Central Vermont community offers bucolic lifestyle
In the hills of Windsor County, Barnard is home to a community that comes together for life’s simple pleasures, like nature, food and music. The nearest stoplight is 40 minutes away from this rural community of less than 1,000 residents. Roads pass by dense forests and farms selling their own maple syrups. Silver Lake State Park, along with a general store, library and town hall, creates the central hub of Barnard. “There are a lot of outdoor opportunities, but Barnard’s big attraction is Silver Lake,” says Eric Johnston, a Realtor at Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty who lives in Barnard. Tucked away in this modest mountain community, Twin Farms is a five-star, all-inclusive resort that attracts visitors who enjoy the privacy immersed in the Green Mountains. “There are a fair amount of second homes; it’s two and a half hours to Boston and three hours to Montreal,” Johnston says. “Barnard is a good landing pad right off Interstates 91 and 89, where you can jump off and be in a rural area with culture and the beautiful outdoors.”
From hiking to skiing: Windsor County’s four-season fun
In the middle of Barnard, Silver Lake State Park is a hub for camping, picnicking and all types of outdoor recreation. Locals ice skate on the 32-acre lake in the winter, and swim, boat and fish in the warmer weather. “You can rent canoes and kayaks right there at the lake, so you don’t have to throw them in the car,” Johnston says. The Appalachian Trail crosses through Barnard, which attracts hikers from near and far. “Locals definitely like to hike it, and there are so many access points where it crosses roads,” Johnston says. “And there’s a small ski area, Saskadena Six, where locals ski.” Killington Resort is also nearby, offering snowy terrain with more than 150 trails spanning six peaks, catering to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
Barnard’s local shopping and dining spots with more options in Woodstock
The Barnard General Store, established in 1832, prepares sandwiches at the deli counter and provides groceries for those who don’t want to trek 10 miles to the larger grocery stores in Woodstock. The general store has a front porch with wooden chairs and a community bulletin board, fostering a laid-back, welcoming vibe. “The local country store supplies the immediate staples, and within 12 to 15 minutes, there’s Woodstock Village Market and the Woodstock Farmers Market, and bigger box stores within 40 minutes in the Upper Valley,” Johnston explains. Additionally, Fable Farm offers a summertime CSA (community-supported agriculture) program for folks in Barnard who want locally sourced vegetables. For the past three decades, Barnard Inn Restaurant has offered gourmet dining and signature cocktails inside a repurposed brick building from 1796. “And driving into Woodstock, there are coffee shops, fun options for snacks and music and high-end restaurants like The Prince and Pauper Restaurant,” Johnston adds.
Countryside homes in Barnard
In Barnard, the road home may be a single-lane, gravel path or a paved, two-way highway. Neighbors are few and far between, and privacy is plentiful: even the lowest priced homes sit on several acres. Architectural styles include farmhouses and Cape Cods. Prices vary widely depending on factors like size and acreage, starting at around $340,000 and peaking at over $2 million. The median single-family home price is about $610,000. The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score.
Barnard students have intra-district school choice
Mountain Views Supervisory Union, rated B-plus on Niche, offers intra-district school choice; this allows students to apply to other public schools within the district. Otherwise, Barnard students who stay where they are zoned may begin at Barnard Academy, which serves kindergarten through sixth grade and is rated A. The school sits alongside a nature trail and within walking distance of Silver Lake State Park, and the curriculum takes advantage of this natural setting for project-based learning. Woodstock Union High School and Middle School, rated B-plus, serves grades seven through twelve.
Barnard events support arts and the community
Fable Farm hosts Feast & Field, a summer concert series spanning genres from Puerto Rican folk to bluegrass. Attendees can enjoy food, like cheese and wine, sourced from a collection of local farms, while lounging on picnic blankets and listening to the performers. The annual shows are supported by BarnArts, a group that facilities events throughout the year, like the 10k around Silver Lake and the Masquerade Jazz & Funk Winter Music Carnival.
Driving around Windsor County
Barnard is a car-dependent area. State Route 12 runs north-south through the community and leads about 10 miles to Woodstock, where locals can get medical care at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center. Burlington International Airport is about 75 miles north.
