Bed and Breakfasts of the Monadnock Region

The Monadnock Region in southwestern New Hampshire is made for slow travel. It is a landscape of small villages, white meetinghouses, stone walls and forested hills, with one famous mountain rising over all of it. Chain hotels exist around Keene, but the best way to experience the region is from a small inn, where the owners know the back roads and breakfast is part of the stay. This guide covers bed and breakfast inns in the Monadnock Region NH, all from our directory, with notes on what makes each one distinctive.

Why stay in the Monadnock Region

The region takes its name from Mount Monadnock, a 3,165-foot peak in the town of Jaffrey that is often described as one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world. Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau both wrote about it, and it remains the defining landmark of the area.

Keene, with about 23,000 residents, is the region's largest municipality and its only city, and it is the natural hub for dining and shopping. Around it are dozens of small towns, many with their own historic village centers. To the west, Pisgah State Park protects about 13,300 acres of forest, ponds and trails.

This mix of mountain, forest and village life is what makes the region such a good fit for a B&B stay. You can hike in the morning, browse a village in the afternoon and be back at the inn by evening.

The Monadnock Inn, Jaffrey Center

The Monadnock Inn sits at 379 Main Street in Jaffrey Center, the historic village at the foot of Mount Monadnock. It is about as close to the mountain as a historic inn gets, and its big front porch is a classic place to sit after a hike. The inn has about ten guest rooms.

Jaffrey Center itself is worth exploring. Its Meetinghouse dates to 1775 and is one of the landmarks of the village. A short walk around the center gives a real sense of how these New Hampshire hill towns looked centuries ago.

A note before you book: at the time of writing, the inn's website says it is not currently serving breakfast, offering self-serve coffee instead, and that its pub is "coming soon." Check directly with the inn about current breakfast arrangements and room availability before you go.

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House, Swanzey

Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House is at 27 Main Street in Swanzey, in a house built in 1792. It has five guest rooms, and a hot breakfast is included with each stay. The inn is about five miles from Keene, so it combines a quiet village setting with easy access to the city's restaurants and shops.

Swanzey has a long history of its own. It was first granted in 1733 as "Lower Ashuelot," one of the fort towns of that era, and the Ashuelot River still runs through the town. Staying here puts you in one of the older settlements in the region, in a house that predates the nineteenth century.

Inn of the Tartan Fox, Swanzey

Also in Swanzey, the Inn of the Tartan Fox brings a Scottish theme to the Monadnock countryside. Its four guest rooms are each themed after a Scottish clan, and guests are served a three-course breakfast. The inn sits on about 10.5 acres, so there is room to walk and unwind.

Two details stand out for travelers. The inn is pet-friendly, which is not common among small B&Bs, and it offers an ADA-accessible room, the Terrace Room. For travelers with a dog or with accessibility needs, it is one of the more practical small inns in the area.

Arlington Inn and Tavern, Winchester

In Winchester, the Arlington Inn and Tavern occupies a house built in 1810 and serves a cooked breakfast. It is a good base for outdoor travelers: Pisgah State Park is just a few miles away, so you can be on the trails soon after breakfast. Beer lovers will also note that Outlaw Brewing is about three miles from the inn.

Winchester is one of the quieter corners of the region, and the Arlington Inn makes a good base for travelers who would rather spend their days on forest trails than in town. After a day in Pisgah, the inn and a nearby brewery make for an easy, unhurried evening. For hikers planning a two-park trip, it is also a reasonable drive from Mount Monadnock, so you can sample both of the region's best-known outdoor destinations from one base.

Exploring the region from your inn

Each of these inns puts you within reach of a different side of the Monadnock Region. From Jaffrey Center, the mountain is the obvious draw, and the village Meetinghouse and its surrounding historic district reward a slow walk. From Swanzey, Keene's restaurants and shops are a short drive away, and the Ashuelot River runs through the town. From Winchester, the forests and ponds of Pisgah State Park are on the doorstep.

Because the region is compact, it is easy to combine these on a single trip. Many travelers spend one night near the mountain and another closer to Keene or Pisgah, using each inn as a base for a different kind of day. The region's small towns are close together, and the drives between them are part of the appeal, especially in fall, when the hillsides turn color.

Choosing the right inn

• For hikers: The Monadnock Inn puts you closest to Mount Monadnock, and the Arlington Inn is close to Pisgah State Park.
• For a full breakfast: Bridges Inn, the Inn of the Tartan Fox and the Arlington Inn all list a cooked or hot breakfast. Confirm current breakfast service at the Monadnock Inn.
• For pets: The Inn of the Tartan Fox is pet-friendly.
• For accessibility: The Inn of the Tartan Fox has an ADA-accessible room.
• For a quiet country setting: The Inn of the Tartan Fox's 10.5 acres and the Arlington Inn's spot near Pisgah both suit travelers who want space.
• For easy access to Keene: Bridges Inn is about five miles from the city.

Tips for a Monadnock B&B stay

Book directly. Small inns have only a handful of rooms, so they fill up quickly on popular weekends, particularly in fall foliage season. Booking directly also lets you ask about breakfast times, dietary needs and pet policies.

Ask about the extras. Several inns sit on generous acreage or near rivers and parks. Ask the owners for their favorite walks and local restaurants. Local knowledge is one of the best parts of a B&B stay.

Plan your hike early. Mount Monadnock is popular, and trailheads can be busy on nice weekends. Starting early is the best way to enjoy it, and returning to an inn porch afterward is the reward.

Mix village and city. Keene, the region's only city, is never far from any of these inns. Plan a dinner in town one night and a quiet evening at the inn the next.

FAQ

What is the Monadnock Region known for?

Mount Monadnock, a 3,165-foot peak in Jaffrey that is one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world, along with historic villages and large protected forests such as Pisgah State Park.

Is there a pet-friendly Monadnock B&B?

The Inn of the Tartan Fox in Swanzey welcomes pets. Confirm details when booking.

Is there a B&B close to Mount Monadnock?

The Monadnock Inn is in Jaffrey Center, at the foot of the mountain. Check current breakfast service before booking.

How far are these inns from Keene?

Bridges Inn in Swanzey is about five miles from Keene, and the other inns are an easy drive.

Sources

• Mount Monadnock, Wikipedia (elevation, location, climbing popularity, Emerson and Thoreau): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Monadnock
• Monadnock Region, Wikipedia (Keene as the region's only city, Pisgah State Park): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monadnock_Region
• Swanzey, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Lower Ashuelot grant): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swanzey,_New_Hampshire
• Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (Jaffrey Center Meetinghouse): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffrey,_New_Hampshire
• The Monadnock Inn, official site: https://www.monadnockinn.com/
• Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House, official site: https://www.bridgesinn.com/
• Inn of the Tartan Fox, official site: https://www.tartanfox.com/
• Arlington Inn and Tavern, official site: https://www.thearlingtoninn.com/