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Hand’s Cove Cottages

Hosted by Melita · Shoreham, Vermont

2 guests max · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet

100%

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

A low-key place to enjoy nature, rest, and reflect. The twin cottages at Hand’s Cove Orchard perch on the edge of Lake Champlain in Shoreham, Vermont. The property has hosted guests in seasonal cottages since the 1960s. The organically certified orchard was last operated around 2007. Since that time, a good portion of the apple trees has succumbed to disease and crowding by native and invasive species, though many continue to thrive and produce fruit—supporting a healthy and diverse wildlife population. Close by is Champlain Orchards, offering a farm market, cider garden, and PYO fruit. There are several other farm stands in the area offering locally produced vegetables, meat, eggs, maple products, and ice cream, as well as general stores and a hardware store within 20 minutes. We are located along one of the Heart of Vermont Bikeways, part of a network of bicycle routes known as Lake Champlain Bikeways, spanning the Lake Champlain Valley of Vermont, New York, and Québec. Not far away are Middlebury (home of Middlebury College) and Vergennes—both offering shopping, dining, and Amtrak service. Our land steward, Melita, is a retired landscape gardener who enjoys ecological landscaping and trail-making. A short walking loop takes you from the cottages to our lake access and up around the far meadow, which is in the process of being reforested. Resting benches are placed seasonally at the lakeshore and along the far meadow path. Swimming is not recommended, but access for experienced kayak and canoe users is available. Our shale beach is a picturesque, relaxing, and history-rich spot to while away the hours in your camp chair. Birders will enjoy an abundant variety of shore and inland species. Our land management objectives include conservation, forest restoration, and agriculture—fostering refuge and recovery for the land and its inhabitants: plants, pollinators, wildlife, and humans alike. A portion of our 100+ acre farm is leased to a neighboring farmer for hay production. Our non-commercial orchard is a thread of history connecting us to the nearby vibrant, commercially productive orchards that are part of Shoreham’s rich agricultural heritage.This one bedroom cottage, situated to the north of the Writer's Cottage, sits on a low bluff overlooking Lake Champlain with a 3 minute walk to our lake access for a closer view of the water. Both cottages are furnished similarly but The Reader's features a collection of books and a cozy rocking chair, and is tucked a bit closer to the edge of the woods. Given the close proximity of the cottages to one another we typically rent them one at a time to enhance a feeling of solitude while our landscaping gets established–please let us know if you are interested in booking both sites. Our Cape Cod style home sits well above the site, offering privacy, however please know the walking trail is used by our family and the land is actively farmed so you may meet some locals. You may also experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Champlain Valley's rich local industry and recreation–please consider any sensitivities you may have to these and plan accordingly. We do partner with a local hunter to manage our deer population, as well as host friends and family for fishing, waterfowl hunting and boating. Lake Champlain is a popular spot for these activities, early morning gunfire is a given during waterfowl season which begins in September. Many of our neighbors are hunters and engage in target practice so you may hear occasional gunfire outside of hunting season. Fort Ticonderoga is just across the lake, an excellent day trip via the Fort Ti ferry and featuring Revolutionary War reenactments so be prepared for the distant crack of muskets and roar of cannons carrying across the water. The rumble of industry carries across the lake too, from the train and ferry to the paper mill. And don't forget about the classic odor of a working Vermont farm–manure! As the saying goes "don't complain about farmers with your mouth full". We love all of these features that make our home and surrounding area the beautiful, thriving community that it is. We hope you do too.

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The Reader's Cottage

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Cabin · Sleeps 2 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 toilet

This one bedroom cottage, situated to the north of the Writer's Cottage, sits on a low bluff overlooking Lake Champlain with a 3 minute walk to our lake access for a closer view of the water. Both cottages are furnished similarly but The Reader's features a collection of books and a cozy rocking chair, and is tucked a bit closer to the edge of the woods. Given the close proximity of the cottages to one another we typically rent them one at a time to enhance a feeling of solitude while our landscaping gets established–please let us know if you are interested in booking both sites. Our Cape Cod style home sits well above the site, offering privacy, however please know the walking trail is used by our family and the land is actively farmed so you may meet some locals. You may also experience the sights, smells and sounds of the Champlain Valley's rich local industry and recreation–please consider any sensitivities you may have to these and plan accordingly. We do partner with a local hunter to manage our deer population, as well as host friends and family for fishing, waterfowl hunting and boating. Lake Champlain is a popular spot for these activities, early morning gunfire is a given during waterfowl season which begins in September. Many of our neighbors are hunters and engage in target practice so you may hear occasional gunfire outside of hunting season. Fort Ticonderoga is just across the lake, an excellent day trip via the Fort Ti ferry and featuring Revolutionary War reenactments so be prepared for the distant crack of muskets and roar of cannons carrying across the water. The rumble of industry carries across the lake too, from the train and ferry to the paper mill. And don't forget about the classic odor of a working Vermont farm–manure! As the saying goes "don't complain about farmers with your mouth full". We love all of these features that make our home and surrounding area the beautiful, thriving community that it is. We hope you do too.

No campfires

Toilet

Potable water

No pets

Showers

Picnic table

from

$125

/ night

for NaN guests

Reviews

100% Recommend1 ratings · 1 review

Recommends

· October 2025

The Reader's Cottage

We had an absolutely wonderful stay at this beautiful lake view cabin! The photos online truly don't do it justice—the place is even more stunning in person. The cabin was incredibly cozy, relaxing, and peaceful, with all the amenities you could ask for. The mornings were especially great, waking up to the beautiful lake views. We spent two nights here and every moment was perfect. The host was so friendly and welcoming, making our experience even better. As the first guests, we felt honored to be part of this gem's story. We would highly recommend this cabin to anyone looking for a peaceful getaway. Five stars!

Manav P.

1 year on Hipcamp

Location

Shoreham, Addison, Vermont, United StatesTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hand’s Cove Cottages

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The Reader's Cottage

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Hosted by Melita B.

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