Lanark Village is an unincorporated community in the heart of Florida’s Forgotten Coast. For those who appreciate its Old Florida vibe and unpretentious charm, Lanark Village is an ideal neighborhood for enjoying a coastal lifestyle.
The Village is populated mainly by retirees, vacationers, and second-home owners. Small, attached dwellings line the quiet residential streets and courtyards; these, along with the park and the community center, form the Village’s central core. Residences are modestly priced - a rarity for homes with nearby beach access.
This section of the extensive Florida shoreline is called the “Forgotten Coast” because it has been shielded from overdevelopment and the exploitation of its abundant natural resources. Much of the land surrounding Lanark is protected by federal and state laws and county zoning regulations.
Because of this, residents don’t live in fear that water views along the Big Bend Scenic Highway (their route to anywhere else) will someday be obscured by high-rise hotels and strip malls. The area will remain rural, wild, and carved like a colorful work of folk art out of the surrounding natural world.
Though undiscovered by many, the Forgotten Coast makes an indelible impression on those who are lucky enough to find it. Natives of the area may leave for college or job opportunities elsewhere as young adults but continue to feel a persistent pull back to their roots. After venturing further afield for a time, many return to rejoin old family businesses or start new ones.
Transplants wish they’d found it sooner. Tourists and snowbirds return year after year to re-experience the place’s pristine beaches, verdant forests, and unique, eclectic culture. Lanark Village and the surrounding coastal area are “forgotten” maybe, but forgettable they are not.
Access to Nature
With the sparkling St. George Sound on one side of Lanark and dense forests on the other, having ready access to nature is one of the best things about Village life. Residents and visitors can easily explore nearby barrier islands, natural springs, groves of dwarf cypress trees, estuaries, and animal sanctuaries.
Join the Lanark Village Boat Club and launch your kayak or cuddy from its docks, or employ one of the professional captains in the area to take you shelling on Dog Island or fishing in the bay. Take day trips to Wakulla Springs to see the manatees, Marianna to see the caverns, or St. Mark’s to see the lighthouse and abundant wildlife. Or sit quietly on a bench in Gene Sewell Park and watch our population of rare white squirrels do acrobatics in the trees.
Forget about the hustle and bustle of the city. Relax at one of the area’s uncrowded beaches, nature preserves, or parks instead.
Social Support
The residents of Lanark Village gather together frequently - for coffee, potluck dinners, exercise routines, and parties. We celebrate one another’s birthdays and achievements, walk each other’s dogs, and water each other's plants. We stop to talk when we pass one another on our walks and bike rides. We drive to the store together and pick up prescriptions and groceries for one another. We’ve got each other’s backs.
Visitors are always welcome at morning coffee and other social events at Chillas Hall. You are also invited to join the Lanark Village Boat Club, the Lanark Village Golf Club, and the Lanark Village Association as an Associate Member - residency is required for full membership.
Forget about loneliness and isolation. Become a villager and be a part of the Lanark family instead.
Mom-and-Pop Shops
There are no stores or restaurants within the Lanark Village residential neighborhood, but the nearby towns of Carrabelle, Apalachicola, Eastpoint, and St. George Island are playgrounds for shoppers and diners. Many of the area’s restaurants, galleries, and stores are locally owned and operated with pride.
There’s an entrepreneurial spirit here, and it shows in the service you’ll get as you discover hand-made treasures created by local artists, craft beers brewed on the bay, and beach-themed decor perfect for your Lanark cottage or a vacation souvenir.
Forget the mass-produced consumables from chain restaurants and big-box stores. Treat yourself to something with a unique Village vibe instead.
Festivals & Farmers Markets
We love to celebrate and turn every holiday into a party. There are farmer’s markets every weekend along the Forgotten Coast, including a once-a-month Fresh Market at the Lanark Village Boat Club.
Join in the fun of Carrabelle’s River Festival, St. George Island’s Annual Brewfest, and Apalachicola’s Seafood Festival, among others. Get your wag on at the Mardi Gras Barkus Parade, featuring the Mystic Crewe of Salty Barkers because what could be more fun than a terrier in a tutu? Dress up your golf cart and join the parade. Or participate as a Parrot Head, a Dancing Witch, or a vendor.
Forget about being a wallflower. Be a Forgotten Coast party animal instead.
