Newbury Town Guide: Where to Eat, Stay and Explore

Newbury is the small town at the southern tip of Lake Sunapee, and it holds more of the lake region's best-known places than its size suggests. Part of Mount Sunapee and its ski area are here, along with the state park beach, the historic Hay estate known as The Fells, and a harbor where boats tie up beside a waterfront restaurant. In late summer it is one of the most relaxed lake towns in New Hampshire. This guide covers the things to do in Newbury NH that hold up year after year, plus where to eat and stay from our directory.

Newbury at a glance

Newbury is a town in Merrimack County with a population of 2,172 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Newbury, Blodgett Landing and South Newbury. Within its borders are a portion of Mount Sunapee Resort and a portion of Lake Sunapee, including the beach at Mount Sunapee State Park.

Lake Sunapee itself is the fifth-largest lake entirely within New Hampshire. It runs about 8.1 miles from north to south, and its islands, peninsulas and coves add up to roughly 70 miles of shoreline. Three of its lighthouses are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the drive around the lake is about 25 miles, with water views along much of the way.

Getting on the water

Boaters have several options. Lake Sunapee has six boat ramps, including ones at Newbury, Mount Sunapee State Park, Sunapee Harbor and Georges Mills. The lake's outlet is at Sunapee Harbor on the north end, where the Sugar River begins its run west toward the Connecticut River. With a maximum depth of 105 feet and eleven islands, the lake rewards a slow paddle or an afternoon cruise along the shore.

Mount Sunapee State Park

Mount Sunapee State Park covers nearly 3,000 acres, including most of Mount Sunapee and a beach on Lake Sunapee. Activities include swimming, hiking, camping, skiing, fishing, picnicking and non-motorized boating. The park's ski area is operated as Mount Sunapee Resort under the management of Vail Resorts.

The beach

The park beach, also known as Newbury Beach, is the easiest way to spend a summer day on the lake. It has a bathhouse, a store, canoe and kayak rentals, a playground and a restricted boat launch. Arrive early on hot weekends, since lake beaches in this part of the state fill quickly.

Hiking

The mountain offers trails with views over the lake and the surrounding hills. Check the New Hampshire State Parks website for current trail maps and conditions before you set out, and carry water, layers and a map even for a short hike.

Camping

The park's seasonal campground is off NH Route 103, reached by a winding mountain road through Mount Sunapee Resort. See the Mount Sunapee State Park campground listing in our directory, and reserve through the state parks system, since summer weekends book up.

The Fells: John Hay's lake estate

The Fells, also called the Hay Estate, was the summer home of John Milton Hay. Hay was Abraham Lincoln's private secretary during the Civil War, and later a diplomat and journalist. He became U.S. Secretary of State in 1898 and served until his death in 1905.

In 1888 Hay began acquiring abandoned farms along the shore of Lake Sunapee, eventually assembling nearly 1,000 acres. He named the property The Fells, a British term for a rocky upland pasture, reflecting his Scottish ancestry. Architect George F. Hammond designed the Colonial Revival summer house. After Hay's death, his son Clarence and daughter-in-law Alice Appleton Hay transformed the property into a country estate and working farm from 1906 through the 1930s.

Today The Fells offers house and garden tours, nature trails, exhibits and arts programs. The estate is on NH Route 103A, about 2.2 miles north of its junction with Route 103. Late summer is a good time to visit the gardens, and the trails give you a quieter way to see the lakeshore.

Where to eat in Newbury

Bubba's Bar & Grille

Bubba's Bar & Grille is at Newbury Harbor near the southern tip of the lake, on Route 103. The menu covers seafood, land dishes, sandwiches and pizza, and the restaurant is known for its seafood chowder. A seasonal ice cream window, Jolly Molly's, makes it an easy stop after a day at the beach. Call ahead for reservations or takeout.

