Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm

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Reviews

8.4 out of 10

Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Brooksville, ME
  • Great Island
    4 min drive
  • Castline Golf Club
    32 min drive
  • Fort George Park
    32 min drive
  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor)
    59 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Spaces

Kitchen
Dining
Living area
Exterior

About this property

Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm


Waterfront farmland hosting a charming and comfortable barn ready for your family vacation this year. Rustic but fantastic expansive farmland, waterfront and skies awaken our hearts on this organic property owned by the same family that settled here over 200 years ago. Two bedrooms, exceptional beds and bedding, fully stocked kitchen, screened porch and walk to our private beach in the back or down a short road to another. Our guests love it here, as we do, and we invite you to join us at the farm this year.

All photographs are of the farm. A transformative place.

We hope for our world we are all safe so please take care and when the time comes to come back to us, let us know. Carol and Dick at Tapley Farm

"Life as Life Should Be"
Organic Meadows surround this waterfront farm. Huge night skies, fresh air and beauty abound.
The Rustic Vintage Barn for five guests is on 26 organic acres on deep water which meets enveloping comfort inside. The vintage Barn is a refreshing, repurposed space of storied refinement in a Grand Coastal Sea Captain's Farm and Seaport.
Tapley Farm's has been a major seaport and ship wharf. The historic beauty, the land, sea, wildlife, fauna, and skies are as they were 180 years ago when the family first settled in Brooksville. The barn, part of this working farm was briefly used to teach art during the summer. Large rooms surrounded by farmland abuts a private beach. Unique as it a part of the legacy of the Tapley Sea Captains and their amazing wives who ran the farms while their husbands sailed the world. Where the sea meets the farm, Tapley Farm is the finest lodging in quality and history. Acadia 1hr, Blue Hill, Stonington, Castine, Penobscot, Deer Isle. Four Seasons Farm, Tinderhearth, Castine, Bucks Harbor, Bagaduce Theater, Galleries, music, dance, sailing, kayaking, and Haystack, Stonington Opera House and Kneisal Hall, all nearby.
Spectacular Salt Water Farm on the banks of the Bagaduce. A Vintage Barn with all the amenities you need. Two bedrooms, 1 King, 1 queen, 1 twin, 1 1/2 baths and washer dryer
There is nothing as relaxing as a rustic space on an organic farm surrounded by water The barn, as cozy as it is, has all the amenities you need. Great kitchen, large living room, and outstanding screened porch.

There is nothing as relaxing and more pleasant than a barn, especially on a large coastal magical farm.

In 2019 our guest said,
Great time at Tapley Farm
The most relaxing, inviting, rental Karen and I have ever had, and we've had dozens here and overseas. The hosts spared nothing to make this a successful 2 weeks at Tapley Farm. The kitchen was well-stocked and allowed us to prepare and cook complete meals. A Weber is outside on the lawn with a lobster pot and cooker. Information about yoga studio and outdoor pizza/bakery just minutes up the road. Gourmet and funky restaurants are in Blue Hill and beautiful Castine, visually across Penobscot Bay just 2 miles from our beach. A great kayak trip for us and our guests. Altogether everything was wonderful, and we look forward to another 2 weeks next year.
And As Troy said
"A magical coastal retreat in the heart of Down East Maine. Our family (5) had a wonderful time at Dick and Carol's saltwater farm. The Barn is rustic and charming, the yard is big and beautiful, the dogs are friendly, the geese are loud, the chickens wake up early, the sun seems to linger forever, the sea appears at the end of the old dirt path and the beach house seems to float along the seashore. If you are considering a trip to Maine and really want to experience Down East Maine, book this lovely cottage. Acadia, Blue Hill and Stonington are close by. As are several great food spots -- the apple tree in the front yard, the bakery down the street, Millbrook Company, Bagaduce Lunch, The Fish Net. The beach is typical Maine, but the beach house is something special -- nothing fancy, but a wonderful patch of green grass along the blue sea. The house is rustic but in the best possible way. Everything you need is here, including several large lobster pots, an endless supply of great movies on VHS and a quiet back porch. Finally, Carol and Dick are wonderful hosts. Warm, welcoming, truly happy to have guests at their house. Book it, enjoy it, don't tell anyone (else).

