The Farm Barn serves as the main headquarters at Shelburne Farms.
Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
I recently spent a weekend in Shelburne, Vermont, representing Yankee Magazine at this year’s Vermont Cheesemakers’ Festival, which is hosted to perfection at the farm’s Coach Barn each year. I was there for an extra day, so I took the opportunity to make a return visit to the farm. Having only witnessed the farm in full-blown cheese-event mode, I was eager to experience Shelburne Farms during an “everyday visit,” and I’m so glad I did!
Shelburne Farms, a working farm and nonprofit education center for sustainability, is the kind of place you can spend the whole day exploring. Its on-site offerings include an interactive children’s farmyard, cheesemaking operation, and bakery, as well as nature trails with great views, and an historic inn like no other. Armed with a handful of hours on a perfect summer morning in mid-July, I set out to see and do as much as possible.
Here’s a closer look at the beauty of Shelburne Farms in photographs.
Welcome to Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, Vermont! The Welcome Center and Farm Store sells gifts, cheese, and other goodies. We especially love the smoked cheddar in my house. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyHeading towards the Farm Barn headquarters at Shelburne Farms. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveySheep graze along the route to the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms. Photo Credit : Aimee TuckerThe Farm Barn serves as the main headquarters at Shelburne Farms. Among other things, it houses the children’s farmyard, the cheesemaking facility, and the on-site bakery. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe Farm Cart is a convenient spot for a tasty lunch while visiting the farm. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe cheesemaking facility at Shelburne Farms is housed in the Farm Barn (yes, there are samples). Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyO-Bread Bakery is an independent, organic bakery housed at Shelburne Farms. I very much enjoyed my fresh, buttery croissant. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe Children’s Farmyard at the Farm Barn has live animal exhibits and interactive learning demonstrations. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThis is Fina, a Brown Swiss cows at Shelburne Farms. She produces 6-8 gallons of milk each day. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThis is Rockies, a (very sweet) one month-old Brown Swiss heifer calf at Shelburne Farms. No doubt she has already grown since this photo was taken! Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThere are hens and roosters at Shelburne Farms, too…. Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey…Plus this handsome mama pig and her clingy piglets. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAfter getting my cute animal fix, I headed for the Lone Tree Trail. It offers the farm’s highest view, and I couldn’t resist breaking a sweat (just a small one) and checking it out. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyView accomplished! The panoramic vista from the top of the Lone Tree Trail (including views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks to the west, and of the Green Mountains to the east) is truly spectacular and not to be missed. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAs I continued to stroll, heading towards the Dairy Barn, I passed this group of happy grazers. You’ll have to just imagine the hypnotic swish and flicker and of their tails. Good afternoon, ladies! Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAt the nearby dairy barn, I enjoyed a few moments with another group of the farm’s beautiful Brown Swiss cows. They happily munched their hay and mostly ignored me. I love being in the presence of such content and well-cared-for animals! Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyAfter leaving the dairy barn, I passed perfectly rolled bales of hay … under threatening skies. My beautiful sunny day was turning stormy! A quick stop along beautiful Lake Champlain. The views are great, but there is no substitute for dipping your toes into its cooling waters and gathering stones. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyUp next? The beautiful, historic Inn at Shelburne Farms on the shores of Lake Champlain. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe library at the Inn at Shelburne Farms is like something out of a time-travel experience. I always describe it by saying “It’s like Mark Twain could walk through the door with a book in his hand and a cigar in his teeth at any moment!” Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyFancy a good book? How about an armchair with velvet detailing and long fringe? Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe library shelves at the Inn are filled with antique books that you’re welcome to thumb though. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe charm continues outside, where the Inn’s dining patio is a popular dinner spot for special occasions. Photo Credit : Aimee SeaveyThe lawn at the Inn provides a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy the views of Lake Champlain (at least until the skies opened up and the rain poured down!). Photo Credit : Aimee Seavey
Such a beautiful day in a beautiful setting. Have you ever visited Shelburne Farms?
Shelburne Farms. 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne. 802-985-8686; shelburnefarms.org
Aimee Tucker
Aimee Tucker is Yankee Magazine’s Home Editor and the Senior Digital Editor of NewEngland.com. A lifelong New Englander and Yankee contributor since 2010, Aimee has written columns devoted to history, foliage, retro food, and architecture, and regularly shares her experiences in New England travel, home, and gardening. Her most memorable Yankee experiences to date include meeting Stephen King, singing along to a James Taylor Fourth of July concert at Tanglewood, and taking to the skies in the Hood blimp for an open-air tour of the Massachusetts coastline.
