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Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston

Photo gallery for Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston

House from bottom of property.
View from street at top just before entering driveway.
View from driveway up steps toward front entrances.
Frontal view of house from top of property.
View from landing of back steps overlooking patio and garden at top of property.
Reviews
10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8157 sq m

Explore the area

Map
Ipswich, MA
  • Popular LocationIpswich Museum12 min walk
  • Popular LocationCastle Hill on the Crane Estate11 min drive
  • Popular LocationCrane Beach21 min drive
  • AirportBoston, MA (BNH-Boston Harbor Seaplane Base)49 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

3rd floor penthouse

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 1, 2nd floor

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2, 2nd floor

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom, 2nd floor

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston

Take a look at this light and cheerful home (c.1870) perched on a quiet street atop a tree-lined hill near the center of historic Ipswich and the commuter rail to Boston. As you enter, see floor-to-ceiling windows in the kitchen/dining/work area, warmed by a golden glow on pine floors, and look out toward a lush hill and patio. Enjoy the well-equipped kitchen that caters to DIY food lovers and opens onto a light-filled dining area as well as comfortable seating and a functional work space well-suited to telecommuters (*See additional work space on third floor.). Enter the adjoining living room, where a huge, modular sofa faces a built-in cabinet that conceals a pivotable smart TV. On the second floor, see two bedrooms and a full bathroom with combined shower and bathtub. Walk up to the third-floor penthouse—one bright, semi-divided room which can double as bedroom and studio/office. From the penthouse window, get a glimpse through the treetops of quiet streets that wind down to the Ipswich River past centuries-old homes, Town Wharf, and picturesque paths. (See photos—all taken on the property except as noted.)
Amenities include air-conditioning throughout; 5G internet; safety devices such as smart smoke-and-carbon monoxide detectors as well as fire extinguishers; smart thermostats; and a large-capacity washer and dryer in the basement. With a receipt for at least two weeks rental in Ipswich, the Town will issue a temporary parking permit for Crane Beach, rated by National Geographic as one of the “Top 10 family beaches in the U.S.,” for $20—a drastic savings over daily rates for non-residents. The Ipswich YMCA, which is right up the street, has terrific workout facilities and offers myriad activities for both children and adults.
Discover excellent restaurants, shopping, commuter-rail, library, banks, post-office, museums, galleries, and playgrounds. Relax and enjoy miles of sandy beaches, as well as scenic marshes, woodlands, and river—a paradise for sports and wildlife enthusiasts. Visit the Crane Estate year ’round, a magnificent setting for picnic concerts throughout July and August. Venture along the coast to the nearby towns of Essex, Gloucester, Newburyport, Rockport, Manchester, Beverly, Salem, etc., where you’ll find world-class music and theatre, antiques dealers, art galleries, museums, shopping, whale-watch tours, schooner trips, and more. For your convenience and pleasure, shop at local farms, orchards, specialty stores, wineries, and supermarkets. Walk or drive to Ipswich Center, where you can catch the commuter rail to Boston, then the “T” to Cambridge.
LONG-TERM STAYS ARE WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED. For stays of three months or more, rates and fee structure are negotiable. The final date of availability posted on the property calendar is December 18, 2023. However, availability might resume as of January, 2024. Inquiries are welcome.
Please see Sample Rental Agreement: navigate to Property/Rules and Policies/Rental Agreement. Upon reservation, Homeowner will fill in required information and transmit a pdf to Guest for review, signature, and initials on each page. Guest will transmit a pdf of the completed Rental Agreement to Homeowner.
The owner maintains a private studio at ground level with separate entrance, and respects total privacy of tenants.
For enhanced cleaning, the owner blocks at least two days between bookings.
Contact the owner for more details.

Property manager

Ellen

Languages

English, French, Norwegian
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Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Water view

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guests must be vaccinated against COVID.
No incense is permitted.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
Property Registration Number C0434821440

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ipswich

Located in Ipswich, this holiday home is next to a golf course and on a river. Witch House is a notable landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Wingaersheek Beach and Good Harbor Beach. Water Park of New England and Long Hill are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Ipswich, MA

What's nearby

  • Ipswich River - 5 min walk
  • Ipswich Museum - 12 min walk
  • Wolf Hollow - 5 min drive
  • Castle Hill on the Crane Estate - 11 min drive
  • Crane Beach - 21 min drive

Getting around

  • Rowley Station - 11 min drive
  • Ipswich Station - 15 min walk
  • Beverly, MA (BVY-Beverly Municipal) - 16 min drive

Restaurants

  • True North Ale Company - 2 min drive
  • McDonald's - 10 min drive
  • Dunkin' - 15 min walk
  • Clam Box of Ipswich - 4 min drive
  • Hart House 1640 - 2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sunny, Historic House in Natural Paradise near Commuter Rail to Boston located?

Situated in Ipswich, this golf holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Ipswich River and Ipswich Museum. Parker River National Wildlife Refuge is 3 mi (4.9 km) away. Ipswich Station is 15 minutes by foot.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews" "

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laura S., Indianapolis

charming house in quaint historical town
Ellen was a great host and the house was perfect (we loved the decorations). Check-in and check-out were a breeze. The master bedroom had an incredible view of the tree-tops. The neighbors we encountered were all super friendly. The house was a 5 minute walk from a great dog park, and a 15 minute walk from the center of Ipswich. For longer walks we ventured to Nichols Field which was fun. We found a fun coffee shop in town, a delicious smoothie shop next to the train station (both within walking distance of the house) and we even made it to the Masonic Hall for the 2018 Polish Picnic which had a live polka band! If we ever come back to Ipswich we'd gladly stay at Ellen's place again! Thanks for the vino!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan L.

