Location: Tamworth, Lakes Region, New Hampshire, USA (1.5 hours from Manchester Airport; 2.5 hours from Boston) View Map
Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 3 Baths (Sleeps 11-15)
Keywords: House
Welcome to River House, a newly-refurbished, 160-year-old four plus one - bedroom, three-bath 2600-square foot Queen Anne home on a private road, just off Route 25 in South Tamworth, in Southern New Hampshire. Please visit webiste (click below) for more photos and information.
The house is on a gorgeous stretch of the Bear Camp River with a small beach out front. Cold Brook joins the river just up from the bridge out front. The river and brook offer fishing, boating and delightful swimming. The house rental also includes access to a restricted beach at Bear Camp Pond, a lovely pond with a great beach, located a very short drive from the house.
Located in the center of New Hampshire's popular Lakes Region and adjacent to the White Mountains, the house sleeps up to 15 people (occasionally we do take more, if you're willing to use air mattresses and pay a surcharge). We finished remodeling the house just a few years ago. The estate includes a large meadow next to the house and some 78 acres of forest, and is surrounded on three sides by New Hampshire State Conservancy forest land, and our caretakers live next door.
Please see our web site, listed below, for full details and many more great pictures. Here are some highlights:
The property is approximately 160 years old. Originally built as a private home, it was used as a two-room schoolhouse from about 1900 until 1946. Our caretaker lives across from us on our meadow; otherwise the nearest two houses are across the bridge or further down the private road.
The front of the house overlooks the Bear Camp River, with a sandy little beach right out front, across a private road. The river has gentle rapids that make for excellent refreshing swims, with plenty of warm rocks for sunning yourself.
The house has four bedrooms and two baths upstairs and a one parlor that doubles as a bedroom, and one bath, downstairs. The beds themselves sleep up to 11, plus we have two hide-a-beds that sleep four more. You can park four or more cars out front.
As of August 2006, everything has been freshly and tastefully remodeled, with a new kitchen, bedrooms, interior walls and bathrooms, along with the heating system, plumbing and wiring. We still need to refinish the windowsills and the floor upstairs and add a cabinet to the laundry room, but the house is almost completely remodeled.
The sound of the river provides a peaceful accompaniment to sleep. To either side of the house, east or west, the private dirt road extends into the woods and eventually tapers out. Beech, oak and maple combine with hemlock and white pine to give hikers a wonderful walk, and the woods are managed to encourage the growth of native hardwood trees.
To the west, the road becomes a trail, perfect for hiking, running or mountain biking. (That trail runs 13 miles up the Bear Camp River, all the way to gorgeous Beede Falls.) To the east, the road peters out just past a lovely meadow. You can wander in the woods or along the river from there. If you go deep enough into our woods you'll find an untouched beaver pond.
Our caretakers live in a newly-remodeled house across a small meadow from the house. River House is a great, rustic retreat for large groups. It is not too fancy but very comfortable, with enough space for both privacy and family gatherings. Please visit our personal website for more specific details regarding the property and its surroundings.
The distance to Manchester, NH, is 79 miles; Portland, ME, is 119 miles; Boston is 122 miles; New York City is 330 miles and Montreal is 236 miles.
The closest ski areas are King Pine, Attitash, Bear Notch, Cranmore, Mt. Washington, Jackson, Black Mountain, Waterville Valley, Loon Mountain, Nordic Skier, Gunstock and Tenney. The Ski New Hampshire web site (find it on Google; we can't list it here) has a nice map that includes Tamworth. Attitash is maybe 50 minutes away, and it's probably the best relatively largest area.
Here are some guest comments, which we thought were a great reflection on the house:
"Dear Eric & Cathy, we had a blast at River House. The views of the foliage surrounding the property was spectacular. The home itself is more magnificent than the photos displayed on the website. We would definitely be interested in a return visit. Our only regret was that we were only there for 4 days."
