At Bel Meadow, all the comforts of home

SHARON — It’s a beautiful spot, and it’s near a meadow, but that’s not how the Bel Meadow bed-and-breakfast got its name.

Cynthia Conklin said that she actually named the B and B, at 17 Williams Road, in honor of her late parents.

“Isabel is my mother’s first name, so that’s where the ‘Bel’ comes from,� Conklin said. “And William was my father’s first name, so it kind of just fit that the house was on Williams Road.�

Although Conklin grew up in New Canaan, she has roots here in town: Her mother grew up in Sharon.

“My parents moved to Sharon in 1976,� Conklin said. “I visited them often, and later I moved up here full time. I took care of both of them and lived with them until 2007. I sold their house after they passed away and purchased this property.�

A trained nurse, with a master’s degree from the New York Medical College Graduate School of Nursing, Conklin decided to care for people in a different way, by opening the inn. That decision didn’t come until some time after she bought her house, though.

“I realized I just like living on the first floor,� she said. “I thought it would be fun to have the upstairs as a two-room bed-and-breakfast.�

Conklin said she decorated the rooms with antiques and vintage items to imbue them with old-fashioned country charm.

But they also have modern essentials such as television sets and wireless Internet service.

“It’s peaceful and comfortable with lots of privacy,� Conklin said. “Sort of like coming home without being home.�

And of course there is home-style cooking. Conklin worked as a professional chef since 1989,  and said she cooks big breakfasts for her guests and is happy to cook whatever they request.

Bel Meadow is at17 Williams Road. For more information and to make reservations, call 860-364-0179.

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