A Head Start on Shaws Pond in New Durham
$299,000
New Durham is in Strafford County, in central New Hampshire's lake region, where Shaws Pond sits spring-fed and mostly quiet on 70 acres — the kind of small pond that locals know about and outsiders don't.
Shaws Pond is spring-fed, roughly 70 acres, and clear enough that people swim in it. This 2.1-acre lot sits directly on it, with a walking path from the driveway down to the water's edge. The rustic cabin on site has electricity, a composting toilet, and an outhouse — no well, no septic — and there's a dock currently pulled up onshore waiting for the next owner to decide what to do with it.
Listed at $299,000 after a $30,000 price cut, this is best understood as a buildable waterfront lot with a head start rather than a finished home — there are a couple of potential building sites on the property to take advantage of long pond views. The listing is handled by Adam Dow of KW Coastal and Lakes & Mountains Realty.
Life at the Water
Water Access & Depth
The lot's own land runs down to Shaws Pond's edge via the existing walking path, giving direct water access without crossing any other property. Buyers should confirm exact riparian rights and any easements with an attorney before closing.
Recreation & Boating
Shaws Pond is known for clear, swimmable water and supports canoeing and fishing well, though its smaller size means no real powerboat traffic. New Durham's much larger Merrymeeting Lake, about 1,233 acres with a state-owned public boat launch and a town beach, is a short drive away for anyone who wants bigger water.
Dock & Waterfront Features
A dock exists but is currently pulled up onshore, not installed in the water. Buyers should confirm New Hampshire DES shoreland permitting before reinstalling or modifying it.
Flood & Insurance Considerations
Pond-front land like this is generally subject to normal seasonal level changes rather than river or tidal flooding, but buyers should still check the FEMA flood map for this parcel before building, along with septic and well feasibility given the site currently has neither.
Beyond the Property Line
Local Flavor & Small-Town Character
New Durham was granted in 1749 and incorporated under its current name in 1762, settled largely by colonists from Durham, NH, and is one of the few New Hampshire towns still in possession of its original township charter. The town's character today centers on its lakes rather than a dense downtown, with New Durham Parks & Recreation running the town beach, ballfields, and community programs.
Outdoor Recreation & Natural Surroundings
Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham's largest, is considered one of the clearest lakes in the state, with a state-run boat launch, a town beach, and a free public kayak/paddleboard club that meets weekly in season. The wider Lakes Region around New Durham, within reach of Lake Winnipesaukee, offers boating, hiking, and small-town New England scenery year-round.
Listed on Zillow
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