By Lucy Probert
Weave your way up Bailey’s Ledge, one of the most beautiful and secluded roads in Little Compton, and right off the water sits a home cherished and lovingly maintained by the same family for more than 60 years, boasting amazing views of the Sakonnet River and the ocean beyond. Built originally by current owner Beth Bullock’s grandmother in the early 1960s, today’s version of the home, shingle-style and custom-built with a coastal aesthetic, was completely renovated in 2018 and has been the heart of many family gatherings.
“My grandfather originally owned 16 or so acres on Bailey’s Ledge and built the house adjacent to this property in the 1930s,” says Beth. Her present home on 61 Bailey’s Ledge is set on two acres about 500 feet from the water, with three acres of protected land in front. “In 2007, my grandparents generously donated three acres of the property in front of the house to the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust to ensure its long-term preservation, prohibiting any future construction on the land,” says Rebecca Rubin, sales associate at Compass, a member of Kirk | Schryver Team, and also Beth Bullock’s daughter.
Each spring the field is allowed to grow, delaying cutting until mid-July to provide ample time for birds to nest, resulting in a beautiful, natural setting. A 40-foot flag pole installed by Beth’s father in 1975 anchors the property, with the American flag serving as a heartwarming and welcome symbol.
“I have so many wonderful memories growing up on the Ledge,” says Beth. “As a little girl, when we would come down with my family for the summer, school vacations or long weekends, we would stay in my grandparents’ ‘big’ house next door, which had heat, unusual back then for houses on Bailey’s Ledge, as most of them were summer cottages.”
At 61 Bailey’s Ledge, from the three bedrooms to the kitchen, living room, office and dining area, is almost 5,000 square feet, on two levels, offering multiple spots to enjoy the views.
The first-floor primary suite includes two ensuite bathrooms, which come together with a walk-in shower and soaking tub. The second floor, also accessed by an elevator, has two bedrooms, each with a bathroom and south-facing water views.
The chef’s kitchen includes high-end appliances, stone countertops, a wide-open floor plan and cathedral ceilings, perfect for entertaining and family living. Treasured heirloom furniture has been mixed in with new pieces and fabrics to help update the space and make the home feel grounded in its past in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere.
“One of the unique things about Bailey’s Ledge is it’s really a very private little enclave,” says Beth. “It’s not a road you’re driving through to get to somewhere else. It’s always been very special to us.”
The property is being offered for $7.85 million with Rebecca Rubin at Compass. “There have only been two other homes sold on Bailey’s Ledge in the past 15 years. This is truly Little Compton’s hidden gem,” she says.