Can you book Jonathan Knight’s NH cottage from ‘Farmhouse Fixer’?
The HGTV show “Farmhouse Fixer” has sparked a renewed love of New Hampshire’s retro cottage camps. Here’s some information about Jonathon Knight’s property, plus 11 others that you can stay in.
Jonathan Knight might be a new kid on the block when it comes to owning property in New Hampshire, but his new HGTV program, “Farmhouse Fixer: Camp Revamp,” has reignited the state’s romance with woodsy cabin vacations.
About Jonathan Knight’s Cottage
The New Kids on the Block singer bought a 1938 12-acre, 10-cabin lakeside property in southeast New Hampshire.
Knight, 55, said he was drawn to the site by nostalgia for his grandparents’ summer camp on the shores of Lake Erie. Before setting out on tour with New Kids this summer, he started renovating the property with his husband, siblings, and mother hoping it would be available for guests this summer.
Knight’s nostalgia for those pine-scented, wood-paneled summer cottages ignited the same feelings in HGTV viewers — especially those in New Hampshire — who were anxious to sign up for time at the rustic resort (which is rumored to be on Lake Onway in Raymond). But the work wasn’t finished before Knight had to go on tour and the opening was delayed.
In the meantime, there is no shortage of funky family cottage sites in our state. Before AirBnBs, superhighways, and even motels, renting a cottage near the water was an affordable getaway for New England working-class families and many are still thriving. Here are just a few.
Cottages in The Lakes Region
Lakeview Inn & Cottages
58 Tower St., Laconia
The Lakeview Inn on Weirs Beach has 13 rustic-style cabins with modern conveniences and an 1860 inn. The quaint complex is a short walk to the lake, beach, and restaurants. The hosts here provide muffins, coffee, and popcorn for free to guests.
Ames Farm Inn
2800 Lake Shore Rd., Gilford
Among the oldest family-owned cottage villas in the state is the 135-acre Ames Farm Inn built on a sandy beach on Lake Winnipesaukee in 1890. The fourth and fifth generations of the Ames clan are still operating this quaint collection of white clapboard cottages.
Generations of families, including my own, return here to soak up the sun, eat chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwiches from the gift shop, and wonder at the incredible view of mountains framing the vast, blue lake.
There are 17 lakeside cottages and a restaurant at the inn which serves breakfast and lunch. There’s also a large ball field, ping pong, shuffleboard, horseshoes, and other games.
The Pines at Center Harbor
66 Alpine Park Rd., Moultonborough
The Pines at Center Harbor is a cluster of five housekeeping cottages on the eastern shore of Center Harbor, a secluded area at the northern edge of Lake Winnipesaukee.
Each cottage has a kitchen, screened-in porch, and air conditioning. The Pines also has its own sandy-bottom swimming area and boat slips are available to rent during your visit.
Grey Shingles Camps
76 Middleton Rd., Wolfeboro
This site on scenic Rust Pond has a history going back a century. The current owners have renovated the five small and one large cottage with cute names like Black Bear, Spruce, and Sweet Apple Camps.
The small cabins have maple floors, pine wainscotting and cabinetry, decks, grills, heat, and air conditioning. There’s a common area with a fireplace and firepits and a 100-year-old rec hall. Firewood and s’mores are complimentary.
Lakeside Cottages in Newfound Lake
89 Lakeside Road, Bristol
First opened in 1950, there are seven cottages with room for 4 to 8 people on the shore of Newfound Lake. Guests can use docks and swim rafts and rent a boat mooring during their stay.
For a listing of more cottages to rent in the Lakes Region visit the Lakes Region Tourism Association site.
Cottages in the White Mountains
Cottage Place on Squam Lake
1132 US Route 3, Holderness
There are seven cottages on the pristine shore of Squam Lake, the location for the 1981 film “On Golden Pond.”
Dogs are welcome to these one-and-two-bedroom cottages fitted out for all four seasons with outside porches, Adirondack chairs, full kitchens, bathrooms, Wi-Fi, and some with electric fireplaces. All guests have access to picnic tables and grilles. The property is landscaped with stone walls, gardens, and a private beach on the lake. Originally built in 1957, the Cottage Place was recently purchased and renovated.
Montaup Cabins
36 Main St., North Woodstock
These nine red, one-room cabins are situated on the shore of the Pemigewasset River with queen beds, showers, and screened-in porches with chairs. One reviewer called Montaup, “a beautiful and clean oasis on the banks of Pemi … with simple and clean awesome cabins… looking for friendly and gracious hosts, horseshoes, heated pool and campfires along the river? This place is for you.”
Green Village Cabins
476 US 3, Lincoln
Green Village Cabins is a small property, built in the 1940s on the Pemigewasset River, featuring nine riverside cabins in the heart of the White Mountains. This is a perfect place for families that want a retro-feeling camp getaway.
Sunny Brook Cottages
1901 White Mountain Highway, Albany
A trip to Sunny Brook is a trip back in time. The 10 cottages in earshot of Swift Brook, under the shade of tall pines, were built in 1932. According to the website, each cottage “offers the rustic charm of an old fashion motor court with modern conveniences and real wood burning fireplaces.”
The cottages are open all seasons. Each cabin is different but most have working fireplaces and a screened-in porch and all have outdoor charcoal grills and picnic tables.
For more information on White Mountain cottages and cabins to rent, head to Visit White Mountains.com.
Cottages in Monadnock
Woodbound Inn Rindge
247 Woodbound Rd., Rindge
We can vouch for this one, having spent many unplugged nights in these rustic cabins on the shores of Lake Contoocook when the kids were small.
Each one- and two-bedroom cabin has a fireplace or woodstove to take off an autumn chill. If you want the company of others, the 1820 inn on the property has guest rooms, a restaurant, and a pub with excellent food. And if you can’t leave Rover home, no worries. There is one pet-friendly cabin available!
Cottages at Spofford Lake
45 South Shore Rd., Spofford
There are 13 fully restored cottages on the beach at Spofford Lake that sleep two to six guests who can enjoy barbecue and picnic facilities on the beach, a firepit, kayaks, and canoes. Each cottage has heat, air conditioning, a smart television, and Wi-Fi, and some cabins are dog-friendly.
One online reviewer wrote that she used to visit the cottages as a child and was delighted to see that it still exists. “It was as I remember but a bit more updated,” they said. “The cottages are quaint and clean, the water is crystal clear, and it’s a nice break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We enjoyed our time at the lake kayaking, making s’mores, and enjoying some hikes through nature. A very cute place to visit whether with family or a couples’ retreat.”
For more listings of cottages to rent in the Monadnock Region, visit NH Cabins and Cottages.com.
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