Appleton Farms
219 County Road, Ipswich, MA 01938-2725
Price of admission: $3
Website - 978.356.5728
Hours of Operations: Year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset.
Wander among crop fields and livestock pastures, wetlands and forest, at America’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.
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