Entire home
The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.
Photo gallery for The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 82500 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Port Medway, NS
- Port Medway Lighthouse Park6 min walk
- Risser's Beach Provincial Park30 min drive
- Carter's Beach35 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom 1, Master (King)
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2, Blue Room (Queen)
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 4, Office/Bedroom, Ocean view (Daybed, sleeps 2)
1 Queen Sofa Bed
2 bathrooms
Bathroom 1, Art Deco, Second Floor
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2, Custom Shower, Separate Toilet, Main Floor
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
The Idle Hour: Heritage. Place. Belonging.
Experience elegant country living at its finest on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean. The Idle Hour is a newly restored ship captain’s home, located in the quintessential fishing village of Port Medway, Nova Scotia.
The Idle Hour features a gourmet kitchen, indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to the western classics. The property is set on 2 acres with 450 feet of oceanfront, adjacent to a stony beach. Access is by land or sea, with private anchorage.
Available for events. Pricing TBD.
The space
2,500 sq ft.
Main house: 1 King, 1 Queen, 1 Double, 1 Day bed (expands to a Queen)
Private mooring is available on request
Whimsical screened-in porch suitable for outdoor dining, overlooking ocean and magical sunsets
2 paddle boards, 2 sea kayaks, 4 bicycles (2 adult and 2 children), and outdoor fire pit
Located within the UNESCO SouthWest Nova Biosephere Reserve.
Attractions/Events:
- Port Medway Readers’ Festival
- Art/History Shows
- 2 historic lighthouses
- Breathtaking Beaches nearby
- Kejimkujik National Park
- Historic Lunenburg nearby, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Guest access:
Full access to the main house, two acres of grounds, private oceanfront and screened in porch
Other things to note:
Office space available in fourth bedroom, with the day bed.
The Idle Hour features a gourmet kitchen, indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to the western classics. The property is set on 2 acres with 450 feet of oceanfront, adjacent to a stony beach. Access is by land or sea, with private anchorage.
Available for events. Pricing TBD.
The space
2,500 sq ft.
Main house: 1 King, 1 Queen, 1 Double, 1 Day bed (expands to a Queen)
Private mooring is available on request
Whimsical screened-in porch suitable for outdoor dining, overlooking ocean and magical sunsets
2 paddle boards, 2 sea kayaks, 4 bicycles (2 adult and 2 children), and outdoor fire pit
Located within the UNESCO SouthWest Nova Biosephere Reserve.
Attractions/Events:
- Port Medway Readers’ Festival
- Art/History Shows
- 2 historic lighthouses
- Breathtaking Beaches nearby
- Kejimkujik National Park
- Historic Lunenburg nearby, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Guest access:
Full access to the main house, two acres of grounds, private oceanfront and screened in porch
Other things to note:
Office space available in fourth bedroom, with the day bed.
Property manager
M. Jane Fairburn
Languages
English, French
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Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
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House Rules
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
Property Registration Number RYA-2023-24-11201052415275330-29
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts
About the area
Port Medway
Located in Port Medway, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Old Meeting House and Hank Snow Home Town Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Port Medway Lighthouse Park and Medway Head Lighthouse. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Port Medway, NS
What's nearby
- Port Medway Lighthouse Park - 6 min walk - 0.5 km
- Medway Head Lighthouse - 10 min drive - 4.8 km
- Queens County Museum - 20 min drive - 22.1 km
- Risser's Beach Provincial Park - 30 min drive - 35.5 km
- Carter's Beach - 35 min drive - 41.9 km
Restaurants
- The Port Grocer - 2 min walk
- Rbn Fisheries - 10 min drive
- Bella Roma Pizza - 21 min drive
- Best Coast Coffee Gallery - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to leave a review for this property after your stay.
About the host
Hosted by M. Jane Fairburn
Hello, and welcome to The Idle Hour!
I’m a localist by nature — a strong sense of place and belonging animates all my creative projects. It’s in this spirit that my husband Mark Rodger and I said yes to the restoration of the this beautiful heritage property, founded by Captain Thomas Benjamin Selig, c. 1919.
My husband Mark and I invite you to experience the beauty of nature, and the ocean at your doorstep from the comfort of home. Idle a while, and connect with this charming coastal community ⏤ its stories, and its natural wonders.
