The Crane Estate at Castle Hill050

Once the summer home of plumbing magnate Richard T. Crane Jr. and his family, Castle Hill now offers house tours, natural history tours, concerts, private events, and a variety of public programs for all ages. The 59-room Stuart style mansion is a wonderful example of Gilded Age living, overlooking the mile-long Grand Allee which rolls dramatically down to the sea. House tours are available June through October; check the website for times.

The surrounding landscape also features four miles of hiking trails, and is home to a variety of wildlife including deer, fox, turkey, and a multitude of songbirds. Public restrooms are located at the parking area. Castle Hill is owned and managed by The Trustees of Reservations.

Grounds admission:
Trustees Members: free. Nonmembers: $8 per car on weekends and Monday holidays, Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend; $5 per car all other times. $2 per bicycle all the time, $4 per motorcycle all the time. Ipswich residents free on weekdays; same admission fees as nonmembers on weekends. All vehicles receive 50% admission discount after 3pm, year-round, every day. Crane Beach is another Trustees of the Reservations property that was also once part of the estate.