Tired of malls? Overwhelmed by the internet? Over 150 years ago, the English poet, Christina Rosetti noted that “... a day in the country is worth a month in the town.”  To understand her enduring advice, consider a Holiday Ramble to the eight historic villages located in what is now known as FarmCoast New England. 

Located within a one hour drive of Boston, Providence, Newport, and the towns of Southeastern Massachusetts, FarmCoast New England is a picturesque rural area of villages and farms with views of stone walls, salt marshes, church steeples, harbors, and fields that reflect the rural quality of 19th century New England.

Behind this restful and historic facade, you will discover an active community of artists and artisans, contemporary shops, two wineries, as well as local farm and seafood-based restaurants. Shops in the area see their fair share of summer traffic, yet most are open year-round, and the holidays are a particularly good time to visit the area.  Passing golden salt marsh grasses hugged by a glimmering shoreline, finding out of the way shops along the coastal village route (and away from stressful mall crowds) is pure pleasure.

A good place to start a tour is Coastal Roasters along Route 77– an organic and fair trade coffee shop with a beautiful view of the river and several great coffee gift ideas.  From here you will head south to Tiverton Four Corners where you will find over a dozen stores within walking distance to each other that offer an unusual array of contemporary gift ideas including home furnishings and decorative accessories. Remember that this is also a Rhode Island Tax-Free Zone, so all of your purchases of art works are tax-free.

Entering this 300 year old historic village, you will first find Milk & Honey Bazaar with local and European artisanal cheeses and other gourmet food products.  They can arrange for holiday platters and gift baskets.  Other must-visit shops would be Roseberry-Winn for their award-winning pottery designs and Gallery 4 for imports from China, artwork, and a unique collection of oriental wares including an Oriental Rug Bazaar. Adjacent to Gallery 4 in our Visiting Artist Gallery, find exquisite art work from local area artists, like winner of RI Monthly’s Best Potter Award, Charlie Barmonde. The Meeting House in Four Corners sits just behind the two galleries and is a great place to visit for seasonal events like this year’s Holiday Arts and Artisan Fair.

Across the street from Gallery 4 you will find other must-stops, like Nankeen, which offers beautiful hand-dyed bags and accessories that are made through an ancient Chinese art form. There's no resisting The Cottage at Four Corners, where owner Nancy Hemenway combines hard-to-find French furnishings with cottage-style home accessories. And visit Tiffany Peay’s Jewelry for exquisitely designed and handmade jewelry.  You can also have a family portrait done for the holidays at Cantin Photography, a studio run by master photographer Sally Swart.

Right at one of the Four Corners is Donovan Gallery, where you can purchase paintings from New England artists or just browse the gallery.   Next door at Peter’s Attic you will find antique treasures for your home.  Further south within walking distance are the Mill Pond Shops where you will find Amy Lund’s Weaving Studio with hand-woven scarves, table runners, and many other hand-woven pieces.   Nearby is Little Purls which has been selling children’s festive winter clothing and gifts for almost thirty years.   Stroll through Courtyards for everything from garden art to jewelry, and Sakonnet Purls offers an extensive array of knitting supplies and accessories – perfect for making warm scarves and hats for the holiday season.  As you leave Tiverton Four Corners stop by the historic Sakonnet Farm to buy local eggs and jams, visit the farm animals, and see the restored schoolhouse.

South from Four Corners, still along Route 77, ramblers will find Christmas trees at Patchet Brook Farm, potted plants and greenery at Peckham’s Greenhouse, and local wines at Sakonnet Vineyards.  The Tasting Room is open daily for holiday wines and gift ideas.  Sakonnet Vineyards has created a special Spice Wine for the holidays.  Travel through scenic historic Little Compton Commons into Adamsville to the Fried Glass Studios of glass artist Ian Silvia, where you can visit his studio by appointment. Also in Adamsville is the historic Gray’s Grist Mill, which has been milling grain and producing JonnyCake meals for centuries.

In Westport you can stock up on spirits as well as quality grocery items at Lees Supermarket.  Holiday specials include specialty-food gift baskets.  You select the items; staffers will wrap them up!

At Partners Village Store in Westport Central Village, a medley of gifts, books, toys, and cards are provided with exceptional customer service. Next door to Partners, the newest addition to the FarmCoast awaits. The Dedee Shattuck Gallery is a stunning modern art gallery fashioned in the style of the neighboring Friends Meeting House featuring frequent concerts and artist lectures. The Central Village also boasts three clothing stores – A.S. Deams, Deni’s Closet Boutique, and County Woolens, each with a different assortment of ideas for gifts.   Continue on Hixbridge Road in Westport to Westport Rivers Vineyards and Winery for wine tasting, gifts, and tours. This year Westport Rivers will host a Holiday Artisan Festival and a post-Thanksgiving day Open House featuring hayrides, hot coca, music, gifts, and wine tastings. While you’re in Westport stop in the Head Landing Country Store, a quaint and old-fashioned store that has ice cream, coffee, food, and other convenience items.

In Dartmouth's Russell's Mills stop by at Alderbrook Farm, a sustainable family-run farm, for some local products, wreaths, and holiday crafts.  Nearby isDavoll’s General Store which remains intact from the 19th century and where you will find collectibles, autographed children’s books, and lots of unusual odds and ends.   Also, there’s Salt Marsh Pottery, which makes hand painted pottery and tiles with wildflower imprints as well as specialty baby’s hands and feet imprints by appointment.  Further south from Russell’s Mills, visit Dartmoor Gifts with lots of gift ideas for those with gardens, and Gustin Ceramics, a ceramic fine arts gallery with an exquisite 2011 benefit selection during the month of December featuring work from ceramic artists around the country.

Finally, don’t forget the “harbor village with a beautiful view” – Padanaram Village.  Here you will find a number of gift shops includingFlora, Folia, and The Packet, which provide traditional New England gifts, elegant stationery, and nautical items. Every year Padanaram hosts a Holiday Stroll with decorated sidewalks, holiday treats, caroling, and a guest appearance from the big guy in red. Stop by during the second weekend in December to take advantage of the festivities and unique gifting options. This appealing Main Street community dates back to the mid 18th century when shipbuilding industries were developed.  Later in the 19th century, the area became known for its salt works and whaling port.

Remember to eat! Nearly a dozen great diners and lunch spots are located in the area.  The Back Eddy in Westport Point, whose motto is “think coastal, eat local”, is open for dinner on Thursday and Friday and for lunch and dinner on weekends.  Seafood is their specialty. For dinner in an elegant rustic barn visit Bittersweet Farm, which offers full course dining Tuesday thru Sunday, with a special brunch menu on Sundays. For more casual dining The Black Bass Grille in Padanaram Village is a quaint eatery featuring daily specials and weekend brunch as is the Bayside Restaurant and The Westporter in Westport and the Four Corners Grille at Tiverton Four Corners.