You can learn more about me and the restoration of The Idle Hour below:
Janefairburn.com/
Facebook.com/janefairburnalongtheshore/
Instagram.com/mjanefairburn/
Instagram.com/theidlehourpm
I’m a localist by nature — a strong sense of place and belonging animates all my creative projects. It’s in this spirit that my husband Mark Rodger and I said yes to the restoration of the this beautiful heritage property, founded by Captain Thomas Benjamin Selig, c. 1919.
My husband Mark and I invite you to experience the beauty of nature, and the ocean at your doorstep from the comfort of home. Idle a while, and connect with this charming coastal community ⏤ its stories, and its natural wonders.
You can learn more about me and the restoration of The Idle Hour below:
Janefairburn.com/
Facebook.com/janefairburnalongtheshore/
Instagram.com/mjanefairburn/
Instagram.com/theidlehourpm
Why they chose this property
Steeped in history and 90 minutes from Halifax, Port Medway is a hidden gem on Nova Scotia’s South Shore.
Some fifteen years ago, Mark and I visited the enchanting village of Port Medway for the first time, and later made the area our second home. Frequent evening walks always led us down to the shore, past the quiet, crumbling, once grand Idle Hour. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to purchase the property we had always admired, and I got busy with the restoration.
We hope you enjoy the newly done period interiors, squeaky clean bathrooms, quiet corners, and welcoming porches that invite you to step back in time to a simpler, more tranquil life ⏤ one where you may settle awhile, unwind and recharge.
Some fifteen years ago, Mark and I visited the enchanting village of Port Medway for the first time, and later made the area our second home. Frequent evening walks always led us down to the shore, past the quiet, crumbling, once grand Idle Hour. Two years ago, we had the opportunity to purchase the property we had always admired, and I got busy with the restoration.
We hope you enjoy the newly done period interiors, squeaky clean bathrooms, quiet corners, and welcoming porches that invite you to step back in time to a simpler, more tranquil life ⏤ one where you may settle awhile, unwind and recharge.
What makes this property unique
The Idle Hour is situated in the historically significant village of Port Medway, which remains a working fishing village. A 30-minute video on the history of the home, within the context of Port Medway and the South Shore, will be released in 2025.
The home itself is situated on two acres of land with 450 feet of ocean front. Accessible by land or sea, the property provides easy access to the ocean for kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding. It is perfect for hosting large gatherings, yet provides ample privacy for those looking to unwind. Picture yourself lounging in Adirondack chairs by the outdoor firepit, enjoying al fresco dining, and taking in the breathtaking sunsets.
Inside, the home features a gourmet kitchen, a cozy indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to Western classics. Its comfortable, repurposed and original furnishings contribute to the warmth and authenticity of the home.
But don't just take our word for it—see what our guests have to say:
- “Absolutely lovely location - we loved the view, the lawn, the comfortable beds, and the quality furnishings.”
- “Beautiful place, quiet and relaxing.”
- “The house is bright and spacious… The kitchen… is incredibly well appointed and looks right out of [a] design magazine.”
- “The beds were the most comfortable of any AirBnb rental we have stayed at. The linens were fresh and crisp with comfortable pillows.”
The home itself is situated on two acres of land with 450 feet of ocean front. Accessible by land or sea, the property provides easy access to the ocean for kayaking, swimming, or paddle boarding. It is perfect for hosting large gatherings, yet provides ample privacy for those looking to unwind. Picture yourself lounging in Adirondack chairs by the outdoor firepit, enjoying al fresco dining, and taking in the breathtaking sunsets.
Inside, the home features a gourmet kitchen, a cozy indoor fireplace, 3 + 1 bedrooms, and a library devoted to Western classics. Its comfortable, repurposed and original furnishings contribute to the warmth and authenticity of the home.
But don't just take our word for it—see what our guests have to say:
- “Absolutely lovely location - we loved the view, the lawn, the comfortable beds, and the quality furnishings.”
- “Beautiful place, quiet and relaxing.”
- “The house is bright and spacious… The kitchen… is incredibly well appointed and looks right out of [a] design magazine.”
- “The beds were the most comfortable of any AirBnb rental we have stayed at. The linens were fresh and crisp with comfortable pillows.”
Languages:
English, French
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