The Barn, with archival details, envelopes you in warmth.
The charming and rustic Barn offers comfortable king and queen bedrooms, a full eat-in kitchen, living, dining, washer/dryer and screened porch. Surrounded by water, quiet country roads and untouched, the farm is 'Life as life should be'.

The farm was farmed by our Grandfather and the road led to ships awaiting repair. All the land was used for farming and no chemicals were ever used here. The nights are full of stars and fireflies and days of Valerian and roses blowing in the breezes. Our neighborhood is full of homesteaders who raise vegetables, make cheese or bake bread. Our local market has the best wines, chosen by Jonathan, the Chief at Buck's and the market there has specialty foods and supplies for locals and the yachtsmen who frequent Brooksville in the summer. Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill has the best music available anywhere and students from the best schools come to play for us all summer. The Stonington Opera has fine film, performance and jazz and the village is full of art, restaurants and a great little clothing store. Nearby Deer Isle has wonderful galleries, restaurants and Haystack where artists meet and teach. Blue Hill and all the surrounding towns have farmer's markets, not unlike Provence. You can eat organic, top quality food every day and enjoy our local art as well. The various Yacht Clubs have events and races all summer and our guests are able to use our pond access at Walker's to swim, a new beach with outstanding water, eagles and loons.

Kayaking and canoeing are done here and you can lease a boat in Blue Hill for your visit. Lobsters are readily available and you can get them precooked or cook them yourself. Our guests love the feel of a time gone by as we have no urban sprawl or strip centers, we have open space and a feeling of peace.

Climb Blue Hill, hike through Holbrook Island Sanctuary, visit the Nearing Center and learn about farming and homesteading or go to the Wooden Boat School and build a boat. Elliot Coleman and Barbara Damrosch are renowned for gardening and amazing techniques to encourage longer seasons. Their farm is a few miles away and the flowers and vegetables are the finest anywhere.
Across the water is Castine a great old town with my favorite bar, 'The Penagoet', with Jack your host, and his amazing collection of photographs. The Maine Maritime is there and the ship is often at the dock and the students race their sailing ensigns. Cruise ships and sailboats, yachts and lobster boats fill the water and Castine is a great place to get ice cream, throw a dollar on Dennet's ceiling and have a beer. The homes there are from the days of great sailing ships, captain's and their families. Our family used to run the steamer from the wharf to Castine and would attend the one-room school house there. We have pictures of the water frozen, completely from Brooksville to Castine.
Summertime is loaded with daily activities and the fall is so beautiful with the maples and orchards glowing.

Come to our farm and enjoy the beauty of nature, get reacquainted with silence and cool air and just relax in the summer sun.
For larger groups, The perfect place for relaxing reunions, catching up with old friends, and beautiful country weddings. Please check out our other listing on VRBO.#41192 if you need more space. Thank you!
The Barn sleeps 5 and is surrounded by water and 36 pastoral acres. The Charming and Rustic Barn offers comfortable king and queen bedrooms, a full eat-in kitchen, living, dining, washer/dryer and screened porch. Surrounded by water, quiet country roads and untouched, the farm is 'Life as life should be'.
And David said in September 2018
Wow! What an amazing getaway. Carol and her husband are incredible hosts. The barn on the organic farm was even better than described. My wife and 6 month old son stayed for 6 nights and wish we could have stayed longer. The barn was the perfect mix of rustic charm with modern amenities.

