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Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!

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Sunset at Higher Ground
Exterior
Emerson Pond on Higher Ground
.
.Comfortable seating; sleeper sectional

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6102.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Rindge, NH
  • Place, Cathedral of the Pines
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Place, Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark
    ‪40 min drive‬
  • Place, Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manchester, NH (MHT-Manchester-Boston Regional)
    ‪64 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!

Called "A little slice of heaven" by one renter, this scenic property we call Higher Ground captures the beauty of rural New England. The cabin is a modernized 1903 cottage with 1100 square feet of comfortable living space that includes three bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and one full bathroom. Fully furnished and delightfully decorated, the living room contains an American Leather sleeper sectional (in fabric and a queen plus size pull out bed) with maximum seating for relaxing. The sizeable screened front porch is also furnished and a great place to watch the exquisite sunsets or enjoy the lake and mountain views. Other amenities include washer, dryer, iron, stove and microwave. Outside, there is a wide 1300 foot hiking trail down to the private lakefront beach. Two kayaks and two paddle boards are available for fishing or recreation. There is a small sand box for the kids as well as a wonderful place to swim, have fun, picnic and relax. With an occasional chime of church bells from Cathedral of the Pines, Higher Ground is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy the beautiful creation.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Lake is not too close for kids = parents enjoy!
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
The barn is off limits.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

About the area

Rindge

Located in Rindge, this cabin is in the mountains and on a lake. Rindge Historcal Museum and The Monadnock Center for History and Culture are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Cathedral of the Pines and Jaffrey Civic Center. The Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation Performing Arts Ampitheater and Sharon Arts Center are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Rindge, NH

What's nearby

  • Cathedral of the Pines - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Franklin Pierce University - 9 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Great Wolf Lodge Waterpark - 40 min drive - 42.6 km
  • Wachusett Mountain Ski Area - 44 min drive - 50.4 km
  • Merrimack Premium Outlets - 53 min drive - 61.8 km

Getting around

  • Fitchburg Station - 34 min drive
  • Nashua, NH (ASH-Nashua Municipal) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dunkin' - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Aroma Joe’s - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Golden Wok - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Domino's Pizza - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!?

As of 22 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun! on 23 Mar 2026 start from AU$384, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Lake Cottage est 1903! Private and relaxing waterfront, family fun! located?

Situated on a lake, this cabin is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Cathedral of the Pines and within 3 miles (5 km) of Betsy Fosket Wildlife Sanctuary and Fosket Wildlife Refuge. Rindge Historcal Museum and Ridge Common are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 51 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 51 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 51 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 51 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 51 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect weekend getaway

Ryan’s property is beautiful and peaceful. Its exactly what I would describe as a perfect summer getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olesya B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another wonderful stay

This is our third stay at Higher Ground for our family of four, and this stay has been just as wonderful as our previous ones. It's a well-appointed, beautiful, and peaceful property. Some of the highlights for us included having breakfast on the porch, fishing and kayaking on the lake, and spending our evenings by the firepit grilling hotdogs, eating smores and stargazing. We are looking forward to our next stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elisabeth E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little paradise!

How wonderful is this cabin. The perfect trade-off between being remote and in nature, but in a super cozy, well equipped, and super comfortable house! We hope we will be back to enjoy another time… Landlord / manager were excellent in communication, and very flexible. Thank you
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ingrid K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay!

Staying at Higher Ground is like being transported to a retreat. The property is so expansive, secluded, and scenic. Right from the house is a view of Mt Monadnock and the lake down the hill. The sunsets over the lake were breathtaking. The house itself is a rustic-style cottage but with all the comforts and decor of a cozy resort. The furniture was nice, lots of great seating. We loved using the fireplace on chilly mornings and evenings. The beds and pillows were very comfortable, we all slept so well. Everything was very clean, and the kitchen had everything we needed. All communication was easy and quick. We enjoyed the little hike down to the water to enjoy the lakeside, it’s so great how much room there was to wander around on the property alone. We spent our last morning sitting outside on the screened in porch and found it hard to leave. Thank you Ryan and Heidi for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olesya B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another wonderful stay

We stayed at this property last year and loved it so much we came back again. Great location, so peaceful with lots of room for our kids to run around. The house is beautiful, extremely well-stocked with anything you might need. We used the firepit every night, kayaked, fished, and just enjoyed the peace and quiet on the porch. We will definitely be visiting again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeaneane M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of the best we've ever rented!

