Feed two greedy goats. Walk forest trails. Fish in a private pond. Relax in a spa with mountain views. End the day around a campfire. Story of a bucolic stay in southern Vermont.
The Boorn Brook Farm estate is not lacking in charm. At the bend of a small unpaved road near Manchester, a village camped in the heart of the Green Mountain national forest, we first notice the pond, where we have the opportunity to learn about fly fishing. . Then, it takes shape in front of us: the famous ancestral barn meticulously restored where we will sleep.
Dating back to 1820, the red and white building is filled with stories. Probably the most illustrious of its former owners, the painter Ogden Minton Pleissner had made the 53-acre estate his country residence and established his studio in the said barn a few decades ago.
Today, few vestiges of this artistic past remain. The property is still equipped with all the amenities to comfortably accommodate a family of four or five people — two bathrooms, kitchen (with bread oven, please!), billiard room and spa — but has preserved architectural details that bear witness to its rich past. Difficult not to exclaim when discovering the vast common room and its cathedral ceiling, its fieldstone fireplace and its large windows letting the sun filter through. Spectacular is not an exaggerated qualifier here.
On the estate, sports enthusiasts can stretch their legs on the tennis court or throw a few balls in the basketball hoop, unless they prefer a hike on the private forest path.
Boorn Brook Farm, as the name suggests, of course has a few animals. Pan and Axel, the two gluttonous goats, mascots of the place, do not need to be asked to devour the hay that is handed to them. There is also a chicken coop (but no rooster to wake us up at the first light of day!) and a few beehives. In season and on reservation, you can even play beekeeper!
Outdoors in the spotlight
Southern Vermont is all about outdoor activities. In summer, people go there mainly for hiking. There’s no shortage of options in the Green Mountain area. From the farm, you can walk to the path leading to Lye Brook Falls, an accessible walk totaling about ten kilometers round trip. Our reward at the top? A nice view of the eponymous waterfall.
Other noteworthy hikes include Prospect Rock, for a view of the valley, Equinox Preserve, a walk around a pond, or Historic Marble Rail Trail, a multifunctional trail that can also be cycled.
And to conclude these busy days, what could be better than relaxing in the four-season spa before roasting marshmallows on the fire while watching an abundance of fireflies sparkle?