Wander past crop fields and cow pastures at the country’s oldest continuously operating farm.

What makes Appleton Farms a special place?
Rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, stone walls, and historic farm buildings are part of this pastoral landscape – 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 and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family.

Grasslands here harbor one of New England’s largest populations of bobolinks and meadowlarks. 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.

For a real sense of how generations past enjoyed this bucolic landscape, visit the carriage collection.

Trails
Six miles of footpaths, bridle paths, and farm roads (easy walking), some of which are part of the Bay Circuit Trail, crisscross the farm. We ask that you stay on marked paths and roads, observing which are for pedestrians and which for equestrians. Green Horse permits are required for horseback riding at Appleton Farms. You can also walk at the adjacent Appleton Farms Grass Rides.

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours, 3 hours if also visiting Appleton Farms Grass Rides.

Facilities
Public restrooms are available in the Carriage Barn in the Farmstead. The farm's Old House is currently undergoing a "green" renovation. When completed, the Old House will be the new Center for the Agriculture and the Environment: a welcome center, learning library, and more. Read about this exciting project >>

Regulations & Advisories

Advisories

• Please stay on marked trails and avoid non-public areas. Please do not open gates, disturb livestock, or interrupt farming operations.
  
  
• Mountain biking and dog walking are not permitted at Appleton Farms, but are allowed at the adjacent Appleton Farms Grass Rides.
  
  
• The reservation closes at sunset.
  
  
• Please observe all posted signs.
  
  
• Green Horse permits are required for horseback riding at Appleton Farms.
  
  
• Advisory: Authorized hunting is allowed on this reservation. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions, requirements, and rules. Learn more about hunting on Trustees reservations >>

Directions

Route 1A
Hamilton and Ipswich, MA 01982
Telephone: 978.356.5728
Email: appletonfarms@ttor.org

Latitude: 42.6565
Longitude: -70.8450

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Rt. 128, take Exit 20A, Rt. 1A North.
Waldingfield Rd. Parking Area: Travel about 7 mi. north on Rt. 1A and turn left onto Waldingfield Rd. to parking area (20 cars) at street corner.
Highland St. Parking Area: Travel about 4.5 mi. north on Rt. 1A and turn left onto Cutler Rd. Follow for 2.2 mi. At intersection with Highland St., turn right, and right again into parking area (20 cars).

Admission

When to Visit
Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 2 hours, 3 hours if also visiting Appleton Farms Grass Rides.

Farm Store Hours
Monday–Friday, 2–6PM; Saturday, 11AM–3PM.

Fees
Trustees Members: FREE. Nonmembers: $3. Permit required from the Essex County Trails Association for horseback riding or horse carriage driving.

Property History

In 1636, Samuel Appleton established the farm, growing vegetables, corn, and hay. Later generations of Appletons expanded into timber, beef, and dairy production, using progressive farming techniques beginning in 1868. By the late 19th century, the farm was primarily a summer country estate, complete with foxhunts and steeplechases, stone pinnacles from the Gore Hall Library at Harvard (alma mater to generations of Appletons), and the Grass Rides – five miles of trails and tree-lined grass avenues (called "rides") built for horseback and carriage driving.

Property Acquisition History
Relinquishing the life estate established at the death of her husband Col. Francis R. Appleton, Jr. in 1974, Mrs. Appleton deeded approximately 658 acres with buildings in 1998.

Programs

Community Supported Agriculture
Interested in fresh, local, organically grown produce? Appleton Farms operates a Community Supported Agriculture operation. Learn more about what we grow and how you can purchase shares.

Tours and Programs
Interpretive tours and programs for families and adults are offered throughout the year. For listings, visit our Events Calendar or contact th farm education staff at 978.356.5728 x15, afeducator@ttor.org. Download the Learn & Discover at Appleton Farms (pdf) brochure to learn more about upcoming programs and opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities

Work Parties

Conservation and Stewardship

As the oldest continuously operating farm in the country, Appleton Farms has secured a place in history – now it's taking a leap toward a great green future.

In October 2009, work began on a major project to convert the property’s historic Old House, the main part of which dates to 1794, into the Appleton Farms Center for Agriculture and the Environment. The new facility will provide a public gateway to the property and serve as a home base for all of the farm’s programs.

This is not just a renovation, it’s a green-ovation. When complete, the Center will have earned LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, will be a net-zero-energy building (producing and using the same amount of energy), and will serve as a demonstration model for sustainable restoration.

Read more about the renovation and the Old House's future as the Center for Agriculture and the Environment >>

Management Planning for Our Properties
 

Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated approximately every ten years. We often work with volunteers, property users, and members of the community to carry out this planning, which typically involves several steps:
 


• Describing in detail the site’s natural, scenic, and historical resources; identifying management issues related to the protection of those resources. 

• Describing how visitors use the property; outlining the opportunities that the property provides for people to become involved in the work of conservation and caring for their community.

• Developing a detailed list of management recommendations, a work plan, and a description of financial needs for implementing the actions.

• Developing a prescribed routine management program for the reservation that will guide staff work plans, volunteer involvement, and the allocation of human and financial resources.


Appleton Farms management plan (part 1)
Appleton Farms management plan (part 2)
Appleton Farms management plan (part 3) 

Maps and Resources

Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin boards in parking areas. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We suggest you download a trail map before your visit.

To subscribe to the Appleton Farms newsletter, email your name and mailing address to appletonfarms@ttor.org.

Private Functions

This beautiful family farm makes the perfect setting for your event. Click here for further information.

Planning Your Visit

Travel Links
Essex National Heritage Area
North of Boston CVB

Community Links
Ipswich Online
North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Town of Hamilton
Town of Ipswich

Before You Go
We encourage you to visit as many Trustees properties as you can.

Wherever your travels take you, please observe all posted regulations, follow special instructions from property staff, and keep in mind the Stewardship Code:

• Protect wildlife and plants.
• Guard against all risk of fire.
• Help keep air and water clean.
• Carry out what you carry in.
• Use marked footpaths and bridle paths.
• Leave livestock, crops, and machinery alone.
• Respect the privacy of neighboring land.
• Enjoy and share the landscape with others.

Click on links below for further visitor information:

Before Setting Out

Enjoying Trustees Reservations

Safety

About Hunting on Trustees of Reservations Land

Tell Us What You Think

We’d love to hear about your visit! Here are three easy ways to let us know what you think:

1. Take our visitor survey. If you have a question for us, you can ask us in the survey and we’ll get back to you.


2. Post a comment about your visit on our Facebook page.


3. Share your experiences with other visitors on our website. Simply fill out the form below, and we’ll post your comment right here on this page.

Submitted by Paul on: September 18, 2010

My aunt&uncle used to live on the farm,where my uncle was the blacksmith and he took care of the horses. Iused to vacation with them in the summer. It was a place that I truely loved being.I would love to go back and see it again. The last time I was there was 50+ years ago. My aunt & uncle Mr.& Mrs.Charkes Thompson. My name is Paul Phaneuf& my e-mail is pipb62@comcast.net

Submitted by hope on: July 17, 2010

a suggestion; it would be fun if carriage or hay rides were offered to the visitors, since the fields are vast a good way to see the farm.

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