Property manager

Carol Gregor
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Parking available

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 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 less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Brooksville

Located in Brooksville, this farm stay is on the waterfront. Jonathan Fisher House and Deer Isle Bridge are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Blue Hill Books and The Barnacle. North Light Books and Blue Hill Co-op Community Market are also worth visiting.
Map
Brooksville, ME

What's nearby

  • Great Island - 4 min drive
  • Castline Golf Club - 32 min drive
  • Maine Maritime Academy - 33 min drive
  • Main Street - 33 min drive
  • Dyce Head Lighthouse - 34 min drive

Getting around

  • Belfast Station - 66 min drive
  • Bar Harbor, ME (BHB-Hancock County - Bar Harbor) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Bayview MKT And Takeou - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Bagaduce Lunch - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Tinder Hearth - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪The Breeze & Castine Variety - ‬33 min drive
  • ‪Danny Murphy's - ‬33 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Tapley Farms: Charming Barn at Salt Water Farm located?

Situated on the waterfront, this farm stay is 1.2 mi (2 km) from Great Island and within 12 miles (20 km) of Jonathan Fisher House and Blue Hill Books. Blue Hill Bay Gallery and The Barnacle are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

8.4

Very good

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. 8 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

8.2/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

10/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jessica G., San Francisco, CA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, comfortable, perfect getaway
This cabin is so cozy, comfy, and totally relaxing and private. It was a chilly night and Dick, the property owner, had fired up the wood stove for us so it was perfectly warm when we arrived. Beds were very comfortable, we slept so well, and the cabin has everything you could need. The kitchen was great, the whole place is very charming. We loved cozying up you watching old video tapes from the 90s in the living room upstairs! My husband and I especially enjoyed the peaceful and expansive view of the beautiful meadow from the windows, and the view of the water just a few steps from the door. We went to Blue Hill for dinner per a recommendation from our hosts which was lovely. All around a wonderful stay!
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Joanne S.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
They went the extra mile
We had a lovely stay on this unusual property. The house was clean, and had everything we needed including llamas across the street.. Our hosts were very gracious , so gracious that they helped us retrieve our computer which we had mistakenly left behind on our way out. If you don't mind a little extra driving to get home, this is the place.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2019

4/10 Poor

Kieran C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
uncomfortable furnishing and flies
The property was well staged and the host were polite and friendly; however the chairs and beds were horrific. They were uncomfortable. The space was filled each morning with a new batch of flies and wasps. The windows were difficult to open; the cranks were broken. During the storm the windows leaked.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2019

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Check-in, communication
Hard to find at night
Needs some work.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Erik M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
late summer stay
Had a great time at the barn @ Tapley Farms. Carol was an exceptional host, and the barn was exactly as advertised. It more than met the needs of me, my wife, and mother-in-law for a week. Very peaceful location. Loved it, and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for quiet, coastal retreat in the most beautiful part of Maine.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

David L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Location and Property
My wife and I plus our 2 teenage daughters stayed at the barn/cabin at Tapley Farms. The hosts were lovely helpful and friendly people. Their property is a quiet and picturesque area of Brooksville ME. An original barn/studio was nicely renovated to a comfortable and rustic cabin and nicely furnished, Would return for sure!

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We Love Tapley Farm!!!
Our One Week in Maine! I can still hear the sounds of Spring peepers, the birds, the waves, soft sounds of distant horns on the water, the breeze in the trees and a cozy night of rain. We saw the most beautiful pink sunset and the sky full of stars in the field. Tapley Farm is a true example of the beauty of Maine country life. The coastal farm has an incredible history and everything is lovely about the location, the barn house, the animals, and beach. The girls were delighted when they discovered on the first morning that there were alpacas looking at them in the field. The water so close down the dirt rode was most surprising. Life is simple here- quiet and no fuss, and the beds are very comfortable! I will miss the fantastic fresh sea air coming through the screen windows. After breakfast (by the warmth of the gas fireplace) we went down to the beach then back for lunch. We spent most of the afternoons reading, painting with watercolors, writing, arranging shells on surfaces all over the porch. The girls loved the tree-swing. We went swimming in a pond nearby 2 times. For one breakfast we bought cinnamon twists and chocolate croissants from the Tinder Hearth bakery nearby. That was good with bacon and coffee! In the evening we mostly cooked (but great restaurants and CoOp in Blue Hill) then took another trip to the water. Made a fire in the wood stove upstairs most evenings. We played games and watched VHS's, had some wine. Brought me back to my family vacations in Northern WI in my youth. All these little things that I did and my parents did before came back naturally here with my own family and we were so content. The towns and islands and scenic drives were just what I have always imagined Maine would be like only more so- more dramatic, more rugged, more stunning. The farm is so close to the places in which stories that we know well were inspired by and close to where the authors lived and are buried- Robert McClosky's Buck's Harbor (a Condon's Garage and Buck's Harbor Market were there), EB White (Allen Cove, Brooklin)....Burt Dow (The REAL Deep Water Man buried on Deer Isle) etc. The owners, Carol and Dick, were so kind, helpful and generous. We didn't want to leave! One of the best weeks of vacation we have ever had together. We hope to come back one day. Keep doing what you are doing Tapley Farm. It is so very important!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

