Michaelmas Cottage 1769 - Family\/Pet Vacation - Rural Annapolis Royal
About this cottage rental
Michaelmas Cottage is an ancient house built in 1769 by Benjamin Rumsey (a Connecticut transplant and Chancellor of the Cheque in Annapolis Royal) on previously Acadian land in Granville Ferry (next door to Annapolis Royal). This is a beautiful building with remarkably little alteration done to it over the centuries. It sits on an acre of land largely fenced at the front, and many acres of field stretching back to the South Mountain and beyond to the Bay of Fundy. There is a partial view of the water from the front of the house, but its great charm and beauty lies in its age and interior atmosphere. The owner loves sitting outside the house on the stone flag terrace, at the picnic table under the trees, or on the slightly raised main floor deck at the side of the house under the apple tree. The house is painted in warm colors, has 6 fireplaces (one discovered during renovation and a seventh suspected on the second floor) enormously wide floor boards (no trees of this size are left in N.S.), a huge brick oven in the Summer Kitchen, a narrow twisting and steep staircase to the second floor bedrooms (Bear in mind this might not be appropriate for an arthritic or extremely elderly person, or for very young children. Please examine the photographs!) , sky lights, beams, a large colorful bathroom on the main with another on the second floor, sloping ceilings or rafters in the bedrooms, a colorfully tiled and well equipped kitchen with wooden ceiling, etc. This is a treasured and lived in family home. The owner is not always here and travels extensively. The house is crammed with interesting collections from afar as well as photographs by the owner who, besides being an anthropologist, is also a professional photographer. You will experience the “soul” of this house by living here. It is perfect for family visits with the dog. There are flowering apple trees and lilac in the spring and it is very close to the delightfully picturesque village of Granville Ferry which hugs the shore en route to Annapolis Royal, 15 minutes by foot away. Some years ago this cottage was designated one of the 10 best vacation rentals in Nova Scotia. We like to think that this was because it is entirely unique, bringing as it does the past to life.
Amenities
Pets allowed
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
TV
Garden
Map of New Brunswick
Cottage in New Brunswick
Reasons to book
People love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great for pets
Includes essentialsGarden, Pets allowed, Kitchen / Kitchenette and more
$$$$
Reviews
4.6/5.0
Outstanding(46 Reviews)
4.0
Michaelmas Cottage is in the little settlement called Granville Ferry, which would be a great location if there was a nearby general store or cafe. But Annapolis Royal is a short drive away and necessities can be found there. Jennifer's antique home is charmingly filled with photographs and books. I imagine it is quite cozy in the winer. We stayed there for two weeks in August. Most nights were cool enough to be comfortable, but when it is hot the bedrooms get really hot. There was only one working fan (for 3 bedrooms ) when we arrived, but we messaged Jennifer and she ordered two more from the hardware store in Annapolis Royal and we picked them up. Mosquitos were a real problem, so bring bug spray if you visit in the summer. There are easily accessible hiking trails in the area (Delaps Cove a favorite), and neighbors are friendly. Our dog enjoyed the fenced yard and grandkids were enchanted with a chipmunk in the woodpile. Arch & Po bakery in Annapolis Royal is great, as is the German Bakery. We loved the book stores and ice cream at One Scoop, Two Scoops.
5.0
Thank you,Jennifer, for the stay I had with my dog!
Your place is charming and so full of character!
I would recommend it to friends visiting Annapolis Royal.
We really enjoyed the Saturday market and even with the rain it was pleasant. I loved the fact the yard was fenced.
4.0
Good stay, great wedding, great old house!!!
4.0
This was like staying in a Christmas Card or a Hallmark Christmas movie. Cozy, warm, light snow and relaxing. Very historic building dating back to the late 18th C yet every thing you’d need. Well updated but keeping the charm of days gone by.
5.0
This property is so unique and is itself almost worth a visit! We had everything we needed for a comfortable stay near Annapolis Royal. We appreciated the tourist information and the warm welcome provided by Jennifer's neighbour, Donnaleigh.
Favourite nearby activities included Bear River (the winery was terrific), Fort Anne, Port Royal, Digby (and the nearby Balancing Rock trail), Wolfville, Grand Pré, and general fun beachcombing along the Bay of Fundy and visiting beautiful old lighthouses. Annapolis Royal has great eats - Arch & Po is a terrific bakery and we enjoyed the beer from Annapolis Brewery. We did everything with our three kids (age 5, 9 and 11) and they had just as much fun as we did.
