Hey New England lovers, here’s a new gem of a stay in the heart of historical town Fitzwilliam New Hampshire, a great stop over if you’re making your way north to either the Lakes District or the White Mountains.
An anchor of the community for over 220 years, the Fitzwilliam Inn, named after the town, sits at 1,200 feet above sea level on one of the most preserved and pristine town commons in New Hampshire. From the Inn, you’ll get a stunning view of Mt. Monadnock, a mere five miles away.
What makes it so charming isn’t just the fact that it was built in 1796 as a stop on the old coaching road system between Boston and points north, but its owners add to the warmth, from the authentic furnishings, unique rooms on three floors and the anytime of day coffee or tea stations scattered throughout the premises to the old wooden porch with rocking chairs and wood oven in the kitchen where they prepare breakfast pizzas just a little differently to make it oh so memorable.
The town of Fitzwilliam is historical in its own right, dating back to 1764. The turn of the 19th century beheld the town as a thriving, self-sufficient community, possessing several dozen local businesses in addition to the surrounding hill farms. The women and men of that bygone era lived off the fruits of the earth, producing their own livestock, fresh fruits and vegetables, and shared music and dance with their neighbors in the community. And, that historical past and charm can be felt in the town today, where many of the relics of yesteryear live on, which includes Fitzwilliam Inn.
Historically, quarrying of granite was one of the largest of these industries in the area and while it’s obsolete today, the picturesque nature of many quarries and their vistas remain throughout the hills and valleys of the town and are an easy hike from the Inn. I should re-emphasize the magic of the large front porch area for sitting and relaxing — it’s also a great place to watch the locals carry on with their day and go back into another time, which will be even more noticeable if you live on the west coast or from a more modern global city.
A view of the inn from the commons….
Inside the inn’s doors, the walls and decor is warm and inviting, from the choice of colors on the wall and the traditional paintings to the old fashioned chandeliers, oriental throw rugs and beautiful wooden floors.
The sitting lounge areas are plentiful and there are many areas to escape to, whether it’s one of the living rooms, the TV viewing area or your own cosy spot on the front or side porch and oh btw, there are porch sitting options two floors, so if you truly want to get lost, Fitzwilliam Inn makes it possible.
There are lots of things to discover in the hallways as well….
While they don’t have “traditional” suites with separate rooms, they do offer a unique attic-like room on the top floor that will work for a family stay. On one side, there’s a king bed with a pull out day bed across from it which can sleep two children — the pull out mattress on the bottom can be moved as well if the kids want their own space.
There’s a cute sitting area across from the bathroom as well with old fashioned wooden chairs and rockers — this room reminded me of my grandmother’s house in the Adirondacks where I grew up.
Below is one of the more traditional rooms at the inn if your interest is coming for a romantic weekend getaway or simply for a little R&R during leaf peeping season. Each room is individually and uniquely decorated and there are images on their website so you can get a sense of style and decor before booking: http://www.fitzwilliaminn.com/.
Below, the screen door leading from the main entrance out to the front porch, where there are tables and chairs set up for lounging, people watching or where you can order a meal off their family-friendly menu.
Their fare is simple but varied enough if you don’t dine here every night on an extended stay — delicious, fresh salads and of course what they’re most known for: pizza made on-site with their brick oven. YUM!!!! Oh, and the cheese is apparently local and organic and tastes incredibly fresh. Two thumbs up!
It’s a great option for either a romantic getaway or for a short family stay. Historical buffs will appreciate the town’s eclectic and long past, much of it maintained today.
The village common (pictured above) is still renowned as a most pristine New England center, bearing little change from the 1860’s. The majority of the houses in the village date from the 1860’s and stone walls feather the woods surrounding the area. Much of this is captured and honored in the Historical Society Museum, located just across the street from the Inn.
There are lovely hikes and walks nearby as well worth taking so be sure to check in with the chamber before your visit for options and maps.
DETAILS:
Fitzwilliam Inn
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.
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