The Chesnut Cottage is the perfect quaint romantic getaway or rustic writer's retreat. One of three AirB&B listings on our 10-acre property atop Harper's Hill, it is surrounded by woods and a short walk up from the Puget Sound where you can fish from Harper pier or kayak over to Blake Island. The Southworth ferry terminal is just over a mile away providing direct access to both Seattle and Vashon Island. Harper is the perfect base camp for exploring the beautiful Kitsap and Olympic Peninsulas.
The space
The Chesnut Cottage (or "Little House," as we have always called it) is the perfect quaint romantic getaway or rustic writer's retreat. It's cozy and completely self-contained with one bedroom, a living room that includes the original brick fireplace, and a spacious kitchen with washer and drier. The bathroom features a small (and short!) clawfoot tub.
It feels the most 'urban' of our properties because it is closest to our gravel road, closer to the water, and is within sight of a few neighbors, including our great, great grandfather's craftsman style (c. 1897) home. It still feels private since it is tucked into the woods. Through the trees you can also see the water and, if you look carefully, the shores of Lincoln Park in West Seattle.
This 1905 cabin used to belong to our Aunty Suzy and cousins Vicky and Brad, our family antique collectors, and we have lovingly decorated it with a number of their curio's.
We are just 1.5 miles from the Southworth ferry dock and mini-mart; you can walk here in 30 minutes or drive it in 5.
This is a peaceful spot and the ultimate in "slow-life" where you truly step back in time. A cozy place for a couple or perfect for anyone seeking solitude and a slower pace, surrounded by nature. While quite comfortable, we still hand-wash our dishes, bbq using charcoal, and chop wood for the fireplace. Only 40 minutes from Seattle by ferry via Vashon (25 minutes, if you happen to catch the direct ferry), this is a wonderful place to unhook from your fast-paced life and curl up with a book and a cup of tea in front of a roaring fire.
It is a short walk downhill to the baseball diamond at Harper Park, the newly restored estuary and kayak-launch area, and the new Harper Pier which includes a water-level dock with a swimming ladder; you can jump off into the brisk Puget Sound! Squid fishermen and local anglers also hang out on the pier or fly fish from the rocky beach. Next to it is a funky coffee shop that is open when it suits the friendly owners.
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PETS:
**Please note: We do consider pets on a case by case basis. Pets are not allowed without prior approval. Approved pets will be subject to a $45 fee and are not allowed on the furniture. We ask you to follow a shortlist of common-sense house rules, mainly with the pet's safety in mind. We will use your damage deposit to cover damage or extra cleaning if need be.**
Guest access
Guests have access to the entire cabin, the grounds, some informal trails on the property, a delightful (seasonal) heirloom garden, and fresh eggs from our hens when laying. We also provide a starter supply of firewood.
Altogether there are three separate homes on the property that can accommodate up to 15 -17 during the summer - plus a small modest studio for yoga nestled in a bamboo grove, which can accommodate up to 20 people (book separately).
We live on the property nearby. However, all units are completely separate and tucked away from one another in the woods.
Other things to note
*** Please remember you are coming to the country…it is enjoyable, beautiful and quiet. Here are some guidelines to help you enjoy your visit:
* Bring sunscreen, mosquito repellant in the summer season. If you are allergic to insects or pollen be sure to bring your antihistamine. Note: there are down pillows and comforters.
* This is the country. We live in the woods. These are the critters you will occasionally see: bees, spiders, foxes, skunks, mice, moles, opossums, raccoons, garter snakes, birds, eagles, hawks, owls, deer, and rabbits. Always be aware of them and respect their boundaries.
* If you leave your food out or dishes in the sink unwashed with food on them, you may attract field mice and ants. Please keep the kitchen clean and food put away, just as if you were at a campsite.
* Keep an eye on your pets and children while walking in the woods.
* We cannot control Mother Nature or her critters!
If you are taking the ferry across from West Seattle, we suggest you stock up at PCC, Trader Joe's, or Thriftway in West Seattle as the gastronomic choices are better on that side. Once on the peninsula, the Fred Meyer nearby has a reasonable organic & natural food section, and Central Market in Poulsbo is excellent.
Drive to Bremerton (30 mins), park your car there, and walk on to the ferry that takes you directly to downtown Seattle and the Pike Street Market.
The Southworth-Fauntleroy Ferry is a 35-minute walk from the property. It stops at Vashon Island and terminates at Fauntleroy, in West Seattle. On Vashon, there are many funky places to hang out and at Fauntleroy, you can walk to Lincoln Park with beaches and an outdoor saltwater pool!
You can ride your bikes along the water all the way up to Manchester State Park (great views of Bainbridge Island) and around to Port Orchard, with numerous inns and places to dine and imbibe along the way.
We are perfectly situated to explore the Olympic Peninsula:
- 30 minutes from waterfront parks on both sides of the Kitsap Peninsula with stunning views of Seattle and the Cascades to the East, or Olympic National Park to the West.
- 30 minutes from Tacoma, Point Defiance Park and Zoo, old town antiques, and the Museum of Glass.
- 1 hour to historic Port Townsend
- 1.5 hours to Port Angeles and the ferry to Victoria, B.C.
- 1.5~2 hours to Lake Crescent, Olympic Nat'l Park, Hurricane Ridge, and Sol Duc Hot Springs
- 2~3 hours to La Push, Neah Bay Makah Tribal Center, Pacific beaches, and the Hoh Rain Forest
- 2 Hours to Mount Rainier National Park
