As we made our way up the snowy drive, I couldn’t help but wish it was summer, not the middle of February, where with sub below zero temperatures, I knew we couldn’t enjoy the outside. It was Valentine’s Day weekend, so smaller romantic inns were booked up however we needed a bit more space since we had two kids in tow. We were after a great winter getaway that had charm, space and a toasty fireplace.
We opted for rural Connecticut, largely because we’ve explored so little of the state and wanted to see what the countryside had to offer in the middle of winter. Inn at Fox Hill Farm boasts raving reviews on Trip Advisor and while it seems to be a place where New York City dwellers escape for some peace and relaxation, it was easy to see how this farm cottage would make a great family travel choice as well.
The cozy cottage sits off the main road in a tiny town called Pomfret and overlooks classically serene New England pastures. What I loved most about the place was it’s backyard area which not only has pastures and trees on the horizon but a lake. Given that our Buick LaCrosse dashboard gave us a minus 7 degree reading as we pulled up, we weren’t keen on exploring the farm at night, but the next morning despite the cold air, we strolled around the lake’s edge which had been frozen over and begged for a morning skate had we brought gear with us.
It was the perfect place to warm up to the rustic wood burning stove, put the kettle on for some hot cocoa and play family games. Upon arrival, we set up two cots for the kids in the main living room area which also has a couch, coffee table, book case, table and TV center and then, we lit every candle in the place. While I suppose we could have watched movies, we decided to tell ghost stories, which turned into ridiculous but creative stories about far away lands and magical kingdoms we would visit one day in our private helicopter with our imaginary goat which we named Bernie if I recall.
The master bedroom is antiquated in that charming New England kinda way. The classic old wooden dresser had black and white photos of several family generations and there’s a sitting chair in the bedroom as well as old fashioned lamps, sheer curtains, decadent wall mirrors and one of those retro Crosby radios with a built in DVD player. (top photo above)
Other quaint features of the cottage include its French doors, an antique claw foot tub and a king size iron bed. Inside the bathroom, they provide everything you could possibly need, from make-up removal toilettes, razors, cotton buds and beautifully smelling bath salts of your choice to shampoo, extra towels and washcloths.
The kitchen and living room area are open, so you can prepare a meal while watching TV or chatting with family members. The counter is not unlike one you woulda found at your great Aunt’s place as a child – there were apple turnovers, popcorn, chips and other snacks in a basket available for munching.
Another unique and lovely feature of this cottage stay is the warmth and authenticity of the owners who prepare you a customized breakfast in the morning. You simply request what you want and what time, and you can enjoy it in the privacy of the quaint little kitchen which opens up to a back patio, the backyard and the lake.
The generosity and warmth of innkeepers Polly and Nick LoPiccolo do not go without explanation — the farm comes with a bit of history. Story has it that the property was purchased from Native Americans in 1707 and has been in the same family ever since. When you’re at Fox Hill Farm, you feel as if you’ve gone back in time.
According to locals, Pomfret hasn’t changed all that much since it was founded in 1713. Whether you want a family weekend escape or are simply after a little R&R if you live in Manhattan, the farm’s 75 acres that run alongside Route 169, is a great choice. The drive is apparently designated by Congress as one of only 13 National Scenic Byways in the United States.
Below is the entryway from the parking area.
This is the view out the back in the heart of winter.
Below is the same backyard area off the cottage during summer months.
Not only do you get a home-cooked breakfast, but the fridge comes fully stocked with sodas, milk and creamer, and chocolate. There’s also ice cream in the freezer, coffee and tons of teas, including organic herbal choices. Two thumbs up!
Details:
Inn at Fox Hill Farm
760 Pomfret Street (Route 169)
Pomfret, CT 06258
860.928.5240
http://www.innatfoxhillfarm.com/
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
