A Historic New England Farm Stay for Gatherings, Retreats & Reconnection
Welcome to Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center
From the Owner: I love people and truly enjoy welcoming guests from near and far to our historic family farm. I grew up here, live onsite, and am proud to continue our third generation legacy of hospitality. We welcome people of all ages, backgrounds, identities, and orientations. We strive to make every stay at the Lodge inviting, safe, and comfortable.
The Lodge Our rustic, hand hewn log Lodge comfortably accommodates up to 22 guests. The space is warm, welcoming, and thoughtfully equipped for groups and families.
Guests enjoy: âą Sparkling white linens in 10 guest rooms âą Clean Jack and Jill style bathrooms âą A well equipped kitchen âą Cut flowers on the table and farm fresh eggs âą A classic front porch made for rocking âą High speed internet and handicapped accessibility
Itâs the perfect blend of old world charm and modern convenience.
The Farm Surrounded by lawns, gardens, pastures, streams, dirt roads, and forests, the farm offers a true escape from a chaotic world. Our 28 acres are nestled within hundreds of acres of conserved land and feature:
âą Open fields bordered by old growth forest âą A historic three story bank barn âą Riding rings and colonial farm buildings âą Peaceful scenery in every direction
Guests are welcome to stroll the grounds, splash in the pool, dine under the stars, or gather around the fire circle. Horses graze nearby, hens lay fresh eggs, and friendly goats add to the farmâs welcoming spirit. Seasonal pleasures include scenic walks, biking, fall foliage, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and horseback riding. Skiing and snowboarding is available at several mountains within easy driving distance.
A Place with History Stepping Stones Farm has welcomed travelers since 1754. Stagecoaches once stopped here along the route from Boston to Montreal. The farm has long served as a gathering place for community and connection.
The Lodge itself was built in 1976 using hand hewn logs harvested on the property. Inside, cathedral ceilings, wrought iron chandeliers, and a grand fieldstone fireplace create a space ideal for families, friends, businesses, and retreat groups.
Location While the farm feels wonderfully secluded, itâs easy to reach and close to local attractions: âą 1.5 hours from Boston/Logan Airport âą 45 minutes from Manchester Boston Regional Airport (MHT)
Nearby highlights include maple sugaring tours and treats at The Maple Station, fresh milk and ice cream at Connollyâs Dairy Farm, and the historic Fryeâs Measure Mill Museum. Temple is the gateway to New Hampshireâs Monadnock Region, home to Mount Monadnock, Miller State Park, Temple Mountain, and a rich array of outdoor recreation, arts, dining, and New England history.
Gatherings & Retreats Zoned rural and residential, the farm offers privacy and peace. Dogs are welcome.
We welcome gatherings of all kinds, including: âą Family reunions and friend get togethers âą Baby showers and milestone celebrations âą Lodging for weddings and celebrations of life âą Corporate & wellness retreats and workshops
Concierge services and AV equipment are available to support retreats and professional gatherings.
The Historic Bank Barn Our iconic three story Bank Barn, the largest of its kind east of the Mississippi, evokes classic Currier & Ives charm.
The newly renovated second floor features: âą A lovely central aisle with twinkling lights âą A carriage and sleigh collection âą Flexible spaces for celebration, learning, and gathering
The Wisdom Horse Room is ideal for meetings, classes, yoga, meditation, workshops, and presentations. It is open, light filled, and equipped with internet access. On Farm Experiences (Additional Fee) Guests may enhance their stay with unique farm experiences, including:
âą âMeet the Minisâ â interact with horses and goats, hold a chicken, collect eggs âą Guided historic farm tours âą Unmounted equine experiential sessions- Wisdom Horse âą Horseback riding in the ring or on scenic dirt roads
With four outdoor rings, a large indoor arena, and miles of dirt roads, experiencing the farm on horseback is truly special.
Equine Vacation Stays We now offer Equine Vacation Stays for riders and carriage drivers. Bring your own horse and enjoy uninterrupted, quality time together while riding or driving on our roads and rings with friends.
Outdoor Living From spring through fall, guests can enjoy outdoor dining under twinkling lights, grilling, and evenings around the fire circle while listening to owls call at dusk. Wildlife sightings often include deer, pheasants, quail, partridge, and wild turkeys.
Plan Your Stay All guests receive a detailed Welcome Packet with recommendations for caterers, babysitters and elder sitters, massage therapists, guided farm tours, and horseback riding to help you plan a memorable stay.
Stepping Stones Farm & Retreat Center is a place to breathe deeply, reconnect, and feel at home â a timeless New England sanctuary for rest, celebration, and community.
It was like living on a farm without having to do all the farm work. My grand kids retrieved fresh eggs in the morning for our breakfast. The property manager goes above and beyond to ensure that you are comfortable with your stay. I highly recommend Stepping Stones!
Our extended family stayed here for our summer vacation. There was plenty of space both inside and out and everything we needed was there. The owner was very easy to communicate with and we loved being on the farm. The kids enjoyed seeing the animal and swimming in the pool. The adults enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and hanging by the fire pit. It was very safe for our children as well as it is off a quiet street with very few cars. It is clear the owner loves this house and farm! Recommend!
The property had the right amount of size and bathrooms as described in the VRBO page. But, it needed to be thoroughly cleaned, have new mattresses, an updated clean kitchen with no ants, and a pool that was clean enough to use. The age of the property had no impact on its rating. The cleanliness was the major issue. Cobwebs were everywhere and it was just plain dirty. The people were welcoming and nice, but the property just really needs tons of work.
The house feels a lot like a frontier cabin. Itâs essentially one 3-4 story main room with 8 bedrooms connecting directly to it on two levels. We enjoyed the large fireplace in the main room, but wished the available seating better matched the room size. The cabin is rustic - lovely wood finishings throughout excepting the lowest bedroom which, along with the downstairs, could benefit from an update and some warmth (temp and decor). Instead of a dishwasher (or two given the size of the house), thereâs a complex âsanitizerâ situation, which we wish was clearer in the description. The owner was friendly and helpful. She welcomed our group which was nice, but also at one point entered the property on her own accord, which while perhaps well intentioned, felt intrusive. We also ran out of gas for an entire day (no cooking or hot water). This felt like a very avoidable situation, but the property managers did respond promptly. We felt like a reduction in our fee was appropriate considering that significant interruption, but despite promising to do so, several weeks later weâre still waiting. Ultimately, and despite these issues, we enjoyed our time.