Town of North Berwick, Maine

Source: Wikimedia
Olde Woolen Mill

Whether you are planning a visit or thinking about relocating, North Berwick, ME has a lot to offer. This picturesque rural town is nestled in among other small neighboring towns including Berwick and South Berwick.

North Berwick is about 15 minutes from the coast and the beach communities of Wells, Ogunquit and York. The town is conveniently located just under an hour from Portland, ME and just over an hour from Boston, MA.

With a population of just under 5,000 this quaint town is a great place to visit or live. North Berwick’s close knit community offers support to their neighbors and visitors alike. On a beautiful sunny day expect to see children playing, yard sales, lemonade stands and lots of people out enjoying the fresh air.

The Lady Mary Bed and Breakfast

Source: The Lady Mary Inn / Facebook
The Lady Mary Inn

A notable attraction in North Berwick, The Lady Mary offers a luxurious place to stay convenient to nearby attractions.

Built in 1893 by the industrialist and philanthropist Mary Hurd, The Lady Mary is Maine’s most impressive Queen Anne Victorian style structure. This beautiful 25-room mansion is worth a visit with its classic woodwork, stained glass windows and painted ceilings.

There’s always something interesting happening at this B&B and well worth checking out. They host cooking, writing and painting classes as well as murder mystery weekends and other seasonal fun.

Bauneg Beg Mountain Conservation Area

If you love hiking or just want to get a high up glimpse of the area add this to your to do list. Bauneg Beg Mountain has 89 wooded acres and 2 miles of trails.

If you hike to the top of Middle Peak you may be able to see as far as the White Mountains on a clear day as well as a panoramic view of the whole area.

Pratt & Whitney

Pratt & Whitney, a division of Raytheon Technologies Corp, is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines and auxiliary power units. They employ about 1,400 people and are considered the largest manufacturing facility in the state of Maine.

Even though they are such a large company and employ many of the residents of North Berwick and neighboring towns they’re nestled away in a wooded area and not very noticeable to the town itself.

Olde Woolen Mill

Also known as the North Berwick Woolen Mill, this historic mill complex is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Located on the Great Works River the mill was one of the first mills to automate the manufacture of blankets and produced uniforms and blankets for Union soldiers during the Civil War.

The mill was used in the 1995 movie Jumanji as the Parrish Shoe Factory. Then in 2009 it was renovated for senior housing and became the Olde Woolen Mill Apartments.

Restaurants and Other Businesses

North Berwick may be a small town but they do have a few small businesses that help keep the community going strong. And you won’t have to worry about driving too far if you need to buy groceries or get gas. Here is a list of a few of them:

• Hannaford Grocery Store
• Johnson’s Seafood & Steak Restaurant
• Bubba Frye’s Wings & Things
• Dunkin Donuts
• Aroma Joe’s Coffee
• Subway
• Dollar General
• Cumberland Farms
• Kennebunk Savings Bank

Other Notable Businesses

North Berwick Historical Society – The Morrell-Sherburne House & Museum is open to visitors from mid-May to mid-September by appointment.

Great Works Farm – This family owned Christmas tree farm also hosts a yearly craft fair in September.

The D.A. Hurd Library – This community library was founded by Daniel Hurd in 1928 and has been a central part of the North Berwick community since. Be sure to check out their annual book sale in August where you’ll also get a chance to purchase food and crafts made by locals.

Parks and Schools

Mill Field Park is a great place for families to gather to play ball or walk their dogs. The park is lined with benches and has a quaint gazebo in the center where live music is often performed during the summer. And every Thursday between 3-6pm
(June-September) you’ll discover something wonderful at the Farmer’s Market located at the park.

Located right in the heart of downtown North Berwick, this picturesque park is overlooked by the old mill. For the 4th of July each year Revolutionary War reenactors gather to put on a show for the public complete with cannon and fireworks.

North Berwick also has a good sized recreational center that can be rented for functions. There’s also a children’s playscape, track for walking and a small sports field for local sports groups onsite. There are three schools in North Berwick – North Berwick Primary, Mary R Hurd and Noble High School (which also serves the neighboring towns of Berwick and Lebanon). This is an added convenience for families living in the area or considering moving to the area.

Whether you’re planning to visit or considering moving here, North Berwick has a lot to offer. Rural and rustic but close enough to large cities North Berwick is a great place to be.