The pictures really don’t do this lovely place justice. If you are looking for a classic summer cottage with great views, where you can truly unplug, this is it. This cute 1950's house has an airy open floor plan centered on an exposed brick fireplace, with views out to an inlet of the tidal Kennebec River all along one side. The tides flowing in and out over an old mill dam, fish jumping, and seabirds wheeling and diving for dinner make for a constantly changing view. Although the cottage backs up to a narrow secondary road to Popham Beach, cars have to slow way down to come through the little cluster of houses at Parker’s Head, and traffic noise is minimal; between 8 pm and 8 am, you might hear three cars pass. A large linden tree provides a visual barrier between the house and road, and extensive shrubbery screens the small back yard. The location is excellent for exploring the Phippsburg peninsula and Bath (be sure to visit the Maine Maritime Museum). But you may find yourself spending more time than you expected just hanging out at the cottage, enjoying the fresh breezes and beautiful views.

The cottage itself is very comfortable but not luxurious, with pretty mismatched dishes and eclectic furniture, and shelves of books about boating and cooking and local history. It was well-equipped with everything we needed for a week's stay. The beds are on the firm side, so if you like a softer mattress you might want to bring your own mattress pad. (And the beds are all doubles, not queens.) Be aware that although there is good AT&T cell coverage, there really is no wi-fi here, and there are very few TV channels. I did more recreational reading in a week here than I had in the previous six months. If you go, review the owner’s 3-ring binder of notes early on; it contains useful and interesting information. All in all, it was a wonderful week at Parker's Head. I highly recommend this cottage for people interested in nature and history, who are looking for a peaceful and secluded vacation.