A Family Affair, County Style

First things first: coffee. At Beacon Bike + Brew in Picton, bicycle culture meets café culture, complete with an adorable little astroturf play area. Sarah's usual is an Americano misto; Justin orders a cappuccino, Louie is devoted to the fresh croissants, and Jack has a dairy-free carrot cake with his name on it. With the boys happily occupied, the grown-ups might even manage a few uninterrupted sips before heading out into the cold.

Next, they're off to Dunes Beach at Sandbanks Provincial Park, home to the world's largest freshwater baymouth barrier dune formation. Spectacular in any season, the towering dunes take on a different character in winter. Without the beach umbrellas and bathing suits, the landscape takes centre stage: great sweeps of sand or snow, sculpted by the wind, rising and falling beneath the winter sky.

“It's our favourite winter hike,” Sarah says, recommending a walk through the dunes with toboggans in tow for a little downhill adventure on the other side.

After a morning on the dunes, there's nothing quite like settling in beside a roaring fire for lunch. At Midtown Brewing Company in Wellington, the atmosphere is warm, the hearth is welcoming, and the casual vibe, Sarah says, “doesn't make our hat hair feel out of place.”

But it's the thoughtful hospitality that makes Midtown a particular family favourite. With a son who has a severe milk allergy, Sarah appreciates the dairy-free pizza that Neil and his team prepare—and, even more, “the peace of mind of knowing how seriously they take food allergies.”

Lunch may be over, but the boys aren't finished with the great outdoors. Overlooking the water, Wellington Park is home to a magnificent pirate-ship-meets-fortress playground that's sure to fire up their imaginations—and burn off a little more energy before the afternoon's adventures take a more leisurely turn.

From Wellington, it's on to Bloomfield, where Sarah's designer's eye gets another chance to indulge. Kokito and Kokito North are perennial favourites, with a possible stop at Citizen Frances for what Sarah calls a “mid-day coffee boost.”

But it's County Traders that holds a special appeal for the whole family. “It's hard for me to not go into County Traders when I'm in Bloomfield,” Sarah admits, describing it as “a safe antique shop to explore with children,” where the boys often leave with “a little $5 treasure for their collections.”

With a few treasures tucked away, the family heads back to Picton, stopping at The Agrarian and Ralph's Meat Market to gather provisions for dinner. Then it's home, where Sarah's perfect winter day ends with a simple ritual:

“Come home, light a fire, and thank every life decision that brought us here.”