Treat yourself to peace this winter. Be inspired by the art and the scenery, then indulge in soulful self-care in Northumberland County.
Hugging the shore of Lake Ontario is charming Northumberland County, or NoCo. It’s a delightful spot for a not-too-far-away weekend escape and, in the wintertime, it just might be the idyllic getaway you need.
Artful adventures
The towns in Northumberland are a treasure trove of galleries and museums. Cobourg is home to the Art Gallery of Northumberland. With more than 950 works of art, it’s the largest public gallery in the region. Continue your art tour at the Northumberland Arts Gallery and Shop in Port Hope, the Presqu’ile Waddling Art Centre in Brighton, the Colborne Art Gallery, and the Ah! Arts and Heritage Centre of Warkworth, where you’ll discover a variety of local and visiting talent.
For art with a side of quirk, visit some larger-than-life NoCo spots to snap your own arty photos. Check out the Giant Toonie in Campbellford; Colborne’s Big Apple; Pisces Pete, the 12-foot walleye sculpture in Hastings; or Presqu’ile Point Lighthouse, a 69-foot octagonal stone tower in Presqu’ile Provincial Park.
A breath of fresh air
Treat yourself to some frosty time outdoors in NoCo. The region has seasonal hiking and fat biking trails, and cool birding opportunities. Strap on your boots for a hike along the Northumberland Rail Trail (part of the Trans Canada Trail) in Hastings or head to the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge for a winter thrill near Campbellford. Fat bike through the snow in the Northumberland County Forest, starting at the Woodland or Carstairs trailheads. Bird numbers are reduced in the winter, but Presqu’ile Provincial Park is still a hotspot for birders on the lookout for long-tailed ducks, snowy owls, and, sometimes, surprise migratory visitors.
Haute Goat in Port Hope will show you why winter is a great season for disc golf. Fewer crowds and bare trees make it the perfect time to hone your skills. Bonus: when your round is done, you can say hi to the goats and farm animals that call Haute Goat home.
Indulge in wellness
The hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be exhausting. A visit to Northumberland County is the perfect way to set yourself up for a season of wellness. For those looking for an overnight wellness option, Ste. Anne’s Spa and Northumberland Heights Wellness Retreat and Spa are both popular. The outdoor hydrotherapy pools at Ste. Anne’s in Grafton (named one of Canada’s Best Spas by Destination Canada) are delightful, even in the colder weather. A variety of accommodation options are available, and the all-inclusive pricing system makes your visit a breeze.
At Northumberland Heights in Cobourg, you’ll find a range of spa treatments, including Ayurvedic therapies. There are trails to walk and get your body moving, and an onsite restaurant to nourish yourself. Overnight accommodations have been renovated and include an ADA-compliant, accessible suite. There are plenty of other wellness options in Northumberland, too. Relax in a float tank or challenge yourself with hot and cold therapy, book an appointment at a spa with soothing scalp massages, or experience a salt cave oasis for the ultimate peace and quiet.
Give yourself the gift of a winter escape, close to home. Go Northumberlanding! To learn more about what the county has to offer, visit northumberlandtourism.com.
