Londonderry Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Londonderry is easy to drive past. Interstate 93 runs straight through it, Manchester sits just to the northwest, and many visitors only know it as the town next to the airport. That is a mistake. Londonderry is known for its apple orchards, it has a deep colonial history, and it has a growing set of breweries and local food spots that make it a good half-day or full-day stop. This guide covers the best things to do in Londonderry NH in summer and beyond, with local businesses from our directory to build a visit around.

Londonderry at a glance

Londonderry is a town in western Rockingham County, between Manchester and Derry. Its population was 25,826 at the 2020 census. The town is home to the headquarters of Stonyfield Farm, and part of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport lies within its borders, which makes it a convenient first or last stop on a New Hampshire trip.

The more densely settled part of town sits in the south and southeast, around Route 102. Much of the rest is a mix of neighborhoods, farmland and orchards, and the farms are the heart of a visit for most people.

A short history: from Nutfield to Londonderry

The area was first known as Nutfield, for the dense woods of nut trees that covered it. Settlers petitioned the provincial government in 1719, reporting that about seventy families from Ireland and New England had settled there that April. The town was chartered on June 21, 1722, and named Londonderry after the city of Londonderry in Ulster, in the north of Ireland.

Old Londonderry was much larger than the modern town. Over the next century, parts of it were set off as Windham, as Derryfield (which became Manchester) and as Derry. One often-told piece of local history: the first potato grown in North America was planted in 1719 in what is now Derry, then part of Londonderry.

The town remained largely rural until after World War II, when suburban growth and the construction of Interstate 93 brought new residents. The orchards survived that growth, and they are still the town's calling card.

Orchards and pick-your-own farms

If you only do one thing in Londonderry, visit a farm. Picking seasons move through the summer and fall, so mid-August is a good time to see what is ripe and plan a return trip for apple season.

Sunnycrest Farm has been family owned and operated in Londonderry since 1943 and is now in its fourth generation. It runs a pick-your-own operation, a farm market and bakery, and an ice cream stand, Colbie's Cones, with homemade ice cream and soft serve. According to the farm, pick-your-own runs from June through September, starting with strawberry season in June, while the farm store is open year-round with its own fruit, local vegetables, baked goods, honey, syrup and New Hampshire made products. In apple season, the farm also operates a second orchard and corn maze on Pillsbury Road. Pick-your-own crops depend entirely on weather, so check the farm's daily update before you go.

Craft beer in Londonderry

Londonderry has become one of the better beer stops in southern New Hampshire, with two breweries within a short drive of each other.

603 Brewery and Beer Hall has a large beer hall and patio, with food from its 603 Kitchen served alongside its beers, which range from hoppy IPAs to crisp lagers. The brewery hosts a regular lineup of events such as trivia nights and live music, and it books private events, which makes it a good choice for groups.

Kelsen Brewing was established in 2014, starting with a small tasting room and two beers on tap. It has since grown to twelve taps and a 60-person restaurant serving hand-tossed pizza and smaller plates, at 44 Nashua Road. Kelsen describes its beers as full-flavored and aroma-forward, and it has won medals for beers such as its Paradigm Brown Ale. The brewery also runs a second spot, The Cryptic Beer Lounge, in neighboring Derry.

Neither brewery needs a special trip to justify it, but pairing a farm visit in the afternoon with a brewery stop is an easy local itinerary.

Where to eat and get coffee

For a sit-down breakfast, lunch or dinner, Poor Boy's Diner at 136 Rockingham Road serves home-cooked meals from an extensive menu of traditional diner favorites, with some creative dishes mixed in. It is a classic choice before a day on the road.

For coffee, Coffeeberries in the Apple Tree Mall on Orchard View Drive is a small, locally owned coffee bar and shop. It offers six drip coffees and a full espresso and tea menu, and it sells more than forty varieties of coffee beans, most roasted in New Hampshire by Mill City Roasting and Woodshed Roasting. Its teas are organic loose leaf from Divinitea, and the shop stocks gourmet snacks, mugs and locally made goods, with a stated priority on products from small New Hampshire and New England companies. It is a good place to pick up a gift on the way home.

Something different: learn to scuba dive

Londonderry is an unexpected place to find a dive shop, but Aquatic Escapes Dive Center offers scuba sales, service, training and group dive travel. It teaches in small classes and has an on-site heated pool, so you can start training without waiting for the ocean to warm up. Its courses run from open water certification through advanced and professional levels, and it organizes group trips to dive destinations around the world. For a New Hampshire family that has been talking about learning to dive, it is a practical local starting point.

Where to stay

Londonderry itself is mostly residential, and many visitors base themselves in nearby Manchester, which has the widest choice of hotels in the area and is only a short drive away. Staying near the airport is convenient for an early flight. If you are planning a longer trip, Londonderry also works as a day stop between Manchester and the Seacoast, or between Boston and the Lakes Region, thanks to its spot on Interstate 93.

Suggested half-day itinerary

1. Morning coffee at Coffeeberries.

2. Late morning at Sunnycrest Farm for whatever is in season, plus a stop at the farm store and bakery.

3. Lunch at Poor Boy's Diner.

4. Afternoon at Kelsen Brewing or 603 Brewery and Beer Hall for a flight and a pizza or a meal on the patio.

In apple season, swap the morning for an orchard visit and budget more time for the farm. Fall weekends at the orchards can be busy, so earlier is better.

Getting there

Londonderry is reached by Interstate 93, which runs through the town, and by Route 102, which crosses its southern half. Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, partly within town lines, is the nearest airport. Most farms and businesses are a short drive apart, so a car is the practical way to get around.

FAQ

What is Londonderry NH known for?

Apple orchards, its colonial history as the Nutfield settlement, and as the home of Stonyfield Farm's headquarters.

When is pick-your-own season?

At Sunnycrest Farm, pick-your-own runs from June through September, beginning with strawberries in June, with apples and pumpkins in fall. Crops vary by weather, so check before visiting.

Are there breweries in Londonderry?

Yes. 603 Brewery and Beer Hall and Kelsen Brewing are both in town.

Is Londonderry close to the airport?

Yes. Part of Manchester-Boston Regional Airport lies in Londonderry.

Sources

• Londonderry, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (population, history, Nutfield, Stonyfield, airport): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Londonderry,_New_Hampshire
• Sunnycrest Farm, official site: https://www.sunnycrestfarmnh.com/
• 603 Brewery, official site: https://www.603brewery.com/
• Kelsen Brewing Company, official site: https://kelsenbrewing.com/
• Poor Boy's Diner, official site: https://poorboysdiner.com/
• Coffeeberries, official site: https://coffeeberries.com/
• Aquatic Escapes Dive Center, official site: https://www.aquaticescapes.com/