Family compound, vintage 1872 cottage water views

A second cottage (see VRBO #394631) is also available at the back of the property if you'd like to rent both. A large lawn connects the two. It is perfect for extended families.

This is one of the best Connecticut shoreline vacation beach rentals available, located four houses away from West Beach. There are views of the Sound from the front. Style is antique with many original features. Think Joanna Gaines on HGTV. I love the way the cottage itself encourages exercise. I'm up and down the steep ship-builder stairs all day, which is really good for lower body but also core strength. Between that, daily swims, outdoor showers, and bedtime walks along the water I feel so much more alive after my time here. Everyone sleeps better at the beach. Bring a yoga mat to spread out on the upstairs front porch and sight Long Island across the Sound as you move through warrior pose.

There are four bedrooms, two with double beds, one 3/4 and one extra long twin bed. One bathroom with stall shower and an outdoor enclosed hot/cold shower. Bring your own linens including sheets, blankets, pillows, dish towels, and bath and beach towels. There is a fully equipped kitchen without a dishwasher. Washer/dryer in the back cottage if renting both. No a/c but we provide plenty of fans. There is no central heat. The large dining room table has extra chairs. Steep shallow narrow stairs ascend to the second floor (built in 1889). Parking is behind with room for a small boat.

West Beach is a great place to stay. Located in Westbrook, CT it's the perfect location for a family vacation. This is a wonderful beach with easy waves and sand flats at low tide for the kids to build sand castles on.

We have a full kitchen and a full dining room that opens through an archway to a full living room. The large kitchen is convenient for preparing those big shore dinners for a crowd. A large marble-top server in the dining room is ready for your serving plates. After the meal, the original sink with a deep set tub easily accommodates a team-building wash-up.

The front two bedrooms have one double and one 3/4 mattress and open onto a sleeping porch. There is a connecting doorway between those rooms allowing sea breezes to flow through to freshen the rooms. There are two back bedrooms, one with a double mattress and a smaller one with an extra-long twin.

The downstairs enclosed front porch provides a protected refuge to enjoy the "outdoors". The upstairs front sleeping porch is screened in with higher walls for privacy. It is a delight for younger kids to camp-out on clement nights. You can check the visibility across Long Island Sound from the upstairs porch.

The enclosed side porch entrance has an indoor line to dry clothes on wet days and room to store beach gear and bikes. A sidewalk loops around the back to an outdoor hot/cold side-enclosed shower, protecting tender feet returning from the beach. Refinished original wood floors upstairs and down are a highlight.

At day's end, enjoy a traditional final evening walk along the beach wall on Seaside Avenue before turning in. Fall asleep to the tolling of the church bells at First Congregational Church of Westbrook marking the hour.

Child safety gates are provided but there is no additional child-proofing. Guests provide their own linens, as well as bed pillows.

Come and experience the West Beach of over 100 years ago. The cottage is vintage circa 1889 with many original features including "for show" knob and tube wiring and original brass pin windows. The modified post and beam cottage was built by shipwrights with pegged mortise and tenon joints at the corners. There are antique beds and furniture throughout. Go back in time to another era when extended families gathered at these summer cottages and enjoyed card games, musical soirees, and conversation. Cards and games provided. Read the September 12, 1895 description of West Beach "cottagers" in this New York Times article:

Additional attractions within walking distance include a unique little museum with a "Replica of David Bushnell's "Turtle" – The First Operational Submarine" located on the walk into town via S. Main St. (check hours):

The Westbrook Annual Drum Corps Tattoo and Muster is a thunderous event occurring in late August. If you don't walk into town to see it, you are going to participate from a distance anyway by hearing it - much better up close:

Attractions within walking distance also include concerts on the town green in Westbrook center, a pleasant walk including a short shady diversion on South Main St. off Rte 1/Boston Post Rd. past the old cemetery (ghost sightings have been reported).

Car trips somewhat further afield take you to the nearby Essex Steam Train Museum offering scenic train/boat tours with dining options. The Historic Griswold Inn in Essex dates back to 1776 and is a lovely place to enjoy fine dining. Down the street from the Inn is the Connecticut River Museum. The Ivoryton Playhouse and the Goodspeed Opera House satisfy your local theatre needs. As Westbrook is located between NYC and Boston, you can even take the train to Broadway or historic Boston. Outlet stores are right off of I-95 in Westbrook and in Clinton. Casinos are a drive away. Boat tours of the not too distant Thimble Islands are pleasant for all and a big hit with the kids (pirates!). For a unique adventure go up to Chester and take the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry to access Gillette Castle in Hadlyme. Minor league baseball available in Norwich, Bridgeport, New Britain, and Hartford.

See VRBO #394631 at the back of the property. If you are planning an event involving multiple families and need additional space. Check availability at the companion cottage.

The cottage is located off of Rte. 1/Boston Post Rd. Waters Edge Resort and it's shops are nearby (1.7 mi). Other close-by accommodations include several bed and breakfasts. The Captain Stannard Country Inn Bed and Breakfast is a half mile down the road, just off of Rte 1 on S Main St. The Shoreline East train station is 1.1 miles away. Tanger Outlets next to I-95 is 2 miles away.

Keywords: You will enjoy the easy access to the best Connecticut shoreline beach. seasonal rental, summer cottage, vacation rental, vacation home, beach getaway, beach cottage, beach home, beach rental.