A Long Weekend at Naulakha for Families: A Stay That’s “Just So”

By Sophia Capy

Like Rudyard Kipling’s books, his Vermont home is the perfect escape for the whole family. From the rhododendron tunnel to the ship-like structure of the house, there’s exploration to be done by everyone. What makes the property so versatile? Well, if this home were a college student, it would be majoring in duality. Kipling combined architectural elements from the East and West to birth a truly stunning space. The home highlights Kipling's own life, as he was born in Bombay, India, moving west for schooling. At every corner of this house, magic marries history and beauty befriends coherence. 

The home’s location alone will help you gather why a man who often drew creativity from his surroundings settled in this spot. Beyond the property, there’s loads to explore as well, from Scott Farm Orchard and Black Mountain trailhead just down the road to the welcoming town of Brattleboro, where you’ll come across restaurants on the river, sweet little cafes, brew pubs, art galleries, vintage shops, and countless swimming holes. 

Tragically, Kipling was only able to enjoy his masterpiece for four years because of a family dispute, so with sorrow, he went back to England. Defeated, he claimed that the only two places he wanted to live were “Bombay or Brattleboro, and [he] couldn’t live in either.” But the truth is, no matter how long you stay in this historical oasis, you’ll feel that your time here, too, was not long enough. For, as stated by previous guests, it’s “a humble privilege to be in a place of such history, beauty, and peace.”