Historic Barn @ Harper's Hill

Entire cottage in Port Orchard, Washington

  1. 7 guests
  2. 3 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 2 baths
Hosted by Frances
  1. Superhost
  2. 12 years hosting

Listing highlights

Century-old cottage with fireside charm

A wood-burning fireplace, fire pit, and private garden on a 10-acre wooded property

Fran and Laurie go above and beyond

Guests call this their favorite Airbnb, praising the thoughtful touches and the hosts by name
This historic two-story cottage was once a barn and is one of three AirB&B listings on our 10-acre property atop Harper's Hill surrounded by woods and just 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
"Barnacres" is a quaint 100-year-old barn lovingly made into a two-story cottage and nestled in the woods on a quiet lane -- just a five-minute walk uphill from the Puget Sound. It has 3 bedrooms with 2 baths (no tubs, just showers) and sleeps 7 (or 9, if you include the summer bunkhouse outback.)
We are just 1.5 miles from the Southworth ferry dock with direct service to Vashon Island and Fauntleroy/West Seattle, you can walk here in 40 minutes or drive it in 5.

Altogether there are three separate homes on the property that can accommodate up to 15 - 17 during the summer. Ask us for the links.

We also live on the property so you may see people wandering around from time to time but all units are completely separate and tucked away.

This is a peaceful spot and the ultimate in "slow-life" where you truly step back in time. An excellent place for a cozy gathering with family 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 wood stoves and fireplaces. Only 40 minutes from Seattle by 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. Plenty of puzzles and board games. We are also wired for WiFi and have a vintage wood-cased TV with basic cable.

It is a short walk downhill to the new Harper Pier which includes a water-level dock that you can jump off into the brisk Puget Sound! Local anglers also hang out on the pier and 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 short list 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.**

EV CHARGING
We have a 240 volt Nema 14-50 outlet that delivers up to 40 amps. You are welcome to use it at no extra fee. You will need your own portable charging cord. In the near future we will install a charging unit with cord and CCS connector.

Guest access
Guests have access to the entire house, the grounds, some informal trails on the property, a delightful seasonable heirloom garden, and fresh eggs from our hens. We also provide a starter supply of firewood.

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: We use down pillows and comforters.
* This is the country. We live in the woods. These are the critters you may 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 like if you were in a campsite.
* Keep an eye on your pets and children while walking in the woods or near the chicken coop.
* We cannot control Mother Nature or her critters!

If you are taking the ferry across, 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 Fauntleroy Ferry is a 40 minute walk from the property; at the other end are a few nice restaurants, Lincoln Park with beaches, and an outdoor heated salt water pool!

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 ParkIf you are taking the ferry across, 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 Fauntleroy Ferry is a 40 minute walk from the property; at the other end are a few nice restaurants, Lincoln Park with beaches, and an outdoor heated salt water pool!

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

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Garden view
Beach access
Kitchen
Fast wifi – 256 Mbps
Dedicated workspace

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Rated 4.97 out of 5 from 123 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is a guest favorite based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 97% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 3% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars for value

Guests mention

Where you’ll be

Port Orchard
A harbor town with a foot ferry across the water, local streets open to mountain views and a quieter pace on the Kitsap Peninsula.
This listing's location is verified and the exact location will be provided after booking.

From the host

There are walking and biking trails and parks nearby. Quiet country roads wind through a natural, unassuming and semi-rural woodsy neighborhood with chicken coops and horse pastures. Drivers still wave at one another and when they pass pedestrians. The historic 54 acre Harper Community Park has a delightful trail that drops down to the waterfront and a small picnic area and baseball diamond.

Within walking distance: a small convenience store located at the Southworth Ferry dock (40 minutes walk) and a small and eclectic cafe 5 minutes down the hill at the new Harper Dock, but they have very irregular hours.

Meet your host

Superhost
537 reviews
4.98 out of 5 average rating
12 years of hosting
Born in the 60s
My work: Writer / Designer
This property has been in our family for seven generations. In the early days, our relatives spent happy summers on the hill living in simple, utilitarian tent platforms while enjoying the woods and time together. Over the years, uninsulated bunkhouses, cabins and cottages replaced tents and eventually some family moved to live here all year round. People often say that the minute they step foot on the hill, they feel that it is very special. It is a place to rest, relax, rejuvenate, spend time with others, and enjoy the natural beauty of the woods. Truly an “old-school” Pacific NW retreat! We thoroughly enjoy our guests!

Frances is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-hosts

  • Laurie
  • Michael

Host details

Response rate: 90%
Responds within a few hours
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