Weir River Farm

115 Turkey Hill Ln, Hingham, MA 02043, USA

The Trusetees: 781-740-7233

weirriverfarm@thetrustees.org

http://www.thetrustees.org/places-to-visit/south-of-boston/weir-river-farm.html

Owned By: The Trustees

• Directions
• Trail Map

Hingham’s Weir River Farm is a 75-acre family-friendly working farm with beautiful landscapes and 2 miles of varied walking trails. The barnyard is open seasonally. Cows, pigs and other livestock can often be spotted grazing in fenced-in areas alongside the trails. Don’t miss the view of the Boston city skyline from Turkey Hill Lane. Immediately adjacent to Turkey Hill and Whitney & Thayer Woods, with up-close views of the Weir River itself.

Features

The farm was part of the estate of Polly Thayer Starr, whose paintings and drawings were exhibited at museums in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia for more than 70 years. Starr donated the property to The Trustees in 1999.

Resident livestock include a small number of horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens.

In cooperation with the Town of Hingham, authorized bow hunting (in season) is permitted from ½ hour before sunrise all day until ½ hour after sunset Monday through Saturday. Hunting is not allowed on Sundays. Signage posted at the property lists safety precautions, requirements, and rules.

This land is within the region of the Massachusett (or Massachuseuk). To learn more about local Native American tribes, we encourage you to interact with their members. The Mattakeeset band of the Massachusett, and the Massachusett tribe at Ponkapoag, both share information on their websites. 

Trail Description

There are a few intersecting loops trails on the property, plus some paved roadways. There is a lot to see here! The Story Walk, across from the parking area and leading downhill to the barnyard, features pages of a story book that young children might especially enjoy.

The orange-blazed loop trail extends for a mile through varied terrain. If you start at the first parking area on Turkey Hill Lane, head past the vegetable garden fields and chicken coop to the Thayer Trail. Turn right on the Thayer Trail and follow it through the woods and out to Turkey Hill Lane. Cross Turkey Hill Lane and continue through a grassy section into a semi-formal garden. There is also a pet burial area here with some intriguing gravestone inscriptions! This trail continues downhill through a quiet valley and then back into the woods. You can detour to the left on the Weir River Path to view the Weir River (adding another mile or so to your route) or continue straight, following the orange blazes, to the barnyard. From there, head uphill between the pastures to return to the parking area.

Another loop begins at the parking area for Turkey Hill, farther up Turkey Hill Lane. Look for the grassy trail alongside the pasture, heading toward the water tower. Follow this trail along the pasture fence. It will eventually lead downhill and around to the barnyard. You can continue uphill, along the trail between the pastures, and back around, via Turkey Hill Lane, to your starting place (about 1 mile total), or consider the Weir River Path or Thayer Trail loops mentioned above.

Additional trail access to Turkey Hill and Whitney & Thayer Woods.

Habitats and Wildlife

A working farm comprised of fields and pastures surrounded by oak and red cedar woodlands. Occasional glacial erratic boulders stand within the fields. The woodlands here are not especially dense. You’ll find a variety of trees — maple, oak, birch, cedar, holly, as well as sumac. The fields are mowed annually and otherwise maintained as an ongoing effort to restore grassland birds species, including bobolink and meadowlark. Mass Wildlife stocks the Weir River with brown and Eastern Brook trout.

Formed at the confluence of Crooked Meadow River and Fulling Mill Brook, the Weir River flows north through Hingham, with Tower Brook and Accord Brook joining it in its first mile. It gradually turns northeast and flows for another 1.4 miles, through Weir River Farm and eventually into Foundry Pond. The Weir River Estuary, designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Area of Critical Concern, begins just below the manmade dam at the pond. The mile-wide estuary — with numerous acres of undisturbed salt marsh — forms the border between Hingham and Hull, and empties into Hingham Bay. For more information about the Weir River, follow the Weir River Watershed Association.