Northeast

Appleton Farms

Hamilton & Ipswich

658 acres

A historic farm and education center rooted in regenerative practices, ensuring access to healthy land for our next generations.

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Plan Your Visit
  • Overview
  • Ideas for Your Visit
  • Admission & Hours
  • Directions & Contact Info
  • Facilities & Accessibility
  • Venue Rental
  • Property Map
  • Regulations & Advisories

Overview

The Gift of Appleton Farms
Rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, stone walls, vegetable crops, and historic farm buildings comprise this 1,000-acre pastoral landscape, offering a rare glimpse into New England’s agricultural past. A gift of Colonel Francis R. Appleton, Jr., and his wife Joan, Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, established in 1638 and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family.

A Sustainable Farm
Appleton Farms is committed to farming in ways that produce high quality food locally while preserving biodiversity and native species habitat, mitigating climate change, building healthy soils, and ensuring that our farmland is even healthier for the next generations. With our certified organic vegetable CSA and grass-based livestock operation, we aim to deepen visitors’ understanding of our agroecological approach to farming as a mechanism for conservation. Click here to see the current list of CSA options.

Not a member of our CSA? The Appleton farm store provides farm fresh products and locally sourced artisan goods all year long Tuesday- Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 10am-4pm

Wildlife on the Farm
Appleton Farms is home to a diverse mosaic of plant and wildlife species. The grasslands provide habitat for one of New England’s largest populations of bobolinks and meadowlarks, while the wetlands provide important spring feeding stops for migrating marsh birds and are home to frogs and salamanders, including the rare blue- and yellow-spotted salamander. Deer, fox, coyote, and mink are found in the fields, while the elusive fisher is common in the woodlands. Fall brings migrating hawks, and pine stands shelter owls in winter.

Year-Round Programs and Seasonal Events
Appleton Farms hosts year-round programming including culinary workshops and dinners, farm-based education programs and camp, guided recreational activities, private event rentals, and our celebrated wood-fired pizza Spring through Fall.

Ideas for Your Visit

Visit our historic Farmhouse for a glimpse into Appleton’s past. Year-round events and programs are centered here, including farm dinners, annual Farm Days and Oktoberfest celebrations, maple festivities, snowshoe rentals, group hikes and more. With nearly 12 miles of hiking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding trails, outdoor enthusiasts have access to historic farm roads, wooded paths, wetlands, and rolling hills.

Programs and Events
Visit our busy events schedule online to sign up for guided tours, pasture walks, birding hikes, farmstead story hours, and our many other programs for all ages.

Education for All Ages
Check out our widely varied education programs, from activities for homeschoolers to afterschool programs and more.

Culinary Workshops
See our full list of exciting culinary workshops in our Farmhouse Kitchen or book your own private culinary class when available.

Winter Adventures
Winter is a perfect time to visit Appleton and it becomes a playground for winter activities whenever there is snow on the ground. Enjoy cross-country ski trails groomed by our partners at North Shore Nordic Association. The only cost is the parking fee for nonmembers. Starting in January, we also have snowshoe rentals available at the Farm Store. Rental hours are Tuesday- Sunday 10:00AM to 2:00PM, with the last rentals returned by 3:30PM. Holidays and store closures will affect rental availability. Advance booking is not available, rentals are first come/first served and sizes are limited. Find more information here.

Admission & Hours

Property is open daily, Sunrise to Sunset.

Nonmember parking fee: $6 weekdays/$10 weekends and holidays.

Members always park for FREE.

Advance Parking Tickets

Farm Store Hours ~ December 26-February 6
Tuesday-Sunday: 10AM-4PM
Closed Mondays

 

Directions & Contact Info

219 County Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
Telephone: 978.356.5728
Email: appletonfarms@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps

Facilities & Accessibility

Public restrooms are located in the Carriage Barn. During events and programs at the Farmhouse, restrooms in that building are also available.

Accessible Features

Accessible bathrooms for the general public at the Carriage Barn. During private events that use the Old House/Farm Offices, there are accessible bathrooms in that building for event attendees to use.

Accessible parking spots at both the Old House/Farm Offices and the Grass Rides. There are signs posted designating those parking spots. There are two of them at the Old House, right along the side of the building, close to the side door, and one of them at the Grass Rides, right near the pay station location.

Some trails might be considered wheelchair friendly. The ones on the Farmstead side of the property, around the Old House, Farm Store, and a few of the trails over our railroad bridge and onto the other side of the property are wide, flat, dirt roads.

Venue Rental

Appleton Farms, a one thousand-acre property located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is known for its preserved New England charm. Spring events will be backdropped by blooming wildflowers, song birds and the deep greens of the working farm. In the fall, the venue will offer cascades of oranges and yellows when the Maple trees that line many of the fields change for the new season. Our pastoral vistas, historic farmhouse, hours of walking trails, and wide variety of programming provide an idyllic setting and immersive experience to celebrate any occasion.

Learn More

 

Property Map

More than six miles of footpaths, bridle paths, and farm roads, some of which are part of the Bay Circuit Trail, provide numerous opportunities to experience Appleton Farms’ stunning vistas and striking diversity of landscapes, both natural and man-made.

Another six miles of trails perfect for walking, hiking or running, are available at the connected Appleton Farms Grass Rides, where dog walking is also allowed.

Trails are open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. You can download a Property Trail Map here.

We ask that you stay on marked paths and roads, observing which are for pedestrians and which for equestrians. Please note: Dog walking is allowed at the Grass Rides only.

While enjoying our trails, please remember that this is a working farm and respect livestock, farm equipment and electric fences. Vehicles are allowed on main entrance driveway and parking is permitted only in designated parking lots.

Regulations & Advisories

  • While enjoying Appleton Farms, please remember that this is a working farm and be mindful of our livestock, field crops, farm equipment and electric fences.
  • Vehicles are allowed on the main entrance driveway and parking is permitted only in designated parking areas. Please respect the 15 mph speed limit.
  • Appleton Farms is open from sunrise to sunset.
  • Please do not open gates, disturb livestock, or interrupt farming operations.
  • Dog walking is permitted at the Appleton Farms Grass Rides area only. No dogs are allowed on the farmstead side due to our farming operations.
  • Bringing alcohol onto the property is not permitted without special permission.
  • We are a carry-in/carry-out property. Please take all trash with you.
  • Please observe all posted signs.
  • PHOTOGRAPHY: We ask that photographers or their clients become Contributing Level Members before conducting portrait sessions at this property.  Click here for more information, and to request permission for any portrait sessions. The Trustees of Reservations reserves the right, and may give permission to its designated photographers and videographers, or to outside media, to photograph or video visitors and program participants at all its facilities and properties.
  • Authorized seasonal bow hunting is allowed on this reservation with written permission for a limited number of hunters through a deer management program administered by The Trustees. Per MassWildlife regulations, hunting is permitted from the first Monday in October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions and requirements. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties. Any questions may be directed to The Trustees at info@thetrustees.org.
Before Setting Out
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Advance Passes

Advance parking passes may be purchased and are suggested for weekends at Appleton Farms.
Passes
Upcoming Events

Appleton Farms History

Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in America. Established in 1638 by Samuel Appleton, who emigrated from Little Waldingfield, England, the farm is among the most influential in America’s agricultural history. For nearly four centuries, and over nine generations, the Appletons preserved their farm and maintained a successful agricultural operation. Learn more from Historic Ipswich.

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