provide, Maple Syrup.  From the buttery first run to the bold dark amber syrup

fantastic for baking and pancakes.  Head on out to a local sap house on the weekend of March 24&25 and have a taste, see the whole process in action and help support some hard working men and women by picking up a bottle or two of pure Maple Syrup.

Great to be Outdoors!!

We are fortunate in the state of New Hampshire to have a large selection of Cross Country Ski Areas, and one just happens to be very close to us.  Just a few miles away in Wolfeboro, the Nordic Skier operates 30km of groomed trails that offer views of Lake Winnipesaukee and the White Mountains.  Nordic Skier has rentals and a full retail shop.  Pick up a lunch at the Downtown Grill and then head out to glide along the snow and take in the views.  Afterwards, head back to the Wakefield Inn and warm up by the fire.

What about the family that has both an interest in downhill and nordic skiing?  Head over to Gunstock Mountain, they are about 45 minutes from us.  There you can choose to cross country ski the 50km of trails of hit the downhill slopes.  I have enjoyed many days of my youth speeding down the trails there, and the views of the Lakes Region are fantastic.  Who knows, maybe you will see me there.

Just give us a call and we are happy to answer your questions about winter activities, and create the perfect winter adventure. 603-522-8272 or email us at info@wakefieldinn.com

HoHoHo!! Welcome to Wakefield Inn

Oh my, Christmas is just 10 days away, and I do not know about you but I still have some gifts to get.  And of course they are for the people on my list that I just have no idea what to get them.  Okay, so maybe I can’t get away with giving them a gift certificate to the Wakefield Inn but possibly you could.

These can be used for a stay, cooking classes and even on of our summer dining experiences.  We would be happy to customize the certificate for you if you give us a call.  If you  are anything like me though, and it is 12 am in the morning when you do your shopping, we have just added the link for gift certificates to the right side of most pages so it is easy to find now.  We wish you happy shopping, and we wish you and yours the Best this Holiday Season, and a healthy and Happy New Year for 2012.

10 Fun , Must Do activities within One Hour:

1. Castle in the Clouds:  The title says it all, and once you visit this mystical place you will want to go back again and again. Stop in to see Zeus, the largest horse in the US.

2.19th Century Willowbrook Historic Village: Step back in time to the Victorian Era, and walk the grounds, see a real one room school house, a Concord Coach, clothing, farm implements and a home all set just waiting for the owners to come back.  My girls even like going back, so it must be fun:) Just ask us for your free tickets for 4 before you go.

3. Lake Winnipesaukee: Many ways to see New Hampshire’s Largest lake; Drive around, walk along or take a boat.  From the docks in Wolfeboro you can take the M/S Mount Washington or the Antique boat Millie B.

4. Squam Lake Natural Science Center is a great place for the entire family.  Walk the nature trails and see all kinds of animals, up close and in a natural setting.

5. Loon Center Set along Lake Winnipesaukee, this center for the study of Loons is a great place to get outside in nature and walk along the trails.  You may see nesting Loons and other wildlife, you will definitely the beautiful landscape.  You can also go on a lake cruise to see the Loons and the Bald Eagles.

6. Remick Country Doctor Museum Living and Sustainable Farm in rural New Hampshire with animals to see and touch, activities for the whole family.  Check out their website for the Hearth side dinners and step back in time when the family meal was cooked over the open fireplace.

7. Canturbury Shaker Village  The Shaker movement in New Hampshire reached the peak in the mid-1800′s then the Industrial Revolution started and changed all that.  Visit the village set in the New England countryside and walk in the footsteps of Shakers.

8. New Hampshire Farm Museum is an outstanding example of rural family life 200 years ago.  Walk through the barn and the house, hear the history and then walk the grounds and see the gardens.  Before you leave be sure to check out the gift shop and get some locally made products to take home.

9. Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center: 160 acres of forest, fields and ponds with 3 miles of trails to explore.

