Contact
603-659-3572
118 N. River Rd (rt 155) Lee, NH 03861
Google Maps and Mapquest are very unreliable. The do not have our location far enough down RT 155, so please use these directions instead. We have also purchased blue state road signs on RT 125 north & south as well as on RT 152 east, so keep an eye out for those.
From the South
Take EXIT 7 off RT 101. Head NORTH on RT 125. Take a RIGHT onto RT 155 (see blue road sign). At STOP sign go STRAIGHT. Coppal House Farm is 1 mile further on LEFT.
From the North via 95
Take EXIT 5 onto RT 4 WEST. Take EXIT 6W to stay on RT 4. At traffic circle go SOUTH on RT 125. Take LEFT onto RT 152 (at stoplight - see blue road sign). Take LEFT onto RT 155 (see second blue road sign). Coppal House Farm is 1 mile further on Left.
Our Story
Coppal House Farm got its start in Stratham, NH 31 years ago as Coppal House Station, a small family farm run by John and Carol Hutton. They decided to make the move to a 78-acre piece of farmland in Lee, NH that was once a dairy farm, with just six sheep, two Belgian draft horses, three cats and a border collie. The farm name then changed from “station” to “farm” because of the unfamiliarity of the word “station”; a name for a large sheep farm in New Zealand. Knowing they would always use draft horses in their farming, the name “Coppal”, meaning horse in Gaelic, was chosen with the help of an Irish friend.
Only months after moving to Lee, John and Carol started preparations for a corn maze. With only a folding table and an umbrella for a booth, the first Coppal House Farm corn maze opened in the fall of 2005. What used to exist only as an idea has flourished into a highly diversified, self-sustaining farm. Coppal House is now home to a flock of seventy-five Dorper Katahdin breeding ewes, five hundred heritage breed chickens of the laying and meat varieties, twenty-five hogs, three Belgian draft horses, three sentry cats, and two Great Pyrenees sheep-guarding dogs. Aside from the livestock, it also boasts a six-acre corn maze, the largest in seacoast NH, and a yearly sunflower festival which has carried the farm name into the surrounding states.
Sheep are rotationally grazed on the pastural fields. Hogs are raised on grains grown on the property. Laying hens and roasters free range in selected areas. Belgian Draft horses plow and work the fields. A variety of crops are rotated around the farm from row crops to small grains, corn and oilseed. The public is encouraged to purchase farm fresh products from the farm stand and partake in the fall activities of the sunflower festival, corn maze, and pumpkin harvest.
Coppal House Farm holds itself to high standards, trying to keep all of its vistas scenic and beautiful. The animals are healthy and active, and the buildings are well maintained and upgrades are part of the growth plans for the farm. Guests always comment on the beauty of the farm. This farm has been in existence since the 1740’s and we try to maintain it’s historical integrity with modern functionality.
_JPG.jpg)
Our Team
John & Carol Hutton, owners
We started coppal House Farm in Stratham NH before moving to Lee NH in 2005. John's passion for farming arose from childhood, being raised in a dairy family. He values being successful in a time-honored profession that controls one's own destiny. John is a registered storyteller with the state of NH, and if you have ever been on a wagon or sleigh ride with John, you will know why. He has a never ending supply of farming tales, some even a seasoned author couldn't make up.
Carol has had a passion for the outdoors and growing things since childhood. She grew up in CT where she learned to ride horses and found her love of nature. She is a retired 8th grade science teacher turned full time farmer. While she has a hand in every area of the farm, she is our veggie, pest, and wildlife guru. When she finds time to leave the farm she enjoys exploring NH by hiking the Forty 4,000 footers or visiting various gardens and art exhibits with her long time college friend, Linda.
meghan Kelley, Farm Mgr
I am an alumni of the unh class of 2009, graduating with a BS in animal sciences. I have always loved working outside and with animals, so when I found Coppal House Farm it was a great fit. I definitely did not come from a farming background, but I learn a little more every day and enjoy what I do very much (at least I hope so after working here for 11 years!). I have always loved riding horses, so when I got the opportunity to learn how to drive them I was ecstatic. it is definitely my favorite job on the farm. John and Carol have become family and I feel truly blessed to have this amazing place to go to every day!
.jpg)
Hannah Bendroth, Asst Mgr
I am the niece of John and Carol and began working for Coppal House back in 2008 on the weekends when I lived in Maine. I worked in Residential Life at 5 different Universities for 15 years and have my masters degree in Training & Human Resource Development from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Three years ago, I decided to try something new and moved home to NH and joined the Coppal House Farm team full time!
I now get to use my Res Life skills here at the farm and learn all about farming! What I loved about Res Life stays true at the farm... everyday is different and you are always learning something new!
Twiggy "The Queen"
Twiggy is a Belgian mare that came to us when she was four years old from Ontario Canada. At 17, she is now one of our most seasoned working horses on the farm. At 1900 lbs she is also one of the biggest horses in the barn. She enjoys working with her fellow horses pulling the plough, grain drill, or wagons. Her least favorite job is pulling logs out of the woods...our once big, tough horse acts like the smallest twig is a 2,000 lb mighty oak log. No worries, we know where each horse shines, so we let Twiggy work with her fellow horses and keep her out of the woods!
.jpg)
Ice
Like Twiggy, Ice also came to us at four years old from Prince Edward Island Canada. He is a Belgian gelding and he is our largest horse in the barn at 2,100 lbs and standing at 18.2 hands. Ice is one of our most versatile horses. He can be hitched single, or with a team of anywhere from 2-6 horses. He has done every job on the farm and is our best horse to go logging with because of his easygoing nature. Ice has only one stipulation while on the farm...he is not a riding horse...or as we say "His union card says DRAFT HORSE only".
Charlie
Charlie is a shire/percheron cross that, at 20 years old, is the oldest horse in the barn. With that age comes smarts. Charlies brain is always thinking and he is ready to take advantage of sneaking more hay on his way out of the barn or checking the other horse stalls to be sure they vacuumed up all their grain before heading to the pasture. Charlie is great with the public and kids, so he has become a well loved addition to the farm. Charlie was born right over in East Kingston NH and has been owned by John and Carol for the better part of 18 years.
.jpg)
Wyatt
Wyatt is a Belgian gelding that was born in Barnstead NH. He has only been at Coppal House Farm for a couple of years and is the youngest horse in the barn at 9 years old. Wyatt is our famous "dead" horse in our front pasture. even though he is a young horse, he is the one that enjoys sleeping by laying down in the tall grass the most. We have had more phone calls from passers by concerned that we have a dead horse because of wyatt than any other horse we have owned. For those that call, we appreciate your concern...we always check, but he is just sleeping.
the ladies
