Explore Durham from two distinct perspectives: the sequence of forests, wetlands, and marshland along the Sweet Trail, and the local history brought to life in museum collections and at Doe Farm. The Sweet Trail runs from Longmarsh Road in Durham to the Great Bay Estuary in Newmarket. Along the way, it passes through upland forests, freshwater wetlands, and tidal salt marshes. This sequence makes the landscape itself the guiding thread. Those more interested in history will also find specific points of interest in Durham, from old photographs and maps to traces of a former farmhouse.
Sweet Trail and Landscapes
The changing habitats are a distinctive feature of the Sweet Trail. The route connects forests on higher ground with freshwater wetlands and salt marshes shaped by the tides. The trail is suitable for hiking and, in winter, snowshoeing. This offers two different ways to explore the same route, while the succession of landscapes gives the trail its own character.
Other natural areas each have their own highlights. Jackson's Landing is a 15-acre nature preserve and recreation area between the Oyster River and Route 4. Longmarsh Preserve lies within a large area of forests, wetlands, and old fields that is not divided by roads or development. Colby Marsh, meanwhile, is an important wetland. It is home to nesting ospreys, great blue herons, mallards, active beavers, and other wildlife. The Sweet Trail is defined by its changing habitats, while Colby Marsh is characterized by its wetland and wildlife.
Doe Farm and Local History
Doe Farm is an 87-acre wooded area in Durham, south of Bennett Road and east of the railroad tracks. The property has considerable frontage along the Lamprey River and a network of scenic trails. Interpretive panels provide information about the site and help visitors understand its features. Nature and local history come together here: the farm's historic legacy includes the foundation, or cellar remains, of the former farmhouse and the Doe family cemetery.
The Durham Historic Association Museum also focuses on the town's history. It houses a growing collection of objects related to Durham, as well as archives of local and genealogical interest. Exhibits include old photographs and maps, agricultural equipment, dolls, and historic clothing. One notable item is the town hearse from 1875; other objects round out the exhibit. The collection ranges from photographs and maps to items from everyday life and a specific piece of the town's history. Durham can thus be explored through a variety of interests: its landscapes and wildlife, historic traces at Doe Farm, or the museum's collections and archives.
Discover more destinations: Dover, Strafford.
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