"We had an absolutely wonderful time at the River house!!! It's a perfect place for our group. Large common areas, especially with the open kitchen, yet you can still have privacy since there are so many individual rooms, so if you want to sneak away for an afternoon nap it's no problem. And Sunday we enjoyed the warm weather and spent the day out by the river, reading by the riverside, going for walks and some of us even tried to catch a fish Thank you again for sharing your home with us and giving us another memorable River house weekend!"
"Eric & Cathy, Thanks! You have an amazing home and our group had a wonderful time. We had great weather and, as you know, there is nothing like hanging out in the river on a hot day. Your house was everything that we were hoping it would be. On a side note, I would like to tell you how kind and generous Bill and Gina are. Everything from welcoming us with fresh baked bread for breakfast, pointing us to the bottom-less swimming hole, and many other little things helped make our weekend more than we expected. I'm sure this comes as no surprise to you, however I wanted to make sure to note it. You're very lucky to have such dedicated and friendly caretakers. I truly hope to get an opportunity to return (with my family this time) to your property in the coming years. Regards, Nick"
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer : Washer is high-quality and is inside the house.
- Dryer : Dryer is high-quality and is inside the house.
- Linens Provided : Good quality linens.
- Off Street Parking : Large, four-spot parking area by front door, plus private road out front.
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : Large area out front.
- Wood Fireplace : Charming fireplace.
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed (2)
- Twin/Single Bed
- Bunk Bed (2)
- Convertible Bed (2)
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- Video Library : Small collection of childrens' DVDs.
- Stereo System
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Recently remodeled; good-quality modern appliances.
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator : Side-by-side with filtered water and icemaker.
- Dishwasher : Bosch stainless steel.
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Weber saucer grille with chimney charcoal starter.
- Deck/Patio : Large deck overlooking meadow out back.
- View/Location
- Beach View : When the river is low, there is a tiny sandy beach directly across the road out front.
- Water View : River and small beach out across the road out front.
- Communications
- Telephone
- Free Long Distance
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet) : 802.11(b)
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : Please tell us about your pets first. We do charge an additional $55 for cleaning, on top of the regular cleaning fee.
- Kid Friendly : Kids love the river and bunk beds.
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : Must be at least one renter over 21.
- Smoking Not Allowed : Only on screen porch.
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Rafting
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
$325/nt; 2-nt minimum; $250 deposit required. 20% off for stays of 5+ nights.
$500 security deposit. $150 cleaning.
Add $50 cleaning for pets.
Add $50 cleaning for groups over 15 or parties.
Rates subject to change until booking confirmed.
Please see our web site (below) for details. We take Paypal.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 1962
Why the Owner Chose Tamworth
My parents bought this house as a vacation home when we lived in Boston. After moving to California, upkeep became too burdensome for them, so my wife and I took the house over and remodeled it. We rent out the house so that we can afford to keep and enjoy it ourselves, let friends and relatives use it, and eventually leave it to our children
The Unique Benefits at this House
Going from California to South Tamworth is, to me, like stepping back sixty years to a much more peaceful and rural lifestyle. I love having the river out front, how dark it is at night (you can see the stars and hear the crickets!) and how all the roads are surrounded by lush woods. The air feels different, things sound different, the bird calls are different, and every property is backed up by meadows and woods, brooks, mountains and rivers. I also love how the house has large public areas but a lot of privacy, too; it's a quality that I seldom find in home.
Restricted to town residents, this is a large pond with a small, charming uncrowded beach and an island you can sail to. Motor craft are prohibited so it's peaceful and quiet.
Gorgeous river with a lot of high granite points to jump into deep pools of water.
The isolated and undeveloped mass of the Ossipee range is the largest and least disturbed wildlife habitat in the region. The range is 9 miles in diameter, its tallest summit rising to an elevation of
Owner's Map of Tamworth
My wife and I are in our 40s and both professionals in Central California, with three minor children and several pets. We have both lived in various places around the country, and I was born in Boston. We do our best to make it out to New Hampshire every summer.
