Garden Cottage at The Garden Gate Bed & Breakfast

At the Garden Gate, a fully licensed and professional bed and breakfast, we hope you will find respite; a quiet place to rest, relax and reconnect. The 1905 Garden Cottage, carefully restored and beautifully appointed, will be your home while you are here. Enjoy the view of the cottage garden and its seasonal vegetables and flowers from your front porch rocking chair. Fresh baked cookies and chocolates will greet you upon arrival and you will enjoy a full gourmet breakfast in the morning. The space Our cozy cottage boasts an inviting king bed, made up with the softest linens you'll find; a coffee bar, mini-fridge, Roku TV, wifi and breakfast nook. The bathroom boasts all modern amenities - over-size soaking tub, walk-in shower, sumptuous linens and toiletries - blended with a charming, antique vanity and chandelier. The landscape has been designed with relaxation in mind. Garden fountains abound and you'll always find flowers in bloom or trees laden with fruit in season. Enjoy the garden view from the porch rockers, or the shade of the grandfather oaks from the hammock. Feel free to roam the grounds of the 1886 estate where your host family resides. In the beautiful winter months, sit by an outdoor fire in the patio area. The beauty of God's creation is all around! Guest access The Garden Gate cottage is completely private. Guests may explore the grounds nearer the Innkeepers' residence, though you may encounter the family! Other things to note Perfectly situated in Polk County, Florida, between Tampa Bay and Orlando, there is easy access to beaches on either coast, theme parks and local points of interest. A short, country drive will deliver you to Legoland's very door. Peace River and Alafia River are close by. There are county and state parks in the vicinity, most notably, Alafia River State Park, Bone Valley ATV park and Circle B Bar Reserve. World-class golf and fresh water fishing options abound in this county, rich with lakes and rivers. The city of Bartow, with its historic court house museum and seat of county government, also offers downtown shopping and dining. Bartow is proud of its "Bloomin' Arts Festival" each winter and is just a short drive. Lakeland, famous for its picturesque lakes, the annual Sun 'n' Fun Fly-In, Mayfaire-by-the-Lake art festival, Florida Southern College, Polk State College and Southeastern University, is 20 miles by car. For cycling enthusiasts: County Road 640, running along the boundary of our property, is heavily traveled by cyclists each weekend in fine weather. The Fort Fraser Trail, part of Polk County's Rails to Trails program, runs five miles from Lakeland to Bartow. Future plans include a section from Bartow, five miles south to Homeland. We hope this plan will come to fruition in the near future! If you just want to stay close, the town of Homeland boasts a heritage park with historic buildings from Polk County's past. Bicycles are provided for our guests who would like to explore our little town.