A delightful home with all the amenities in an incredible location
My wife, 12 year old daughter and I stayed for a week at this lovely home in Ipswich. My parents live in Hamilton and we needed a place nearby; this fit the bill perfectly. We loved walking downtown to get coffee and breakfast in the morning. My wife in particular loved all the old houses (many built in the 1600s) we passed on the way to & from downtown, and we all loved the walk. The house has an idyllic view of the church steeple from the 3rd floor loft, and lovely light throughout the day. My wife is an avid cook, and she LOVED the kitchen in this house. She said, "I can tell the owner cooks regularly -- everything I need is here". We hosted my brother and his girlfriend for dinner and we had a great time eating and chatting around the dining room table, with views of the trees outside. The dining room is small but cozy and a really special space with its enormous windows. Access to Crane's Beach and (my daughter's favorite) Russel Orchards was a piece of cake. We also all loved unwinding at the end of the day on the enormous couch in the living room! It was super comfy and a great place to lounge and relax. Ellen was an INCREDIBLE host -- she checked in on us regularly, made sure everything was working for us, and was incredibly helpful before and during our stay. In short, we were all SO happy with our stay here and will return as soon as we can.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Olga O.

Enchanted Idyll
This is a highly recommended property with tremendous character! Beautiful vistas, lots of natural lighting, comfortably furnished, elegant artistic touches throughout. We drove out from Boston, and despite being only 45 minutes from home, felt totally transported during this enchanted idyll at Ellen's "Tree house". The third floor "penthouse" is very spacious and private, with a beautiful skylight that lets in the moonlight - perfect for a romantic getaway. And with two other bedrooms on the second floor, this property is equally well-suited for accommodating families or a group of friends. When this house is not a rental property it is a home, and as a rental retains the feel of a home in the best possible sense - warm, inviting, comfortable, thoughtfully decorated, and fully equipped with cookware, dishes, appliances, towels, linens, books, internet, TV/Blu-ray/DVD, stereo, music. Aside from the character of the house itself, the lighting is outstanding. The sitting room off the kitchen features floor to ceiling windows, letting natural light pour in from sunrise to twilight and affording vistas onto the trees and sky and the eclectic and historic neighboring houses. We loved drinking morning coffee, listening to Mozart, and reading by the windows so much that it took us great effort to finally get out of the house by noon to see the local sites. Crane Beach is only a 10 to 15 minute drive from the house and is a truly magical place. The Crane Estate itself was closed when we were there (end of March), but the grounds are open year round and are very beautiful to walk - forest paths, pine bluffs, misty marshes, miles of beaches. We picnicked on the promontory at the base of the Grand Allee - a half mile long, 100-foot grassy corridor delineated by rows of stately trees, where southward in the distance stands the shimmering estate and to the north plum island and eternity. It's one of the most beautiful places in New England. If you're looking for an enchanting and relaxing getaway that's not as conspicuously on the tourist radar as other locales, and where the rental is more than a place to shower and sleep, we recommend that you come to Ipswich and stay here. The owner, Ellen, is so kind, gracious, and charming, full of interesting stories and positive energy, and is a great resource for local recommendations in the area. We had a wonderful time and met a wonderful friend in Ellen. We're looking forward to our next return.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kendra P.

Relaxing retreat
Hospitable does not even begin to describe our hostess Ellen. She was absolutely delightful, and available every step of the way to make sure our needs were met. The accommodations didn't disappoint. It is very clean with so much charm. The loft bedroom on the third floor was very private, and the perfect master bedroom. The other two guest rooms were perfect as well. My husband and I truly look forward to an opportunity to stay here again. We would highly recommend it!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

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Wonderful time
We (a family with two little children) spent the whole summer in Ipswich and had the most wonderful time at the "tree-house" with Ellen. The house was very clean, very charming, individually furnished and offered enough place for us. The whole equipment of the house was just great (kitchen equipment, linnen, beach towels etc.). Besides, the house is really great located. The beautiful Crane's Beach and the center of Ipswich is just a couple of minutes away. Ellen (the owner) was just wonderful, very sweet and very supportive from the very beginning until the end of our vacation. The children immediately fell in love with her, as we grownups did. My family and I plan to come back to this wonderful place again soon. Heide & family

About the host

Hosted by Ellen

Host profile image
As Norwegians would say, the house is made of “honest wood.” It comes by its Scandinavian flavor naturally, as the home where my two daughters grew up—both Norwegian and American citizens. We have welcomed people from many different countries, and have traveled widely ourselves. Our wanderlust as well as our involvement in the arts and our interest in people’s stories define our pursuits. As for myself, design infiltrates almost everything I do. I seize the chance to be outdoors—running year ’round, messing around in the garden, and sharing the bounty with family and friends.

Why they chose this property

Ipswich is a friendly community and offers the best of several worlds. There’s a long tradition of sailing, mostly at “The Neck,” where there’s a thriving youth program at the Ipswich Bay Yacht Club. Crane Beach, rated by National Geographic as one of the Top Ten Family Beaches in the U.S., is a short drive or bike-ride away. A haven for wildlife and sports enthusiasts, it also offers easy access to world-class music, theatre, dance, museums, etc.. The house is located within walking distance of the commuter rail to Boston, where you can catch the “T” to Cambridge.

What makes this property unique

This house combines the comforts and conveniences of home with the pleasures of a vacation venue. While the floor plan and adjustable work tables are well-suited for telecommuting, there is also easy access to the commuter rail to Boston. As you can see in the photos, it’s a sunny house, but the cellular shades can filter light if desired. The clean, light, well-equipped kitchen caters to DIY food lovers.

Languages:

English, French, Norwegian
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