Dudley is a small town in the South County region of Central Massachusetts. As a rural community with much state forest and other preserved land, most of the activities to do in Dudley are outdoor recreation on parks, ponds, and trails. There is a golf course run by that is open to the public. In the south of the town are a few bars and several local food establishments.
Understand
[edit]The area that is now Dudley, as with most of Central Massachusetts, is the homeland of the Nipmuc people. A small band of the Nipmuc, Webster/Dudley Band of Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck Indians, is based out of Dudley and the bordering towns of Webster and Thompson, Connecticut. Europeans colonized the area that is now Webster in 1713. In 1801, the west part of Dudley was broken off to form what would become Southbridge, which was officially incorporated in 1816. Nichols College, a small private business college in Dudley, was founded in 1816, by Amasa Nichols as Nichols Academy, a Universalist Church institution. The Academy would later be known as Nichols College. The industrialist Samuel Slater, one of the primary founders of Webster, was an early benefactor of the new academy. Portions of Dudley were broken off to create the town of Webster in 1832. Dudley is bordered by Southbridge to the west, Charlton to the north, Oxford to the northeast, Webster to the east, and Thompson, Connecticut, to the south.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]From Sturbridge and Southbridge, you take Route 131 (which is concurrent with Route 169 in Southbridge for half a mile) south. You will cross over into Connecticut in the village of Quinebaug. At the intersection, turn left onto Route 197 northbound. Alternatively, you can take Dudley River Rd from a junction off of Rt 131. You need to take a left from Rt 131 onto a bridge, then turn right onto Dudley River Rd. The junction and bridge are on a turn immediately south of a shopping plaza. Dudley River Rd will then become Dudley Southbridge Rd. Continue on Dudley Southbridge Rd and you will reach MA Rt 31 in the middle of rural Dudley. You can then either go south on MA Rt 31 or continue southeast on Dudley Southbridge Rd. Southeast will take you to the downtown area.
If coming from Oxford, take Charlton St off of MA Rt 12, then take Dudley Rd southbound. This will become Dudley Oxford Rd once you cross into Dudley. If coming from Webster, take Main St southbound, which will turn into MA Rt 169. When you cross over the French River, you have entered Dudley. If coming from Charlton, take MA Rt 31 southbound. You can continue on Rt 31 down to the Connecticut border, or take a left onto Dudley Southbridge Rd to go to downtown Dudley.
By bus
[edit]Worcester Regional Transit Authority runs a line through Dudley. If coming from Sturbridge or Southbridge, take the outbound line. The final pick-up point in Southbridge before the bus departs for Dudley is the Big Y Plaza on Route 131. It then goes south on Route 131. After turning northward onto Route 197 at the intersection in Connecticut, it turns onto center road to stop at Nichols College. If you are in Webster, take the inbound line, which makes a final stop in Webster at the junction of Webster Main St and Davis St. The line will then continue to Dudley Housing Authority.
Get around
[edit]
By car
[edit]The best way to get around Dudley is by car. Three state highways go through the town, but much of Dudley is back roads. In the west, Route 131 cuts through southward down to the Connecticut border. If going from the west part of Dudley to the town center via 131, you will need to cross over into Connecticut in the village of Quinebaug. At the intersection, turn left onto Route 197 northbound. From there, you can continue straight, which will take you to Dudley downtown area, or you can take Route 31 north, which will take you through the scenic rural hillsides of the town. Dudley Southbridge Road connects Routes 131 and 31 with Route 197 (it becomes Airport Rd), cutting across the town southeastward.
By bus
[edit]The WRTA outbound line stops first at Nichols College. It then takes Dudley Hill Road and Hall Road to rejoin with 197 at Dudley District Court, the next stop. The line then makes a final stop at Dudley Housing Authority before continuing on into Webster. Inbound is the reverse of the same sequence.
See
[edit]- 1 Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary, 38 Marsh Rd (Marsh Rd is off of Dudley Oxford Rd. Not to be confused with Henry Marsh Rd. Marsh Rd can be reached by several roads off of Rt 197: Center Rd, Airport Rd → Dudley Hill Rd, and Mill St → Charlton Rd), ☏ +1 978-464-2712, [email protected]. dawn to dusk. Wildlife sanctuary operated by Mass Audubon. Former farmland that is partially reclaimed by forest. free.
