Hampton offers community, nature and fresh produce 37 miles from Hartford
Hampton, 37 miles from Hartford, Connecticut, is a close-knit rural community in Windham County. “The person I sold to in Hampton said he loves it there; he says it’s such a nice, super small-town mentality,” says Holly Regoli, a Realtor with HomeSmart Professionals Real Estate who has been working in the industry for over 17 years. “He says the neighbors are super nice. He loves being in the country.” Much of Hampton’s rolling hills are made up of farms and farmstands, offering a closer option for produce than the 8 mile drive to Walmart. Surrounding the rich farmland, nature preserves and forests are abundant in the bucolic countryside, making fishing, boating and hiking common pastimes for most residents.
Fishing and hiking in forests and preserves
Trail Wood is a nesting ground for native birds and is protected and preserved by The Connecticut Audubon Society. The 168-acre woods house the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edwin Way Teale’s Writing Cabin, along with a beaver pond, four miles of trails and bird-watching opportunities. While the space is open to the public, Trail Wood is privately owned and hunting, fishing, biking and camping are not permitted. For a full list of prohibited activities, visit The Connecticut Audubon Society website. Nearby, the James L. Goodwin State Forest has 14 miles of trails and the 135-acre Pine Acres Pond. The pond is available for fishing and boating, though gasoline boats are not permitted. Diana’s Pool, 5 miles away, is a scenic fishing area along the Natchaug River.
Shopping and dining in nearby towns and farm stands
There are no restaurants in Hampton, so most residents head to Willimantic or Hartford for shopping and dining. Blondie’s Diner in Willimantic serves American comfort food and will occasionally have live music. Just outside of Willimantic in North Windham, 8 miles west of Hampton, is a Walmart Supercenter and an ALDI for groceries. More restaurants, retailers and entertainment venues line Hartford's Main Street, including Sorella, an upscale Italian eatery serving classic Italian dishes and bar food. Closer to home, Full Moon Farm offers seasonal vegetables, fruit, meat, eggs and baked goods every Saturday from June to October. Other farm stands have fresh produce such as eggs from Hawk Feather Farm, syrup and maple candy from Bright Acres Farm Sugarhouse and other fresh or homemade items from local farms.
Farmers markets and festivals
The Storrs Farmers Market, 13 miles away, runs Saturdays from May to November and has a winter market in the Mansfield Public Library and the Buchanan Auditorium, 9 miles west, on the first and third Saturdays from December to April. The Hampton Community Center hosts events and programs throughout the year including a running club and town board meetings. In September, the town puts on the Hampton Harvest Festival at the town hall. The festival offers vendors, hayrides, games and a petting zoo.
Homes on large lots in simple styles
Farms and houses on large lots line State Route 97, which cuts through the whole of Hampton. Homes are in a variety of simple styles with a median build year of 1983. Houses in the area are in the farmhouse, Colonial Revival, split-level, saltbox and ranch-style ranging from $275,000 to $500,000. The CAP Index crime score in this area is a 1 out of 4. The national average is 4.
Local elementary school and a regional high school
Children attend Hampton Elementary School, which gets a C from Niche, and is the only public school in the area. Students attend seventh through 12th grade outside of Hampton at Parish Hill Middle/High School, which receives a B-minus and is in Regional District #11. Parish Hill offers students online courses through its FuelEd program.
Commuters use U.S. Route 6
Hampton is equidistant from Hartford and Providence, Rhode Island. Commuters use U.S. Route 6 to travel 37 miles east to Providence or head west to Hartford in under an hour. Commuters also use Route 6 to reach Willimantic, 16 miles west for shopping and dining
The nearest hospital with an emergency room is Rockville General Hospital, 29 miles away. The Bradley International Airport is 50 miles west. Hampton has two local churches, the Our Lady of Lourdes Church and the Hampton Congregational Church.
