South of Boston

Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate

Canton

90 acres

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

Share

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

Overview

Turning off of Route 128 and arriving at this 90-acre country retreat means stepping from one world to another, and for good reason. In 1902, Dr. Arthur Tracy Cabot retained noted architect Charles Platt to design the home, a majestic destination with elegant gardens, carriage rides, and all the amenities of turn-of-the-20th-century living in the Neponset River Valley. Cabot’s niece, Eleanor Cabot Bradley, and her husband, Ralph Bradley, later acquired the estate, preserving the genteel traditions of the property while adding ponds, a sunken camellia garden, and an art studio alongside the formal gardens.

In the gardens adjacent to the main house, an Italianate, latticed-walled garden forms a centerpiece of Platt’s vision, evincing restrained formality supported and contrasted by exuberant plantings of rhododendron, azalea, and dogwood. Some 500 tulips and 500 lilies bloom throughout the spring and summer, complementing the fragrant roses and perennials growing in the Formal Garden. The grounds also provide a gorgeous backdrop to wedding ceremonies, held on weekends from May through October.

Ideas for Your Visit

Trace three miles of woodland cart paths and trails lacing the outlying parts of the estate—comprising more than 60 acres of woods and wetlands—and catch a glimpse of the small, vibrant farm operating on 15 acres beyond.

Admission & Hours

Parking: Members: FREE; Nonmembers: $6.

House: Open during special events, not currently open for tours.

Grounds: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.

Weddings are held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from May to October so the formal garden and the grounds around the house may be unavailable after 1:00PM on the booked event days, but the rest of the 90 acres are open. Email bradley@thetrustees.org to check ahead of time.

Directions & Contact Info

2468B Washington Street (Route 138)
Canton, MA 02021
General Information: 857.302.4082, bradley@thetrustees.org
Wedding Rentals: bradleyestate@firesidecatering.com

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.

Facilities & Accessibility

Accessible parking spots are available. Due to the age of the house and site, along with uneven terrain in our woodland paths, the Bradley Estate is not ADA compliant and is not wheelchair, walker, or stroller-accessible, and may be difficult to access for guests with limited mobility.

Venue Rental

The ground floor and grounds surrounding the main house, including an events tent, may be rented for weddings and other private functions. Please contact us for further information at  bradley@thetrustees.org or visit our website.

Property Map

There is a trail map posted on a kiosk in the main parking area.

We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download a trail map before you head out.

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:

  • Please respect the tranquility of this property and others’ enjoyment of their visit here.
  • 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.
  • The Bradley Estate is open from sunrise to sunset. Entering or remaining on the property after that time is prohibited.
  • Weddings are held on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from May to October so the formal garden and the grounds around the house may be unavailable after 1:00PM on the booked event days, but the rest of the 90 acres are open. Email bradley@thetrustees.org to check ahead of time.
  • There are no tours of the house for the general public. If you are interested in renting the house and grounds for a wedding, please email: bradleyestate@firesidecatering.com.
  • There are no restrooms for the general public.
  • 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.

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.

Before Setting Out
More to Explore

Revitalized Gardens of The Trustees

Discover the revitalized public gardens and historic houses at two special places on the North Shore.

Discover
Upcoming Events

History

In 1902, Dr. Arthur Tracy 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.

Learn More
The View From Here
See What People Say

A great venue for a lovely walk or tour. The estate is also a great venue for a small wedding or event.

NorthCarolina2015, Trip Advisor

Discover More Places

Join the Trustees

Enjoy 120 sites featuring inspired trails, historic homes, beautiful gardens, farms, summer camps and more.
Become a Member

Lend a Hand

Join a community passionate about a sustainable future and engaged in diverse projects across the state.
Volunteer

Support Our Work

We rely on your generous support to protect the irreplaceable landscapes and landmarks of Massachusetts.
Donate