Dutton Berry Farm has three locations in Southern Vermont.  They sell a wide variety of wonderful fresh fruits, vegetables, homemade fudge and jams.  Some even have a full bakery with homemade soups.  Last year we even get our Inns Christmas Tree there.

Of course, Dutton Berry Farm still has plenty of berry’s – which of course are where it all started.  The owner Paul grew up in Southern Vermont on a Dairy Farm.  He pursued his education in Agriculture and gained hands-on training in Michigan while working on some berry farms.  In the early 1980’s he moved back to Vermont, married his wife Wendy, and they opened their first farm stand.  In the mid to late 1980’s they purchased their first “Duttton Berry Farm” and stand in Newfane, VT (still open today).    By the early 1990’s they purchased their second location an orchard in West Brattleboro and then yet another farm stand in Manchester, VT.  Just this past year they built a brand (and quite beautiful if I may say) new farm stand at their West Brattleboro location.

Don’t want someone else selecting your berries for you?  Picking your own fruit is a great way to spend a summer day here in Vermont.  Dutton Berry Farm offers Strawberry and Raspberry picking seasonally from 7am – 7pm.  Strawberry season runs from about June 15 – July 15 and Raspberry season runs from mid July through early September.  Berry picking is one of my personal favorite summer time activities.  I love using the fresh picked berries in our scrumptious breakfasts like my Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast.

Dutton Berry Farm stands are located on Route 30 in Newfane, Route 9 in West Brattleboro, and in Manchester, VT.  Hours vary seasonally.   Dutton Berry Farm products can also be found at the Brattleboro Farmer’s Market every Wednesday and Saturday from May – October.

There are so many great things to do in and around Brattleboro.  If you are like us, we sometimes obsess over trying to figure out a “plan” when we travel.  So for those who want a plan, and for others who may just be wondering what there is to do around Brattleboro, we have now put together a sample itinerary of a great trip to Brattleboro Vermont.

Our sample covers a 5 night stay (we could have gone on even longer!) but combines a fun mix of outdoors, arts, entertainment, dining and of course some relaxing too.  You can check out what we have put together on our Inn website under the “Our Area” tab.

If you are from Vermont, or have any suggestions for the itinerary, we would love to hear your thoughts!  Leave us a comment or send us an email.  Let’s make it easy and fun for people to choose Brattleboro as their summer getaway!

Of course, we hope you’ll stay with us at Forty Putney Road Bed and Breakfast when you do take the trip to Vermont!

So our blog has been rather quiet recently, as we have taken some time off for the holidays.  But in doing our holiday shopping, we made a trip up to the Vermont Country Store and thought we would share our experience to get back in the swing of things!

The Vermont Country Store is a popular attraction in Southern Vermont with stores in Weston, VT and Rockingham, VT, both just a short drive from Forty Putney Road and Brattleboro.  Many of you may already be familiar with the Vermont Country Store through their catalog and Internet sales.  But to fully appreciate this piece of Vermont’s history you really need to go to one of their stores.

The Vermont Country Store was founded in 1945, yes over 60 years ago, by Vrest and Ellen Orton.  Vrest and Ellen created a 12 page catalog with 36 high quality and practical items in it and mail it out to everyone on their Christmas list.  Word began to spread and In just one year they had a booming mail order business.  In 1946 they opened their first store in Weston, VT which is still open today for your shopping needs.  Today both stores are owned by 3rd and 4th generation Orton’s…Lyman, Eliot, Gardner and Cabot.

The Vermont Country Store is still stocked with high quality and practical items.  All of the best Vermont Cheeses, preserves, Vermont Maple Syrup, penny candy, warm cloths, hats, etc.   This new generation of Orton’s have taken things one step further by finding unique and nostalgic products.  Eliot Orton says it best “We still find products that aren’t sold any where else.”

Unique would certainly define the “Attitude Adjuster” or perhaps one of several models of moose hats.  But its the nostalgic toys from my childhood that really brought me back.  They sell real easy bake ovens (that’s right with the 25 watt light bulb to cook your sweets).  Rockem Sockem Robots, Monkey’s in a barrel, the rubix cube just to name a few.  There are also the products that have fallen out of products and the Orton family has purchased the patent and began producing it themselves.  My favorite example is Lifeboy Soap.  You may remember this soap from the popular Christmas movie, A Christmas Story.  This is the brand of soap Ralphy’s mother used to wash out his mouth when she thought she caught him using inappropriate language.   Pick some up and relive the moment (we picked some up for our brother in law, who recently had his first child and loooves the Christmas Story movie!).

During your next visit to our inn be sure to take the 30 minute drive to The Vermont Store in Rockingham, VT or the slightly longer drive to the original store in Weston, VT.  No matter which one you choose you are sure to discover something you have never seen before, and something you haven’t seen in forever…

The Vermont Country Store directions and details can be found on their website.

We are happy to welcome the new Grafton Cheese Factory and country store here to Brattleboro.  As you would expect, this new state of the art facility has a viewing gallery where you can watch the process of cheese making through the large display window on the second floor.  What you may be surprised to find however is that the first floor is a wonderful place to literally get a taste of Vermont.  Not only will you find delicious Grafton Cheeses, you will also find about 60 other Vermont and Imported cheeses in a variety of styles.  Lactose intolerant?  No worries – Grafton Cheese Company is also fully stocked with other local and Vermont products.  You will find Mocha Joe’s Coffee, Side Hill Farms Jams, Vermont Smoke and Cure Meats, Maple Syrup and more Maple Syrup, Vermont Chocolates, Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream…and more (and more and more).  My favorite part of course is the sample bar.  I love to sample good food before I purchase it.  One final unique touch, a wide selection of fine wines, displayed and organized by cheese pairings.  Educational and delicious!

For the kids and animal lovers of all ages out there you enjoy the Retreat Petting farm which is located just out front.  This is a must stop if you are visiting or driving through Brattleboro.  Conviniently located just around the corner from our Vermont Bed and Breakfast, on Route 30 opposite the Retreat Meadow.