Property Photos
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- Small beach right out front on private road. - Tamworth, White Mountains, NH - New Hampshire Vacation Real Estate Rental
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- The dining room/great room with huge table that seats 12. - Tamworth, White Mountains, NH - New Hampshire Vacation Real Estate Rental
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- Bear Camp Pond; only 3 and a half miles away - Tamworth, White Mountains, NH - New Hampshire Vacation Real Estate Rental
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- River house
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- The Bear Camp River, with a small beach, is right out front.
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- Our caretakers live next door.
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- A view of the Bear Camp River from the bridge right out front
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- Brand-new kitchen with all new dishes and appliances.
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- A view of River House from the Bear Camp River
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- King bed overlooking river.
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- Spacious living room.
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- Bear Camp Pond is just a few minutes' drive away
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- The Bear Camp River is right out front
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- Cool Brook is about 100 yards upriver from the house.
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- The Town of Tamworth has the Cook Library and historic Barnstormers Theater
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- This church is right up the road from River House.
Traveler Reviews (13)
fabulous house
Guest: karen c.
Date of Stay: 09/06/11
Review Submitted: 09/17/11
we rented this house for family when our son got married at the brass heart inn. the house was perfect. there are large open gathering places. the settting (river and forest) was beautiful. the upstairs bathrooms are modern bath/shower combinations. the kitchen was spacious and well stocked (best stocked rental ever). the couple, bill and gina, who cares for the property live next door. the owner, eric, was responsive to emails and organized with directions etc. i look forward to renting this property again with friends and family.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
fabulous house
Guest: karen c.
Date of Stay: 09/06/11
Review Submitted: 09/17/11
we rented this house for family when our son got married at the brass heart inn. the house was perfect. there were large open gathering places. the setting (river and forest) was beautiful. the house was the best stocked rental ever. the bathrooms upstairs had modern bath/shower combinations. the kitchen was spacious and up to date. i look forward to renting again with family and friends.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Centrally Located!
Guest: Gail
(Caribou, ME )
Date of Stay: 07/23/11
Review Submitted: 08/02/11
THANK YOU so very much for allowing us the privilege of using your beautiful Tamworth home for our recent vacation (July 2011). We were so very comfortable in your home which allowed everyone ample space to either be together or be separate. At one point, we were a total of 15 people, so the space sure was appreciated. One of the reasons we chose this location is that it is very central to all of New Hampshire, so we could make day trips in all directions. That worked out perfectly for us. We will certainly recommend your home to others, and perhaps even rent it again ourselves.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Great Place for a weekend getaway!
Guest: Jen
(Southeastern MA)
Date of Stay: 03/04/11
Review Submitted: 03/15/11
A group of 15 of us 30-somethings rented the place for a winter adventure weekend. The house was perfect for our needs with ample space for sleeping and ample common space. The process of renting couldn't have been easier. Location was great--about an hour to get to the ski mountain and 30 minutes to North Conway. I highly recommend this house---we'd love to go back this summer, but it already looks booked!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Fantastic spot for large groups
Guest: Deb
(Ipswich)
Date of Stay: 01/28/11
Review Submitted: 02/16/11
In late January we took a group of 20 teens and adults on a retreat were we taught them how to cross country ski, snow shoe and brought a variety of sleds for some great sledding. This is an excellent home for entertaining. Well stocked and comfortable. The caretakers are next door should there be questions or problems. My husband and I will go back perhaps in the warmer months as there is also a number of activities we can do. I would highly recommend this property. Deb
Owner response:Thanks for the nice review, Deb! I agree that the house really works well for large groups; it has a great blend of private and common rooms. Definitely try the summer, too; the river and brook are so much fun!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Wedding Stay
Guest: Maggie K
(Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/16/10
