Pope Beach

Nestled between New Bedford Harbor and Buzzards Bay, the quaint neighborhood of Pope Beach has made its glistening waterfront views the center of attention.

The tranquil essence of the bay is reflected by the community that inhabits it. Picturesque sunrises make walks along the shores a part of the daily routine. The sandy beaches offer patches of rocks to climb while listening to the seagulls, and the town’s wide streets allow for leisurely bike rides without the stress of too many vehicles passing by. Winters are quieter, and year-round residents enjoy watching snow fall, and boats pass across the harbor from shore. As warm weather returns, so do a handful of seasonal homeowners and their families who aim to make summer memories with the coming generations.

Named after the Pope family, who were early settlers of the area, Pope Beach has slowly grown to what it is today. Residential streets run perpendicular to Sconticut Neck Road, the mainline of the beach town, and are lined with mature trees and ample yard space to landscape. Many of the homes in this area were built in the mid to late 20th century, with ranch and bungalow-style houses featuring heavily, plus a handful of unique homes, some stilted along the waterfront. Homebuyers can expect to pay $250,000 for two-bedroom homes and $550,000 for four-bedrooms. “Buyers can get a home on the coast for a reasonable price and have the charm of historic New Bedford nearby,” says local expert Liz Moses with Home and Key Real Estate LLC. Homes showcasing a waterfront view can reach prices closer to $1 million.

Students in Pope Beach are zoned to Fairhaven Public School District, where Fairhaven High School is known as the “Castle on the Hill.” In 2017, the campus was named the most beautiful public school in Massachusetts by Architectural Digest. Fairhaven’s classrooms, which look beautifully frozen in time since its construction in 1905, contrast the school’s progressive outlook on the future. The school received a National Special Olympics Banner for its inclusion efforts in 2022 and earned an A- score on Niche.com. Younger students will spend their elementary days at Leroy L. Wood Elementary, which has an A- score, according to Niche.com, and attend middle school at Elizabeth Hastings Middle School, where class sizes do not surpass 13 students.

Pope Beach is home to several parks offering various attractions and scenery. Along the Phoenix Bike Trail, the Little Bay Conservation Area offers 70 acres of viewable nature where visitors can enjoy lunch at one of many beach picnic tables that provide a coastal breeze to cool off. Also found along the trail is a pier that offers a spot to fish while taking in the views. Those looking to relax can swim along the beach and graze through cattail patches stretching from Pope Beach down to the shores of Cove St. Scenic Vista.

Residents can cure their hunger with a lobster roll from Bayside Lounge, which features outdoor seating and live music. Found just a short walk away is Mac’s Soda Bar, best known for its breakfast menu, and Sivalai Thai Cuisine, serving traditional Thai dishes that taste as good as they look. The closest grocery stores, Stop & Shop and Walmart, are located on Sconticut Road, 2 miles north on the other side of Route 6. The shopping development is also home to a few fast-food chain restaurants, alongside a handful of stores and pharmacies like Marshalls and Walgreens.

Fort Phoenix State Reservation, which can be seen from the shores of Pope Beach, offers bayside scenery and historical abundance. Visitors can travel back in time by getting an up-close look at cannons from the American Revolutionary War. A summer mini-trip favorite is West Island Town Beach, just a short drive south of the neighborhood. “A lot of residents visit in the warmer months. It’s a local favorite and has a beach town vibe of its own,” says Moses. The site offers swimming in the summer months and panoramic views year round. Pope Beach residents can take in the sights of their own secluded shores or seek out busier attractions in the surrounding area. No matter where you spend your time on this New England peninsula, the views impress all the same.

Written By

Matthew Simmons

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Mark Tilley