Photo Credit: Peter Marotta
A former refuge for the community's poor and ill, this coastal landscape boasts a centuries-old farmhouse and fields, with pastures bracketed by stone walls.
At Westport Town Farm, livestock graze on open fields. An antique farmhouse, dairy barn, corn crib, and stone walls dating back to Colonial times complete the picture of this bucolic working farm that served as a “poor farm” and infirmary for more than 100 years.
Explore this historic landscape along the easy, one-mile trail from the barnyard, which follows along stonewall-lined paddocks. As the trail crosses hillside pastures, it opens to an expansive view of the East Branch of the Westport River, then skirts the 10-acre hayfield before returning to the barnyard.
Westport Town Farm is not only scenic, but possesses historic and ecological value. The farm’s dual legacy of nurturing those in need and raising vegetables and livestock weave together at this remarkable coastal landscape, where you’ll see ospreys, gulls, and the occasional bald eagle soar overhead.
Trails
A 1-mile loop trail passes through fields and pasture, affording fine views of the tidal Westport River.
FREE for all.
Open daily, sunrise to sunset.
830 Drift Road
Westport, MA 02790
Telephone: 508.636.4693
E-mail: southcoast@thetrustees.org
Get directions on Google Maps.
From I-195: take Exit 10 to Rt. 88 South. Follow for 6.9 miles to 4th traffic light. Take left onto Hix Bridge Road. Go 0.5 mile and take left at stop sign (before bridge) onto Drift Rd. Town Farm is 0.6 mile on right. Parking will be on left.
There is a trail map posted on a kiosk in the parking area.
We recommend that you take a photo of the map on your phone so you can refer to it during your visit, or download a trail map before you head out
This spectacular coastscape had been farmed since Colonial times before the progressive and humanitarian instincts of Westport residents transformed the property into a refuge for the ill, needy, and indigent in the mid-19th century. The Town Farm, as it came to be called, continued to shelter the aged and infirm, orphans and vagabonds, for more than a century.
This is a wonderful place to some time to walk through. Beautiful view, tranquil. Perfect if you do not have a lot of time. Parking is great. A great place to stop and smell the roses.
– Tripadvisor User from Dartmouth
