Sudley Springs

Nestled in history-rich Prince William County, the community of Sudley Springs has been the home of wealthy plantations, a prosperous mill, a thriving village, a historic church and a hotel that housed visitors who came to sample the healing water of a nearby mineral spring. However, in the 1860s, the community fell to the ravages of war as the two battles of Manassas raged through the area. Today, this area has experienced a regeneration that marries its deeply significant past with a bright new future.

In the 1940s, the Manassas National Battlefield Park was created to memorialize the site of some of the Civil War's bloodiest battles. Covering over 5,000 acres, it also preserves the land itself, land that hides the scars of war with vivid green hills and mountain vistas. The surrounding areas are comprised of farms and farmettes, many of which have been passed down through generations. As urban development has continued to push west in recent decades, several planned communities, retail hubs and major highways have also emerged, creating an area that combines a history lover's haven, a rural retreat and a convenient commuter hub.

Natalie McArtor, an Associate Broker with Samson Properties in Prince William County, has seen firsthand how the area has grown to accommodate a new class of homebuyers, one she describes as "People who want to move to the countryside and get a larger home with a larger lot—for a lot less than they would pay further east." Best of all, if you want a rural lifestyle but want to keep your job closer to the district, McArtor goes on to say, "With I-66 and Routes 15, 29 and 234 all right here, Sudley Springs has become an ideal bedroom community for DC, especially now that we have busses and express lanes for I-66."

While farms have dotted the landscape for centuries, the 1960s, '70s and '80s brought about some small housing developments filled with ranch houses, brick ramblers, split levels and classic colonials. Most of these homes now sell between $325,000 and the high $800,000s. Often situated on large lots of 1 acre or more, they provide anywhere from 1,200 square feet up to 4,500 square feet. The 2000s brought a new wave of contemporary and luxury homes. Some can be found in planned communities, while others have been built independently on large acreage throughout the areas. For one of these homes, you can expect to pay close to $900,000 on the low end. For the highest levels of luxury, you may pay $2 million or more.

Although little remains of the original village of Sudley Springs, the Sudley United Methodist Church survives as a social and spiritual hub for the community. Rebuilt after a fire in 1922, the church still holds its annual fall Holiday Bazaar, now in its 101st year. The Manassas National Battlefield Park also plays a big part in life here. It provides open spaces, picnic areas and trails, and it draws thousands of visitors each year. Shopping centers have grown up near the park along I-66, providing retail, dining and accommodation for visitors, but also giving locals easy access to groceries, a movie theater, popular chain restaurants like Cracker Barrel and Olive Garden and a range of retail and service providers. If you live closer to Route 15, you can quickly head north to Dominion Valley Market Square for groceries at Giant and a quick stop at Local's Tacos and Tequila or stay south to hit Haymarket's many amenities.

In the northwestern corner of the community, James S. Long Regional Park serves as the regional hub for youth sports leagues with soccer fields, baseball diamonds, basketball courts, tennis courts and a large playground with climbing equipment that keeps both big and little kids busy.

When it's time for school, kids can attend Mountain View Elementary, which earns an A-minus from Niche. Likewise, Bull Run Middle School has been named a "School of Excellence" five times by Prince William County Public Schools. Finally, at Battlefield High School, your teens can participate in various athletic programs or learn to be a leader off the field with robust student leadership programs.

Steeped in history and rich with potential, Sudley Springs provides the perfect blend of old and new, offering anyone who wants a rural life with modern convenience the chance to write their next chapter.

Written By

Anna Strock

Photography Contributed By

Moriah Beasley

Video By

Houston Knight