On December 3rd my girls and I went to the Festival of Trees in downtown Exeter, a wonderful annual event organized to raise money for the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce Children's Fund. Fifty trees are decorated, set up on display in the town hall, and auctioned off. All proceeds go towards warm clothing and bedding vouchers for area children in need.
This was the first year I've attended. It was such a beautiful night with warm temps, I just couldn't resist, and my girls had to go because their friends would be there also. In addition to the tree auction there was a horse drawn hay ride, Santa, all the shops were open, AND there was good food to be had.
I noticed The Inn by the Bandstand, located smack dab in the center of town, was having an open house (and I've always wanted to see what it looked like inside) so I made a B line straight there. This was my chance, and I was amazed by just how beautiful it actually was!
Let me tell you straight away, some of these photos are dark or blurry. Photo opportunities without people in them, or without being in someone's way, were limited so I did what I could, and quickly.
Living room just off the front entry. Blurry but very beautiful
Dining room also located just off the front entry
The holiday decorations throughout the inn were incredible. Victoria, one of the owners, has impeccable taste. Wouldn't you love to have breakfast here on a snowy New England morning?
I just loved this tree. I loved the whole Inn!
Looking out onto the town center and bandstand area
The Cambridge Room
The Windsor Suite (my favorite)
The Kensington Room
The Lakeheath Lodge
A view through a window on the top floor. The lines were long to see Santa and view the trees.
And lastly, located in the hall upstairs, a painting of the downtown area in 1982. The grey building behind the bandstand is actually the Inn which has since been painted yellow.Though these photos aren't the greatest I felt it was important to post them. Recently a budget hotel opened in the area and another one will be opening in the spring, both of which will only prove to take customers from this family owned business. I know if I had the choice I would definitely stay at the Inn over any budget hotel!
To see much more of this beautiful place and what they have to offer (as well as better daytime photos) please check out their website:
25 comments:
I'm so glad you took photos! They're very good, Sharon. Night and low light shots are hard to do well.
It's beautiful there. I had a very cozy feeling taking a stroll through that inn. The decorating is gorgeous and I like the way you took a photo of the fireplace mantle with the fire below.
Wow - cold and cozy. I loved it!
Mary
Oh, what I wouldn't give to live in a house like that! Loved the dining room and the living room just off the front entry. We lived in a Colonial style house when we were in Maryland and it was the same way. Such a cozy way to live.
Di
Thank you for sharing that beautiful post. That is like my perfect image of New England and if I ever get back there, I will have to book a night in the Windsor Suite! What a quaint little town!
Thanks,
JoAnn
I love the Windsor Suite. So romantic! The whole place is gorgeous. I would rather stay there too.
My first reaction was " oh,... I must go there and stay overnight." but i'll bet it's wickedly expensive. That will probably change my thoughts. Favorite photo is the closeup of the tree. Love it!
Actually Cedar it's really NOT that expensive.
Right now they have a special where 2 of the rooms are available for $55 per night, per person/double occupancy, through the end of January. Most rooms are under $200 per night.
Check out the website, it's really worth seeing!
www.innbythebandstand.com
Sharon
What a beautiful inn. Thanks for sharing your tour with us. Like your new header photo.
Have a great week.
Glenda
lovely, lovely, lovely...
what holidays are all about, the trimmings and detail.
great photos.
Boy, you lucked out finding an open house there. I love old houses....everything about them. Thanks for the tour :)
How wonderful you could get in the house and take pictures. With every picture I saw I said to myself this is my favorite untill I saw the next one. I think my favorites are the staircase with the plants on the side and the Cambridge room or maybe.....:)))
Best wishes for a prosperous and healthy 2010.
Riet
Beautiful picture.Gorgeous Inn I would love to sty there.
I hope 2010 is good to you.
Hello Sharon.....Now THAT is the kind of inn I LOVE to stay at! Oh, your pictures were divine. That four-poster bed!!! oh my beating heart. Looks like a beautiful little town. Thanks for sharing such wonderful shots. Sincerely, Susan from writingstraightfromtheheart.blogspot.com
lovely series of photos - thanks for sharing - and thanks for the many kind comments on my blog - happy new year
What a stately Inn and very nicely appointed. I appreciate your photos and thank you!
Lovely inn. I always try to stay at a B&B over a hotel. They're so much more charming and you meet the nicest people.
Do they have afternoon tea there? Looks like just the place for my tea group.
Loved these! The rooms are gorgeous!! We used to own a huge Victorian house and that was a ball to fill with antiques too!
Love the house, and the yellow color is very charming! Don't you wish you could decorate your entire house the way this house is done - so pretty!
Thank you for showing these beautiful photos: my favourite is the one looking out onto the street; it looks so inviting.
What a treat to see the Inn during the holidays! Thank you!!!! I happened on to this darling place two years ago and actually stayed here! It was SUCH a treat.
Gayle
San Diego
What a splendid inn. Would love to stay in just one night !
What a beautiful spot on the map. So quaint and it looks like there's a wonderful sense of community, as well. The Inn is gorgeous. The Windsor Suite is my favourite, too. I love going through open houses. Thanks for taking me along.
Loved the house tour! Absolutely gorgeous! Thanks for sharing!
All beautifully presented, I feel the need for a holiday !
What a beautiful place - I'd love to go there on holiday...I love that patchwork quilt too! xxx
I want to stay there! These photos should be shown to the Inn owners..bet they would use a few.
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