Pickity Place
4.8(1.3K)google
4.5(195)yelp
Date SpotGirls' TripIndoorOutdoorQuirkyLiteratureFolk Culture
Overview
Tucked away in the rustic, wooded hills of Mason, Pickity Place is a historic, fairytale-like destination housed in a beautifully preserved 1786 colonial cottage. The picturesque property gained enduring national fame when it was chosen by illustrator Elizabeth Orton Jones as the visual model for Grandmother's house in the classic Little Golden Book edition of 'Little Red Riding Hood'. Today, visitors can explore the enchanting cottage rooms filled with antique furnishings, stroll through expansive, aromatic cottage herb gardens, and enjoy a world-class, five-course gourmet lunch infused entirely with fresh, estate-grown edible flowers and herbs.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeThe peak era is May to October when the historic cottage permaculture herb gardens are in full bloom (Note: Their signature five-course gourmet garden lunch is world-famous; you must pre-book dining seats online months in advance). Arrive by 11:30 AM; morning sun makes the historic 1786 red homestead pop beautifully for rustic photography before lunch.
Getting ThereSecluded deeply in rural hilltop forest in Mason at 249 Nutting Hill Road. Driving a capable car is mandatory. From Nashua, follow NH-101A W west, transition onto NH-31 S, and follow the tiny wooden directional markers up the winding, steep unpaved grades of Nutting Hill Road to their open, free rustic shaded gravel parking fields.
Travel Tips
- Famous as the Little Red Riding Hood cottage; its signature Five-Course Luncheon requires a 100% advance prepaid online reservation a month out.
- Located in remote forested backcountry; the final 2 miles consist of unpaved, rough dirt roads that pose traction hazards for low-profile 2WD cars.
- The deep forest setting creates a complete cellular blindspot; pre-download your digital booking confirmation as active networks cannot be reached.
Reviews
Positive
- Like stepping into a storybook! The original illustration model cottage for Little Red Riding Hood features 300-year-old healing cottage charm.
- The famous five-course herbal luncheon uses fresh herbs cut from their own gardens daily, yielding amazing gourmet flavors.
- The botanical greenhouse shop is fantastic, stocking artisanal potted flora and handmade soaps with warm, gentle client service.
- The mountain breezes and rich herbal aromas offer an authentic, crowd-free quiet that completely melts big-city anxiety away.
Heads up
- The signature five-course lunch runs pricey and enforces an ironclad booking rule; peak seats sell out months early.
- The multi-course slow lunch takes well over 2 hours, presenting a massive time logistical overhead for fast-paced road trippers.
- The final multi-mile mountain approach consists of unpaved, narrow dirt logging lanes that get highly muddy, testing small sedans.
- Because every dish is tailored around botanicals, it can be polarizing for picky eaters who prefer heavy, standard fast food staples.