The Homestead beckons you to enjoy an idyllic farm stay in a colonial home for 16 guests. Revel in the farm’s quiet & beauty. Surrounded by lawns, gardens, pastures, dirt roads, streams & forests, this is a true escape from a chaotic world. Unwind as you are surrounded by an inviting, safe, accepting space. Sip coffee as your morning unfolds. Visit the animals. Stroll around the serene property. Splash in the pool. Eat under the stars. Sleep peacefully. Let stillness seep into your soul.
A Charming Farm Stay Awaits You
After an easy drive from all points in New England, you will enter the gates of Stepping Stones Farm. The Homestead is an hour and a half from Boston and 45 minutes from Manchester, NH airports. Since 1754, the Homestead has served as a gathering place for the community, as well as weary travelers from afar. Stage coaches once stopped at the farm on their long journey from Boston to Montreal. Enter through the original Stage Coach Waiting Room and step into the spacious Living Room with its grand fireplace and high ceilings. For more than 272 years, this has been the center for both family members and visitors. Historic details such as built-in shutters, wide pine floors, hand stenciling and beautiful paneling provide a sense of time gone by. Lovely antiques and cozy rocking chairs immediately help guests settle in comfort.
A recently updated kitchen offers all the conveniences of home for even the most discerning chef. A Dining Room and a bright Sunroom offer a choice of elegant or informal dining options.
Six bedrooms, with comfortable mattresses and crisp white linens, invite an afternoon nap and a long night’s sleep. The original School Room is the perfect place for a family, with a queen bed and two twin beds. Best of all, the original hand-painted Stenciled Room — New England’s largest intact example of its kind — is a feast for the eyes. The Owl’s Nest Room over the Kitchen is perfect for a young family or teens. The two bedrooms on the first floor are beautifully appointed. With three and a half bathrooms, there is ample space for all guests.
Cool off in the swimming pool and watch the farm’s horses, goats and chickens from the Gazebo while you sip something cool. Play lawn games and enjoy S’Mores around the Fire Circle as the stars twinkle.
Explore the second floor of the massive three-story barn that remains the largest intact “Bank Barn” on the East coast. Enjoy the Conference and Yoga Room, Meeting Rooms and play ping pong in this unique barn. Photo opportunities abound with the sleigh and carriage collection on the second floor. Meet the miniature horses, play with the goats, gather eggs from the Hen House and watch the herd grazing in the fields.
The Homestead is dog-friendly. We welcome dogs to be in the house but not on the furniture. We also invite dogs to stroll with their owners around the farm on a leash. We like to keep your dogs, and our chickens, goats and horses safe and happy.
Modern Comfort Meets Historic Charm
The Homestead has undergone extensive renovations over the years, including high speed internet for multiple users. It is fully handicapped-accessible, with a first-floor ADA compliant ramp leading to the two first floor bedrooms, and a fully accessible ADA bathroom with roll-in shower to safely accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility assistive devices.
Each bedroom has an air conditioning unit. Large area fans in common rooms keep everyone cool. For the colder months, room heaters augment the furnace, and propane heaters make the Sunroom warm and toasty on the coldest of days.
Another upgrade for 2026 is the expanded, newly renovated space on the 2nd floor of the historic bank barn. Homestead visitors can use the Wisdom Horse Room for corporate training, board meetings, classes, yoga, meditation, workshops, family game nights or arts and crafts. A second classroom is also available. This space is excellent for presentations because it is open, well-lit, and has internet, while maintaining its historic ambiance. These rooms are available for an additional fee.
Outdoor Relaxation
The Homestead is located on a 28-acre farm, surrounded by hundreds of acres of conserved land. Fields surround the farm, ringed by old growth forests. Walking, running and biking opportunities abound. Kids can truly be free to explore the local woodlands and stay up late to enjoy the stars.