Really lovely 'camp' cottage! So cozy and welcoming inside. Well appointed with necessities and 'toys' and great opportunities for nature viewing and outdoor fun in the water. Wish we could have stayed longer. Beautiful, peaceful place and attentive hosts.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Location

Beautiful location.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Family Spot. Cozy Cute and Clean

There was a big lawn beautiful view, fire pit, tire swing and the lake was nice and fairly secluded. Fishing Poles. Life jackets. Boat all waiting for us. Beds were crazy comfy. The screened in porch was a wonderful place to hang out. The house was so well decorated it really felt like we went somewhere special. The upstair rooms are small and old and squeaky but still so charming.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tricia K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Magnificent cottage with breathtaking views

Amazing things come in small packages. While this beautiful mountaintop cottage is small, it is perhaps the most wonderful vacation home we've stayed in. The property is secluded - not a neighbor anywhere in sight. With views of the lake on one side and Mount Monadnock on the other, you can just sit and gaze at the beautiful landscape for hours. You have your choice of amazing picnic spots - either down by the spectacular lakeside, or up by the cottage with the mountain as your invited guest. The cottage itself is the true definition of cozy - you walk right in and feel like home. The decor is charming, and while the home is small, it has everything you'll need from a well-appointed kitchen, a comfortable table for six, a kitchen island with stools to set up a laptop, and strong wi-fi signals (if you really must work.) The home was incredibly clean, with touches like fresh firewood at both of the fire pits (one by the lake, one by the cottage), as well as fresh firewood for the wonderful wood-burning stove - which we took advantage of on one of the chillier nights. The screend-in porch is a delight, and an extension of the living space to the house. We sat outside to enjoy the view, and played cards at the table. Getting down to the lake, for the many times we did during our stay, is a challenging walk but thankfully we took our FJ Cruiser on this trip and drove down the steep and rocky path when toting our lunches with us. Finally, not to ignore the fact that quality sleep is important, the beds are also quite comfortable. The area is charming - quiet and beautiful landscapes. Mount Monadnock and Pack Monadnock, the stunningly beautiful Cathedral of the Pines just next door to the cottage, and numerous walking and hiking trails enable an outside person of any level find something they can enjoy. However, we ended up staying in more than venturing out, because we just did not want to be anywhere else but at this charming little cottage tucked away with the most amazing views. I highly recommend this beautiful get-away, and will definitely come back again. Thank you for creating a wonderful vacation home, and wonderful memories, for so many to enjoy!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful cabin

Loved the cabin. So beautiful with the view of the lake and Mt. Monadnock!!!! Beds were super comfortable. Well stocked house. Perfect location. Enjoyed sitting out side using the firepit. Would for sure stay here again and recommend to all!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Olesya B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to get away

We loved our stay at the Higher Ground. Our family of 2 adults and 2 children ages 5 and 10 had a comfortable and fun-filled stay. The house was comfortable, clean and had room for everyone to spread out. We mostly stay in VRBO-type rentals and this property was the most well-stocked one we had ever stayed in! Don't bother bringing laundry detergent, shampoo, kitchen basics. In the kitchen they have salt, pepper, oil, napkins, aluminum foil, zip locks, paper plates. Firewood and matches were provided (Market Basket also sells firewood if you run out). They even provide fishing rods and lures. The kids had fun running laps on the huge lawn, cooking sausages and s'mores in the fire pit, swinging on the tire swing and exploring the lake. The stargazing at night was amazing. We stayed over Labor day and had no issues with bugs. The walk to the lake was fine for us. It's a bit steep and not great for going back and forth frequently if you forgot something. But it only took us about 3-5 minutes each way. We loved our stay at Higher Ground and are already planning to come back next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Henry C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Quiet & rustic, but not as close to the water as you think