10 Wright Museum See the collection and display of artifacts that illustrate the Second World War’s significant and lasting impact on American life. Check this place out, you will not be disappointed.

1. Learn a new skill  My hope is that even the seasoned cook can take away some new knowledge from my class.

2. Meet new people  In this age of texting and computers, the human element of just talking and meeting seems sometimes lost. The cooking class brings people together on common ground.

3. Try new foods  “Variety is the spice of life” and my classes have lots of spice and herbs too!!

4. Getting to play with your food  If your Mom was like mine she said to stop playing with my food….in this class it is not only allowed, it is encouraged.

5. Work with SHARP knives   Okay, maybe that sounds scary, but I will show you how to work that knife like a pro, and to maintain the edge for a sharp and safe cutting experience.

6. Play 20 questions  I love questions, and the more that are asked the more others learn, so bring it on, and try to stump the chef!!

7. Aromas  My staff comes in the kitchen asking what smells will I be teasing them with today, since the aromas waft through the house. We not only get to smell the food, we get to eat it as well.

8. Using some new gadgets  Try it before you buy it right here in my kitchen.

9. Eating and Drinking  We get to eat the fruits of our labor along with a glass of wine selected to pair with the meal.

10. DESSERT!!  Need I say more.

A cooking class makes a great activity to do together with friends, is a great gift for the epicurean in your family and who knows, maybe you will even get a laugh or two while you are here.

We have classes going all the time, and the days, and times vary, just give us a call and we can discuss what day would work best for you, and what it is you really want to learn.

I will start with the Inn, since it is located in the center of the Historic District.The first part to be built about 1804, it is believed, it the southern ell, which is the main dining room today.  The three and a half story, federal style main block was built about 1816 for William Frost.  Mr. Frost was a seaman, who hired carpenters Jacob and Isaac Chesley who happened to be twin brothers.  He wanted a house that was bigger, different and more elaborate than all the houses in Wakefield. When Mr. Frost ran out of money, and the payments slowed, the Chesley twins were forced to take over the house.

The Chesleys continued work on the house that became known as Frost’s Folly.  Once the house was completed, the brothers moved in and made it their home for many years. The Chesley Mansion was a beautiful and special place.  The house was sold to Mr and Mrs. Benjamin Tibbetts as their home. In 1890, the building was completely renovated and their son, Henry, opened it as an inn called the Elmwood Inn.  In 1891, the prolific American Poet, John Greenleaf Whittier stayed here on his last trip to New Hampshire.

In the many years since, there have been several owners, some using it as a home and some as a restaurant or lodging. It has been called the “Wakefield House”, “Carriage Stop Inn”, “Williams Elmwood Inn” and the “Sprial Staircase Inn”.  With one of the tallest freestanding spiral staircase still left in existance, the Wakefield Inn is the only Inn of the heyday of the railroad in Wakefield, that is still in operation today.

I am also busy working on the spring menus for all the cooking classes and for the Summer Dinners at the Inn.  This year the restaurant will be open Thursday, Friday, Saturday and alternating Sundays 5:30-8:30pm.  We will have the 5-course dinner and NEW this year we will offer the option of any 2 for $25.  We are also adding new items to the Wine and Beer list, and will have some great wine from NH’s own Zorvino Vineyard.  More to come on that later so stay tuned….

We have new robes, towels, sheets, and soaps to pamper you during your stay.  I even have these great little rubber ducks with chef hats in our gift shop for $5, just too cute.

We also offer In-Room massage, a great way to enhance your get-away.  I can personally vouch that our masseuses are GREAT!!!! Just contact us and we can help with all you relaxation needs.

New fallen Snow!

We are offering our “Tube’Inn package, a great 2 day retreat from the hussle and bussle of life.  Enjoy wine and cheese by the fire in our Common room in the evening after a long day of enjoying the winter beauty.

The skiing is amazing this year, and we are only 40 minutes from King Pine Ski Resort, they even have night skiing on Saturday.