During the spring, summer and fall, guests often enjoy dining outside under twinkling lights and a grill for all kinds of barbeque delights. A Fire Circle invites chatting and listening for the local owls as they hoot their good night songs. Deer often graze in the field in front of the Homestead, joined by pheasants, quail, partridge and wild turkeys.
We offer additional on-farm experiences at a nominal extra fee.
• “Meet the Mini Horses” is a favorite of kids of all ages, featuring two adorable minis and two friendly goats. Gathering eggs from the Hen House is always a favorite.
• A longer and truly fascinating guided tour of the farm and historic barn includes meeting the rest of the horses who call the farm home
• A full Equine Experiential Session with up to five horses is a true favorite for both families, friends and corporate leaders.
• Finally, we will be offering horseback riding lessons and trail rides, depending on riding experience, as a new feature of the Homestead beginning in 2026!
New for 2026 will be Equine Vacation Stays for both riders and carriage drivers with the opportunity to bring your horse with you. Gather some friends to either come ride or drive your carriage on our dirt roads and rings. You can enjoy four outdoor rings and our 72’ x 200’ Indoor Arena. We will provide individual turnout, stabling and our equine facilities for you and your friends to share time totally devoted to your horses.
Activities for Every Season: Stroll the scenic dirt roads, bike, snowshoe, or cross-country skiing. The changing seasons bring fresh delights.
Personalized Experiences & Special Treats
Our “Country Concierge” service helps tailor your stay, whether it’s arranging local adventures, private chefs, massages, childcare, or transportation. We also provide a guide to nearby attractions, from dairy farms with fresh ice cream, to hiking trails and charming eateries and unique shops.
Upon booking, we will be in touch with you to confirm your stay and will email you our Welcome Information Packet. We love to let our guests know about all the options of fun things to do both at the farm and in the local Monadnock Region. We have an extensive list of caterers who will either deliver delicious food or come and create a special meal for you. We also have a list of trusted special services professionals ranging from massage therapists, child care folks who do fun farm projects with kids, to elder care, photographers, birding walks, musicians, yoga teachers and more. We are proud to offer these special activities and services to enhance your stay.
Additional Amenities
• Fully stocked kitchen with appliances, formal/informal dishware, and a gas grill
• Smart TV, easels, and whiteboards, tables and chairs
• Poolside loungers, inner tubes, and a screened gazebo for summer fun
• High Chair, Pack and Play equipment is available
• Lawn Games include Corn Hole, Badminton, Volley Ball, Bocce, Croquet, Darts and Horse Shoes
Guest access
We strive to go above and beyond for our guests. As the owner, I live in the Cottage on site. I love greeting all guests and making them feel right at home. All are warmly welcomed. Our Hospitality Team is ready and able to meet the needs of our guests. Ample parking is available right out your door.
This beautiful property has been a working farm for 272 years, 60 of which have been in our family! We are the third generation on the farm.
We love opening our doors for families and friends who want to stay together when they gather for milestone celebrations such as Weddings, Baby Showers, Anniversaries or Birthdays. We also welcome those people who wish to have an End of Life Celebration. *Please note however that we are not an event center for the actual wedding or reception.
The Homestead is also a great venue for Corporate Off-Site Training Retreats. The farm offers excellent meeting and planning spaces that are private and invite connection. Let us help you advance your business mission and vision in a lovely, welcoming and professional space that invites creativity and fosters teamwork.
The Homestead is also a great place to host Retreats. We have enjoyed hosting many types of retreats over the years including wellness weekends, meditation retreats, writers' workshops, veterans' retreats, cooking weekends, yoga retreats, and spiritual church retreats. We love to provide a warm and welcoming space for important learning to take place.
Temple is the Gateway to the Monadnock Region in southern central NH. Home to Temple Mountain, Miller State Park and near Mt. Monadnock, the most often climbed mountain in the world, this region is brimming with fabulous New England history, recreational opportunities, restaurants, unique shops, art, music, theatre and more. This region prides itself on having something for everyone. We will send you all kinds of links and suggestions in our Welcome Packet so you can plan a great stay!
