Strafford County · Seacoast

Barrington

Swains Lake and Fourteen Ponds in the Seacoast Foothills

About Barrington

Barrington is a sprawling, pond-dotted town that has grown steadily while keeping its rural feel largely intact. Incorporated in 1722 and named for colonial governor Samuel Shute of Barrington Hall, it started as iron-smelting country — ore from local bogs fed the Lamprey River Iron Works, one of the earliest industrial operations in the province. By 1810, Barrington was the third-largest town in New Hampshire with over 3,500 residents, though its rocky soil kept agriculture modest. The landscape is defined by water: no fewer than 14 ponds, including the 341-acre Swains Lake and Mendum's Pond, plus a 374-foot summit called Beauty Hill that overlooks much of it. Those ponds and lakes make Barrington a quiet draw for fishing, kayaking, and swimming when the weather warms up. Beauty Hill offers decent views for a relatively easy climb, and the network of back roads works well for cycling through the countryside. It's the kind of place where you can still find your way to a swimming hole that feels like your own discovery, even though plenty of locals know about it too. Calef's Country Store has operated on Route 9 since 1869, selling cheddar wheels, penny candy, and local goods in a building that hasn't changed much in a century and a half. Turbocam International, a precision turbomachinery manufacturer with operations in four countries, is headquartered just down the road — an unlikely global industrial player in a town where most intersections still don't have traffic lights. It's that kind of contrast that defines modern Barrington: old New England rhythms with just enough growth and commerce to keep things interesting.

Why Barrington?

Short commutes to Dover (15 min), Rochester (13 min), and Portsmouth (29 min)
Rural character with 14 ponds and extensive woodland
Home to Calef's Country Store, a beloved NH landmark since 1869
Strong local school district (SAU 74) with choice of three high schools

Quick Facts

Population

9,326

County

Strafford

Region

Seacoast

School District

SAU 74

Weather in Barrington

52°F

Partly Cloudy

Today

56 / 29

Sun

59 / 37

Mon

61 / 37

Map

Living in Barrington

What you need to know about making Barrington your home.

Major Employers

Turbocam InternationalCalef's Country StoreBarrington School District

Schools & Education

Barrington operates its own PK-8 district (SAU 74), then offers tuition choice to Coe-Brown Northwood Academy, Dover High School, or Oyster River High School for grades 9-12.

Cost of Living

Above the national average, driven by housing. Property taxes are $19.56/1K and median home price around $639K. No state income or sales tax.

Real Estate

$639,000 median home price

$19.56 per $1,000 property tax rate

No state income or sales tax in NH

View listings in Barrington

Commute Times

15 min

Dover

13 min

Rochester

29 min

Portsmouth

School District

School district

Barrington School District(SAU 74)

Grades served: PreK-12

Website

Early Childhood Learning Center

PK-KElementary

Barrington Elementary School

1-4Elementary

Barrington Middle School

5-8Middle School

Coe-Brown Northwood Academy / Dover High SchoolGreen Wave

9-12 (tuition choice)High School

Hidden Gems in Barrington

Beyond the well-known attractions, Barrington has spots that locals love and visitors rarely find.

Winnie-the-Pooh Trail at Goodwill Conservation Area

year-round

This enchanting 0.8-mile trail leads through the woods with signs marking the homes of Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Eeyore, and finally Pooh's house nestled under a dramatic 30-foot granite ledge. Complete with honey bottles left as tributes and a tiny library built by a local student, the trail feels like stepping into the Hundred Acre Wood. You'll cross a bridge over Richardson Pond's spillway to start this magical journey that adults remember from childhood while kids experience for the first time.

Gonic Falls (Locke Falls)

summer

This 20-30 foot double waterfall on the Isinglass River is beloved by locals for its deep swimming holes and smooth granite rocks perfect for lounging. The falls have remnants of old mill structures from when John Locke built sawmills here in the 1730s. Access is surprisingly easy via the Waste Management trails, and the combination of historical significance and excellent swimming makes it a local favorite that most visitors never discover.

Barrington Town Forest Teaching Amphitheater

year-round

Hidden deep in the town forest, this stone amphitheater features terraced seating made of carefully placed rocks and wooden benches. Built for environmental education programs, it sits in a natural clearing surrounded by towering trees. The amphitheater is rarely used now and has that mysterious, abandoned quality that makes stumbling upon it feel like discovering a forest secret. The acoustic properties are surprisingly good for such a rustic setting.

Richardson Pond Dam Bridge and Spillway

year-round

This small dam creates Richardson Pond and features a charming wooden bridge where you can watch water cascade over the spillway below. The sound of rushing water creates a peaceful atmosphere, and the bridge offers lovely views across the pond to the wooded hills beyond. Most people rush past to reach the Pooh Trail, but locals know to pause here and enjoy the tranquil scene. The dam is actually a piece of local engineering history, recently studied for renovation.