- 2 Nichols College, 121 Center Rd (the bus route makes a stop here. If traveling by car, take Center Rd off of 197, or take Healy Rd off of Rt 31), toll-free: +1 800-470-3379. Tour the campus of Nichols College, a small private university specializing in business degrees.
Do
[edit]- 1 Dudley Hill Golf Club, 80 Airport Road (at the junction of Airport Rd with Dudley Hill Rd and Tanyard Rd. In Dudley Hill Gulf Club), ☏ +1 508-916-2822. Daily 6:30AM-7PM. Golf club operated by Nichols College. Open to the public.
- Dudley Land Conservation Trust, ☏ +1 774-757-8263. 350 acres of conservation land in Dudley and Oxford with many trails through farm and forest land.
- 2 Tuft's Branch Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 25 Healy Rd (take Healy Rd off of Rt 31 (Dresser Hill Rd), or from Center Rd). 81.3 acres of early succession forest, mature upland forest, wetlands and meadows. Has walking trails. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
- 3 Slater Woods (Hiland Park), 339-245 Dudley Oxford Rd (there are four main ways to access Dudley Oxford Rd: off of Rt 197 (W Main St), take Mill St → Charlton Rd off of Rt 197 (W Main St), which will intersect with Dudley Oxford Rd; alternatively, off of 197, take Center Rd, which becomes Dudley Oxford Rd. If on Rt 31 (Dresser Hill Rd), you can take Healy St → Center Rd. If coming from Oxford, take Charlton St off of Rt 12 → Dudley Rd which becomes Dudley Oxford Rd). Roughly 75 acres of second growth oak, maple, and pine, on the border with Oxford. Slater Woods provides a connecting link in a 1.5-mile-long greenway between DCLT holdings along Peter Pond in Dudley with Mass Audubon holdings along Dudley-Oxford Road in Dudley. Combined, there are almost 250 acres of protected land along the greenway.
- 4 Wieloch Woods, W Main St (MA Rt 197) (Wieloch Woods is approximately halfway between the Connecticut border and the District Courthouse along Rt 197). 77 acres, including 2 vernal pools. The northern boundary shares a boundary with the Grand Trunk Trail
- 2 Tuft's Branch Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 25 Healy Rd (take Healy Rd off of Rt 31 (Dresser Hill Rd), or from Center Rd). 81.3 acres of early succession forest, mature upland forest, wetlands and meadows. Has walking trails. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.
- 5 Quinebaug River Valley Rail Trail & Bikeway, 24 Railroad Ave (accessed via Mill Rd. Take Rt 131 southeast from Southbridge. Just after you cross over the Quinebaug River, take a left on Mill Rd. The Mill Rd parking lot will be along your right.). Railway walking and biking trail
- 6 Quinebaug Park & River Trail, 17 W Dudley Rd #11 (Take W Dudley Rd off of Rt 131). A park with trails, picnic tables, and landings for canoes and kayaks
- 7 Ardlock Acres, New Boston Rd (take New Boston Rd off of Rt 12. Look for the park after you pass Brookstone Dr). 1.5-mile-long nature walk
Buy
[edit]- 1 Ice Cream Pharm, 185 W Main St (MA Rt 197), ☏ +1 774-696-0193. F, Su: noon-7PM; Sa: noon-8PM. Ice cream shop
- 2 Forget Me Nots, 212 W Main St (MA Rt 197), ☏ +1 508-943-9775. M-Tu 9AM-3PM, W-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 9AM-2PM. Florist
- 3 IceViolence, 17 Peck Ave (take Old Southbridge Rd off of MA Rt 131 (Southbridge Rd). From there, take Peck Ave and continue to the destination), ☏ +1 508-414-8139. Store for game worn hockey jerseys.
- 4 Walnut Lane Farm, 39 Koebke Rd (take MA Rt 31 (Dresser Hill Rd), turn onto Koebke Rd), ☏ +1 508-245-8826. W 9AM-noon, Th 3PM-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. Farm store
- 5 The Corn Lady, 1 Pierpont Rd (at the junction of Pierpont Rd with Dudley Oxford Rd), ☏ +1 508-479-7277, [email protected]. Th-Su 10AM-5PM. Local corn stand
Eat
[edit]- 1 Firebrands Bar & Grill, 8 Airport Rd (in Dudley Plaza Shopping Center), ☏ +1 508-949-8881. M closed, Tuesday– Th 4–8 PM, F noon–8:30 PM, Sa 4–8:30 PM, Su noon–8 PM. Bar and brill that offers dine-in, take out, and delivery
- 2 Bison Den Bar and Grille, 80 Airport Rd (at the junction of Airport Rd with Dudley Hill Rd and Tanyard Rd. In Dudley Hill Gulf Club.), ☏ +1 508-916-2822. M-F 11AM-8PM, Sa-Su noon-5PM. Originating as a student-run bar operated out of Nichols College, the establishment was revived by the college after it purchased Dudley Hill Gulf Club.