Review Submitted: 09/24/10
My husband and I were married Sept 19th in the lakes region of NH and we rented this home for our parents and siblings to stay in for the five nights of our wedding celebration. It was perfectly located between Weirs Beach in Laconia where we took the dinner cruise Friday night and Lake Ossipee where we were married. It is close to grocery stores and our favorite restaurant, Yankee Smokehouse, where we had a luncheon on Monday. There was plenty of room for both families to rest and relax and plenty of room for the friends who stopped by on Saturday night for a bbq. Visits from the horse of caretakers Bill & Gina were a highlight for many! We can't wait to rent the house year after year for our anniversary celebration! Thanks Eric!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
An absolutely perfect vacation spot
Guest: D
(Eastern MA)
Date of Stay: 07/30/10
Review Submitted: 08/05/10
My wife and I came across this property several months ago on VRBO, and right away I knew I wanted to rent it. After getting several other couples on board, we booked the house and then waited and waited for vacation time to come. And man, was it ever worth it. We have rented other properties in the area before, and enjoyed them, but this was something else entirely. It feels like home the moment you set foot through the door. The open floor plan is perfect for socializing, but the size of the house and the surrounding land make it more than easy for people to split off and do their own thing if they want. The setting is beautiful and serene, and it is difficult not to be hypnotized by the sound of the river and the chirping crickets. We enjoyed grilling, exploring the river, using the firepit and just the overall feeling of peace and comfort that seemed to flow from the house. Bill and Gina were very accommodating, and everyone really enjoyed having their horse, Angel, around (although I initially had no idea there was a horse and did a double take when we pulled up and saw her standing by the front steps lol). My only regret is that we did not book a longer stay. Oh well, we won't make that mistake again. It's already been decided that we will be returning next year, and hopefully for regular visits for years to come. Thanks so much for providing the opportunity!
Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children.
River House Vacation
Guest: Peg
(MA)
Date of Stay: 07/06/10
Review Submitted: 08/03/10
We had a wonderful time at the River House and would recommend it to anyone wanting to get away to a beauiful spot and area like this. It definitely lived up to all our expectations. We had 15 people there and they all thought the place and area was amazing. Prior to our visit, the owner was extremely helpful and always answered any questions we had. There was lots of fishing, swimming, hiking, shopping in North Conway, sight seeing on the Kangamaugus Highway. We also had a great meal at the Canoe Restaurant in Meredith. Tamworth is a great jumping spot location to do so many things. Also would like to mention how kind and accommodating the caretakers were.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
Great Time
Guest: Fredy and Lori
(Rochester, Massachusetts)
Date of Stay: 07/16/10
Review Submitted: 08/01/10
Took my wife and her entire family to the River House, to celebrate her 40th birthday. The house was accomidating enough for all 22 of us. The area was just as described by owner. Kids loved the river. Neighbors, Bill and Gina were very friendly, loved their horse, Angel. Wish we had booked a few more nights, it was tough to leave, after those few days of relaxation. We look forward to renting again in the near future.
Recommended for:Sightseeing, families with young children.
Wonderful family vacation
Guest: Darlene
(Farmington,NH)
Date of Stay: 07/24/10
Review Submitted: 07/30/10
My family and I just came back from a weeks vacation at the River House. We could not have had a better time. The house is awesome!!! Freshly painted on the outside and so much character and charm on the inside. Our family of 12, with ages from 1 month old to grandparents, had PLENTY of room. The large rooms and large yard gave us so much room for all kinds of fun and adventure. The river across the street was beautiful and provided us with hours of enjoyment. Even though it has been a very dry summer the river was still plenty high for tubing. The owners provide EVERTHING for a great time. An extensive library of books and puzzles as well as many games, lawn chairs, hammock, screened in barn, beautiful back deck and neighbors pet horse that visits frequently, provided us perfect ingredients for a wonderful vacation!!! The house was very clean and well stocked with beautiful dishes and flatware, way better than other vacation rentals. The linens and towels were all in great shape and more than enough in quantities. The caretakers that live next door were very friendly and helpful. It was an absolutely wonderful vacation and we DEFINITELY will be back again.
Owner response:Thanks so much for the lovely review, Darlene! We really appreciate it and hope you can come back soon! Eric & Cathy
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #44926
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