A MAGICAL Whimsical Escape Ancient Lore Village

By Kathy Fox

Nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, just 15 minutes from downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, is a magical and whimsical boutique resort and event venue. Ancient Lore Village is a breath of fresh air that fosters community and creates unforgettable memories. Every visit to this whimsical village offers an immersive experience, allowing guests to explore the great outdoors, dine on award-winning fare, and partake in weekly activities. Whether you are visiting with a group or seeking a solo retreat, the wonder of Ancient Lore Village awaits to be discovered.

Tom Boyd, Founder and Chairman of the Board, is the mastermind behind Ancient Lore Village. The village was inspired by Boyd's book, Bokee's Trek: Outcasts to the Inner Earth, which imagines a place inhabited by creatures like orcs and fairies. Boyd shared, “The main question I always get is, ‘Why did I come up with this idea? Where did it originate? What was my background that made me ever decide to build something like this or even knew how?’ The answer to the first one is I didn't know, but I had a dream about how to make the world a little bit better ... I had to have a set of characters for the message I wanted to get across. The message is that if all people of all races would simply talk to each other and be friends, but you had to have a place to do that. And [my] goal was to get a few at a time, here in this village, to learn that there is a better way to live, and I think we did that.”

Boyd’s dream came to fruition with the Village’s seven enchanting dwellings, nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. He created Ancient Lore Village to help people unplug and reconnect with each other and nature. He wanted his guests to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, slow down to spend quality time with family and friends, and discover the joy of a few days without television or computers.

Each dwelling is unique, with a theme based on Boyd’s book. Amenities in each dwelling include a fireplace, wet bar with microwave, mini fridge, French press coffee maker, at least one full bathroom, and a cozy sitting area. The themed décor features locally sourced furniture to jeweled-adorned walls or custom murals helping bring Boyd’s vision to life. Every detail in each dwelling was thoughtfully curated, including the most comfortable beds ever.

BOKEE’S BUNGALOW was the first custom dwelling built in 2019 at Ancient Lore Village and is the largest at 1,600 sq. ft. — sleeping up to eight. This two-level signature dwelling was built 19 feet underground and is topped with 75,000 pounds of dirt and special potted grasses. Bokee’s Bungalow's main floor features two private rooms each with a queen bed, two full bathrooms, a unique built-in dinette, and a wood-burning fireplace. The curved staircase leads upstairs where there are two sets of twin bunk beds, a third full bathroom, a game area, and a spacious seating area.

WATERFALL VILLA exudes luxury and natural beauty indoors. The villa can accommodate up to four guests and promises relaxation as guests look out to a beautiful waterfall in the woods. The first room is a breathtaking space featuring a birchwood theme with 14 layers of Venetian plaster to bring the feeling of being inside a birch tree forest. The 600 sq. ft. room has a king bed, full bath with waterfall shower, electric fireplace, sitting area, dining table, and is sure to please any guest. The spacious adjoining 400 sq. ft. room with a cozy queen-sized sleeper sofa and full bathroom offers similar amenities as the larger room.

FAIRY COTTAGE brings fairytales to life. Shimmers of pinks, creams, golds, and purples embellish the elegant walls of this whimsical dwelling that sleeps two. The space is approximately 400 sq. ft. where guests will find all the cozy necessities including a king-size bed, a full bathroom where the shower walls were crafted using exquisite tiles creating a flower pattern, and rockers in front of the fireplace to relax.

GREMLIN DENS can be adjoined or kept separate to best suit the needs of your party. Each of the two Gremlin Dens is approximately 400 sq. ft. and features a king-size bed, a fireplace with stonework from floor to ceiling, and a moose mural in the bedroom. The cozy seating area and décor make guests feel like they are off in a dream world.

LEPRECHAUN LAIR is full of mischievous, playful details just like the character is in Bokee’s Trek. This enchanting space of roughly 400 sq. ft. has walls adorned with stunning jewels and gold specks, a magical swirl stone fireplace, and a king-size bed in the bedroom. The cozy seating area by the fireplace with two rockers will make you feel like you have found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

ORC HOME is larger than life and full of emboldened details. There is a handcrafted wood headboard for the king-size bed. This dwelling boasts the highest ceilings on the property and features organic adornments such as a chandelier made from antlers to bull horns mounted above the bed. The Orc Home is also ADA-compliant.

To help guests unwind, 67 serene acres are waiting to be explored. Ancient Lore Village offers plenty of communal spaces for gathering and a large fire pit in the Village Gardens. Activities include axe throwing and archery and Gremlin Gameyard features cornhole, jumbo Jenga, yard dice, Connect Four, and horseshoes. At Fairytale Meadowlands, guests can enjoy a scavenger hunt, hike the trails, or capture incredible photos of the Village from Pinnacle Point. Self-guided audio tours are also available, allowing guests to explore the Village at their own pace.

Day and Evening Discovery Passes are available for those not staying at the Village, allowing visitors to explore the lush and tranquil property and partake in the activities. Additionally, the Village hosts monthly events like wine, bourbon, or dinner tastings and usually schedules monthly family-oriented events and makers events like blacksmithing or painting classes.

Although the Village does not have a restaurant, they do have a fantastic culinary team on site. Melissa Blettner, Chief Executive Officer, explained, “We don't have a restaurant per sé, but guests and visitors can sign up for lunch with our Food and Fun pass or dinner with either our Perfect Night Out or as part of a guest package.” Breakfast is casual in the room with yogurt and a muffin and the award-winning chef prepares exceptional food for lunch and dinner and can cater to any special dietary needs. A chefinspired Sunday Brunch, with optional Signature Mimosa Kits or freshly made Bloody Marys, is also offered weekly.

Blettner continued, “Chef Amy Carpenter, won the Chef of the Year award for the Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association competing against all the hospitality restaurants and hotels in Greater Knoxville. Next, she will go to compete at the Governor's Conference on Tourism, held in Chattanooga this fall. Olivia McGee, our general manager, won General Manager of the Year, and Ancient Lore Village as a whole won the #1 Tourism Property of the Year.”

The Village is constructing five treehouses expected to be completed this fall. There will be three king treehouses and two luxury treehouses, with the luxury ones featuring two private bedrooms and a full living area. Additionally, two settlement homes, designed for families, will accommodate up to five guests and be pet-friendly. Once the treehouses are finished, a Hammock Garden will be added nearby for guests and day visitors to unwind.

Guests will better understand the story after visiting the whimsical Ancient Lore Village. Bokee’s Trek is a story with nine core Unity values: Respect, Honesty, Wisdom, Empathy, Determination, Bravery, Compassion, Humility, and Growth. Bokee goes on a journey and meets many different characters along the way, but ultimately discovers that no matter their differences, they can all live in harmony in one place where only good exists. “I call it hospitality with purpose and the real mission here is to get people to unplug, that's why there are no televisions, and to communicate with one another. Hopefully, they realize that and when they leave will spread our vision and what we are doing here,” Blettner concluded. n

For additional information on this magical village for fairytale weddings, corporate retreats, or private events, and to book a reservation, call (865) 200-2434 or visit online at ancientlorevillage.com. Follow them on social media at @ancientlorevillage. Come kick back and find your space while discovering this unique and relaxing destination!