
The photos of Walpole, Mass. in this post prove that one does not need to focus solely on tourist destinations to experience the heart and soul of New England travel.
Walpole, a southwest suburb of Boston with small town charm, exemplifies scenic beauty in many areas of town that give locals places to relax, reflect and regenerate. Actually, every town and city in Massachusetts possesses picturesque spots, thus begging the point: See and appreciate Mother Nature’s beauty located not too far beyond your doorstep. The grass is not always greener on the other side!

Sure, we love our Maine coast, the White Mountains of New Hampshire and good old Cape Cod but New England does not end at these kind of revered vacation destinations. There’s scenic New England splendor right around the corner and sometimes most preferred given the lack of crowds and the chance to connect with the locals. This type of experience can actually be more “real” as there’s no expectation to be a tourist. You can just be you!
Without further delay, check out these 52 photos of Walpole that will hopefully inspire you to check out the wonderful communities in New England that tend to fly under the radar…
North Walpole

North Walpole features scenic open land, Willett Pond and big old farmhouses as well as the legendary Bubbling Brook ice cream stand and restaurant right over the line in Westwood.. Adams Farm on North Street — with 365 acres of beautiful land open to the public — abounds with scenery and well-defined walking trails to take you away from the stresses of modern life. It’s a great place for fall foliage leaf peeping, hiking, picnics, cross country trail walking, non motorized bike trail riding, nature photography, bird watching, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and sledding.

Adams Farm is so beautiful! The vast farmland abounds with well-defined walking trails that yield memorable scenery to take you away from the stresses of modern life. At the end of the trail, it is often impossible to hear man-made sounds. Now, how many places like that can you identify in the Boston area?!! Adams Farm is a great place for fall foliage leaf peeping, hiking, picnics, cross country trail walking, non-motorized bike trail riding, nature photography, bird watching, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and sledding.
The red barn offers an inviting scene at the front of Adams Farm…

And walking trails satisfy with peace and tranquility….

Over at nearby Willett Pond, the sunrises provide inspiration so early in the morning and seem to have a different personality every day…


The sunsets at Willett Pond aren’t so bad, either!


Willett Pond will do just fine in the daylight, as well.

And a ride or walk along semi-rural North Street can wake up the senses in no time at all!

Downtown Walpole

This quaint town center spans just a few blocks but features a classic New England town green, stately historic homes (on Common Street), beautiful churches and a nice mix of restaurants and shops.
The town green lends the downtown district a rare spaciousness — so much needed in a world where suburban space is at a premium.

The visual centerpiece of downtown Walpole: the Old Town Hall at the corner of Main and Stone Streets.

The downtown has a particular charm, as evidenced here by this Christmas scene at the 1903 stone gazebo…

This scene of the Old Town Hall from the town common lends a quintessential New England look…

Walking along the town common toward the gazebo on a winter morning lends a magical vibe…

As it also does at the United Church in Walpole on Common Street…


Before winter graces downtown Walpole, the fall season offers a crisp, wonderful feeling that truly has that New England stamp written all over it…

and plenty of community events in idyllic settings like this annual Pumpkin Patch at the Epiphany Parish…

The hidden spots in downtown Walpole also offer scenic autumn gems like the gazebo in the backyard of the Epiphany Parish of Walpole…

Memorial Pond also gives downtown Walpole a relaxed, almost rural feel — a nice quiet oasis just a few minutes walk from Main Street.


Or, how about the “Bridge to Nowhere” pedestrian walking bridge between East Street and Morgan Field?

All in all, Downtown Walpole serves as a great walking area any time of the year like this walk down Main Street with the gazebo and shops and restaurants…

Here’s a beautiful scene with some history including honoring a fallen soldier…

The Common Street town common in downtown Walpole, Mass. features the 1903 C.S. Bird Fountain which was restored and then dedicated in 2008 to Army 1st Lt. Andrew Bacevich who was killed on May 7, 2007, by an improvised explosive device while deployed in Iraq. As a truly generous incentive, the Veterans Development Corporation, of Norwell, Massachusetts, volunteered all the necessary materials and labor to restore the former historic C.S. Bird Fountain in Bacevich’s name.
Historic Blackburn Memorial Hall is a social and recreational gathering place and home of the Walpole Recreation Department…

All in all, quite a nice downtown with a mix of scenery and a well-defined town center!
Bird Park

Bird Park boasts 89 acres of gentle rolling parkland, ponds, large stone walkways and walking bridges, grassy fields and mature shade trees, tree groves, and ponds. Recreational opportunities abound — a well-constructed playground for children five years-old and younger, tennis and basketball courts, cross country skiing, picnic areas and a bandstand for concerts. If you don’t feel like walking, sitting on one of the many benches offers opportunity to peacefully reflect and watch the world go by. No matter where at Bird Park, every step of the way seems to lend a magic moment.

The walking paths bring one to places of beauty and reflection…


The way light shines in Bird Park never fails to add further ambiance…

and the impending changing of seasons might seem initially sad but also comforting knowing this is a wonderful four-season park.

Plus, there’s always a walking bridge to connect us to the pleasing lands at Bird Park no matter what season.

Walpole Town Forest

A true hidden gem, many Walpole residents do not even know about the 150-acre Walpole Town Forest. They should! With public access off South Street, It’s a beautifully cared for forest that shares more in common with New Hampshire scenery than suburban Boston. The most impressive view: the wide, wooden White’s Bridge leading one to a path alongside a most scenic stretch of the Neponset River. About five minutes from White’s Bridge, a dam and rushing waterfall lend a stunning scene, especially at sunset.

The Walpole Town Forest also extends across to Washington Street (access near the corner of South St.) with walking trails framed by tall trees and a volunteer-built boardwalk that connects to another scenic piece of land, Jarvis Farm…



Be sure not to miss visiting the Walpole Town Forest!
The Aggie School

The Norfolk County Agricultural School (also known as the Aggie School) provides an academic and agricultural science vocational experience to high school students. Lucky them! This space of scenic land looks nicer than many college campuses with its several miles of beautiful walking trails and farmland — the latter, not often seen in the Boston suburbs.

The Aggie School is popular during off hours (weekends and later in the weekday afternoons after school) as a spot to enjoy peace, quiet and scenery, along with horses, cows and sheep.

The newer and older barns come across like a greatest hits package of barns through the generations.



After seeing these Aggie School pictures, it might come to no surprise to you that many locals regard this location as the nicest, most scenic place to take a stroll in Walpole.


Conclusion

There is beauty in every town and city. This post simply illustrates Walpole as an example of that theory. Let’s remember many Boston suburbs comprised vast farmland in contemporary history. A big change occurred during post-World War II when suburbia took on significant residential and commercial development. We can, see, however, the template of rural elements here and there and in some towns with significant preservation of that precious land. Walpole is one of those towns, having protected approximately 2,000 acres of land under conservation.

While a town like Walpole continues to experience residential development, the earmarks of a town with many open spaces, as well as several scenic ponds, remains as a community revelation.

We know not what the future brings so enjoy and embrace those scenic lands and traditional American scenes right now in your own community!
More Walpole stuff
Where to eat in Walpole…
Jimmy’s Pizzeria
Rico’s Pizzeria
CRISP
Tessie’s Place
The Raven’s Nest
Napper Tandy’s
Walpole Photo Prints for Sale
Bird Park foliage print
Downtown Walpole Christmas scene print
Fall meets winter on North Street print
Fall foliage at Epiphany Parish gazebo print
Winter on Common Street print