Bedminster is a rural community north of Philadelphia
Winding roads and swaths of farmland characterize Bedminster, a rural community in southeastern Pennsylvania. Proximity to the boroughs of Plumsteadville and Perkasie, as well as Lake Nockamixon and its surrounding park on the north side, means vibrant community events and recreation are never far away. “Bedminster is a slower pace,” says Deana Corrigan, a principal and Realtor with Compass RE in Pennsylvania. “There’s less traffic, fewer crowds and more space. It has larger properties, woods and developments; that’s why people are moving out there. You see a lot of old, stone farmhouses and horses in the fields. It’s an outdoor-living lifestyle.”
Though Bedminster’s name originates from a town in England, its moniker is apt; its countryside is a bedroom community for nearby cities like Philadelphia and Allentown, which are within driving distance for commuters. “It’s a much more laid-back community and it’s not congested,” Corrigan says. “You’re just having to drive a little bit to get to the major cities.”
Pennsylvania farmland dotted with single-family homes and townhouses
Bedminster offers a mix of housing styles and options. “They have built a lot of townhouses out there for younger generations and retirees,” Corrigan says. “There’s huge farmland out there, but builders are buying up the farmland and putting houses up. It’s growing and changing, but affordable.” Single-family properties feature a variety of architecture in Bedminster, including Cape Cods, colonial-style homes, ranch-style homes and custom designs. Those properties are typically priced between $400,000 and $900,000. Farmhouses on acreage can fetch over $1 million. Some single-family homes can date back centuries. Townhouses can cost between $300,000 and $600,000.
Three Pennridge School District stops for students
Kids in the community are served by the Pennridge School District, which garners a B rating from Niche. Students can start out at Bedminster Elementary School and Pennridge North Middle School, both of which receive B-plus ratings. Pennridge High School earns a B and is a certified National Banner Unified Champion School with Special Olympics Pennsylvania due to its efforts toward inclusion.
Outdoor recreation is popular on and around Lake Nockamixon
Lake Nockamixon and Nockamixon State Park line the northwest side of Bedminster. The park itself spans more than 5,000 acres, offering miles of hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course and seasonal hunting. While the lake prohibits swimming, visitors can swim in the park’s pool; boating and fishing are popular on Lake Nockamixon, as well as skating and ice fishing when winter arrives. “Lake Nockamixon is very popular,” Corrigan says. “It’s a big draw.” Near the state park, State Game Lands 139 and Haycock Mountain are popular for in-season hunting and hiking, respectively. Pinehickon Park has two ballfields for area baseball and softball leagues.
Restaurants in historic and classic settings around Bedminster
Diners often head to the area surrounding Bedminster for restaurants. The Plumsteadville Inn offers brunch, guest rooms and an extensive menu in a historic building, and close by the Devil’s Acre Tavern serves German fare. DAG’s Bar and Grill and the Historic Piper Tavern both dish out American food. The Bucks County Brewery has a beer garden and live music. The Perk is one of the region’s most popular restaurants, serving up American classics less than 10 miles from central Bedminster. “Everybody loves the Perk in Perkasie,” Corrigan says. “It’s the most popular place to go.” The Plumsteadville Giant grocery store is about 4 miles away, while Walmart and Target are less than 20 miles west in Quakertown.
Residents must drive to get to Philadelphia and Allentown
Due to Bedminster’s rural landscape, locals need personal vehicles to get around. “There’s no public transportation or anything like that,” Corrigan says. “You have to have a car.” Central Bedminster is about 16 miles from Interstate 476, often used by commuters to reach Philadelphia more than 40 miles south of the community. Allentown sits less than 30 miles north, while Trenton is over 30 miles away. St. Luke’s Grand View Hospital provides medical care less than 15 miles away in Sellersville. Lehigh Valley International Airport sits about 30 miles north.
Annual events in nearby Perkasie
The neighboring borough of Perkasie is home to a number of community events. The Perkasie Farmers Market is a seasonal operation with vendors and live music. The market’s holiday events include a tree lighting that dates to 1909, a fall festival, a Memorial Day parade and the Summer Concert Series. “It’s more of a tight community, even though it’s spread out,” Corrigan says. “They have seasonal festivals and historical stuff going on.”