The Laudholm farmhouse dates to about 1820, though it incorporates parts of a house built several decades earlier and was extensively remodeled at the end of the 19th century. It is an anchor of the main campus of the Wells Reserve. The first floor is open to visitors, with exhibits and a gift shop. The second and third floors are reserved for offices.
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Wells Reserve at Laudholm

4.8
ยท328 reviewsยทWells, United States

Explore diverse trails, historic farm buildings, and a 'secret' beach at this coastal conservation reserve.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, beautiful light

CrowdLow
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The Laudholm farmhouse dates to about 1820, though it incorporates parts of a house built several decades earlier and was extensively remodeled at the end of the 19th century. It is an anchor of the main campus of the Wells Reserve. The first floor is open to visitors, with exhibits and a gift shop. The second and third floors are reserved for offices.

Wells Reserve at Laudholm

Best Time

Weekday afternoons

Fewer crowds, beautiful light

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore diverse trails, historic farm buildings, and a 'secret' beach at this coastal conservation reserve.

4.8
(328 reviews)

"Breathtaking sunsets and serene trails make this a must-visit coastal gem."

Vertical photo
TIP

Pack Bug Spray! :bug:

Some trails can be quite buggy, especially in warmer months. Be prepared!

Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:

Trails vary in terrain; sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.8 ยท 328 reviews

Type

Park

๐Ÿ‘ถ Good for kidsโ™ฟ Wheelchair accessible๐Ÿ…ฟ๏ธ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Laudholm Beach

Laudholm Beach

Accessible via Barrier Beach Trail

Discover this 'secret' beach offering stunning ocean views and a peaceful escape.

Instagram+1
Scenic Walking Trails

Scenic Walking Trails

Throughout the reserve

Explore diverse landscapes, from woodlands and wetlands to coastal paths.

Instagram+1
Historic Farm Buildings

Historic Farm Buildings

Main complex

Step back in time at the beautifully restored 17th-century coastal farm buildings.

Instagram
The Wind Phone

The Wind Phone

Specific trail location

A unique and poignant spot for reflection and connection.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Timing Your Visit for the Best Experience

To avoid crowds and enjoy the serene beauty of Wells Reserve at Laudholm, aim for weekdays, especially during off-peak hours. Weekends can get busy, particularly during events or peak season. Consider visiting in the late afternoon for a chance to witness a breathtaking sunset over the ocean. TikTok

Navigating Trails and Beach Access

Wells Reserve offers a variety of trails, from easy, stroller-friendly loops to more rugged paths. The 'secret' Laudholm Beach is a major draw, but be prepared for a walk to reach it. Some trails can be buggy, so pack accordingly. InstagramReddit+1

Best Times

When
Weekday afternoons
Why
Fewer crowds, beautiful light
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoon
Why
Sunset views
Crowd
Medium
When
During events
Why
Festivals and markets
Crowd
High

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

โœจ ๐‹๐จ๐œ๐š๐ฅ ๐’๐ฉ๐จ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ: ๐–๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐‘๐ž๐ฌ๐ž๐ซ๐ฏ๐ž ๐š๐ญ ๐‹๐š๐ฎ๐๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ฆ โ€“ ๐–๐ž๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ, ๐Œ๐š๐ข๐ง๐ž ๐ŸŒฟ Looking for a ๐ฉ๐ž๐š๐œ๐ž๐Ÿ๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐จ๐จ๐ซ ๐ž๐ฌ๐œ๐š๐ฉ๐ž? I had a ๐ฆ๐š๐ ๐ข๐œ๐š๐ฅ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ง in the rain at the @wellsreserve that ended with the sky clearing and the sun breaking through as it set, it was breathtaking! ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™€๏ธThe ๐’๐š๐ฐ-๐–๐ก๐ž๐ญ โ†’ ๐…๐š๐ซ๐ฅ๐ž๐ฒ โ†’ ๐‚๐š๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐š๐ญ๐ก loop is a ๐ก๐ข๐๐๐ž๐ง ๐ ๐ž๐ฆ. From towering pines to estuary views and open fields, this trail has a little bit of ever...
melissa.sells.maine
10 likes โ€ข 314 views

Pack Bug Spray! :bug:

Some trails can be quite buggy, especially in warmer months. Be prepared! Reddit

Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:

Trails vary in terrain; sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring. Instagram

Did you know that there is a "Secret" beach in Wells Maine? It's Called Laudholm Beach! Here is how to visit it โฌ๏ธ โ€ข Location: 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, Maine: Follow the signs for Wells Reserve at Laudholm from RT 1 โ€ข Hours: 7am- Sunset โ€ข Cost: $6 โ€ข Parking: Yes โ€ข Bathrooms: Yes: about 1/2 mile from the beach โ€ข Area Rules: No dogs or other pets No bicycles or motor vehicles No fires or c...
travelingmainers
14.6K likes โ€ข 1.1M views
Barrier Beach and Laird Northon Loop: Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm ๐Ÿ“ 342 Laudholm Farm Rd Wells, Maine - 1.6 mile loop on Barrier Beach Trail and Laird Northon trail with other options - Easy - Stroller/wagon Friendly- for most trail strollers. One part near beach is gravel and would be tricky. - Not Ada wheelchair accessible but some might be able to handle it as long as you donโ€™t go onto the...
seacoasthikes
608 likes โ€ข 34.6K views

Check Event Schedule ๐Ÿ“…

The reserve hosts art festivals and other events, which can be a highlight. Instagram

