Hampton Falls – Nature, History and Farm Market

Nature at Marsh Lane Conservation Preserve

Hampton Falls has many different facets: Marsh Lane Conservation Preserve lies off Route 1 and combines a nature experience with information about plants and birds. If you enjoy spending time outdoors while traveling, you’ll find a specific place to visit here, distinct from the historic sites and Farm Market in town.

The Preserve has an accessible trail for people with disabilities. Descriptions of plants and birds accompany the trail. This lets you focus on the nature around you and learn more about the plants and bird species mentioned along the way. The trail is a reason in its own right to get to know Hampton Falls beyond its historic buildings and regional products.

Local History and Literary Connections

The Hampton Falls Historical Society restored an old, one-room schoolhouse on Drinkwater Road. Dodge Mill is also part of the town’s history: it was built in 1765 and still stands at 27 Kensington Road. Both places offer a glimpse of Hampton Falls’ built heritage, but their different associations—a schoolhouse and a mill—make them distinct stops for visitors interested in history.

Another historic connection is to John Greenleaf Whittier. The poet spent summers in Hampton Falls and wrote many of his poems while living with a Quaker family at Gove House. The pond across from Gove House is called Whittier Pond and is named after him. The pond’s name thus recalls Whittier’s stay and adds a literary connection to the town’s history.

At the intersection of Routes 1 and 88, the white tower of the First Baptist Church, built in 1836, welcomes visitors. Those interested in the town’s history can see this church as another part of Hampton Falls’ story, alongside the mill, schoolhouse and places connected with Whittier.

Farm Market and Regional Products

Food and baked goods are the focus at the Farm Market at Applecrest Farm Orchards. Offerings include hand-pressed apple cider, local honey and preserves, milk in glass bottles, local maple syrup and cheddar cheese. There are also homemade pies, crisps, breads, cookies and cider doughnuts, baked fresh every day in the farm’s own oven. The selection ranges from drinks and pantry staples to sweet and savory baked goods.

Applecrest Farm Orchards also offers communal fruit picking directly in its fields and orchards. This is a different way to spend your time than visiting places where you’d mainly explore historic sites or nature trails. When choosing a vacation rental in Hampton Falls, you can consider which of these interests matter most for your trip.

Museums and Planning Your Visit

The Historical Society Museum of the Hampton Falls Historical Society is located at 45 Exeter Road. It is open seasonally and during special events. The East Schoolhouse Museum is also open seasonally and during special events. If you’re considering including these museums in your travel plans, be sure to note the different occasions when they’re open. The historic sites described here and the Preserve also offer different ways to explore Hampton Falls—from local history and literature to plants and birds.

More town pages: Sandown, Greenland, Exeter, Atkinson, Rye, Portsmouth, North Hampton and Seabrook.

To the main travel overview: Rockingham.