The Gift of Appleton Farms
Rolling grasslands, grazing livestock, stone walls, vegetable crops, and historic farm buildings comprise this 1,000-acre pastoral landscape, offering a rare glimpse into New England’s agricultural past. A gift of Colonel Francis R. Appleton, Jr., and his wife Joan, Appleton Farms is one of the oldest continuously operating farms in the country, established in 1638 and maintained by nine generations of the Appleton family.

A Sustainable Farm
Appleton Farms is committed to farming in ways that produce high quality food locally while preserving biodiversity and native species habitat, mitigating climate change, building healthy soils, and ensuring that our farmland is even healthier for the next generations. With our certified organic vegetable CSA and grass-based livestock operation, we aim to deepen visitors’ understanding of our agroecological approach to farming as a mechanism for conservation. Click here to see the current list of CSA options.

Pick-up dates for the Fall/Winter CSA Share are Fridays November 8, November 22, December 6, and 20. All pick-ups are 1:30-5:30PM

Not a member of our CSA? The Appleton farm store provides farm fresh products and locally sourced artisan goods all year long Tuesday- Saturday.

Visit our historic Farmhouse for a glimpse into Appleton’s past. Year-round events and programs are centered here, including farm dinners, annual Farm Days and Oktoberfest celebrations, maple festivities, snowshoe rentals, group hikes and more. With nearly 12 miles of hiking, cross country skiing, and horseback riding trails, outdoor enthusiasts have access to historic farm roads, wooded paths, wetlands, and rolling hills.

Programs and Events
Visit our busy events schedule online to sign up for guided tours, pasture walks, birding hikes, farmstead story hours, and our many other programs for all ages.

Education for All Ages
Check out our widely varied education programs, from activities for homeschoolers to afterschool programs and more.

Culinary Workshops
See our full list of exciting culinary workshops in our Farmhouse Kitchen or book your own private culinary class when available.

Winter Adventures
Winter is a perfect time to visit Appleton and it becomes a playground for winter activities whenever there is snow on the ground. Enjoy cross-country ski trails groomed by our partners at North Shore Nordic Association. The only cost is the parking fee for nonmembers. Starting in January, we also have snowshoe rentals available at the Farm Store. Rental hours are Tuesday- Sunday 10:00AM to 2:00PM, with the last rentals returned by 3:30PM. Holidays and store closures will affect rental availability. Advance booking is not available, rentals are first come/first served and sizes are limited. Find more information here.

Property is open daily, Sunrise to Sunset.

Nonmember parking fee: $6 weekdays/$10 weekends and holidays.

Members always park for FREE.

Farm Store Hours ~ December 26-February 6
Tuesday-Sunday: 10AM-4PM
Closed Mondays

219 County Road
Ipswich, MA 01938
Telephone: 978.356.5728
Email: appletonfarms@thetrustees.org

Get directions on Google Maps

Public restrooms are located in the Carriage Barn. During events and programs at the Farmhouse, restrooms in that building are also available.

Accessible Features

Accessible bathrooms for the general public at the Carriage Barn. During private events that use the Old House/Farm Offices, there are accessible bathrooms in that building for event attendees to use.

Accessible parking spots at both the Old House/Farm Offices and the Grass Rides. There are signs posted designating those parking spots. There are two of them at the Old House, right along the side of the building, close to the side door, and one of them at the Grass Rides, right near the pay station location.

Some trails might be considered wheelchair friendly. The ones on the Farmstead side of the property, around the Old House, Farm Store, and a few of the trails over our railroad bridge and onto the other side of the property are wide, flat, dirt roads.

Appleton Farms, a one thousand-acre property located on the North Shore of Massachusetts, is known for its preserved New England charm. Spring events will be backdropped by blooming wildflowers, songbirds, and the deep greens of the working farm. In the fall, the venue will offer cascades of oranges and yellows when the Maple trees that line many of the fields change for the new season. Our pastoral vistas, historic farmhouse, hours of walking trails, and a wide variety of programming provide an idyllic for select community gatherings.

More than six miles of footpaths, bridle paths, and farm roads, some of which are part of the Bay Circuit Trail, provide numerous opportunities to experience Appleton Farms’ stunning vistas and striking diversity of landscapes, both natural and man-made.

Another six miles of trails perfect for walking, hiking or running, are available at the connected Appleton Farms Grass Rides, where dog walking is also allowed.

Trails are open year-round, daily, sunrise to sunset. You can download a Property Trail Map here.

We ask that you stay on marked paths and roads, observing which are for pedestrians and which for equestrians. Please note: Dog walking is allowed at the Grass Rides only.

While enjoying our trails, please remember that this is a working farm and respect livestock, farm equipment and electric fences. Vehicles are allowed on main entrance driveway and parking is permitted only in designated parking lots.

• While enjoying Appleton Farms, please remember that this is a working farm and be mindful of our livestock, field crops, farm equipment and electric fences.
• Vehicles are allowed on the main entrance driveway and parking is permitted only in designated parking areas. Please respect the 15 mph speed limit.
• Appleton Farms is open from sunrise to sunset.
• Please do not open gates, disturb livestock, or interrupt farming operations.
• Dog walking is permitted at the Appleton Farms Grass Rides area only. No dogs are allowed on the farmstead side due to our farming operations.
• Bringing alcohol onto the property is not permitted without special permission.
• We are a carry-in/carry-out property. Please take all trash with you.
• Please observe all posted signs.
• PHOTOGRAPHY: Permits are required for portrait photography sessions at Appleton Farms. Photographers or their clients must be full Trustees Members to purchase portrait session permits at this property. Learn more about purchasing a portrait session permit.
• Authorized seasonal bow hunting is allowed on this reservation with written permission for a limited number of hunters through a deer management program administered by The Trustees. Per MassWildlife regulations, hunting is permitted from the first Monday in October through December each year, from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage is posted at the property listing safety precautions and requirements. Learn more about hunting on Trustees properties. Any questions may be directed to The Trustees at info@thetrustees.org.