This afternoon I found time while I was running some errands to re-visit two of my favorite spots in Ipswich: Russell Orchards and Castle Hill. Both of these lovely spots are nestled away on Argilla Road, so it's easy to visit both in one afternoon!
I always love a trip to Russell Orchard for their homemade apple cider donuts! This little farm and orchard also has seasonal fruit picking and a small collection of farm animals that visitors can observe or feed, but remember not to bring human food near the fowl--they will chase after you and snatch your donut!
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| Russell Orchard |
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| one of the porcine inhabitants |
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| old machinery adds to the back-in-time feel |
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Their store sells all sorts of delicious local products...
including their own, homemade apple cider donuts, which are not to be missed! |
When I want to be surrounded my man-made beauty, I head to Castle Hill. The immaculately maintained gardens, the statues and "ruins" dotting the grounds, and the manor all make me feel like I've been transported to the European countryside. Unless there's a concert or tour of the manor, the grounds tend not to be crowded, so I love to come here for a quiet walk or a picnic with friends.
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| the Crane Estate at Castle Hill |
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| view from the back of the estate to the Atlantic Ocean |
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| a bee in the estate's garden |
I like Castle Hill. Is it free and open year-round?:
ReplyDeleteIt's free if you're a member of the Trustees of the Reservation, otherwise you have to pay to visit. I'm not sure if they're open in the winter--I think the manor is open for occasional events in the winter. You could check out their website for more info: http://www.thetrustees.org/crane-estate/about-the-crane-estate/.
DeleteI remember Russell Orchard; the aroma of donuts is divine. Would love to see Castle Hill, thanks for the pics until I do...
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the best scents in the world, if you ask me! The next time you make it out east, we'll be sure to visit Castle Hill! It's well worth the trip.
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