Snug in Your Bed at the Historic Colonel Spencer Inn

Submitted by: Tony Fitzherbert (with help from Ann Verow) both graduated of the Common Man and Spa Class 2010

While I am a formal writer, and my "OMG" experiences are reserved for waterfalls, mountaintops, spectacular views from NH trails, exquisitely brewed, delightfully chilled beers at brewpubs, meals at the Mad River Tavern or Foster's Boiler Room, and other NH natural or positive sensory experiences (of which there are many), I offer my take on the Colonel Spencer Inn owned by, friends and fellow Granite State Ambassadors of mine, Mary Jo and Scott Stephens.

Located on a grassy knoll on Route 3, a country byway just south of the village of Campton NH, is the historic Colonel Spencer Inn, an unusually cozy, friendly bed and breakfast. Built in 1764, the Colonel Spencer mixes the charm and hospitality of a country inn with the modern comforts and amenities of today's living.  The Inn is conveniently located moments away from the vibrant, bustling New England town of Plymouth, home of Plymouth State University and the myriad year round activities and sporting events associated with the school. If relaxation or sightseeing is your preference, the Flume, Cannon Mountain Tramway, The Basin, Kancamagus Highway, and numerous mountains are a quick drive just up nearby I-93. The Colonel Spencer Inn is in many ways a typical yet unique New Hampshire hostelry, where a stay would be a memorable highlight of any visit to the White Mountains.

The Colonel Spencer experience begins with a cordial welcome from your hosts, innkeepers Mary Jo and Scott Stephens, and their friendly chocolate lab, Guinness. You will be shown to your spacious comfortable room where you may settle in and relax. When you are ready to explore the area, Mary Jo and Scott will be delighted to direct you to the attractions for which the region is renowned, or guide you to one of the many different outstanding restaurants in the immediate area for an enjoyable supper. In season, a number of nearby summer theater performances, concerts, plays, and other cultural activities can round out a pleasant evening.  Should you wish to spend the evening reading a good book or playing board games, you can do so by the warm glowing wood fire in the inn's large fireplaces in the living and dining areas.

In your snug bed, you will be lulled to slumber by the chirping crickets and other nocturnal sounds of the woods. When morning arrives, you start your day with a sumptuous farm fresh breakfast in the Inn's bright sunny dining area freshly prepared by Mary Jo and Scott.

The Inn is a mere half hour from world class skiing at Loon Mountain, Cannon Mountain, and Waterville Valley, while Bretton Woods, and Wildcat are not much further away. When the warmth of Spring and Summer spreads through the mountains, and the woods come to life, easy hiking trails along rushing brooks and through dark evergreen groves, or strenuous ones up rugged mountains to overlooks from which you can see for miles. These adventures await outdoors enthusiasts. Or you can fish, canoe or kayak on the countless ponds and lakes in the area, or golf on one of the many beautiful courses in the region.  In the crisp air of fall, some of the most beautiful foliage anywhere is just outside the Inn's doors! The cove pocketed wooded shore of Squam Lake, the setting for the 1981 film version of the Ernest Thompson play "On Golden Pond", which starred Katherine Hepburn, is only a few minutes away. Exploring in the other direction may take you to Newfound Lake, the second largest body of water - and deepest glacial lake -  within the New Hampshire borders. On its shore is found Wentworth State Park featuring gentle forested hiking trails, a boat launching area and a wide sandy beach which will please the entire family. Hebron, a quintessential New England village at the North end of Newfound Lake, features a typical general store, a white spired wooden church, and 18th century vintage colonial homes surrounding a shaded, gazebo - adorned town green . What a perfect place to step back in time and perhaps take some pictures. Something to please everyone awaits you here!

Regardless of the season, the Colonel Spencer Inn is an outstanding headquarters for any northern New Hampshire stay. Its welcoming homelike atmosphere, delicious breakfasts, and comfortable rooms will be a highlight in an experience which you will delight in sharing with your friends and relatives when you return home from a trip to the Granite State. The Inn's slogan truly reflects the spirit of the area where you "Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend!". And your first visit to our region will not be your last - "You will love it here".

The MadTav: Local Favorite for Visitors and Residents

By: Mary Jo Stephens, Granite State Ambassador

If you're ever in the Plymouth/Campton area and need a warm, friendly place to eat, I highly recommend going to the Mad River Tavern located on Rt. 49 in Campton, just off exit 28 of I-93. We decided early this morning to meet a friend there tonight for dinner.  


For the month of November, the Tavern has decided to have 3 dinner specials, which includes a house salad, each night Sunday through Thursday for the low cost of $10.00. Tonight, we each had one of the specials. I had the pork tenderloin with a mandarin BBQ sauce with walnuts and there were 3 nice pieces of very tender pork served with their veggie of the day, butternut squash and I chose rice pilaf as my side. I ended up taking 1 piece of pork home for my husband for his lunch tomorrow. My husband had the boneless short ribs with the side dish of macaroni and cheese (a nice size portion) as the ribs were so succulent & tender.  He also had a house salad. Our friend decided on the third special, a Blackened Chicken California Wrap which was stuffed with carrots, lettuce & guacamole. She chose to have steamed broccoli as her side along with some hot sauce & blue cheese dressing and she said it was delicious.   


We also love to sit in the Bar area, 

as the bartender also waited on us and does a spectacular job of keeping it all together, serving drinks to the bar, offering lively conversation and making sure that everyone is happy. Alot of the waitresses have been there many years and everyone does a great job at keeping everyone satisfied with really good food and service. Whenever anyone asks us what our favorite place to eat is, we always tell them that you can't go wrong with Mad River Tavern.

On a side note, they also serve lunch during the week and if you're looking for an inexpensive place to go, this is the place. Our hiking group went there on Tuesday after our hike and we all had one of the $5.00 specials (a delicious turkey, stuffing & cranberry sauce sandwich on your choice of bread, with gravy on the side and a generous portion of French Fries). It was an incredible deal that you can't pass up. For lunch during the week, they serve their tavern menu, located on the back of the menu along with their appetizers and 3 different $5.00 specials.

Believe me when I say, this is truly a great restaurant that aims to please as you'll see if you ever go there. They have quite an extensive menu where you can get anything from apps to salads, from burgers/sandwiches to pasta, seafood, steaks etc. Mad River Tavern is truly a find for those of you traveling to Central NH in the Plymouth/Campton area or if you're lucky enough to live close by, then you can frequent the Tavern as many times as you'd like. Enjoy!!!