The house is great, with almost all amenities you may need. The biggest issue is the distance to the water is about 15 minute walk down a fairly steep incline that is very rocky and slippery, worse when it rains as it washes out the path a bit. If you have little kids it is and event to get to the water, once there it is not a big beach more of a small landing area with a dock. It is very beautiful, scenic, and quite. The bugs are horrendous during the day and night. Going outside after 7:00pm the bug level jumps 1000% and your attacked instantly. The screened in porch is great and keeps most bugs out. The AC is perfect for inside comfort on the hot days. Water pressure is great, there is only a shower, no bath, so if you have little kids its a challenge. The Shower is small and not the most updated part of the house, the handle on the shower kept falling off. Washer and dryer are new and great, bed down stairs and couch downstairs are very comfortable, upstairs beds are OK, but a challenge to get to if you have any leg or back issues. The stairs to the 2nd floor are a bit sketchy and super creaky. All in nice quaint country place, but nothing to do around you. If you want to not see anyone, or go anywhere beyond maybe hiking, and enjoy a 15 minute walk to the water down a buggy inclined path. This is the place for you. Very scenic, rustic, and quiet. Best for adults and older children above 12 years old I'd say. Great sunsets and sunrises as well with a few well placed fire pits in front of the house and down by the lake.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Time Away!

We really enjoyed our 3 nights at Higher Ground. The weather was really warm (90s) so the Central Air in the house was a nice relief when we wanted to come inside and good for sleeping. The beds were extremely comfortable for sleeping. The welcome basket was such a kind gesture and the house had lots of amenities that I haven't received before at other properties I've rented from. We really enjoyed the screened in porch, tire swing and fire pit and the view of the mountain. I have a Jeep Cherokee so we drove down to the beach and enjoyed the morning kayak rides and we caught fish right off the dock. It's a very quiet lake. We spent many hours in the water. Thank you for sharing your home with us. We really enjoyed the time away.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Diana S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation home with access to a beautiful lake

The home is by a beautiful lake, great for swimming. The screen porch has a view of the mountain and lake and is lovely for eating and talking. Access to the lake is by a steep rocky path which probably should have been mentioned since it's not suitable for the elderly or small children. Also one bedroom is behind another upstairs so you have to go through the other bedroom which could cause privacy issues. But the lake is wonderful and there is hiking nearby.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great!

We stayed here for a family vacation with 2 parents and 2 teens and had a lot of fun. The house was beautiful, very clean, and super comfortable, a wonderful place to return to after a day of hiking or biking. Temps reached the 90s so we were very thankful for the central AC. And what a pond... so awesome to kayak, paddle board, and hands down the best open water swimming we've done in years.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jasmine D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

We had a wonderful long weekend. My husband and I traveled with our children (4, 2, 7 months). There was plenty of space, and so much to do outside. We loved the area, the house (very comfortable spaces to sit and relax and the beds are so comfortable) and the property. My favorite part was the screen porch! The kids loved the tire swing, the dock, swimming and fishing - we caught 4 fish! The fire pits were great, too -- one near the house and one near the water. We drove down to the lake -- best to do with the kids although you could easily walk. The use of the kayaks was great, too and the kids loved finding all the outdoor toys in the porch cupboard. We loved our stay and will definitely return! -- We woke up to deer every morning! So cool.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Christina K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Wonderful with one small issue

Higher Ground was a lovely clean house with a cute screened-in porch and a gorgeous view of Mount Monadnock. The kitchen, while small was remarkably well stocked with kitchenwares. Emerson pond was also lovely and quiet. The property has a nice dock, rope swing, lots of seating and the kayaks and paddle boards were great. I would definitely give a 5 star rating if it weren’t for the one issue: the path to the pond is tough and I wished I’d know beforehand. Elderly people, and very small children needed to be driven down to the beach and it was a steep drive that required a sturdy 4 wheel drive vehicle.
Stayed 12 nights in Jul 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia G.

