Bailey's Mills Bed & Breakfast

Thankfully, our historic bed and breakfast emerged from Hurricane Irene with no damage.    The roads near us are improving every day and getting here is easy.   The excellent restaurants closest (1, 5, 11 miles) to us plus many others in Woodstock also have no damage.  Some major roads in Vermont have closed sections, but in all cases "You can get there from here" even if you have to take the road less traveled.  The smaller roads with smaller problems have been quicker to fix.

A winding country road, rolling meadows, an old mill stream, an historic cemetery.

Yes, it's a quiet neighborhood.

Bailey's Mills welcomes our guests to a beautiful historic home. Whether you ski (at Okemo, Killington or Ascutney) or visit area attractions or seek a weekend away from your busy life, you will find a comforting peacefulness here.

Since we are a Green Hotel in The Green Mountain State a Bailey's Mills Gift Certificate is a great Green Gift Idea. You will be giving a truly all American experience, no part of which has been made in China.

Bailey's Mills is full of interesting features that delight the eye and pique curiosity about the history embodied here. Innkeeper, Barbara Thaeder has the enviable task of welcoming guests to a circa 1820 home where time has been kind. A genial ambiance emmanates from pleasingly proportioned rooms where decorating details honor the historic spirit and comfortable furnishings invite lingering a while to take it all in.

The common rooms include a fireplaced library and a garden room. The library has over 3,000 volumes plus board games and puzzles and windows that view into the garden room with its myriad hanging plants. Sofas, rockers, easy chairs and tables encourage you to gather for games, snacks, afternoon tea or your own evening libations.

In addition to enjoying the house itself you will want to explore our extensive grounds and our rural neighborhood. Whether you prefer long country walks or a drive along unspoiled back roads, there are plenty of choices.

Warm weather makes the porch especially inviting where rocking chairs, a sofa and a hammock on the upper level facilitate the favorite pastimes of star gazing, reading, napping, listening to the stream. Cold weather enthusiasts ski at Ascutney, Okemo or Killington or cross country or snowshoe at several nearby centers. They return to warm up at the library's hearth.

"We are a Green Hotel in the Green Mountain State"

From the Vermont Explorer's Guide
by Christina Tree and Peter Jennison (Countryman Press)

"As happens so often in Vermont, surprises lurk at the end of a back road, especially in the case of this venerable but recently opened guest house... [with] several comfortable rooms...romantically furnished with antiques."

"We've had a magical time here. The atmosphere is perfect for a couple on their first anniversary. Lovely location, gracious hosts, adorable bedroom and a delicious breakfast. Thank you!"
Heather & David, PA

"Thank you for your kind hospitality over these last six days. It has been just the right formula - tranquility, beautiful setting, perfect location, great company, not to mention those fantastic breakfasts!!"
Marc & Kate, England

If you are a dreamer...and you dream of the perfect country house, here you are in the right place."
Elena & Giovanna, Italy

"We particularly loved breakfasts on the porch and star gazing at night! Vermont is so special and your place reflects all that is Vermont."
Kim & Robert, NC

"The only reason I can think of for wanting to leave is so I can begin anticipating our next stay."
Joelle & Henri, MA

"We don't want to go home!"
Dean & Michele, NY

"We have been staying at B&B's for almost 10 years and this is our favorite!"
Joy & Joel, NJ

"We came in search of a place to stay. We found that and so much more. We found warmth and friendship and beauty and peace. We found good friends, good food and good conversation. We found ourselves in so many ways. Thank you.
Glenn & JoAnn, TX

"The room was cute and cozy. The bed was so comfortable and the house enchanting. Not to mention the delicious breakfasts..."
Zach and Emily

"...One of the loveliest bed and breakfasts. And we sleep really, really well - with delicious food and a great cup of tea when we return from our adventures."
Pat and Jim

"...Our room was perfect. The view from our romantic bed - whether the fire at night or the snow-frosted trees out the window - was delightful."
Mary and Fred

As some of you already know, the Food Network filmed a segment in the Bailey's Mills kitchen the summer of 2004. This is the Secret Life of Food, a Christmas special series, and we made fruitcake for this episode. It will have reruns for the 5th season December 2008.

The Fruit Cake was created from my experience with Don receiving fruitcake for several years from his sister Jean at Christmas. As with many recipes, it is a work in progress. Click here for our Fruit Cake recipe!

The program is not a Julia Child demonstration. It is a romp through various Christmas foods and there are many. Out of the 60 minute special, about 5 minutes is at Bailey's Mills and Reading and it goes very quickly. It was distilled down from about 2 and a half hours of raw footage. They treated us very well. Please scroll down the page to view a couple pictures of the photo shoot!

Breakfast is available 8:30 to 9:30 and other times on request. Please ask.
Breakfast is served buffet/family style.

We serve a full breakfast. Quiche, French toast or omelets made-to-order (usually from local "free-range" hens) accompanied by bacon, turkey sausage or ham may be on offer as hot entrees. Select from large bowls of fresh fruit, Baba Louis Oatmeal Bread, homemade pie, hot muffins, plus granolas, juices, yogurts and Vermont cheddar cheese. Help yourself to freshly-brewed coffee or tea. Our Sunday Waffles are made to order and served with local maple syrup.