Respect the 'Secret' Beach ๐ŸŒŠ

Laudholm Beach is a special spot; help keep it pristine by following all rules. Instagram

The rain didnt damper the beautiful celebration of Forreste and Anthony on Saturday, June 3rd at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. #fromthecaterersview #maineweddings #saltydogbbq
saltydogbbqmaine
9 likes โ€ข 501 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Pack Bug Spray! :bug:

Some trails can be quite buggy, especially in warmer months. Be prepared! Reddit

Wear Comfortable Shoes :athletic_shoe:

Trails vary in terrain; sturdy footwear is recommended for exploring. Instagram

Check Event Schedule ๐Ÿ“…

The reserve hosts art festivals and other events, which can be a highlight. Instagram

Respect the 'Secret' Beach ๐ŸŒŠ

Laudholm Beach is a special spot; help keep it pristine by following all rules. Instagram

Free Parking & Entry ๐Ÿš—

Enjoy the grounds and many trails without an admission fee. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.8
(328 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the beautiful trails and the serene atmosphere of Wells Reserve at Laudholm, with many highlighting the unique experience of reaching Laudholm Beach. The historic farm buildings and the 'Wind Phone' also receive positive mentions. Some reviewers note that certain trails can be buggy, and while generally free, there might be minor fees associated with specific access points.

"Went on a field trip at the Somersworth Maplewood School and we had a blast guide. Karen, which was spelled different was absolutely amazing. She was a great guy and thank you very much. I could only post pictures with Karen in them and no none of the children due to they are not my children so I cannot post their faces."

Jeremy Whitcomb Sr

"Love the hiking here and beautiful beach access. They also have restrooms. One trail super buggy."

Debbi Slavin

"Lovely science and nature park. Nature education excursions for all ages. Art and an annual Art and crafts market are secondary / support the primary mission."

Rolfe Petschek

What People Like

Beautiful trails
Laudholm Beach access
Historic farm buildings

What People Dislike

Buggy trails
Walk to beach

Frequently Asked Questions

๐Ÿš‡ ๐Ÿ—บ๏ธ Getting There

The Wells Reserve at Laudholm is located at 342 Laudholm Farm Rd, Wells, Maine. Follow signs for the reserve from Route 1. There is ample free parking available on-site. InstagramReddit

Public transport options to Wells Reserve at Laudholm are limited. It is best accessed by car. Instagram

From Route 1 in Wells, Maine, follow signs directing you to Laudholm Farm Road. The entrance to the reserve will be clearly marked. Instagram

Yes, there is plenty of free parking available at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm. Reddit

Absolutely! Wells Reserve is a popular destination for visitors from surrounding areas in Southern Maine and New England. Instagram

๐ŸŽซ ๐ŸŽซ Tickets & Entry

While exploring the grounds and many trails is free, some sources mention a small fee for beach access or parking. However, recent visitor feedback indicates free parking and entry to explore the grounds. InstagramReddit

The reserve is generally open from 7 am until sunset. It's always a good idea to check their official website for any seasonal changes or specific event hours. Instagram

No advance booking is typically required for general visits to Wells Reserve at Laudholm. You can usually just show up and explore. Reddit

Yes, the Wells Reserve at Laudholm hosts various events, including the Laudholm Nature Craft Festival, which attracts many visitors. Instagram

The beautiful scenery makes it a popular spot for engagement and wedding photography. Instagram+1

๐ŸŽซ ๐Ÿงญ Onsite Experience

Wells Reserve offers a variety of trails, including easy, stroller-friendly loops like the Barrier Beach Trail and Laird Northon Trail, as well as more natural paths through woodlands and wetlands. Instagram+1

Yes, a trail leads to Laudholm Beach, often described as a 'secret' beach, offering beautiful ocean views. Instagram+2

Restrooms are available on the premises, though they may be a walk from the beach itself. InstagramReddit+1

Some trails, like the Barrier Beach and Laird Northon loops, are noted as being stroller or wagon-friendly, though some gravel sections might be tricky. Instagram

The Wind Phone is a unique installation where visitors can make calls to loved ones who have passed away, offering a space for reflection and remembrance. Reddit

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ ๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Food & Dining

There are no dining facilities directly within the Wells Reserve itself. Visitors typically bring their own snacks or plan to eat in nearby Wells. Instagram

Picnicking is generally allowed in designated areas. It's a great way to enjoy the natural surroundings. Reddit

The town of Wells offers various dining options, from casual seafood shacks to restaurants. Instagram

During special events like the Nature Craft Festival, there might be food vendors present. Instagram

Yes, visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy during their visit. Reddit

๐Ÿ“ธ ๐Ÿ“ธ Photography

The reserve offers diverse photographic opportunities, including scenic trails, the historic farm buildings, and especially Laudholm Beach with its ocean vistas. TikTokInstagram+1

Absolutely! The natural beauty and coastal setting make it a highly sought-after location for engagement and wedding photography. Instagram+1

Late afternoon is often recommended for the best light, especially for capturing sunsets over the ocean. TikTok

General photography for personal use is welcome. For commercial or professional shoots, it's advisable to check with the reserve administration. Instagram

Yes, the reserve is a habitat for various wildlife, offering opportunities for nature photography, but always maintain a respectful distance. Instagram

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Wells Reserve at Laudholm (2026) โ€“ Best of TikTok, Instagram & Reddit Travel Guide