Sutton is a rural town in the Northeast Kingdom
Sutton is a rural town in Caledonia County with about 900 residents. It’s part of the Northeast Kingdom, which encompasses Vermont’s northeast corner, an area known for its natural beauty, undeveloped land and abundance of outdoor activities. Sutton is no exception – homebuyers are drawn to the area for its scenic seclusion and proximity to premier hiking, cycling and skiing destinations. “It’s an outdoorsy community,” says Patricia Emery, broker/owner of Parkway Realty, who has sold homes throughout the Northeast Kingdom since the 1970s. “And it’s still mostly rural, which people really like.”
Biking the Kingdom Trails, hiking Willoughby State Forest, skiing Burke Mountain
Sutton and the surrounding towns are known for their scenic beauty and abundance of outdoor activities. The Kingdom Trails, an over-100-mile premier bike path with sections that weave through private landowners’ backyards, runs through Sutton. Specifically, The Crown of Sutton route offers views of the White Mountains, tree-lined streets and the countryside. Willoughby State Forest is just north. Cliffs rise out of the roughly 1,700-acre Lake Willoughby, more resembling a Nordic fjord than a New England lake. “On either side of the lake, there are hiking trails that go over the cliffs,” Emery says. “It’s beautiful.” When the weather turns and snow piles high, skiers glide along the area's many trails; when it's warm, these trails are popular with hunters, hikers and fishermen. More skiing can be found nearby on Burke Mountain. About 8 miles east, Burke Mountain Resort offers trails for all levels, as well as mountain biking routes, some of which connect to the Kingdom Trails. Burke Mountain Academy, an elite ski racing school on the mountain, has trained over 30 Olympians and multiple World Cup athletes.
Homes along country roads
In Sutton, rocky streams and rows of pine trees run along some roadsides, many of which are unpaved. Some dirt roads pass open fields, where barns and farmland dot the gently rolling terrain. The Green Mountains rise in the distance. Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and ranch-style homes are common, and prices can range from around $200,000 to $750,000, depending on a property’s size, age and condition. Land is also available, and plots can cost about $80,000 to $680,000, depending on the acreage.
School choice through Vermont Town Tuitioning Program
Sutton is served by the Kingdom East School District, which receives a D grade from Niche. The district has a student-teacher ratio of 23-to-1 and educates about 2,000 students. However, students have options. Through the Vermont Town Tuitioning Program, students may apply to any school, public or private, in or out of state, that is approved by the Vermont Board of Education or an equal state authority.
Shopping and dining in nearby towns
Because the area is so remote, locals will need to travel to nearby towns to run most errands. To the east, in Burke, there are a few restaurants: Tomassoni’s Bistro serves hearty portions of Italian food, and The Orange Rind has trendy cocktails, bowls, sandwiches and more. About 8 miles southeast, in Lyndon, locals will find small markets with a limited grocery selection and prepared food items, as well as more restaurants. The closest grocery store is C&C Supermarket, which is about 12 miles from the center of Sutton.
Driving around Sutton
Sutton is rural, so residents will need a car to get around. U.S. Route 5 cuts through the rough center of the area, leading from New Haven, Connecticut, to Canada’s border. It’s a short drive to U.S. Interstate 91, which travels north-south through New England. Patrick Leahy Burlington International Airport is about 91 miles west.
Written By
Adreanna DeMarino
