Growing up, my first cousins were like extra sisters. We saw each other all the time and at one point, most of us even lived together. As we got older, we got busy living our own lives but managed to still keep in touch using social media and the occasional get-together. With COVID making it a tough year for all of us, we were starting to feel the disconnection from one another. To socialize safely during this time, we booked a house for all of us to stay in for the weekend. Our destination of choice? P to the E to the C. Prince Edward County or The County for short, is a bountiful destination that has more to offer than just being a summer getaway. Here are a few things you can do during a visit that doesn’t include crowds!
Stay At The Fitzroy Fieldhouse
Fitzroy Fieldhouse is a mid-century-inspired home located in Wellington. When I first walked in I was immediately blown away by the layout and colour selection throughout this home. If I had three words to describe The Fitzroy it would be stylish, organized, and spotless!
This is a ranch-style home which means all of the rooms are located on one floor. Don’t let that discourage you, there is plenty of space to move around. We were given a sweet welcome note that included thoughtful gifts like a Polaroid camera to use during our stay, sanitizers, and a bottle of Pinot Noir from a nearby winery.
Having a kitchen was essential for our group since we would be eating in during our trip. The kitchen was an open concept (perfect for dance parties) and well equipped with some added bonuses like a wine fridge and charcuterie boards. If you prefer natural light, you will love all the sunlight flooding in through the oversized windows! The deck and the fire pit was the perfect spot to curl up to in the evenings. There’s also plenty of quiet privacy with big trees that make for picturesque views from the deck.
The living room had such an inviting vibe that in the evenings cozying up to the stûv fireplace, listening to records, and playing a few board games was an easy decision. It was nice knowing we had our own space to relax and feel at home.
There were three spacious bedrooms with extra linens and heated blankets a laundry room, and a luxurious ensuite bathroom with double sinks, a soaker tub, and a teak shower. To summarize everything, you can expect better than what you think you’re getting in the pictures!
What To Do
A Tour In A Glass
It seems like wherever you stay in The County, you’re bound to be near a winery, brewery, or cidery! And staying at The Fitzroy Fieldhouse was like staying at the hub of them all! We would have loved to indulge ourselves in a mixed wine tour, but due to COVID, we agreed that it would be best to limit the number of places we visited.
We found our happy place at The Grange Winery which also had a mobile cocktail bar called Old Salt. Our group is a mix of wine and spirit drinkers so hanging out here for the afternoon made the most sense. At the time, The Grange had moved their tasting outdoors where you can order either a self-guided tasting kit, wine by the glass, or a cocktail from the Old Salt Mobile Cocktail Bar.
We each ordered a tasting kit which allowed us to still have a wine tasting experience. Each kit came with:
- An adorable keepsake tasting glass
- 4x 1oz wine in bottles
- Tasting notes to help guide you
- The story of the ‘Granger Girls’ (mother & daughter winemakers at the Grange)
- Discount code for future purchases
The winning tastings were the Pinot Noir and the Spiced White aka Christmas in a Glass. Old-Salt Cocktails are a scale-up from your regular Gin & Tonic cocktails – think smoked sea salt, ginger, and fresh cucumbers. These delicious delights will have you feeling boozy and bougee.
North Beach Provincial Park
Grab a cozy sweater and head down to North Beach Provincial Park – only 10 minutes away from Fitzroy Fieldhouse. This beach is known as the little sibling to Sandbanks and offers beautiful views of Lake Ontario. Give yourself plenty of time to admire the ocean-like views and the warm tones of Autumn!
The Millennium Trail
Along with all of the other wonderful perks at the Fitzroy Fieldhouse, there’s also six bikes available for you to use (from April-November). Take the bikes out for a quick ride along The County and view the charming farms around every bend. If you’re like me and prefer to do your cycling on trails with no vehicles around, I would suggest The Millennium Trail. The Millennium Trail is 46-kilometres in length and stretches from Picton in the east to Conscecon in the west. The only vehicles allowed on the trail are the farm vehicles so you can feel more relaxed and take in the stunning views of farms, forests, lakes, and wetlands that you pass by. If you’re looking to take a break from cycling, there are more than 30 access points that you can hop on and off from.
Unique Shopping Experiences
Visit the shops on Main Street in Bloomfield and Picton for unique boutiques, vintage shops, and home stores. Some of my favourites include: Dead People’s Stuff, Keep County, Books & Company, and Coriander Girl
Art Trails, Galleries & Studios
Meet passionate and creative artists, take part in a workshop, or browse the beautiful galleries. The options are endless! Go beyond the tasting room and dive deep into what makes The County so special. Immerse yourself in local art and agriculture with a ‘County Experience.’
Campbells Orchards & Country Market
On our last day, we headed over to Campbells Orchards & Country Market, a locally owned and operated farmers market in Prince Edward County. Around this time of year, Campbell’s is brimming with 25 different apple varieties, field tomatoes, and pumpkins. Before you leave, check out their corn maze and wagon ride, stop in Apple Falls Cider and try a delicious flight!
Where To Nosh
One thing for sure, you won’t go hungry in The County! If you’re looking to taste the bounty of The County without the added work of sourcing goodies, I would recommend The County Picnic. What we liked most about this service is 1) Andrea comes to you and 2) Andrea sets up a mouth-watering spread that is 100% PEC-made products! Our pic-a-nic basket (in my best Yogi Bear impression) included the following:
- Flossies Sandwiches
- The County Bounty Artisinal Soda
- Fifth Town Artisan Cheeses
- Manchego and Brie cheese from Lighthall Vineyards
- Maple cheddar with cracked pepper from Black River Cheese
- Mild csabai and black forrest ham from Ralphs Meat Market
- PapaGhanoosh and MommaHummus
- Spicy garlic & chilli dill pickles and pickled beets from 3 Angry Cats
- Mediterranean olives and root vegetable hummus from The Agrarian Market
- Cressy Mustard
- Apricot and jalapeno jelly from Gourmet Pleasures
- Cinnamon and sugar donuts and fresh produce from Lakeshore Farms
My stomach is rumbling just thinking about this list! Everything was absolutely delicious and the amount of food we had was enough for dinner. It’s a good feeling to know that you’re supporting Prince Edward County’s culinary community.
If you’re visiting from October 30th – November 22nd 2020, then you’re just in time for Countylicious. It’s a celebration of the Fall harvest with a Prixe Fixe menu from ten participating Countylicious restaurants These chefs are plating some seriously drool-worthy farm-to-table meals. If you’re unable to or uncomfortable with dining in, many of the chefs have created take out options for diners. All you need to do is set up a fancy table. PLEASE NOTE: This trip was from Fall 2020. Countylicious is postponed this year.
As you can see, The County has so much to offer any Fall enthusiast. Cheers to cozy fall nights, local food, and perfect family getaways like this!
