Impressive (but not pretentious), large (but still intimate), this is your place for romping at the beach, gazing at the view, lolling in the hammock, using high speed internet in the beamed living room or at the curved window seat overlooking the water, creating great seafood dinners in the updated vintage kitchen, dining in the handsome wainscotted dining room with three sides flanked by windows, drinks at sunset, needlepoint or napping on the breezy screen porch, writing memoirs or painting watercolors on the veranda, swimming and sunning on the sandy beach (stairs go down from the property), and rejuvenating in an incomparable and memorable spot -- or enjoy exploring nearby historic Plymouth, Sandwich, the Cape and Islands. House by the Sea is decorated in restrained Nantucket style. Its oceanfront living has wainscotting, beams, paintings, and books.
A high tech gas old fashioned looking fireplace capable of heating the whole house from the living room fireplace, is dreamy in the 'shoulder seasons' warming the adventurous soul in the colder weeks, contrasting the drama of the crashing waves below. The intimate living room opens to the beamed dining room with ocean views and a marvellous craftsman quality bay window seat. This is a perfect spot for memorable meals, board games, music, TV, or perfect silence in the evening. The old pantry has wineglasses in racks and coffee makers and a view onto a deck with dining and gas grill. The well-equipped kitchen has vintage open shelves, modern appliances, and a cheerful breakfast nook (with ocean view, of course). Mahogany Adirondack chairs line up on the veranda where you can watch a sunset or catch a glimpse of the big dipper, always a sign of our good fortune and abundance in America, winking approvingly in the sky.
A kitchen-side deck has a gas grill and patio table, umbrella and chairs. Picnic tables on the lawn and a rope swing from a picturesque oak add to the yesteryear peace andtranquility of this incomparable home.
There is something special about seeing the ocean surf, bluffs, and beach through 100-year-old wavy glass, vintage lilacs, happy birds, butterflies, and (depending on the season) seals frolicking offshore.
Each of the four bedrooms (plus a 5th bedroom which used to be the maid's private room, but which is now open to the stair railing, making an open loft) has a view of the ocean. Three oceanfront bedrooms have spectacular ocean views, antiques, and comfort, where you will fall asleep to the sound of the rhythmic surf below your window. The largest bedroom is a bunk room for the kids and has two sets of bunk beds plus an additional single bed.
Ski:
You can walk to the Manomet Library or the nicely provisioned wine shop (which looked nicer when it was an old 1920s gambrell home but wasn't quite as popular.) Stroll a little farther to the local grocery store. A two-mile car (or bike) ride arrives at the picturesque Lobster Pound way out on Manomet Point, surround on two sides by the sea. Lobsters can be steamed to order and they sell delicious reinvented gourmet crab cakes (more eggy than bread-y, a real treat, and clam chowder, and lobster bisque. Helps keep you out of the kitchen and in your chaise.
Golf:
The bedroom at the top of the stairs, being a semi-open area, makes an appealing TV or game area away from the grownups who might just prefer not to hear the sound of civilization's clamor. There are three bathrooms; one has a modern shower and new high efficiency laundry, and two have footed tubs updated with high-tech, vintage looking, pressure balanced/up-to-code scald protector shower valves. An outdoor shower lets you get closer to nature. A hammock invites you to check out how your toes look with nothing but ocean-blue behind them. From lawn, porch, and house, you have 180-degree ocean views in an awesome coastal setting. (One person told us it looks like Hawaii.) Sturdy steps (quite a few steps, we must disclose!) descend to a private beach where white sand offers a soft landing. When the tide goes out, pristine sandbars appear, with little tide pools for even the youngest waders and hunters of sea stars (starfish), sand dollars, and the amusing, tiny hermit crabs.
Guest Book:
Manomet has a few coffeshops, a deli, a mom-and-pop Italian restaurant, a pizza shop, and excellent Thai take-away called 'Star of Siam.' A few miles north is Plymouth center with excellent restaurants, Plimoth Plantation (like a trip in a time machine) and nationally important historic sites in a charming old time village setting. Plymouth is a charming nearby town with historic homes, some which date to the 1600s, which you can tour. Antique stores abound in the area for those who need amusement out of the midday sun.
On the 4th of July Manomet Bluffs becomes Disneyland, with the hundreds of campfires on the beach and exciting private fireworks shot off to dazzle the neighbors. At other times, the Manomet Bluffs neighborhood is serene and secluded, with just the local owners and their guests populating the beautiful beach. Set up your easel and try to capture the vista. If 'House by the Sea' is already booked, please inquire about our other properties.
Other Activities:
Historic areas, golf galore, Plymouth Rock, Mayflower
Learn more about this vacation rental at the owner's website: