Barrington
Barrington is one of the fastest growing small towns in the area. Located just west of Dover, Barrington is home to close to 8,000 people. Uniquely situated between the Seacoast and the mountains, Barrington is just minutes from the University of New Hampshire. The town has seen many companies develop along the Route 125 corridor, which runs through the town. Light manufacturers, service industries, and retail stores are found on the main highway and along the side roads. With its woods and fields, lakes, ponds, and riversides, Barrington offers hiking and fishing, camping, hunting, cross-country skiing, and golf, among many other seasonal sports.
Durham
Just south of Dover is the town of Durham, formerly known as the Oyster River Plantation. Durham houses the University of New Hampshire, which has a beautiful campus that dominates the center of this charming college town. Along with the many dance, theater, music, and intercollegiate sports available and open to the public, the community offers visitors year-round enjoyment with arts at the Mill Pond Center, nature trails and reserves, a buffalo farm, and a number of other indoor and outdoor recreational activities. Durham is part of the Oyster River School District and is home to more than 12,000 people.
Lee and Madbury
Lee and Madbury are on the outskirts of Dover. These rural communities are part of the Oyster River School District, which boasts many state honors from sports to scholastic achievements. Lee is home to more than 4,100 people, and Madbury is home to more than 1,500. The historic societies of Lee and Madbury will proudly provide visitors with an array of stories and memorabilia of these towns’ rich histories.
Rochester
Known as the Lilac City for its abundant displays of purple lilacs, Rochester is one of the largest cities in the Seacoast region, and it is the fifth largest city in New Hampshire with a population of more than 31,000 residents. Encompassing more than 48 square miles of rolling hills and rivers, Rochester offers quality living with a friendly business environment. Rochester’s commitment to economic development has spurred major growth of manufacturing and high-tech companies. Home to Skyhaven Airport, the city continues to diversify, strengthen, and grow as business and industrial expansions attract new residents to the area.
Whether shopping or browsing through a mall, enjoying the dining establishments, or taking in a performance at the restored historic Rochester Opera House, Rochester is the place to be. Residents and visitors enjoy a number of cultural and civic activities throughout the year, including the annual Lilac Family Fun Festival in the spring, a summer festival at the Rochester Commons, the popular Rochester Fair, and a holiday parade in the winter.
Rollinsford
Nestled between Dover and Somersworth is the small town of Rollinsford. Its beautiful rolling hills and open spaces have enticed more than 2,600 people to call Rollinsford home, and its historic mill buildings, located in the quaint downtown, house a variety of artists and small businesses. Rollinsford is home to the Garrison Players Arts Center, a community theatre founded in 1953. This rural New Hampshire town is an easy commute to downtown Dover for work, recreation, and entertainment.
Somersworth
Somersworth, the Hilltop City, offers quality services, successful businesses, and a variety of cultural activities. With a population of approximately 11,600, Somersworth offers several natural resource areas, including the Salmon Falls River, Willand Pond, and Lily Pond. Superior commercial locations and a complete municipal amenities package are the reasons why the city has become a choice location for a growing number of industries. Affordable, attractive, historic homes and new construction are found throughout the city, making Somersworth an ideal location to live and work. Home to the annual Somersworth International Children’s Festival and Kids Koncert series, Somersworth is considered to be a place to grow and prosper.
South Berwick, Maine
Rich in history, South Berwick (with a population of more than 6,700) is one of the Berwicks of Maine, which also include North Berwick and Berwick. Although settled in the early 1600s, South Berwick wasn’t incorporated until 1814. In the early years, South Berwick was abundant with wildlife, fish, and lumber. As the town became more settled, shipbuilding sites, sawmills, and trading posts were built along the river. The Hamilton House on Vaughan’s Lane, built in 1785, remains one of the town’s most well-known historical tributes to its shipbuilding days. Writer Sarah Orne Jewett is a notable figure in South Berwick’s history, and Jewett’s house on Portland Street is a popular tourist attraction. South Berwick is also the home of one of Maine’s oldest private schools, Berwick Academy, which was established in 1791. South Berwick’s Vaughan Woods Park and the Spring Hill Recreation Area are great spots for picnicking during warm weather months.