesapeake Bay surrounded by water on three sides to include the Mobjack Bay and the Piankatank River as well as many smaller creeks and tributaries. Quiet and serene, the county is home to a wide variety of wildlife from coastal birds to woodland creatures that have inspired many writers and artists throughout the years. The county also includes the quaint and welcoming town of Mathews with its inviting Main Street. Lining Main Street is a collection of small shops of all kinds and restaurants featuring fresh seafood, local dishes and your favorite beverages. Mathews County truly is a destination for those looking for an unique experience of rural coastal living.

Our cottage has two bedrooms, one queen and one full. Both beds have memory foam mattresses with down toppers. All linens (sheets, blankets and towels) are provided and washed after each guest to insure a clean fresh experience. There is one bathroom which has a shower/tub combo.

In the living room we have a wicker living room set offering a couch and loveseat. The entertainment center holds a 32" RokuTV with sound bar. You have full access to our Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ accounts, as well as many free show and movie apps. For more entertainment there is a Blu-Ray player, tons of movies and plenty of books to read. The library of movies are in the cabinet under the TV. We have excellent WiFi.

The kitchen has a full-size refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, toaster, Keurig, and double sink. You’ll find plenty of glassware, plates, bowls, silverware, pots, pans, etc. We make sure our guests have paper towels and napkins, as well as tea bags, coffee pods, and sugar. Just off the kitchen is the sunroom with a bar height table for four and chair with ottoman. Sliding glass doors take you to the back deck.

There is a Weber charcoal grill for your use and we provide charcoal and lighter fluid for your convenience. We have a washer and dryer in the garage guests may use if needed.

Amenities

  • Two bedrooms, one queen and one full

  • Full bath with shower/tub combo

  • All linens provided

  • Full kitchen with stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, toaster, and Keurig

  • Washer and dryer

  • Free WiFi

  • 32" RokuTV with sound bar that includes Netflix, Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+,  Blu-ray player, and plenty of movies and books

  • Living room with couch and loveseat and sunroom with bar height table for four.

  • Central air and heat

  • Deck with outdoor dining

  • Firepit and seating

  • Two Outdoor swings

  • Weber charcoal grill

  • Hammock