- 3 Yummy's Restaurant, 3 Center Rd (just off of W Main St (Rt 197), at the intersection with Center Rd and Fabyan Rd), ☏ +1 508-949-7888. Su-Th 11AM-9PM. Chinese-American restaurant. Dine-in and take-out. $10-$20.
- 4 Dudley House of Pizza, 206 W Main St (MA Rt 197), ☏ +1 508-949-0436, [email protected]. Daily 11AM-9PM. Local pizza restaurant $10-$20.
- 5 Jimmy's Pizza (See You Tomorrow), 185 W Main St (MA Rt 197), ☏ +1 508-949-0722, [email protected]. Daily 10Am-9:45PM. Local pizza restaurant $10-$20.
- 6 The Hot Dog House, 110 W Main St (MA Rt 197), [email protected]. Hot dog vendor with dine-in, outdoor seating, and take-out. $1-$10.
- 7 Big Al's Pizza Plus, 23 Brandon Road (turn off of MA Rt 12 (Schofield Ave). The restaurant is at the intersection with 1st Ave.), ☏ +1 508-461-7446. Tu-Su 11AM-10PM, M closed. Local pizza restaurant $20-$30.
- 8 Sturbridge Coffee Roasters, 185 W Main St (MA Rt 197), ☏ +1 508-461-9077, [email protected]. M-F 7AM-3PM, Sa-Su 8AM-3PM. One of two locations of a local coffee vendor. The beans are roasted at the roaster in Southbridge. $1-$10.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Upside Food N Drink, 59 Schofield Ave (MA Rt 12), ☏ +1 508-461-9379. M closed, Tu-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th-Sa 11:30AM-1AM, Su noon-9PM. Bar and American-style restaurant. Karaoke every Thursday night, 8-11PM. Trivia nights two Wednesdays a month. Every Friday and Saturday night features live music, starting at 8:30PM. September-May features acoustic music every Sunday from 3pm-6pm. Cash only! Has an ATM. $10-$20.
- 2 Sinni's Pub, 6 Chase Ave (take Rt 12 (Schofield St) at the junction with 197 (W Main St), then turn onto Cross St. Continue until the junction with Chase Ave. Alternatively, from Main St in Webster, turn onto Chase Ave and continue until you reach the destination), ☏ +1 508-949-2722. M-Tu 3PM-1AM, W-Su noon-1AM. $10-$20.
Sleep
[edit]Dudley has no hotels or similar lodging, but you can find plenty of lodging in the Sturbridge and Southbridge area, or in Auburn to the northeast.
Cope
[edit]- 1 The Black Tavern Historical Society, 138 Center Rd (at the intersection of Tanyard Rd and Center Rd. If south-west-bound on Dudley Southbridge Rd, turn right onto Center Rd. If coming north-east-bound on Airport Rd, turn left onto Tanyard Rd, your destination will be at the intersection.), ☏ +1 508-943-8782, [email protected]. The town historical society. Offers tours and educational programs, will answer questions, and can assist with research.
- 2 Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library, 40 Schofield Ave (MA Rt 12), ☏ +1 508-949-8021, [email protected]. Public library. Useful for town history and genealogical research.
There are multiple pet care establishments in Dudley.
Go next
[edit]Go northeast to Webster, visit Southbridge and Sturbridge to the northwest, or see Oxford or Charlton to the north. You can also go south into Connecticut to the rural communities of Quinebaug and Thompson, and further south to Woodstock and Putnam.
| Routes through Dudley |
| Fitchburg ← Charlton ← | N  S
|
→ END |
Ends at  ← Webster ←
|
N  S
|
→ Junction with  → Woodstock
|
| Sturbridge ← Southbridge ← | N  S
|
→ Merges with  → Putnam
|