Westmoreland may seem like a rural, out of the way town, but the hills and groves of this tiny town provide some true delights! If you’re looking for an adventure and don’t mind a beautiful drive, come visit Westmoreland. You’ll find artist studios, a couple wineries, plenty of hiking trails and a some great out of the way shops. First head out on Route 12, a beautiful winding road.
Shopping in Westmoreland
Flying Pig Antiques is run by lifetime pickers and antiques dealers. It opened recently, in 2019, and has grown over the last few years. There are now over 40 antiques dealers throughout New England with booths or cases throughout the store. What a great place to wander through on a rainy day, or if you’re looking for some unique treasures!
If you love Christmas, head to the place where it’s Christmas all year long! At Jingles Christmas Shop you’ll find collectibles, amish furniture, country-themed home decor, beautiful candles, and many hand-crafted items. There’s even some home-made fudge for sale that is absolutely mouth watering! Jingles is located in the same building as Monadnock Flooring & Outdoor Living on 1024 Route 12 in Westmoreland NH.
Wine Tasting in Westmoreland
The Summit Winery sits on 80 acres in the town of Westmoreland, NH which is located just five (5) miles outside of Keene, NH. Once a farm that produced tobacco, then a popular local restaurant, now the land is stewarded by the Summit Winery, one of New England’s top wineries to visit! The Summit Winery hosts grape varietals sourced from the US and around the world and soon its own vineyard. There are demonstrations and tastings, and the winery offers activities and workshops for hands-on fun with local artists in floral arrangements, jewelry making, crafting, and more! It’s worth a stop on a lark, but also its a great place to plan your visit to have some creative fun at this beautiful setting.
The Poocham Hill Winery is another great locally owned venue to try some locally grown wine!
Hiking in Westmoreland
If you’re looking for a gentle hike, we recommend the Warwick Preserve. This property was the first NH property donated to the Nature Conservancy. At Warwick, you’ll find a brook, some beautiful rocky cliffs overlooking the Connecticut River, and forests of pine, hemlock, sugar maple, red oak, beech, and basswood. For those who love geologic history, there are many glacial erratics scattered throughout the forest. It is an excellent place for bird watchers. The Warwick loop is a 1.6 mile loop trail that is easy-to-moderate, and will take about an hour to complete. There are other spurs and trails throughout the property that may provide more of a challenge or thrill for intrepid hikers. Try them if you’d like to skirt those rocky cliffs and traverse steep inclines to beautiful views.
Views
Speaking of views, this author must share – the best spot in the region to see a sunset has to be Park Hill. The Park Hill Meetinghouse is an excellent vantage point. Bring a picnic dinner and relax on the lawn. The building is owned by the Westmoreland Park Hill Meetinghouse and Historical Society and is located on the east side of New Hampshire Route 63. And note – the lawn in front of the Park Hill Meetinghouse is often the site of one of Monadnock Music’s village concerts each summer – bringing world class chamber music to the smaller communities across the region in accessible venues. It is truly a magical evening.
A visit to Westmoreland will be a delight, certainly, if you love antiques, history, and beautiful landscapes. There’s even more to see – check out our page on the town! It is a tranquil town where you can slow down and reconnect with the land, and take the opportunity to get creative!
To find other events happening nearby, check out our calendar!
And to learn more about creative businesses and culture in the region visit Arts Alive!
