Vernon Bridge: Nature, History and Craft

Vernon Bridge brings together nature trails, hands-on experiences, crafts and history. There are different time commitments to consider when planning: a moderately challenging loop with river crossings, a seasonal hands-on program with a set duration, and other themed discoveries.

Nature at Macphail Woods

The Birch Loop at Macphail Woods is 2.5 kilometres long, moderately challenging, and crosses the Orwell River at two points. Its length and difficulty can help you fit the hike into your day, while the two river crossings give the loop a distinctive feature.

Macphail Woods’ nursery is also part of the nature theme: it sells a wide variety of native plants to the public. So in Vernon Bridge, native plants are another focus alongside hiking—offering a different way to experience nature than spending time on the trail.

Bread, fossils and wool crafts

The program Food on the Farm: Bread and Butter takes place at Orwell Corner Historic Village in Vernon Bridge. Over two hours, visitors make Scottish sourdough bread and butter. It is offered Monday through Saturday from May to September by appointment. Its duration, season and booking requirement make it an activity you can plan in advance.

Prehistoric Island Tours offers hands-on experiences with 300-million-year-old fossils from Prince Edward Island. The exact tour location is provided after booking. Pastimes PEI Rug Hooking and Wool Shop offers another glimpse of the area’s crafts: three sisters run the small shop, which sells wool rugs.

The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead

The Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Vernon Bridge is a restored estate. Its grounds cover 140 acres and include gardens and walking trails. Andrew Macphail (1864–1938), an Islander, is the namesake of the Homestead. If you plan to visit the grounds, check current visiting options in advance.

If you would like to include both a hike and a scheduled activity in your holiday, you can take these different time commitments into account when planning.

In the wider destination of Queens County

Queens County also offers historical and scenic points of interest. The Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada is recognized for its role from 1720 to 1770 as a seat of government and port of entry for settlers arriving on Prince Edward Island. St. Elizabeth's Anglican Church was built of wood cut on the property in 1848. The Gothic country church stands on a rise overlooking farmland.

The John Ings Senior House in the community of Pownal dates to around 1830 and is one of the community’s earliest buildings. From there, you can enjoy a wide view of farmland and across Pownal Bay. These examples offer their own highlights in the wider destination of Queens County and are distinct from the attractions in Vernon Bridge.

The Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale is in the central part of Queens County and adds a seasonal contrast. In winter, activities include Nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, tubing and snowshoeing. In spring, summer and fall, mountain biking and hiking trails start at the Nordic Centre. The park has 25 kilometres of well-maintained trails with varied terrain, a training park and a roller loop. Trail conditions can change, so check them before making plans.

Discover more destinations: Victoria, Mt Stewart, Bonshaw, Rice Point, Belle River, North Rustico, Cumberland, Breadalbane.

Return to the wider travel overview: Queens County.