Only point worth mentioning (that wasn't a deal breaker, just for awareness) is that there is no proper shower in the house. The main floor bathroom has a lovely bathtub with a handheld shower (very European!). So just go with the charm and era of the house, like we did, and recognize that you are immersing yourself in an experience!
5.0
A perfect stay in a historic home. Exactly as described in listing (stairs are steep) and we really enjoyed the yards and deck. A great location for researching and sightseeing in my Acadian ancestors footsteps.
5.0
Historic house near Annapolis Royal and near the Bay of Fundy. Tastefuuly updated and rennovated while retaining all its classic charm. Great location with plenty to do in the area: whale watching excursion, historic sites and off-the-beaten-track exploring. Great seafood in the area and we had a wonderful week's stay.
4.0
Cosy cottage that fit our family easily. Lots of space, great gathering rooms, and plenty of beds. We enjoyed the history!
8.0
Cosy cottage that fit our family easily. Lots of space, great gathering rooms, and plenty of beds. We enjoyed the history!
4.0
Historic and charming
Cosy cottage that fit our family easily. Lots of space, great gathering rooms, and plenty of beds. We enjoyed the history!
4.0
Our extended family had a wonderful Christmas at Michaelmas. The flow of the rooms allowed for those that wanted quiet time by the fire and those that wanted to play games in the beautifully large dining area and those wanting to watch a little Netflix! Great area for the dogs to play outside as well. We had a very relaxing stay, thank you!
4.0
Christmas at Michaelmas
Our extended family had a wonderful Christmas at Michaelmas. The flow of the rooms allowed for those that wanted quiet time by the fire and those that wanted to play games in the beautifully large dining area and those wanting to watch a little Netflix! Great area for the dogs to play outside as well. We had a very relaxing stay, thank you!
5.0
Character property
We had a very enjoyable stay in this character property. Proximity to Annapolis Royal was excellent and Jennifer was a super host.
5.0
Interesting, comfortable old home in beautiful area
We enjoyed our stay at Michaelmas Cottage. It's a beautiful area, and the home was lovely, comfortable and filled with interesting art, decorations, architecture and books. Our two dogs were welcomed as well, and able to run around outside in the enclosed yard. The indoor stairs are narrow, steep and winding so you need to be careful there and one bedroom did not have any windows that opened, so it got quite stuffy. If you walk from the home, you will be on a highway. But it's a beautiful area, an easy 5 minute drive to Annapolis Royal and within an hour of many other lovely spots, including towns, hiking trails, restaurants, waterfront and shops. Thank you, Jennifer!
4.0
A great way to immerse yourself in the area’s rich history and be well-positioned to explore.
4.0
Historic Charm
A great way to immerse yourself in the area’s rich history and be well-positioned to explore.
4.0
Walking into the house was like waking back in time… the lovely home was well appointed and very comfortable. We appreciate having pet friendly places to go with our bullmastiff - only wish we had known about the very narrow and steep spiral stairs to get upstairs. She couldn’t make it back down… an adventure and story for our stay!
Thank you for the frequent and available communication Jennifer.
4.0
Lovely old home
Walking into the house was like waking back in time… the lovely home was well appointed and very comfortable. We appreciate having pet friendly places to go with our bullmastiff - only wish we had known about the very narrow and steep spiral stairs to get upstairs. She couldn’t make it back down… an adventure and story for our stay!
Thank you for the frequent and available communication Jennifer.
5.0
Beautiful, unique property
We had a fantastic week at Jennifer's beautiful property. The house is very unique, with a lot of attention paid to showcasing the historic features. It is a very personal, much-loved home filled with artwork, books and cozy corners. We spent evenings next to the woodstoves and were able to whip up some great meals in the well-appointed kitchen. Our dog absolutely loved the large fenced yard. I would definitely recommend this property to families with pets!
5.0
Character cottage, cozy and comfortable. Nice deck off the side for afternoon tea or wine. Retains period feel as befits its 250 year old history. Kitchen is well furnished, although we didn't do any real cooking. Ideal location to see that part of the island and local attractions. We really enjoyed our stay!
5.0
First visit to Nova Scotia
Character cottage, cozy and comfortable. Nice deck off the side for afternoon tea or wine. Retains period feel as befits its 250 year old history. Kitchen is well furnished, although we didn't do any real cooking. Ideal location to see that part of the island and local attractions. We really enjoyed our stay!
5.0
A wonderful heritage home in a beautiful part of Canada
We enjoyed our stay in Michaelmas Cottage. Despite grey rainy weather we found a lot to explore even though the season hadn't start. The house is warm and comfortable, with a great collection of books, videos and music. The interesting paintings, photos and artifacts reflect the owner and her travels. Thank you for the flowers and basketful of instructions and tourist information. The kitchen is well equipped. Thank you.