Salt hill Shanty

Salt hill Shanty is the Newbury location of the Salt hill Pub group, which also has pubs in Lebanon and Newport. The group's motto is "Honest Food. Perfect Pints. Living Music.", and it hosts live music and posts a calendar for each location. It is a casual choice for dinner after a lake day.

Where to stay in Newbury

• Boutique hotel. Hideaway Inn Mt. Sunapee is a boutique hotel close to the mountain and the lake, with curated rooms ranging from single-king rooms for couples to rooms with two queen beds for families and friends.
• Camping. The state park campground puts you on the mountain itself, for those who want to sleep outdoors.

Book early for summer weekends and for peak ski season, when Newbury fills with visitors.

Gear up before you go

Bob Skinner's Ski & Sport has served Mount Sunapee skiers for nearly half a century. The shop is on Route 103 in Newbury at the Mount Sunapee traffic circle. It carries ski gear and apparel, rents skis and snowboards, offers boot fitting with a boot lab, and handles ski and snowboard tuning. The shop also stays open outside ski season, so it is worth a stop for gear advice year-round.

Newbury through the seasons

• Summer: Beach days at the state park, paddling, hiking on Mount Sunapee and garden tours at The Fells.
• Fall: Foliage drives around Lake Sunapee and hikes with views across the hills.
• Winter: Skiing and riding at Mount Sunapee Resort, with gear and tuning on Route 103.
• Spring: Quieter trails and a calm lake before the summer crowds.

A sample day in Newbury

1. Morning: Walk the gardens and trails at The Fells while it is cool.

2. Midday: Head to the state park beach for a swim or a paddle.

3. Afternoon: Drive part of the 25-mile loop around Lake Sunapee for water views and a look at the surrounding towns.

4. Evening: Dinner at the harbor, then ice cream before heading back.

Tips for visiting Newbury

• Arrive early on summer weekends. The beach and parking fill quickly on hot days.
• Plan around the lake. Newbury is a good base for exploring the whole Sunapee region, including Sunapee Harbor and New London.
• Check seasonal schedules. Many lake businesses and attractions change their hours between summer, fall and ski season, so confirm before you go.
• Respect the shoreline. Much of the lake is lined with private property. Use public beaches and boat launches.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Newbury, NH?

Newbury is in Merrimack County at the southern tip of Lake Sunapee, in the Dartmouth-Sunapee region.

Is there a public beach in Newbury?

Yes. The Mount Sunapee State Park beach, also called Newbury Beach, has a bathhouse, store, canoe and kayak rentals and a playground.

What is The Fells?

The Fells is the former summer estate of John Hay, Lincoln's private secretary and later Secretary of State, with historic gardens, a house and nature trails on Lake Sunapee.

Can you ski in Newbury?

Yes. Part of Mount Sunapee Resort is in Newbury, operated within Mount Sunapee State Park.

Sources

• Newbury, New Hampshire, Wikipedia (2020 census, villages, Mount Sunapee and Lake Sunapee): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newbury,_New_Hampshire
• Lake Sunapee, Wikipedia (size, shoreline, lighthouses, drive around the lake): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Sunapee
• Mount Sunapee State Park, Wikipedia (acreage, activities, beach amenities, campground): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Sunapee_State_Park
• Mt. Sunapee State Park, New Hampshire State Parks: https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/mt-sunapee-state-park
• The Fells, Wikipedia (John Hay, 1,000 acres, name, Route 103A): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fells
• The Fells, history (1888 acquisition, George F. Hammond, Clarence and Alice Hay): https://thefells.org/history/
• Bubba's Bar & Grille (Newbury Harbor location, menu, ice cream window): https://www.bubbasbarandgrille.com/
• Salt hill Pub (Newbury Shanty location, live music): https://www.salthillpub.com/
• Hideaway Inn Mt. Sunapee (boutique hotel, room types): https://hideawayinns.com/mt-sunapee-hotel-inn/
• Bob Skinner's Ski & Sport (history, location, services): https://bobskinners.com/about-us/