Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate
Canton, MA
90 acres
south-of-boston
Bird Watching Cross-country skiing/Snowshoeing Hunting Mountain Biking Not Permitted Dog Walking Walking/Hiking (Easy) Picnicking Quest Farm Gardens Historic House or Structure Private Function Rentals

About Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate

Stroll through elegant gardens complementing a stately country house then explore surrounding fields, pastures, and woodlands that echo the property's agricultural past.

What makes the Bradley Estate a special place?
This 90-acre country retreat sits only a short distance from hectic Rt. 128, yet will transport you back 100 years to a bucolic world of majestic homes, elegant gardens, carriage rides, fields and woodlands – all the amenities of gracious, turn-of-the-century living in the Neponset River Valley.

Dr. Arthur Tracy Cabot inherited the family property in the late 1800s. In 1902, Cabot retained noted architect Charles Platt, who specialized in designing impressive country homes in natural surroundings. Arthur Cabot died in 1912, and his wife, Susan, retained ownership for another three decades; in 1945, his niece, Eleanor Cabot Bradley, and her husband, Ralph Bradley, acquired the estate. The Bradleys preserved the genteel traditions of the property, adding such amenities as ponds, a sunken camellia garden, and an art studio. They also maintained a commitment to the formal gardens and other plantings.

What may delight visitors most is the Italianate, latticed-walled garden that was a centerpiece of Platt's vision. The restrained formality of the garden is both supported and contrasted by exuberant plantings of rhododendron, azalea and dogwood.

Beyond awaits a modest cluster of farm buildings and 15 acres of open fields: a small but vibrant working farm still in operation. The outlying parts of the estate comprise more than 60 acres of woods and low-lying wetlands, laced with three miles of cart paths and walking trails.

Trails
Three miles of woodland cart paths and trails and a short path around the gardens adjacent to the main house. Easy walking.

When to Visit
Grounds: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1.5 hours.

Weddings are held on Saturdays (and sometimes on Sundays) from May to October so the formal garden and the grounds around the house are unavailable after 1PM on these event days, but the rest of the 90 acres are open.

Snowshoe Rentals
Every Saturday throughout the winter, we offer snowshoe rentals for two time slots 11AM-1PM & 1PM-3PM.

Fees
Grounds: FREE
House and Formal Garden: Members: $5; Nonmembers: $10.

Commercial/Professional photographers – please schedule your visits by emailing bradley@thetrustees.org to ensure that space (outdoors or indoors) is available.  Hourly/daily fees may apply.

Regulations & Advisories

We hope you enjoy your visit. For your safety, and to help protect this unique resource, we ask that you please comply with the following regulations:

  1. Please respect the tranquility of this property and others’ enjoyment of their visit here.
  2. Dogs must be kept on leash at all times. Please help us keep the Bradley Estate clean by removing all dog waste from the reservation.
  3. The Bradley Estate is open from sunrise to sunset. Entering or remaining on the property after that time is prohibited.
  4. Weddings are held on Saturdays (and sometimes on Sundays) from May to October so the formal garden and the grounds around the house are unavailable after 1PM on these event days, but the rest of the 90 acres are open.
  5. There are no tours of the house for the general public. If interested in renting the house and grounds for a wedding, please email: bradleyestate@firesidecatering.com.
  6. There are no restrooms for the general public.
  7. The following are prohibited:
    -Consuming or possessing alcoholic beverages
    -Fires, camping, littering, or dumping
    -Motorized vehicles (except for wheelchairs and authorized management purposes)
    -Organized sports/games (unless with written consent from The Trustees)
    -Horseback riding (unless with written consent from The Trustees)
    -Swimming or wading
    -Cutting or removing vegetation
    -Disturbing wildlife
    -Disturbing, removing, defacing, cutting, or otherwise causing damage to a natural feature, sign, poster, barrier, building, or other property in the park.

Note: Please check locally at property for posted advisories and regulations.

The Bradley Estate is a property of The Trustees of Reservations. Visitors are welcome, but with the understanding that they use the area at their own risk and that they comply with all the above regulations. Whoever disregards or violates any of these regulations is hereby forbidden to remain upon these premises, and is subject to arrest, fine, and imprisonment as provided by law. The Trustees of Reservations cannot assume responsibility for injuries or for the loss or theft of personal property.

Hunting
Authorized bow hunting, only with written permission, is allowed on this reservation for a limited number of hunters, according to MasssWildlife regulations from mid 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, requirements, and rules for the benefit of all visitors. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties

The Trustees reserves the right to photograph or video visitors and program participants for promotional use, and usage of our properties implies consent. Find the full policy here.

Directions

2468B Washington Street (Route 138)
Canton, MA 02021

Telephone/Email:
General Information: 857.327.5043, greaterboston@thetrustees.org
Property Manager: 781.821.2996, dcamp@thetrustees.org
Events and Programs: 857.327.5043, jearly@thetrustees.org
Private Events: bradleyestate@firesidecatering.com

Latitude: 42.1994
Longitude: -71.1207

Get directions on Google Maps.

From Route 128 (I-93), take Exit 2A and follow Rt. 138 South towards Stoughton. Immediately after crossing bridge (if exiting from Rt. 128 North) or coming off exit ramp (if exiting from Rt. 128 South), turn right into first driveway on the right (it comes up fast!). Follow signs to parking area (75 cars). The drives on the property utilize a one-way system, so please take notice of signs.

Admission

When to Visit
Grounds: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. Allow a minimum of 1.5 hours.

Weddings are held on Saturdays (and sometimes on Sundays) from May to October so the formal garden and the grounds around the house are unavailable after 1PM on these event days, but the rest of the 90 acres are open.

Snowshoe Rentals
Every Saturday throughout the winter, we offer snowshoe rentals for two time slots 11AM-1PM & 1PM-3PM.

Fees
Grounds: FREE
House and Formal Garden: Members: $5; Nonmembers: $10.

Property History

In 1902, Dr. Arthur Tracey Cabot hired architect Charles Platt to design a country house, landscaped grounds, and a complex of farm and estate buildings. In 1945, Cabot's niece, Eleanor Cabot Bradley, acquired the property.

She and her husband Ralph Bradley made minor modifications to the buildings and restored the overgrown fields. They also added ponds, a sunken camellia house, a greenhouse, a studio, and a garage and planted specimen trees throughout the landscape.

Property Acquisition History
The Bradley Estate was a bequest, with endowment, of Eleanor Cabot Bradley in 1991. Additional land purchased in 1999.

Archival Collections
Archival material related to the Bradley Estate is available to researchers at the Archives & Research Center in Sharon, Massachusetts.

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate Eleanor Cabot Bradley Papers
(14.5 linear feet)
Regarding Eleanor Cabot Bradley’s horticultural career, including plans for her Estate in Canton, 1897-1999.

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Papers (17.0 linear feet)
Clippings files regarding house interiors and gardens, and materials regarding the Bradley Estate and the Bradley Family, 1930s-1960s.
Unprocessed collection.

The Archives & Research Center welcomes donations of documents, manuscripts, records, photographs, maps and memorabilia that pertain to a particular property. Please contact us at 781.784.8200 or arc@ttor.org.

Maps and Resources

Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin board in the parking area and from inside the main house. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. We recommend that you download a trail map before you visit.



Private Functions & Photography

Weddings/Private Functions
The Bradley Estate is an elegant setting for weddings. Click here for further information.

Photography
Commercial/Professional photographers shouldplease schedule your visits by emailing bradley@thetrustees.org to ensure that space (outdoors or indoors) is available.  Hourly/daily fees may apply.


Planning Your Visit

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