5.0
The house is unusual. An eighteenth century cottage that has been transformed into a comfortable home in a manner that only enhances the charm. There are many beautiful photographs, rugs, and artifacts from the owner's travels to admire. Jennifer was a very helpful and attentive host; her attentions extended to getting the driveway ploughed for us after a snowfall and providing us with many suggestions for hiking/wallking in the area, which we would not have found on our own. I highly recommend Michaelmas Cottage.
5.0
Beautiful house, gorgeous spot, attentive and helpful host.
The house is unusual. An eighteenth century cottage that has been transformed into a comfortable home in a manner that only enhances the charm. There are many beautiful photographs, rugs, and artifacts from the owner's travels to admire. Jennifer was a very helpful and attentive host; her attentions extended to getting the driveway ploughed for us after a snowfall and providing us with many suggestions for hiking/wallking in the area, which we would not have found on our own. I highly recommend Michaelmas Cottage.
5.0
What a charming home!
We decided to do something a little different to celebrate our Thanksgiving this year and we stumbled on this charming NS home. We all enjoyed our stay ate lots of good food, drank lots & lots of wine and the company of good friends. The Michaelmas Cottage is the perfect location for such an occasion. The photos throughout the home tell the story of a loving family. We hope to return in the summer months in the future.
The Tandy's
5.0
Olde world charm
If you like old houses and you want to self cater in this area you simply won't find better.
4.0
Wonderful stay i the Annapolis region
We had a great time at Michaelmas cottage where we stayed for nearly 10 days. The house is old and charming and a great home base from which to visit the entire region. The fireplace was lovely and the house had everything we needed. We got used fairly quickly to the steep stairs and the bath (no shower) but I could see these being issues if anyone has mobility issues. Overall a very relaxing and lovely stay.
5.0
A Lovely Stay
We stayed for a week in Michaelmas Cottage. It was comfortable, beautiful and amazingly historic. The house was truly a slice of history. The area was so fun to explore. We saw the Bay of Fundy, Annapolis Royal, Wolfville, Halls Harbour and the surrounding areas. We had lobster at Parkers Cove. The house was just perfect for our stay.
5.0
Cozy, historic home
This house was in the perfect location for my family, and we loved its warm atmosphere.
5.0
A wonderful step back in time
Our family (my husband, my two children and my parents) had a wonderful stay! The house was charming and packed full of interesting treasures as described.
The bedroom situation exceeded our expectations based on the description - there were three comfortable bedrooms upstairs plus pullout couches downstairs to comfortably sleep 8+. The minor downside was there wasn't a lot of storage for our things in the bedrooms (drawers and closets packed full!).
The neighbors acted as a welcoming committee and were a delightful resource for information on the house, the town and the region's history. The museum right next door was fabulous. We found plenty to do in the greater Annapolis Royal area for a week.
Highly recommend!
5.0
Relaxing
We were very happy with the accommodations. We knew we were getting into a very old house and we're overjoyed with everything it had to offer. Jennifer has decorated it with family treasures and photos that told of a loving family. Our dogs enjoyed the fenced yard and the local chipmunks and squirrels for their entertainment.
The only issue we had were the very narrow stairs leading to the bedrooms. If a member of your party has a medical condition that may prevent climbing them, this may not be the best for you.
Awesome vacation and a beautiful area.
5.0
A lovely home in a beautiful setting
Michaelmas Cottage is a lovely 18th Century home just outside Grenville Ferry. The kitchen is set up conveniently and the living room is cozy and a nice place to relax in the evening. Jennifer is wonderful to work with and we would stay there again in a heartbeat. The area is super quiet and close to both water, hiking trails and hills. The neighbors are friendly and so are the people of the town. We had a wonderful week there.
4.0
Charming old cottage near Annapolis Royal
The location was great - quiet but near the small town of Annapolis Royal. We were able to ride our bikes to the town for breakfast or coffee in the morning. The kitchen was well equipped and easy to cook in and the beds were comfortable - what more could we ask for a place to stay for the week. It took us about 1.5 hours to drive to the cottage from the ferry in Yarmouth. Lots of things to do within a short driving distance - if you have time and like seafood you should drive over the hill to Parker's Cove and buy some fresh scallops or a lobster roll. If you are there in the late summer or fall the apples from the apple tree on the property are great.
The bedrooms are up a narrow set of stairs so if you are traveling with someone who is elderly or has mobility problems, this probably is not the place for you. If you are allergic to cats you may also want to stay away (there was obviously a cat that lives here sometimes).
