A historic estate of stone gates, rhododendron gardens, and a quiet pond — three buildings beneath the trees.
The Woods is a multi-acre Bemus Point property of mature trees, sweeping lawns, and rhododendron gardens that have been tended for decades. Stone-pillared gates open onto a curving drive past a private pond and a small gazebo to the original main house — the Selden House — set back beneath the canopy.
The estate today is three buildings: the Selden House, a Carriage House, and a separate cottage just down the road. Together they tell the story of a Chautauqua family compound — a place where generations have come, gathered, and quietly improved on what was already there.
Each with its own history and purpose
The main house, a Tudor-style stone manor with a great hall, butler's pantry, and the kind of original details only time produces. Named for the family who first built here. Reserved at present for the owners' own gatherings and seasonal stewardship.
The original outbuilding, now quietly being restored. A separate dwelling with its own character, sitting toward the pond side of the property. We expect to offer it for stays in a future season — for now, it is part of the grounds you'll walk through.
A newly built one-bedroom cottage just down the lane at 79 Lincoln, professionally designed and walkable to the village. Sleeps four. Access to the estate's lakefront dock and gazebo on Chautauqua Lake. The way to stay close to The Woods today.
The drive from Lincoln Road winds past sweeping rhododendron beds — late-spring magenta and pink against the dark canopy of mature trees. A small pond sits to one side with a wrought-iron bench at its edge. There is a tennis court tucked between the trees, a gazebo near the water, and the kind of slow planted detail that took someone's grandfather to begin.
Even guests who book the Cottage are welcome to walk the property — to sit by the pond at dusk, watch the rhododendrons in late May, or use the tennis court if it's been put back in shape that year.
Stone gates, gardens, and the estate from above
A short walk from the estate gates, just down Lincoln Road at no. 79 — our newly built one-bedroom cottage, professionally designed, comfortably sleeping four with a queen bed and a pull-out sofa. Heat and air conditioning. On-site parking.
Walk into Bemus Point village in minutes for restaurants, ice cream, lakefront parks, and seasonal events. Access to the estate's lakefront dock and gazebo on Chautauqua Lake — for swimming, sunsets, or bringing a boat.
Bemus Point is the kind of village that explains itself in five minutes. A lakefront park, an ice-cream stand, restaurants you walk to from your front door, and the Stow ferry across the lake. The Chautauqua Institution sits across the water with its concerts and lectures. The Bemus Point Casino runs summer dances. The Village Pizza is the right kind of pizza.
For now, reservations and quotes are handled by phone and email. Send a note with your dates and we will be in touch quickly.
Email reservations or call (716) 753-7792