Classic Maine Cottage short walk to beach, harbor, trails, park & village.

Beach nearby, sun loungers, beach towels
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Terrace/patio
Exterior
Outdoor dining
4.9 / 5.0
Outstanding(134 Ratings)

House in York Harbor, ME

20 guests · 8 bedrooms · 7 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area
Includes essentialsGarden, Pool, Kitchen or Kitchenette and more

About this house rental

The Briars is a 19th century shingle style “cottage” located in the heart of York Harbor, Maine and a short five minute walk to the beach. Listen to the fishing boats as they depart the Harbor each morning, smell the salty air and feel the gentle ocean breeze. The home has been entertaining guests for over a century, most recently as a bed-and-breakfast for the past 30 years. You’ll have plenty of room for gathering with family and friends including lots of space for lounging on one of the many porches/decks. Some of the rooms offer views of the harbor where time will slowly pass as you watch the boats come and go. 8 bedrooms with 7 bathrooms means plenty of room for the whole family without long wait times to take a shower! The charming home was renovated in 2016 and 2019 to include 5 new bathrooms (the other two of seven are already modern) and new furnishings to ensure you have a very comfortable stay. We offer one of the best per room/per night fees or per person/per night of any large rental in York Harbor.

Our home is in an ideal spot to enjoy the sought after environs of York Harbor. Guests can easily walk to the Harbor Beach known for its family friendly atmosphere. The Cliff Walk starts at the Harbor Beach and offers spectacular views of the rocky Maine coast and stunning Victorian mansions. The Hartley Mason estate is a beautiful public park overlooking the Harbor Beach with flower gardens and plenty of shade from the summer sun. Moulton Park is two doors down the street from us with a fantastic space for any outdoor activity with lots of sun and shade. The Fisherman’s Walk is steps away where you stroll along the river and enjoy views of the boats coming in and out of the harbor – including lobsterman with their fresh catch of the day. Fisherman’s walk brings you to the Wiggly Bridge-Steadman Woods where you can take a loop through the forest or continue walking to the historic York Village. York Village (less than five minutes away by car in case you lost track of how long you’ve been walking) was settled in 1624 (3 years after Plymouth Plantation!) and offers a rich array of historical buildings (e.g Old Gaol – one of the oldest jails in America; a one room school house; Jefferds Tavern; The Old Burying Ground featuring 18th-19th century carved tombstones; and the John Hancock Warehouse etc.).

The Harbor is rich in culture and fine dining. The York Art Association is located a few houses down the street from us. George Marshall store gallery is located through the Steadman Woods and has a series of art exhibits during the year (the curator lives down the street from our house). There are other small galleries and shops in the Village. York Harbor Inn, Stage Neck Inn, and Chapman Cottage each offer award winning dining and are all a five minute walk from our home. The Dockside Restaurant is located across the harbor (five minute drive away) and is a great spot to view the marina and have a great meal. The marina offers boat and kayak rentals for those wishing to experience some “ocean” culture.

The York area and surrounding towns offer a never ending list of things to do. Visit lighthouses. Go whale watching. Explore forts and historical sights. Enjoy the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge. Hike Mt. Agamenticus for breathtaking views of the ocean to the east and forest/mountains to the west (you can also drive to the top if you are feeling lazy and visit the nature exhibit in the old ski lodge). Shop at the Kittery Outlets (save this for those rainy days). Visit the York Beach boardwalk with an amusement park, bowling, arcade, shops, live entertainment, salt water taffy and more. Hiking-Biking-Boating-Sunbathing…or just reading a book in the many nooks of our beautiful home. You will love the relaxed pace of Maine. There is a reason our state motto is "Maine, the way life should be".

Looking to accommodate an even bigger group? We also have a 10 bedroom/8 bathroom property that is close by. We have a six bedroom home that we offer only very selectively that is in between the other two properties.

Amenities

Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen or Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony or Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly

Map of York Harbor, ME

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Ratings and reviews

4.9 / 5.0
Outstanding(134 Ratings)
Summary of reviews
Guests praised Lance and the property for creating a welcoming, spacious, and clean home that felt like home for large groups. Lance's attentiveness, helpful recommendations, and gestures like providing wine and pie were highly appreciated.
From real guest reviews summarized by AI
5.0 / 5.0
Sep 2024
Eight long time friends stayed at the Briars for 4 days and the accommodations could not have been more perfect. Lance was prompt in returning messages and was very helpful. The house was exceptionally clean and directions were clear and easy to understand.i highly recommend the Briars!
5.0 / 5.0
Sep 2024
This was a great location and getaway for our large group to get together and enjoy Maine! House was super clean, yard was great for a fire, and check in was easy!
5.0 / 5.0
Aug 2024
We were a group of 20 - 3 sisters and 2 brothers and our families ( kids ranged from 31 to 10 yrs old). There was plenty of room for all of us! Our favorite place to hang out was the large front porch. Many days started and ended on the porch. It was the place to be. Our host, Lance was fantastic providing a list of must see and do while in York. We had a few minor electrical issues that Lance took care of right away. Our only wish would be for a larger kitchen as we like to cook. The kitchen was well-equipped just small for our liking but we made do. We all agreed we would stay at the Briars again.
5.0 / 5.0
Aug 2024
The Briars is the place to stay! The house was perfect in every detail, very inviting and extremely clean. Lance was a great host and very helpful. We vacationed with 6 adults and 7 teens. Everyone raved about how much fun they had. York Harbor is the place to be and The Briars is the place to stay!
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2024
Our stay was perfect. The property is gorgeous. Everything is well equipped. The kitchen is fully stacked. It is truly awesome. Our host Lance was so kind - brought us wine and pie and was just so welcoming and wonderful. It could not have been a more perfect stay in every way.
5.0 / 5.0
Jun 2024
From beginning to end, Lance and this property were tremendous. Lance is incredibly responsive, informative, available, and very friendly and helpful. He made the stay very enjoyable. I had several conversations with Lance over the phone and in person and enjoyed everyone of the them. He’s the consummate host. The Property? There’s one word that my guests and I kept using to describe it; it felt like home. It was very clean, spacious and inviting. We were 14 and had plenty of room to dine, sleep, and just hang out. We had a fantastic stay at lovely home with a gracious and fun host. I expect you will too.
5.0 / 5.0
May 2024
My family and I had a great time in York! The house was awesome and fit all of us (16 people, including 3 babies and 2 older kids!) comfortably! We loved sitting out on the porch and at the fire pit; there was plenty of room for all of us to socialize. We appreciated the fact that there were beach chairs, linens, and other amenities provided so we didn't have to bring all of our own. We also got lucky with the weather, which was a huge plus. The host, Lance, was great and super helpful in answering all of our questions leading up to the trip. I highly recommend staying here and we will be back!
5.0 / 5.0
May 2024
Our entire family has not gotten together since all the babies have been born. This house was perfect! The rooms on 3 levels provided privacy while the beautiful common areas were great for socializing. I was so nervous about the event, but Lance put my mind to rest with his quick complete responses and his great suggestions. The lovely beach in walking distance was the icing on the cake.

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in York Harbor?

The average price for a rental in York Harbor is $358 per night. This rental is $882 above the average.

Is parking included with this house?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Classic Maine Cottage short walk to beach, harbor, trails, park & village.. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Classic Maine Cottage short walk to beach, harbor, trails, park & village.. Enjoy the water!

Is Classic Maine Cottage short walk to beach, harbor, trails, park & village. pet friendly?

Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"

What amenities are available at Classic Maine Cottage short walk to beach, harbor, trails, park & village.?

We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.

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