5.0
Wonderful Stay
We travelled in July 2015 with our two teenagers plus my parents. Everyone loved the property and enjoyed exploring the house and finding interesting artifacts. The layout of the home suited us perfectly! This is a great spot to unwind; we appreciated the charm and tranquility with the modern conveniences. We explored nearby areas such as Port Royal, the town of Annapolis Royal, Historic Gardens, and Upper Clements Park. Our favorite place to eat was Vicki's Restaurant which is not far from the cottage and the Bistro in Annapolis Royal was also very good. It was a pleasure dealing with Jennifer. We would definitely stay here again and hope to be back.
5.0
Great Family Vacation
We spent a very enjoyable six days at this home in August 2015. The historic features of the home, combined with the interesting art and crafts throughout, provides a character and comfortable environment in which we were able to relax between day trips in the area. The stone patio with seating and a fire pit were a favorite in the evenings. And travelling with a dog, we greatly appreciated the fenced yard, which allowed our dog the freedom to enjoy the experience as much as we did!
4.0
Brooke
The cottage is 244 years old and that makes it full of character and warmth , but also includes things like super steep stairs and beds situated under slanted ceilings. The home is also full of cool art to look at as the owner is a photographer and collector of art from around the world. The owner was helpful and easy to deal with throughout the process too.
5.0
Wonderful book-filled house
We rented the house for the second time the long weekend in May. It's so beautiful inside that it's tempting to stay in and read rather than go out and explore the wonderful area. There's much to do nearby -artists abound in Annapolis Royal and Bear River, and there are many good hikes around the area as well. We will definitely be back!
4.0
Cozy stylish home away from home
We had a wonderful time at this cottage. It has all the comforts of a modern house put into a setting of past ages and is as such very charming. Finding the cottage from the street is a bit of a challenge because it doesn't show up on the GPS and the postbox is hidden between other postboxes when you come from Granville Ferry.
Our visit in the fall meant a bit heating with wood of which there was plenty stacked in house and shack. That the satellite tv didn't work was no problem for us because it meant having to focus on other activities rather than on tv. Everything else worked fine. The house was clean and all necessities (towels, beds made etc.) were in perfect order. The kitchen was very rustique but with all modern appliances except for a dishwasher. For families with small children it is important to know that the stairs to the bedrooms are very challenging and that there are lots of small memorabilia of the owner posing temptations to little ones.
The few questions we had to the owner/her agent during our stay were answered to our full satisfaction. I would definitely recommend this cottage to romantics and people who like historic sites as well as nature.
4.0
Beautiful Area
We stayed at the cottage in early Oct 2014. It's such an interesting house with so much charm. The owner loves this house as you can tell by all the treasures in every room. We enjoyed the area immensely. So much history and beautiful hikes, etc. I would recommend this property to adults or families with older children (10 and up) wishing to explore Annapolis and area. There are many books and priceless treasures in the house that are like magnets to the smaller children. The stairway is quite narrow and steep so I would not recommend to anyone with mobility issues - we found it to be part of the charm. The owner was friendly and reachable for all of our questions etc.
5.0
Wonderful Stay in an Historic Home
My husband and I love history so we were thrilled with the opportunity to stay in a house that was built in the 18th century. Despite it's age, Michaelmas Cottage provided everything we needed for a very comfortable stay. Located in quiet Granville Ferry, we always had a good nights sleep here. It was a pleasure to return here at the end of a busy day touring the area. Such a great place to relax in, with lots of seating in the living areas, and a fully appointed kitchen with all we needed for preparing a meal in the evening. We found it to be very clean, and greatly appreciated being welcomed with farm fresh eggs in the 'fridge, as well as a beautiful vase of flowers on the dining table! Easy to find, close to shopping, dining, and attractions. I highly recommend it to anyone vacationing in the Annapolis Valley region.
FAQs
How much does this cottage cost compared to others in New Brunswick?
The average price for a rental in New Brunswick is $261 per night. This rental is $11 less expensive than the average.
Is parking included with this cottage?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Michaelmas Cottage 1769 - Family\/Pet Vacation - Rural Annapolis Royal. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this cottage?
We didn’t find pool listed as an amenity for this cottage. It may be worth double checking if a pool is important for your stay.
Is Michaelmas Cottage 1769 - Family\/Pet Vacation - Rural Annapolis Royal pet friendly?
Yes! This cottage is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.
What amenities are available at Michaelmas Cottage 1769 - Family\/Pet Vacation - Rural Annapolis Royal?
We found 9 amenities for this rental. This includes pets allowed, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, fireplace, and parking.
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