Off The Beaten Path

The County is one municipality, but our ten regions each have their own distinct character and much to explore. The vast farmland, bay shore views and teeny towns of Ameliasburgh and Sophiasburg contrast the bustle of the Main Streets of Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington. Hillier, Waupoos and the South Shore are havens for agricultural and craft beverage experiences.

Ameliasburgh is the largest ward in The County. It is home to the villages of Consecon, Carrying Place, Rednersville, Rossmore and the namesake village of Ameliasburgh. Named after Princess Amelia, King George III's 15th child, it borders the Bay of Quinte to the north, embraces Consecon Lake and Roblin Lake. Once a bustling hub with a historic mill (now at Black Creek Pioneer Village), it's a slice of 1800s history. You can reach Ameliasburgh via the Murray Canal from the west or a Bay of Quinte bridge from Belleville. This 8km waterway disconnected The County from the mainland in 1889, making The County an island. Explore the Ameliasburgh Heritage Museum, charming Consecon, or seasonal delights like winter sugarbush visits or fall pumpkin patches. Enjoy scenic drives amidst maple trees, art studios, galleries, island shoreline, and historic landmarks. Culinary experiences await with chef-driven pop-ups, local cuisine, food trucks, and farm stand treats.

Sophiasburgh (pronounced Sof-EYE-ahs-burgh), one of the original 1700s townships forming Prince Edward County, features the Bay of Quinte shoreline and links to Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory through the Skyway Bridge. Surprises are all around Sophiasburgh and the area thrives with farmers, musicians, and shoreline resorts. Savour the region at roadside stands, tasting rooms and small shops. You’ll find everything local from wine, to jam, fresh-caught fish, honey and even County-made kimchi.

Explore Hillier's unique terroir for winemaking with its limestone-laden soils. Beyond the wineries, follow the scenic Loyalist Parkway to Wellington, passing century farms, waterfront homes, wineries galore, or stop in at the village of Consecon. Bike through vineyards and century farms on The Millennium Trail or discover the 'golden mile' along Closson Road, featuring wineries and an alpaca farm. Enjoy outdoor dining with food trucks and picnic options at wineries. Stroll the pristine sand at North Beach Provincial Park or meander through the fields at one of the lavender farms. It’s easy to spend the day or weekend in Hillier, where something local is always on tap.

It’s the coolest spot when the weather is hot. Wellington is a lakeside haven on Lake Ontario's north shore. Centrally located in the Prince Edward County VQA wine region, this village is home to Wellington Rotary Beach, featuring a stony beach and a boardwalk leading to an iconic lighthouse. With roots tracing back to United Empire Loyalists, Wellington houses one of Ontario's oldest homes, built in 1786. Don't miss the weekly farmers' market offering art, clothing, jewelry, crafts, and local produce. Stay in cozy accommodations and dine at top eateries, from cafés to gourmet restaurants. Wellington serves as an excellent base for exploring local wines and indulging in arts and crafts at nearby galleries and studios.

Bloomfield is a little village with a big place in people’s hearts. Entrepreneurial farmers settled the area in the late 1700s, and there are still working farms right in town. Because of this history, restaurants and cafés serve up fresh, local ingredients – some coming from just down the road. Bloomfield’s main stretch has quirky boutiques featuring clothing, accessories, home and kitchen products and lots of County-made finds. Rent a bicycle to discover nearby galleries and antique shops or simply cruise past stunning Loyalist architecture. Bloomfield is a great jumping off point for a ride on the Millennium Trail. The area has been welcoming guests for some 200 years – so you know the local accommodations won’t disappoint.

Picton is the largest community in The County. The town and the surrounding area are known for its Loyalist heritage, architecturally-significant buildings, quirky town hill and Main Street shops. Step back in time with a trip to Macaulay Heritage Park, or enjoy a film or live performance at the Regent Theatre. For a dose of adventure, test your skills at the skatepark situated in the fairgrounds,where the first local fair was held in 1836. Sail into Picton Bay, dock at the harbor, and easily access the town. After exploring lookouts, conservation areas, and museums, head downtown to indulge in locally-sourced food, beverages, and live music at the various pubs and restaurants.

Take a County ‘horn trip’ through North Marysburgh for a spectacular country drive and explore some of the areas quaint lakeside hamlets. Start in Waupoos, derived from the Ojibwe word ‘waabooz’ meaning ‘rabbit,’ and journey through Cape Vessey and Cressy. Cove. Curve around to Prinyer’s Cove and head further to the intriguing natural phenomenon at Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park, then descend to the hamlet of Glenora. The Glenora ferry is a free ride across the Bay of Quinte and east towards Kingston. These many small hamlets are home to wonderful fruit orchards, farm stands, wineries, restaurants, pubs, a brewery, a cidery, an artisan cheese factory, art studios and more.

The County's sand dunes, an attraction since the early 1800s, are the world's largest bay-mouth dune barrier formation, stretching 12km across Lake Ontario. Once grazing land for settlers' cattle, they now host three beaches, hiking trails, and campsites at Sandbanks Provincial Park. On a sunny day it’s easy to mistake the white sand and turquoise water around Sandbanks for the Caribbean. . The dune barriers shape East and West Lake, offering ideal spots for paddling, swimming, and fishing. Accommodations, from cozy campgrounds to upscale B&Bs, line the lakeshores en route to the park. Due to its popularity, book campsites well in advance or day visits at least five days ahead, as the park often reaches capacity by mid-morning on sunny summer days. Prepare a backup plan just in case!

South Marysburgh in The County is made up of farms, limestone shorelines, and serves as a temporary home for migrating birds. The hamlets of Cherry Valley, Milford and Black River each have their own unique charm. In Cherry Valley you can laugh alongside locals during a comedy show at the quaint town hall. See the prize-winning chickens behind Mount Tabor Playhouse during the Milford Fall Fair. Black River is surrounded by multi-generational farms producing everything from honey to heirloom tomatoes. Shallow shoreline waters reveal trilobite and horn coral fossils, and the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area at the eastern tip hosts the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory. Outdoor enthusiasts can explore shipwrecks, scan the skies for more than 30 species of warblers or cycle lilac-lined roads.

You could say Hallowell is ‘at the heart’ of the island of Prince Edward County. As marked by the words on a Ontario Heritage Plaque, the settlement, “Hallowell” was named after Captain Benjamin Hallowell (1723–1799).