Look Inside A Gorgeous New Hampshire Cabin With Its Own Private Island

There is a legend about the Native American name of Lake Winnipesaukee — which is said to mean "the smile of the Great Spirit" — in which the love of a young couple triumphs over a father's initial disapproval, according to New Hampshire Tour Guide. That's a good sign for everyone who enjoys the beauty of the largest lake in the state of New Hampshire, including whoever buys Hermit's Island, listed for sale for $3,349,000 (via Zillow). Whether you like to boat, fish, ski, hike, or leaf peep in the fall, this 2.3 acre island will put you in a prime location to enjoy it all year-round. Plus, you're just two hours north of Boston and have easy access to an international airport.

The property, which has been owned by the same family for 40 years, has 1,300 feet of waterfront access, including four boat slips with room for more. Just 200 feet away on the mainland, a .25 acre lot with a 20 foot x 30 foot garage and upstairs sleeping quarters is part of the same deed, and is included in the sale. When the lake freezes in the winter, you can ice skate across it for winter recreation.

Hermit's Island is located in Moultonborough Bay, the longest bay on the lake. The town of Moultonborough has the highest percentage of vacation homes in the area that is referred to as the lakes region in New Hampshire, just south of the White Mountains, per Roche Realty. Owning an island means you can be a part of it all, without being elbow-to-elbow with everyone else. 

The exact number of islands on Lake Winnipesaukee is up to some debate depending on how you define an island's size, but Hermit's Island is one of over 244 islands, according to the Lakes Region Tourism Association. Only about half of the islands are over .25 acres, and many of the larger islands have multiple properties on them, per Roche Realty. Hermit's Island can be subdivided into two lots — an ideal situation if you want your extended family close by, but in a separate house.

The three-bedroom home on the island was built in 1968, according to Realtor, but was recently renovated. Despite its multi-million dollar price tag, it is a modest home of approximately 1,552 square feet with wood shake siding. Among the updates that are sure to be attractive to the new owner are the year-round electricity, the high-speed internet delivered via an underwater cable, and a new roof. Even if you're snowed in, you can still binge-watch your favorite shows. Additionally, electric heat and a wood stove will keep you cozy in the winter. New flooring and a new deck are also recent updates.

The large living room of this lakefront New Hampshire residence is designed to take in the wide lake view through two sets of sliding doors that open to the deck, per Realtor. A stacked stone fireplace covers one wall of the room, and is inset with a beautiful wood-burning stove. A large slate hearth trimmed in wood extends around the stove. The ceiling is wrapped in honey-colored wood paneling, giving a true cabin vibe to the room. Recessed lights and a contemporary ceiling fan are additional accents.

The colors in the eat-in kitchen of this New Hampshire home combine cool and warm hues, from the grey and silver tones in the new floors and the stone counters to the honey-colored wood beams and trim. White shiplap lines the ceiling, contributing to the feeling of an airy space. A triangular window fills the gable and floods the kitchen with light, along with the sliding glass doors out to the deck. The outdoor space wraps across the front of the house to join the large deck area off of the living room, with stairs down to a slate landing along the edge of the water, per photos on Realtor. 

There are two bedrooms on the first floor, along with one full bathroom and a half bathroom. All of these rooms continue the same flooring seen in the kitchen. The primary bedroom on the second level is framed with an oversized dormer with four windows, which face southeast and will give you a perfect sunrise-view over the lake right from your bedroom.