Outlying Westampton

Between Philadelphia and New Jersey’s coastal Pine Barrens, Westampton signals where the suburbs start to end and give way to rolling farms, backcountry roads and forested nature preserves.

Situated along the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 in Burlington County, Westampton has only a few neighborhood subdivisions clustered around the edges of Mt. Holly, a small historic town with a host of mom-and-pop shops, county office buildings and a local courthouse. Homes in Westampton tend to be more modern, inspired by Colonial Revival architecture, but built in the last four or five decades. In the older developments near the town and newer ones in recently cleared fields close to the turnpike, homes sit on curvilinear tree-lined streets and cul de sacs. Town houses and fixer-uppers from the 1960s and ’70s can be bought for around $200,000. You can also find larger, more well-maintained ranch-style homes and split levels that sell for between $250,000 and $400,000. Farther away from the town center, contemporary homes with 3,000 square feet of living space or big beautifully landscaped yards butting up to golf courses can rise to $700,000.

Students in PreK to 8th grade generally attend school at Holly Hills Elementary School, Westampton Intermedia School and Westampton Middle School. The three schools are part of the Westampton School District, which earns a B rating from Niche. From there, students enroll at Rancocas Valley Regional High School. Rated as the 3rd best high school in Burlington County, according to Niche, Rancocas Valley offers students opportunities to earn college credits through dual enrollment programs associated with Rowan College, Seton Hall University, Stockton University and Fairleigh Dickinson University.

One of the main attractions in the community is the state park sitting alongside Mt. Holly and the southern part of Westampton. Rancocas State Park features multiple trails with blaze-marked trees guiding visitors through pines barrens, meandering creeks and wetlands. Open ears and watchful eyes will help you spot red-headed woodpeckers and blue jays nesting or flittering above. Look closely at fallen trees and logs to identify earthy and colorful mushrooms and lichen. With two branches of the Rancocas Creek coursing through the park, mountain bikers and hikers can experience the ecosystem and its changes through all four seasons. For smaller adventures closer to home, folks can walk to neighborhood playgrounds at spots like Tarnsfield Park. Beyond the neighborhoods and the state park, folks can enjoy lush green scenery while playing on the golf courses at Deerwood Country Club, Burlington Country Club or Springfield Golf Center. At a modern government office complex with a community amphitheater and local animal shelter, baseball fields and soccer pitches host youth athletic leagues that coach up-and-coming sluggers and kickers.

If overcast clouds and rain are in the forecast, consider visiting the Burlington County Library at the county government complex to borrow some books or a movie. Not far from the county park and office complex, people shop and dine at the big box stores and franchise restaurants hugged between the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 along Burlington-Mt. Holly Road. While you’ll find a Home Depot, Target and Cracker Barrell here, keep heading north on Mt. Holly Road to reach more shopping centers with other national retailers and grocery stores like ShopRite. In addition to making commutes to Philadelphia or Trenton easier, the interstate and turnpike entices big corporations and companies like Walmart open warehouses and distribution centers near these retail centers. If you would like to support local family-owned businesses, drop into Mt. Holly to check out the restaurants and boutiques on High Street. Robin’s Nest Restaurant highlights locally sourced ingredients and vegetarian dishes in its dressed-up dining room, while places like La Vita Pizzeria keep it simple and casual with New York-style pies and other Italian fare.

Written By

Christopher Suarez

Photography Contributed By

Alec Oswald

Video By

Sara Warthen