Townsend

Townsend is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 9,000 (2020).

Ashby is a town in Massachusetts with a population of 3,000 (2020).

Understand

Townsend

Townsend Common

Townsend sits on the border of New Hampshire, and has the largest land area of all the towns in Middlesex county, and one of the smallest populations in said county. The town is made up of three distinct areas: West Townsend , Townsend Center, and Townsend Harbor. Townsend was settled in 1676, and incorporated in 1732. It had always been a farming community, but by the late 1800s, Barrel Manufacturing came to be Townsend's largest industry with large manufactures, and more than 80 small cooper shops that provided components for the large manufacturers.

Ashby

With the smallest town population in Middlesex County, Ashby is not very developed outside of the downtown area. Many roads are not paved so in spring during mud season stick to route 119 and route 31, the two main roads in town. Ashby was settled in 1676 by the families of James Coleman, James Locke, and John Fitch.

Get in

By car

Townsend is served by state routes 119 and 13.

From the east, take exit 31 on Interstate 495 then go 119 west to Townsend.

From the south, take Interstate 190 North to its northern terminus at Route 2. Take State route 2 west to exit 32, and from there route 13 North will take you from Leominster to Townsend.

From the west, Take Interstate 90 East to 190 North to its northern terminus at Route 2. Take State route 2 west to exit 32, and from there route 13 North will take you from Leominster to Townsend.

Coming in from the north, say, from Manchester International Airport, take NH 101 west to NH 13 South in Milford to Townsend.

Get around

A car our walking are going to be the only way to get around Townsend and Ashby. There is no public transport into our out of town.

See

The Reed Homestead

• 1 The Reed Homestead (Townsend). A historic home in the village of Townsend Harbor. The house is notable mainly for its well-preserved murals on the second floor, attributed to Rufus Porter, founder of Scientific American magazine. The murals date from around 1800 to 1835, and are among the best-preserved examples anywhere of Porter's work. (updated Sep 2019)

Do

• 1 Meetinghouse Park (Townsend). (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Townsend State Forest (Townsend). (updated Sep 2019)

Buy

• 1 Evans On the Common (Old Schoolhouse), 18 Highland St, ☏ +1 978-597-5117. M-Sa 9:30AM-6PM Su noon-5PM. Store that specializes in shoes, but has a selection of clothing, camping, & hiking supplies as well. The building was Townsend's first school, built in 1871. (updated Oct 2023)

• 2 Delaney Antique Clocks, 435 Main St (Townsend), ☏ +1 978-597-2231. Sa Su 9AM-5PM M-F by chance or appointment. Antique clock store that has a large collections of American tall case clocks. Featured on Antiques Roadshow. (updated Oct 2023)

Eat

• Townsend House Restaurant and Tavern (Townsend). Serves American & pub food 
• Cliff's Cafe (Townsend). Popular local breakfast & lunch spot. 
• Panda Wok (Townsend). Serves Asian dishes & Sushi 
• 873 Cafe, 873 Main St (Ashby), ☏ +1 978-386-1185. Tu 11:30AM-9PM W-F 9AM-9PM, Sa Sa 10AM-8PM. Restaurant that serves up American comfort food. Full bar. Breakfast and lunch can be cheap, dinner will be spendy. $10-50. (updated Jan 2023)

Drink

• 1 Bailey's Bar and Grill (Townsend). (updated Sep 2019)

Sleep

There are no Hotels our B&B's in Townsend the only places available for sleeping in Townsend are Campgrounds. If you're looking for accommodations that are not camp sites the closest towns to find them would be Groton, Leominster, or Ayer.

• 1 Pearl Hill State Park, 105 New Fitchburg Rd (Townsend), ☏ +1 978-597-8802. 1000 acre State park with campsites available.  
• The Pines Campground, 39 Davis Rd (Ashby), ☏ +1 978-386-7702. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Quiet hours 10PM-8AM daily. $40-50. (updated Jan 2023)
• 2 Willard Brook State Forest, 599 Main St (Townsend), ☏ +1 978-597-8802. 2,597 acre state forest with 21 campsites and a group yurt  

Connect

• 1 Townsend Public Library. (updated Sep 2019)
• 2 Townsend Post Office. (updated Sep 2019)

Go next

Routes through Townsend

Leominster ← Fitchburg ←	S  N	→ Brookline → Milford
Ashburnham ← Ashby ←	W  E	→ Pepperell → Groton