Marstons Mills offers a rural vibe with access to water recreation
Flecked with ponds and farmland, Marstons Mills is one of seven villages in the town of Barnstable. “Marstons Mills was always … the country part of town, with the farms and open spaces, lots of ponds, fresh water,” says Jim Murphy, the owner of Murphy Real Estate, who used to live in the area. Access to outdoor recreation on its many ponds, as well as the portion of the neighborhood that rings Prince Cove and edges North Bay for access to salt water, are major draws to the area. Murphy says he's lived in Barnstable for 60 years, and although more developed neighborhoods have appeared in Marstons Mills over the past 50 years or so, it's still essentially a rural town. It’s part of the area’s draw, and has influenced the townsfolk’s affectionate nickname for people who live in Marstons Mills: Millbillies. Despite its rural vibe, though, Marstons Mills isn’t isolated. “I liked the peace and quiet and space, and you weren’t too far from shopping and dining..., but you were kind of out in the country,” Murphy says of the time he spent living in Marstons Mills. “It felt like you were a bit removed, peaceful.” Like many communities on the Cape, Murphy says, about half of residents live here year-round, while others maintain summer homes there.
Cranberry bogs have been carved out of the thick forests around Marstons Mills.
Boaters with moorings at Prince Cove Marina can navigate from Marstons Mills
to the Nantucket Sound.
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Water-centered activities in the ponds and Prince Cove, nearby hiking
The ponds dotting Marstons Mills are popular for activities like fishing, kayaking and swimming, though no motorboats are allowed. Several have little beaches or parks on their banks. “The town was smart in that when they became available, they purchased the Burgess property, the Fuller farm,” Murphy says. “Both of them go down to these ponds ... and everyone can enjoy them.” The property, now called Burgess Park, is known for its frisbee golf field, and the Barnstable Land Trust built a barn on Fuller Farm in 2024. The plan is to keep the farm undeveloped; it has walking trails, a few animals and native plants. With so many forested areas surrounding Marstons Mills, other hiking trails are also easy to find, including nearby in the West Barnstable Conservation Area. Across the street, the Olde Barnstable Fairgrounds Golf Course is open to the public.
On the southern edge of the neighborhood where the water is salty, Prince Cove Marina provides a place for boats. Sailing, boating and fishing are favorite activities in the cove and bay, which eventually lead into Cotuit Bay, then the ocean. Even with all the bodies of water to choose from in Marstons Mills, residents aren’t limited to just the ones close to home. “You get a beach sticker in the town of Barnstable and you can go to any of the ponds or saltwater beaches in any of the villages,” Murphy says. And on the other side of the Cape, Sandy Neck Beach is just 8 miles, or a 15-minute drive, away.
Anglers in Marstons Mills know that when the sun sets, the fish begin to bite.
Disc golfers from across the Cape visit Marstons Mills to play the challenging course at Burgess Park.
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Inland and waterfront homes on ponds or Prince Cove
Most of Marstons Mills’ residential streets are lined with thick swathes of trees, so it can be hard to see the area’s Cape Cods and Colonial Revivals. “I had basically no neighbors — we were surrounded by woods,” Murphy says of his home there. “My neighbors were right around the corner, but you couldn’t see them.” Some houses have under an acre of land, but it’s easy to find properties of an acre or more, and Murphy says it’s not uncommon for residents to have horses. Houses without direct water access can start in the high $400,000s and can climb as high as $1 million, though most max out closer to $900,000. Homes along Marstons Mills’ ponds range from $750,000 to $5.4 million, though a fixer-upper can occasionally sell for less. South of state Route 28, homes rarely sell for less than $800,000. Waterfront houses along Prince Cove or North Bay, which have private docks, start around $1.1 million, and Murphy says they can sell for as much as $10 million.
Cape Cod homes are one of the most popular architectural styles in Marstons Mills.
Waterfront homes on the bays of Marstons Mills often feature private docks for their boats.
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Occasional hurricanes can impact water levels, but low flooding risk
Hurricanes or tropical storms occasionally pass over Marstons Mills, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. Although the ponds are in a flood zone, it impacts mostly docks and backyards.
Celebrating Village Day and hosting smaller events at Liberty Hall
On Village Day, Marstons Mills celebrates with a cookout and activities like pony rides, bounce houses and face painting, all stretched out along state Route 149, which is closed to traffic for the festival. Liberty Hall, a small community center in the village, also hosts smaller events throughout the year. “I just noticed the other day they had a Sunday pancake breakfast,” Murphy says.
A few local restaurants and essentials right in Marstons Mills
Although Liberty Hall and Marstons Mills Library are on Main Street, most of the neighborhood’s small collection of businesses and restaurants are on Route 149. Fig Tree Café is a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch. Breakfast items like eggs Benedict and home fries are particularly popular. “They serve duck eggs from a farm right up the road,” Murphy says. Morning Glory Café offers sandwiches and wraps for quick lunches. Along state Route 28, Saga Fusion is a popular sushi spot. Shopping centers also include a hardware store, pharmacy and a Stop & Shop. Downtown Hyannis has more shopping and dining options just under 10 miles away.
Make sure to try the Eggs Benedict at Fig Tree Cafe in Marstons Mills; it never disappoints.
Brighten up your wardrobe with a few garments from Sun and The Moon Consignment Shop in Marstons Mills.
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Attending Barnstable’s public schools
Barnstable Public Schools earn a B from Niche. Children can attend West Villages Elementary School, which has an A-minus, from kindergarten through third grade and Barnstable United Elementary School, which has a C-plus, for fourth and fifth grades. Barnstable Intermediate School earns a B-minus and Barnstable High School has a B. The high school offers mock trial, robotics and role-playing game clubs.
Marstons Mills children begin their academic journey at West Villages Elementary School.
Marstons Mills students conclude their education at Barnstable High School.
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A few major roads run through Marstons Mills
Route 149 and Route 28 both run through Marstons Mills, and it takes under 10 minutes to reach U.S. Route 6 from the village’s center. Cape Cod Airfield is at the edge of Marstons Mills, but only smaller biplanes take off from it. The area’s regional airport, Cape Cod Gateway Airport, is 10 miles away. Cape Cod Hospital is also located about 10 miles away, though there are urgent care centers a little closer to home.
Written By
Christina Norwood
Photography Contributed By
Shawn Miller
Video By
Logan Cox
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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