Summertime breakfasts may be enjoyed on the front porch adorned with flowers in window boxes and hanging baskets. From May 10 to early September "our" hummingbirds provide lively entertainment.

Informal refreshments are provided for afternoon or evening snacks. A large assortment of regular and herbal teas is available.

Area Attractions

• Historic Woodstock for sightseeing and shopping
• Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock VT
• Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Site, Woodstock VT
• Queeche Gorge, Queeche VT
• Calvin Coolidge Historic Site, Plymouth Notch VT
• Simon Pearce Blown Glass & Handmade Pottery, Queeche
• Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, Cornish NH

Arts & Entertainment

• Pentangle Council for the Arts for movies and live performances, Woodstock VT

Outdoor Recreation

• Okemo Mountain Ski Resort, Ludlow VT
• Mt. Ascutney Ski Resort, Brownsville VT
• Killington Ski Resort, Sherburne VT
• Golf/ Tennis/ Cross Country Skiing, Woodstock Inn, Woodstock VT

Places to Dine

• Keepers Café, Reading VT
• Seed House Café, Reading VT
• Kedron Valley Inn , South Woodstock VT
• South Woodstock Country Store, South Woodstock VT (lunch only)

Need help planning your trip?

• Woodstock Chamber of Commerce, Woodstock VT
• Okemo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Ludlow VT

Got some time to explore? Lucky you! Start with a walk at Bailey's Mills. A brook bisects our land and its euphonious babble is ubiquitous. Lower Road, now a private trail, reaches our two tiny ponds, one for people and one for frogs. There are picnic tables and a raft.

"...The morning we spent floating on the pond will be the vacation memory I'll pull forth when the need arises - reminding me of the serene time spent there..."
Barbara and David

Continue on Lower Road to a our new path edging the stream: Voila! Fairyland! Water crosses solid rock where Nature has created little cascades and clean pools. Man added a mill whose stone remnants guard the stream and keep their secrets. Secluded and unique.

"...The room, the creek, the sweet smells of natural life all make this place enchanting."
Elaine and John

We have two additional wooded trails and we expect you to have trouble picking a personal favorite.

"...Can we take the stream home with us? Or at least a recording?!"

Then venture out for a drive in the countryside. A two mile ride brings you to the Jenne Farm which draws photographers at dawn's early light. You might want to join them and return for breakfast.

Another excursion is based on the Wood's Apple Cider Jelly we set out at breakfast. We'll gladly sell you a jar but it's best to visit the farm where it is made, about 25 minutes from Bailey's Mills. The hill country is very rural with great views. Nearby the Wood's Farm you can pick summer strawberries or autumn apples at Wellwood Orchard. Then drop into Springfield for a bite at the Morningstar Cafe. So: Cider Jelly + Wood's Farm + great views + Wellwood Orchard + Morningstar = win, win, win, win,win! Pick up directions in the parlor.

Ask for more ideas you won't find in any guidebook - we have quite a few.

Bailey's Mills Road threads through a narrow valley settled in the late 18th century. A strong sense of history intensifies as you pass the quaint town cemetery and then the driveway curves gently past the long, long sleep of area residents. Bailey's Mills looks very southern with a two-story porch and fluted columns. But this patrician facade belies its commercial origins that were tied to the economic fortunes of the community that blossomed here 200 years ago.

In 1794, Levi Bailey (1766-1850) purchased a dam and a mill here. The following years brought some prosperity and expansions. By 1808, he required the good will of David Hapgood, his next door neighbor, so he could buy more land. But, in fact, Levi had so irritated Hapgood that he instead donated the coveted acre to Reading for use as a town cemetery, ensuring that Bailey could never control it. Thus was created "Spite Cemetery."

Between 1800 and 1850 an industrial and commercial complex surrounded the house. A woolen factory, 3 stories tall, plus other mills and a blacksmith shop bustled with activity. Owners and employees lived in the brick house. They shopped at the general store within. The "Store" is very rustic with huge doorway, exposed beams and old stencilled drawers with (now) exotic labels such as "Gum Myrrh" and "Snuff". An eclectic collection of tools and household items fills the shelves.

The penny-pinching nature of old Levi Bailey survives in several stories. One tells of a boy given a penny to spend in the store. He carefully surveyed his possible choices and at last decided on the largest fig in a box. Mr. Bailey took the cent and carefully regarded the fig. Then he announced it was too large a fig for a cent and after taking a good-sized bite from the fig, gave it to the astonished boy.

From the Boston Area, take I-89 to Exit 1 in Vermont. Turn left from the exit ramp onto Route 4 toward Woodstock.

From the Woodstock Green take Route 106 five miles to South Woodstock and another 5 miles to the Keeper's Café, opposite a real estate office. Turn right onto Bailey's Mills Road, passing old farms and homes. Follow 1 mile to a fork and keep right. We are the first driveway on the left, at the cemetery.

From the South, take I-91 to Exit 8 in Vermont. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left on Route 131. Follow 6.5 miles to Route 106 and turn right. Go 8 miles, passing Route 44 and then taking the 3rd left onto Bailey's Mills Road at Keeper's Café. Follow 1 mile to fork, then keep right. Bailey's Mills is on the left, at the cemetery.