Lovely and comfortable

We stayed over a very cold Thanksgiving weekend and found this little cottage delightful. We worried that it would be drafty but it was warm and cozy. The large sectional couch held all five of us comfortably and there were several other chairs. We played cards at the dining table, made breakfast in the well-equipped little kitchen and admired the view from the top of a wooded hill down to a secluded lake. The hosts were very responsive and thoughtful. They provided k-cups and other basics. While it’s a small and historic cottage, the appointments are new and comfy including the shower. I believe the coziness added to the warm feeling of togetherness for the group. I would love to visit in warm weather and swim in the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

Higher Ground

The cottage was perfect for us. After time at Camp Invention our 3 grandchildren enjoyed swimming in the lake, cook outs on the gas grill, the tire swing and an evolving chrysalis of a Monarch butterfly. Air conditioning was a life saver on such a hot week! The cottage was well provisioned, beds comfortable and location private and close to nature. Loons serenaded each evening. The camp manager was very attentive to our needs. A great rental experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexander M.

Fantastic Rustic Get Away

Higher Ground was our home base for me and my groomsman. We couldn't have found a better place. Beautiful views, a fantastic lake, paddle boards, peace and calm. It was absolutely wonderful.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

stan p.

Excellent

Wonderful experience! The house, grounds and pond are exactly as portrayed.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne O.

The house was really well decorated and clean!

We had a great time here for a long weekend. This little house is on a very large lot with a short walk down to Emerson Pond. There is a fire pit near the house and another one down by the lake with a picnic table, kayaks and paddle boards. We felt like we had the lake to ourselves! The water was warm and we had a perfect view west for the sunset! Great location too - not too far of a drive for us from southern New England, another hour north from the cottage to Lake Sunapee and 30 minutes to Mt. Monadnock. We will definitely come back to this quiet, country cottage when we need a break!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy D.

Quaint Cottage

We had a wonderful stay at this quaint cottage. We did venture down to the water briefly, but spent the majority of our visit on the screen porch. The property has plenty of space for outdoor play and the pond looked quite inviting! Rain and thunder kept us on the porch! The interior is decorated nicely and the master bedroom was very comfortable. I would definitely stay here again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelli S.

Wonderful vacation

We had a great time in the house with our 7 and 9 year old kids. We enjoyed kayaking and nearby hiking. A very relaxing few days in a beautiful house. One note for people with mobility issues or very young kids, the walk down to the lake is long and steep.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Brittany D.

Perfect Lake Cabin!

We loved our time at the cabin! We spent 4 nights in August with our two young children and loved the house and all the benefits of lake living. The cabin was very clean and beautifully decorated with two bedrooms upstairs in the loft and another downstairs. The sandy beach was great for the kids with a fire pit to warm up and even a rope swing for the big "kids." We didn't want to leave! Jessica, the property manager, was very attentive and even had some snacks and treats waiting for us when we arrived. Highly recommend! We'll be back if we have the opportunity!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017

About the host

Hosted by Ryan Townsend

Host profile image
Higher Ground is owned by Ryan and Heidi Townsend. It is a retreat home that is used for meeting family and friends. We own a furniture and design business and have a passion for creating spaces people will enjoy and love. We decorated Higher Ground with the goal of making it functional as well as serene and beautiful. We hope you come and enjoy this little slice of heaven as much as we do!

Why they chose this property

I (Heidi) was raised in Rindge and while returning home to visit family, I stumbled on this beautiful property in 1996. It was nostalgic and reminded me of a summer cottage my parents had owned when I was young. Higher Ground was originally built by a professor from Boston College in 1903 as a summer home. It still had some of his original belongings in the barn in 1996. I instantly fell in love with the charm of the cottage and the beauty of the landscape. Since it borders Cathedral of the Pines, the first day I was there I heard the chimes playing. Instantly, I felt a heavenly tranquility that is still there to this day. It holds some of my most treasured memories raising my children: horseback riding the many trails nearby, canoeing on the lake, hiking, campfires in the evening, swimming in the early mornings and just relaxing! It truly is a retreat from the hustle and bustle of a fast paced life. We hope it will be that for you too. Blessings!

What makes this property unique

This property is on a paved road but is completely secluded. It has a 6 acre field as well as beautiful woods to explore. The lake has a 50 foot cleared beach area and has no public access, making it quiet and serene.

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English
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