Rural community outside Middlebury in western Vermont
On the outskirts of Middlebury, Cornwall occupies a section of Vermont close to the state line with New York. Lined with a few main roads serving as arteries to the surrounding area, Cornwall is flanked by small, established town parks in Middlebury to the east and by expansive protected natural areas around the rest of the community. “There’s an elegance to Cornwall,” says Rondene E. Wanner, a broker with EXP Realty. “There are a lot of beautiful locations. You can see the Adirondacks from Cornwall. The views up there are amazing. I almost cry every time I see them. The fall is breathtaking up here.”
Cornwall’s secluded nature is a draw for residents. “There is a lot of space to go inward, rather than outward,” Wanner says. “I think all of us are being called to look inward and recognize that we’re reflections of our surroundings. In Vermont, people move to the state to get that inner peace and hold that sacred.” However, if locals want to get out to any number of annual events, central Middlebury is about 5 miles or less from central Cornwall. The town puts on celebrations ranging from food- and music-focused festivals in the summer to seasonal events in the fall and winter, but once the day is over, Cornwall residents have a short drive back to their quiet community close by.
Cornwall’s homes can be newer builds or date back centuries
Homes are mostly concentrated on the main roads and state routes in Cornwall, with single-family properties taking up much of the housing. Some homes date as far back as the 1800s, or even the 1700s, but many were built in the 20th century. “Vermont is said to be the fifth-oldest housing stock in the country,” Wanner says. “Vermont is just so precious. A lot of the charm when you find a property is learning about the history.” Architectural designs in Cornwall are typically ranch-style or older colonial-style homes. Other, newer properties take the form of modern farmhouses. Smaller ranch-style homes can cost less than $500,000, while larger colonial-style properties can carry prices of over $500,000. Newer farmhouses can cost close to or more than $1 million. “I would say probably $600,000 to $700,000 is the average price point,” Wanner says. “Cornwall has only had a handful of closings over the past year.”
Attending middle and high school in Middlebury
Kids can begin grade school within Cornwall itself. The Bingham Memorial School receives a B-plus from Niche and is located near where Routes 74 and 30 meet in central Cornwall. After fifth grade there, students can then move on to Middlebury Union Middle School, which is less than 6 miles east, in Middlebury. The middle school gets a B-minus from Niche. Middlebury Union High School serves grades nine through 12 and garners a B-plus rating from Niche. The high school’s baseball team won the 2024 Division II championship.
Wildlife management areas and parks in Middlebury
In southeastern Cornwall, the Cornwall Swamp Wildlife Management Area is part of the Otter Creek wetlands, which span over 15,000 acres. The management area allows hiking, fishing and hunting, while Otter Creek itself is popular for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. “It’s very rural,” Wanner says. “There is horseback riding and a lot of equestrian stuff going on around there. Bicycling is a big deal up in this area. There are a lot of trails and unmaintained roads. They’re just breathtaking on a bike to take right into Middlebury and back home to Cornwall.” Ledge Creek is a common destination for anglers casting lines for bass. To the west, Lemon Fair Wildlife Management Area encompasses over 1,500 acres while also allowing trapping, hunting and hiking, while the Lemon Fair Sculpture Park lets locals walk amid outdoor artwork from May to November.
To the east, in Middlebury, residents can visit other community parks. Otter View Park and Riverfront Park each provide views of the water, while Wright Park offers a trail of almost 4 miles and also lies along the Otter River. Middlebury Dog Park, Middlebury Softball Field and Middlebury Recreation Center provide additional outlets just south of the community’s center. Golfers can take swings at the public Ralph Myhre Golf Course, which offers an 18-hole set of links and a restaurant. Chipman Hill and Battell Woods are among Middlebury’s town forests, each offering trails for hikers.
Holiday events take place throughout the year near Cornwall
The area has an array of local events in Middlebury proper. A Memorial Day parade in May kicks off a slate of summer events that includes the free Middlebury Festival on the Green, which takes place in the center of town and features a week-long schedule of live music and entertainers close to Middlebury restaurants. Foodaroo is held in August and celebrates Vermont’s culinary scene, bringing in vendors, live music and other activities on a Sunday afternoon. More vendors fill the streets in July at St. Stephen’s Peasant Market, which takes the form of a large-scale flea market and yard sale, while BMP Midd Summer Markets are a recurring series featuring food, music and local creations.
Fall activities include a Pride parade in October and cycling and running events. The community welcomes autumnal weather with the Middlebury Car Show and Fall Festival and celebrates Halloween with the Spooktacular, where families can trick-or-treat on Main Street, visit with shops handing out candy and more. In the winter, Very Merry Middlebury lasts the course of December and celebrates the holiday season with raffles, meetings with Santa and Midd Night Strolls, which spotlight local shops and food trucks.
Drivers can head west into New York
Part of Vermont Route 30 runs north-south through most of Cornwall, before it hooks east and terminates in Middlebury. Rutland and Poultney are each over 30 miles south. The terminus of Route 74 is on Route 30, as well, with the state route shared between New York and Vermont spanning over 30 miles between the two states. UVM Health Network – Porter Medical Center is located in southern Middlebury, also about 5 miles from central Cornwall.
The state boundary is about 14 miles west of Cornwall, where a ferry crosses Lake Champlain – and the state line – to and from New York. “You’re in a really sweet spot there,” Wanner says. “You’ve New York to the east with the Adirondacks, and it’s a hop, skip and a jump to Canada right above you. You’re right in the middle of everything.” Vermont Route 125 spans northern Cornwall and runs westward to the state line. Buses make stops along Main Street in Middlebury. The town has an Amtrak station about 5 miles from central Cornwall.
Restaurants east of Cornwall in central Middlebury
Locals can primarily find area restaurants in Middlebury. Central Middlebury is around 5 miles northeast of central Cornwall, and many eateries are on streets around the Otter River. ShireTown Marketplace has breakfast and lunch, while the Two Brothers Tavern offers a pub-style atmosphere paired with events like themed activity nights and live music. Diners have river views from outdoor tables at Mister Up’s Restaurant & Pub. On the north side of the river, Fire & Ice specializes in steak. “Fire & Ice has such good meals and is one of the best restaurants,” Wanner says. “It’s a really nice atmosphere and has free chocolate milk.” Grocery shoppers can pick up items at Shaw’s or the Middlebury Natural Foods Co-Op, which sit on opposite sides of Washington Street in central Middlebury.
