Entire home

The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.

Photo gallery for The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.

Two Adirondack chairs facing a body of water with a grassy field in between.
A dining room with a wooden table and four chairs, a chandelier, and a window with curtains.
A hallway with a door featuring stained glass panels and a window with a curtain.
A living room with a fireplace, a round coffee table, and a bookshelf.
A large, multi-story house with a green roof, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and trees, near a body of water.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Refrigerator
  • Washing machine
  • Internet
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Port Medway, NS
  • Place, Port Medway Lighthouse Park
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Old Meeting House
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Carter's Beach
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1, Master (King)

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2, Blue Room (Queen)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4, Office/Bedroom, Ocean view (Daybed, sleeps 2)

1 Queen Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1, Art Deco, Second Floor

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

Bathroom 2, Custom Shower, Separate Toilet, Main Floor

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.

Experience elegant country living at its finest on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The Idle Hour is a newly restored ship captain’s home, located in the quintessential fishing village of Port Medway, Nova Scotia.

The Idle Hour features a gourmet kitchen, indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to the western classics. The property is set on 2 acres with 450 feet of oceanfront, adjacent to a stony beach. Access is by land or sea, with private anchorage.

Available for events. Pricing TBD.
The space
2,500 sq ft.
Main house: 1 King, 1 Queen, 1 Double, 1 Day bed (expands to a Queen)

Private mooring is available on request

Whimsical screened-in porch suitable for outdoor dining, overlooking ocean and magical sunsets

2 paddle boards, 2 sea kayaks, 4 bicycles (2 adult and 2 children), and outdoor fire pit

Located within the UNESCO SouthWest Nova Biosephere Reserve.

Attractions/Events:
- Port Medway Readers’ Festival
- Art/History Shows
- 2 historic lighthouses
- Breathtaking Beaches nearby
- Kejimkujik National Park
- Historic Lunenburg nearby, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Guest access:
Full access to the main house, two acres of grounds, private oceanfront and screened in porch

Other things to note:
Office space available in fourth bedroom, with the day bed.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number RYA-2023-24-11201052415275330-29
Property # 9978450
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
Parties and events are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Port Medway

Located in Port Medway, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Old Meeting House and Hank Snow Home Town Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Astor Theatre and Rossignol Cultural Centre. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with ecotours and cycling.
View more Holiday homes in Port MedwayOpens in a new window
Map
Port Medway, NS

What's nearby

  • Port Medway Lighthouse Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Old Meeting House - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Carter's Beach - 39 min drive - 55.5 km
  • Bluenose II - 52 min drive - 73.7 km
  • Oak Island - 55 min drive - 81.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Best Coast Coffee Gallery - ‬28 min drive
  • ‪Waterfront parking lot, Liverpool, Queens County - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Rosefinch Mercantile & Tea Room - ‬3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.?

As of 11 Oct 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging. on 10 Dec 2026 start from £630, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Fosters Islands and Port Medway Lighthouse Park. Old Meeting House and Medway Head Lighthouse are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
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

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This house is even more beautiful than the photos. We had a wonderful stay on this gorgeous property. Watching the sunset over the water and playing in the water to beat the heat while we were there. Everything in the house was so nice, immaculate really. Everything worked really well and we would come back here in a heartbeat.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spectacular Home

One of the best vacation rental homes EVER! Idyl hour is idyllic!Perfectly outfitted and ready for a spectacular Nova Scotia vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2025
Hi Doni! We're so happy you enjoyed your stay at The Idle Hour! We look forward to hosting you again. All best.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Idle Hour exceeded our expectations. The owners have transformed a traditional home into a rental that has a casual elegance without losing the heritage of the lovely home.The property extends to the edge of the oceanfront which provides a wonderful view.Port Medway is a pleasant village and is central for making excursions.I have rented numerous VRBO properties and this one has to rank with one of the best..
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The idle hour is not a property, is an experience!We loved every minute and we appreciated the care, the details and all the historical background of the house. I would recommend this place to everyone that is looking for some relax in a curated house, or even for small weddings or small gatherings. I know I will try and be back for a family vacation sooner or later.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful!

Exceptionally special property and home!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Aug 2025
Many thanks, Shari, for being such a wonderful guest -- so glad you had a great time, and we look forward to hosting you again!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I have no words. This home was absolutely perfect and just so full of history. Jane was absolutely amazing and so accommodating. She is an absolute sweetheart. The neighbors were so friendly and I loved talking to them. I fell in love with the house and grounds. The house was restored beautifully. My kids absolutely loved running around the yard every evening for hours on end as we sat and watched the sunset, also location was perfect for stargazing at night. The house is also SPOTLESS, we don’t wear shoes in the house but understand that not everyone does that. But this home was absolutely spotless and squeaky clean which we appreciated so much. There were plenty of towels and the beds were like sleeping in a cocoon. Everything about this house and location was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jul 2026
Hi Angela! Restoring The Idle Hour was a labour of love, and I'm so happy you enjoyed your family vacation there, and met some of our beautiful neighbours who make Port Medway such a welcoming place. You were absolutely ideal guests ⎯ we look forward to your next visit!

About the host

Hosted by M. Jane Fairburn

Host profile image
Hello, and welcome to The Idle Hour!

I’m a localist by nature — a strong sense of place and belonging animates all my creative projects. It’s in this spirit that my husband Mark Rodger and I said yes to the restoration of the this beautiful heritage property, founded by Captain Thomas Benjamin Selig, c. 1919.

My husband Mark and I invite you to experience the beauty of nature, and the ocean at your doorstep from the comfort of home. Idle a while, and connect with this charming coastal community ⏤ its stories, and its natural wonders.

You can learn more about me and the restoration of The Idle Hour below:
Janefairburn.com/
Facebook.com/janefairburnalongtheshore/
Instagram.com/mjanefairburn/
Instagram.com/theidlehourpm

Why they chose this property

Steeped in history and 90 minutes from Halifax, Port Medway is a hidden gem on Nova Scotia’s South Shore.

Some fifteen years ago, Mark and I visited the enchanting village of Port Medway for the first time, and later made the area our second home. Frequent evening walks always led us down to the shore, past the quiet, crumbling, once grand Idle Hour. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to purchase the property we had always admired, and I got busy with the restoration.

We hope you enjoy the newly done period interiors, squeaky clean bathrooms, quiet corners, and welcoming porches that invite you to step back in time to a simpler, more tranquil life ⏤ one where you may settle awhile, unwind and recharge.

What makes this property unique

The Idle Hour is situated in the historically significant village of Port Medway, which remains a working fishing village. A 30-minute video on the history of the home, within the context of Port Medway and the South Shore, will be released in 2025.
 
The home itself is situated on two acres of land with 450 feet of ocean front. Accessible by land or sea, the property provides easy access to the ocean for kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding. It is perfect for hosting large gatherings, yet provides ample privacy for those looking to unwind. Picture yourself lounging in Adirondack chairs by the outdoor firepit, enjoying al fresco dining, and taking in the breathtaking sunsets.
 
Inside, the home features a gourmet kitchen, a cozy indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to Western classics. Its comfortable, repurposed and original furnishings contribute to the warmth and authenticity of the home.
 
But don't just take our word for it—see what our guests have to say:
 
- “Absolutely lovely location - we loved the view, the lawn, the comfortable beds, and the quality furnishings.”
- “Beautiful place, quiet and relaxing.”
- “The house is bright and spacious… The kitchen… is incredibly well appointed and looks right out of [a] design magazine.” 
- “The beds were the most comfortable of any AirBnb rental we have stayed at. The linens were fresh and crisp with comfortable pillows.”

Languages:

English, French
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