Wenham is a section of Essex County with an alluring rustic atmosphere that has been preserved throughout time. Among the oldest towns in Massachusetts, present-day Wenham still has a mainly residential footprint, filled with large homes on rural lots. "There's more elbow room and open land there," explains Realtor Holly Fabyan, a Vice President with J Barrett & Company. Drawing on her experience selling throughout the county, she explains: "But the property tax rates are higher in Wenham than elsewhere in Essex County." With the higher tax rate comes more infrastructure, and the Hamilton/Wenham shared downtown area offers several resources, from a library and post office to top-rated public schools.
Wenham has a deep and fascinating history in Massachusetts.
The Hamilton-Wenham Garden club gifted this beautiful space to Wenham in Pingree Park.
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Hiking opportunities and public parks
The town has about 300 acres of recreational green space, much of it heavily forested and undeveloped. J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve sits along the edge of Wenham Lake with a series of hiking and mountain biking trails. The trails run along the lake and around the remains of a 19th-century estate. The Wenham Country Club has a golf course, and Myopia Hunt Club hosts regular polo games. And closer to town, kids enjoy Pingree Park's forest-themed playground and athletic fields.
Take a hike though J.C. Phillips Nature Preserve in and discover a new view.
Kids in Wenham enjoy the playground at Pingree Park.
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Locally sourced produce and downtown restaurants
One of the town's most-loved restaurants is Wenham Tea House, open since 1912. Held in a charming Cape Cod home, the establishment is known for its brunch and high tea. Tendercrop Farm is right nearby, offering a selection of locally sourced produce, meat and dairy. There is a wider variety of restaurants in the neighboring town of Hamilton, which shares its downtown area with Wenham. POST has a warm but refined atmosphere, and the Weathervane Tavern is an old-school classic. The downtown area has all the small-town necessities — a post office, fire station, public library and grocery store.
Tendercrop Farms has a wide variety of fresh local produce.
The Wenham Tea House is a great spot to stop for a relaxing lunch.
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A shared school district with Hamilton
Wenham and Hamilton also share a well-regarded public school system: the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District. “They just redid the school system a few years back; that’s been a draw for people,” Fabyan says. Children in Wenham can attend Buker School from kindergarten through fifth grade, which gets an A-minus rating from the website Niche. The district's A-rated Miles River Middle School has a world language department that includes Spanish and Mandarin. And kids finish out at Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, rated A-minus, which offers a variety of AP classes. The district is currently undergoing another project to renovate and update its elementary schools, with a projected completion date of August 2028.
Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School has an overall Niche grade of A-.
Bessie Buker Elementary School is a highly rated, public school located in Wenham Ma.
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Access to the Boston Commuter Rail
Residents can access the Hamilton/Wenham Commuter Rail station just off Main Street. This station is a convenient asset for commuters in the area. Locals can hop on the train here and reach Boston, about 30 miles south, in roughly 45 minutes. For quicker trips into a city, Beverly is only 4 miles away.
Colonial homes on large lots
Wenham is known for its large yards, with most properties situated on an acre or more of land. These homes sit back from main roads, given privacy by mature trees. For three-bedroom homes, prices start around $700,000, but the majority of properties are around $800,000 to $1.5 million. Most date back to the mid-1900s, but a few new builds exist. Styles include low-slung ranches or stately colonials, and higher prices come with modern renovations. A few luxury homes with backyard pools and private drives get up to $2 million. There is a more populated feel closer to downtown, with smaller lots, sidewalks and quaint stone walls.
This home built in 1710 on Cherry Street in Wenham boasts a large sunny front yard.
Stately contemporary builds are available in this newer part of Wenham.
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Local faith-based college
The town is home to Gordon College, a Christian-based institution founded in 1889. The grounds are filled with historic buildings and a small student population of about 1,500.
Wenham is home to Gordon College, a Christian-based institution founded in 1889.
Gordon College in Wenham grounds are filled with historic buildings.
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