SITTING at the century-old table, gleaming in the midday sun steaming through the stained glass windows, the Abba hit Money, Money, Money played in my head. And it’s no wonder. For I was in the Gold Room at the iconic Mount Washington Hotel in New Hampshire — the very room both the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund were created after World War Two.
18 The stunning Omni Mount Washington Resort in New Hampshire's Bretton Woods Credit: Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort 18 Heather and pals in the hotel's gold room where the world Bank was created 18 Heather got to meet New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu Then US President Franklin Roosevelt and UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill set up the conference of leaders and economists from allied nations to hammer out a plan for international economic cooperation. Looking at the old black and white pictures of the attendees, taking a seat on one of the very chairs these men sat on to hammer out the agreement, it was easy to see why this place was chosen for such an important meeting. I even got to meet New Hampshire' s Governor Chris Sununu, who told us all about the historic venue.
The elegant Gilded Age hotel — now known as the Omni Mount Washington Resort — is in a remote location, deep in the Bretton Woods, surrounded by 800,000 acres of forest. Read more in travel ROUTE RAGE I travelled NC500 - spectacular scenery amazed me but locals are rightly angry TOWEL WARS Mob of sunbed warriors SPRINT for loungers as holidaymakers watch in dismay Waking up in the morning and enjoying breakfast with views of the state’s staggeringly beautiful White Mountains was incredible, including mighty Mount Washington, the highest peak in the Presidential Range. 18 Breakfast at the hotel comes with stunning view of the Presidential mountain range Credit: Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort 18 Beautiiful bedroom at the Omni Mount Washington Resort Credit: Courtesy of Omni Mount Washington Resort The whole of this New England state is a beaut.
It’s stuffed full of history , stunning scenery, outdoor activities, gorgeous lakes, great food and oh, let’s not forget maple syrup! Yup forget Canada , New England boasts some of the best (in my humble opinion) maple syrup in the world. I say that with confidence because, until I tried some in Fadden’s General Store in North Woodstock, I thought I hated the stuff. But the syrup made here by the family since the 1930s totally tantalised my tastebuds.
Most read in Travel HAPPY CAMPERS We holiday in £1k tent with BUNK BEDS & don't care if it's not 'real' camping GEARING UP Attraction dubbed ‘Harry Potter meets art gallery’ will open in former jail READ ALL ABOUT IT Inside stunning Scots spots that inspired books, from Dracula to One Day JET SET Small UK airport reveals plans to start long-haul flights for the first time ever It was smooth and sticky at the same time, delicious and deeply flavoured, with not a hint of the burnt taste I had associated with it. “That would have been maple mixed with cane syrup you have had. Cheap and nasty,” James Fadden said as he saw my face light up with delight as I became a maple convert.
I bought not one, but two, jars to take home . 18 Fadden's General Stores sells their very own amazing maple syrup Credit: Colleen Eliason/White Mountain Attractions 18 Heather and her pals with fig Tree Gallery owner Stacy Lucas 18 Breakfast of champs t the Woodstock Inn and Brewery Credit: Colleen Eliason/White Mountain Attractions Next stop in this cute as a button little village, flanked by forests of maples and the Pemigewasset River, was Fig Tree North Gallery , owned by the totally infectious Stacy Lucas. She sells creations by local artists, including her own, as well as jewellery , bags, vintage pieces, fabulous greeting cards and more.
I could’ve spent hours browsing all the knick-knacks and listening to Stacy’s entertaining stories but the call of freshly brewed coffee — and more importantly — warm-from-the-oven and mouthwatering good muffins at nearby Woodstock Inn Station was just the right pull to save me spending all my holiday dollars. Woodstock also has a bar, a very popular restaurant and even a brewery, producing some of New Hampshire’s most popular craft beers, definitely worth a pit stop. Then it was time for another appointment with Mount Washington — this time a historic pleasure cruiser on Lake Winnipesaukee.
The MS Mount Washington has been sailing the waters of the lake since 1940 but unfortunately we were there out of season, so missed out on a trip on the glimmering waters of the picturesque lake. 18 The MS Mount Washington sailing Lake Winnipesaukee 18 Heather's group had a fabulous lunch at the Lakeside Grille 18 Hermit Woods Winery's Bab Manley with some of his creations For lunch we headed to the Lakehouse Grille at Church Landing in Meredith, where the show-stopping views of Lake Winnipesaukee were a feast for the eyes, as much as the fabulous food was for the belly. Jumbo Shrimps the menu promised me for my Shrimp Cocktail — and jumbo they were indeed! Fresh, succulent, delicious, as were the blackened shrimps which came with avocado hummus my fellow diner ordered.