suzanne g.

Rustic cabin on farm
As the photos showed -- fields & woods but a walk to the water. Suited our kind of simple living with kitchen amenities. The Brooksville area has lovely farming scenes & small towns. Lots of sanctuary-hiking trails which we took & then swam in Walker Pond. Owners friendly and let us use the fire pit for roasting marshmallows. Provided a bike for riding. We came for the quiet -- found the next door neighbors with some kind of loud music/band practice a bit unsettling for two nights. Suzanne Gay 8/11-18/2018
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Alan S.

The Penobscot peninsula is the best of Maine. Nice and quiet on the property, with good beaches clo
We will come back to this part of Maine…and hopefully stay longer. The property is as described, with the Bay just a hundred or so yards away, and fields of hay all around. Lots of birds for folks who enjoy birdwatching and finding all those migrants who pass by the rest of the US headed north in Spring. The cabin is rustic, a bit more than we had anticipated, and according to its history as noted on literature at the site, was at one time an art studio over a storage area that was once reserved for farm equipment, etc. The beds were quite comfortable and living room area spacious with a good view of the fields. We made a few recommendations to the owners for a few ideas that could improve upon the ambience and also what were really some things any renter would expect, or possibly anticipate when reserving the cabin. They were quite agreeable with our suggestions, and were glad we made them…a very nice couple with long ties to the land.
Stayed 16 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris N.

We enjoyed our stay at Tapley Farm. Dick and Carol were very good hosts and took care of us.
The farm was very nice. Centrally located to visit the area. Lots of serenity relaxing on the back porch. Interesting visits to Arcadia,Castine and Stonington.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Heather B.

Naughty Goose cottage - superb!
Our stay with young children in this delightful cottage in Brooksville was exceedingly pleasant. From the large and comfortable beds to the beautiful views from the screened-in porch, the adjacent beach and blueberry fields, the charming, eclectic Maine décor, the excellent selection of books, and, above all, the hilarious clucking poultry guarded by a (harmless) charging goose, everything was perfection in spades. Our children and especially the 4 year-old, who himself resembles the goose in many respects, refer to the property as Naughty Goose Cottage. They couldn't have been more delighted, and nor could we. Our many thanks and regards to the lovely owners.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ptatt's visit to Aunt Mary's organic ocean front farm
We just loved our stay at Aunt Mary's cottage! We loved its warm and cozy charm as well as the beautiful views of the water and open sky both night and day! It is quintessential Maine at it's very best. We had no trouble finding it as the descriptions anddirections were right on and the Gregors were warm and friendly and were perfect hosts. We found the ammenities quaint, very clean and we had everything we needed. We especially enjoyed our walks on the property's beach, and enjoying the fresh herbs and veggies and the wonderful fresh eggs Dick brings us from his chickens. The surrounding area is a travelers delight with lovely towns to visit, great galleries and restaurants. I would highly recommend a visit. We look forward to returning very soon.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Kay G.