Yes I did steal one (or two)! Lobster rolls, dripping with butter, mac ’n’ cheese , chili-glazed salmon and prime rib sandwiches all came perfectly cooked and beautifully presented by the super-friendly staff. We washed all our delights down with some tipples at Hermit Woods Winery in the town where they make wine from everything BUT grapes. Wild blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, pears, apples, peaches and even green tomatoes are made into delicious vinos by owners and friends, photographer Bob, geologist Ken and pilot Chuck.
I was dubious but boy the wines we tasted were amazing. My fave had to be the Winnipesaukee Rosé made from cranberries and apples. It went down an absolute treat, as did a pistachio ice cream and a couple of melt-in-the-mouth truffles from next door Kellerhause Chocolates .
Back to the Omn we were treated to a ride on the famous Mount Washington Cog Railway. Showman and circus owner P.T.
Barnum called it the second greatest show on earth (after his of course) when he took a ride to the top of the mountain in 1869. My ride over 150 years later was equally as incredible. 18 The historic Cog Railway on Mount Washington 18 Stunning views from the Blue Bistro at the Beachmere Inn 18 Kennebunkport is where the Bush family call home in the summer Next day I gave the hotel's sumptuous breakfast a miss, as were heading to Maine for the next part of our trip and were stopping for lunch at the Beachmere Inn in Ogunquit, which I was told was worth the wait.
It most definitely was. My baked haddock sandwich was crammed full of flavour as well as fish and the chips..
.well , probably among the bets I've ever tasted. The weather wasn’t playing ball, but to be honest the lashing rain and wind actually provided a perfect backdrop of storm-lashed shores as we enjoyed the magnificent creations at the Inn’s Blue Bistro.
I was sad to leave such a beautiful setting, but we were headed to Portland for the night and wanted to detour through Kennebunkport to see summer home of former President George Bush and wander the cute little artisan shops . This is a cute as a button, small town America as it gets. No wonder the 41st Pres choose this place for his summer home.
The coastal town, in southern Maine, is well known for its beautiful sandy beaches and fabulous views. In Portland we checked into the hip and cool Cambria Hotel in the Old Port area, where my room was big enough for a family of four and super comfy. After a quick change and few cocktails from the experts bar staff at the hotel's lounge, we headed off to Luke’s Lobster on Portland Pier.
If you’re ever lucky enough to go you must try the fabulous fried pickles. 18 Portland's waterfront area is where you'll find great fish places 18 Lobster rolls are big in Maine 18 Portland's bustling streets are packed with bars and restaurants 18 Portland Head Lighthouse The New England Clam Chowder was lip-smackingly good and nearly enough to fill me up but I still managed to nick a few fried clams from my pal’s overflowing plate. Girl gotta help out.
Food was on the cards again next day as we went on a super fun Portland Culinary food tour with Maine Day Adventures , sampling local delicacies — lobster of course — as well as tipples. the commentary and history from our guide was fantastic. I simply can't recommend it enough.
Tours like these really do giver you in-depth insight into the place. We took a detour on our way to Boston airport to take in the dramatic views at Portland Head Lighthouse at Cape Elizabeth, where storm waves pounded the cliffs and lashed the lighthouse and winds pushed us to and fro. GO: NEW ENGLAND GETTING/STAYING THERE : A week-long Glimpse of New England trip, including direct flights from Edinburgh to Boston on May 13, 2025, four days car hire, three nights at The Revolution Hotel, Back Bay, Boston, two nights at the Omni Washington Bretton Woods, New Hampshire and two nights at the Cambria Old Port, Portland, Maine, is from £1,739pp.
See barrheadtravel.co.uk or call 0330 094 8364 MORE INFO : For more on visiting New England see discovernewengland.
org. It was like a scene out of one of those old Hollywood black and white storm movies , as the foaming white waves soaked us all - and we LOVED it. Back in the car the Dire Straits hit Money for Nothing blasted out from the radio .
But I couldn’t disagree more with Mr Knopfler. Read more on the Scottish Sun SHOCK SIGHTING Train passengers stunned as they spot Hollywood star travelling to Edinburgh NO KIDDING I’m a single mum-of-2 on UC - the job centre nags me but I’m not a benefit cheat Our brilliant trip to New England was worth all the money in the world (Bank)!.