Rustic and Secluded
If you plan to spend much time in Acadia National Park be aware that it is an hour away from this property. Bar Harbor is 1 1/2 hours away. The nearest supermarket is 15 miles away in Blue Hill. The local market was small, limited and expensive. The cabin itself was rustic with a shower in one bathroom and a sink in the other. The sitting area upstairs was nice as was the screened in porch. The beds slept well. Two of our windows would not stay shut and there were not screens on some of the windows so the bugs got in. One night the temperature got down into the upper 40's and we nearly froze. The only heat are space heaters and we could only plug in one at a time without throwing the breaker. There are only two overhead lights; the rest are lamps. There is no TV, only VHS tapes. The boat house was down a dirt road and the other shoreline was across a field. We adjusted by the end of the week and enjoyed our time in Maine.

About the host

Hosted by Carol Gregor

Host profile image
This homestead has been in the family since 1840. A total of 36 acres and Ocean Front, the farm is now available for lease. Loving the coast of Maine, we have begun replenishing the fields for organic farming. The Brooksville Peninsula is full of wonderful farms and we enjoy buying local food and living simply. We live on the property also and love sharing this amazing place. I am a design-build professional in the process of finishing a Documentary Film on 'Home' and my husband, who spent his summers here with his Grandparents, is a Professional Engineer who specializes in building system and analysis. Leed certified he designed the first solar home in NH in the 70's. He Graduated from Swarthmore and a Nasa fellowship sent him to Dartmouth Thayer School. I went to a small woman's college in Washington DC that is now a part of George Washington University and I studied at Harvard Extensionfor two years. We love having family and friends and guests to this wonderful place.

This summer we will be planting a medicinal herb garden and spend some time on our little day sailor.

Why they chose this property

An unusual and historically significant property. Surrounded by water, directly across from Castine, gorgeous sunsets, locally grown food, kayaking, hiking, swimming, galleries, and sailing make this an exceptional place for a vacation.
This is not a vacation spot, it is the real deal. The family settled here because of the beauty in the land and sea, combined. It has been restored and is lived in by family and guests.
Generations have been on this land and the original family settled in Brooksville in 1790. 7 Tapley Brothers were sea captains and the Wharf on South Wharf Rd is where our grandfather repaired ships. The barn had a livery for people who came by ferry to ride to Blue Hill. Aunt Mary Tapley married William Wasson who was also a Sea Captain, our farm is their homestead and is now ours.

What makes this property unique

Acadia, Stonington, Blue Hill, Deer Isle are our town neighbors. Our neighborhood has not changed in 180 years from the time my husband's ancestors sailed from our wharf around the world. Two salt water farms remain in our family and the land and waterfront are as pristine and magical as they once were. Our neighbors include the wonderful Tinderhearth, 1/4 mile for bread and pizza and open mic, David's Folly Farm for meats and produce and Buck's Harbor for dinner or supplies. Yoga is in Brooksville and Blue Hill with David Walker, kayaks are available to rent and be delivered here. Castine is 2 miles by water and has our favorite Pentagoet restaurant along with great pizza and history. Fresh milk can be found at the Retburgs in Penobscot and lobsters cooked from Northern Bay Market. The local parades and breakfasts are on going and the Steel Bands are playing through out the summer. The Methodist Church in Buck's Harbor has music every Tuesday night all summer and the Yacht Club has dancing on Thursday night. Reversing Fall's Sanctuary also offers many local events including Solstice celebrations and art shows. Holbrook Island along with numerous hiking trails abound through the Blue Hill Heritage Trust. Enjoy swimming at Walker's Pond or if you prefer, use our beach and the chill of the water right here.
Don't forget all the activity in Stonington at the Opera House or enjoy a boat ride. The Surry Theater has ongoing shows, Deer Isle's artists and Haystack are busy all summer and visit Brooklin Boat Yard. There is classical music at Kneisal Hall and in Blue Hill. The Grand in Ellsworth is busy all summer also. And Acadia is just over an hour away. There are many nature walks and ocean studies happening also. One can also just sit on our beach and enjoy the many types of boats that are part of this seaside farm.
Look at the Weekly Packet for all the local events. biggest benefit is to come to a place that is truly 'Life as life should be' .

Languages:

English, French

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