Grafton

New residents will find themselves in a tight-knit neighbourhood with a mix of people whose families have lived in the hamlet for generations and newer residents looking for a change of scenery and pace. It’s the kind of place where neighbours chat over fences, help each other during difficult times, and invite each other to intimate gatherings and community events. These conversations continue online, mainly in the Facebook group for Grafton residents which sees dozens of posts in a day. Considering how much of the place’s history has been preserved, it’s no surprise that the people of Grafton are active in the community.

Two elementary schools – St. Mary Catholic Elementary School Grafton and Grafton Public School – operate in the hamlet. The historic St. Mary C.E.S., founded in 1893, still stands where it was originally constructed and has its own place in the hamlet’s lore. Meanwhile, Grafton Public School is under the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board which serves the students of Kawarthas, Northumberland County, and the municipality of Clarington.

Tourism and hospitality, agriculture, and manufacturing are the industries driving Grafton’s economy. Moreover, this is where the Kirkland Signature brand and Real Canadian Water source their bottled spring water. Grafton residents also find employment in nearby schools and training centres, healthcare facilities, retail businesses, and other service-based industries in Grafton and its adjacent communities.

Like most of rural Canada, most residents from Grafton drive private vehicles, taking County Road 2 which cuts right across the hamlet when travelling to other areas of Ontario. Alternatively, residents may take Highway 401 on the hamlet’s northern border. It’s the route of choice for travelling to Oshawa and Toronto. For local errands or short trips within Grafton, walking and cycling are both viable options.

One of the benefits of living in the countryside is that fresh produce is cheaper and more accessible to local restaurants and cafés. The availability of fresh, high-quality agricultural products has enabled local businesses to specialize in pastries and baked goods. Drop by these places in and around Grafton for an authentic taste of what rural Ontario has to offer:

• The Lass & Ladle is Grafton's popular bakery, caterer, and locally sourced takeout kitchen found on County Road 2. Canadian favourites such as poutine, fish and chips, and smash burgers are among their most popular menu items, made with ingredients sourced from the surrounding farms of Northumberland County. Local food products such as barbecue sauce, fruit jams, honey, and maple syrup line their shelves, and their glass freezers are stocked with homemade soups-to-go (the Curried Sweet Potato and Potato Bacon Cheddar stand out in particular) – perfect for cold weather. Spend slow mornings in their quaint space sipping on hot tea and enjoying fluffy scones served by baking aficionado Terry Carruthers.
• The Grafton Café is found right across The Lass & Ladle annexing the storied Grafton Inn. Guests at the adjacent bed and breakfast have their first meal of the day either in the intimate indoor space or on the patio. This café serves a wide selection of baked goods, sandwiches, and breakfast staples available the whole day. They also hold watercolor workshops and buffets on special occasions. Check their Facebook page for event announcements, available pastries, and the day’s special menu.
• Ste. Anne's Bakery is a relatively new venture by the familiar Ste. Anne’s brand, known for its wellness spa located 5 minutes north of the Grafton proper. This bakery sits just south of the spa in the valley along Academy Hill Road. Indulge your sweet tooth with their inspired desserts, lovingly baked pastries, and tasty bread all guaranteed gluten-free. Pair their popular butter tarts, carrot cake, and cranberry orange scones with brewed coffee. You may also order granola and meats-to-go, but perhaps their most popular novelty is their coconut-based ice cream, available in an assortment of flavours.
• Academy Hill Grill is a food truck located in the same lot as Ste. Anne’s Bakery with a creative, modern menu with gluten-free options. It’s the only place in Grafton that serves tacos, with choices of chicken, beef, and pork. These come with a vegan option, the Mushroom Taco, that goes well with their sauces. Although not a regular menu item, regulars eagerly await their seasonal pizzas and poutines. The smoked brisket sandwich is arguably its most popular regular menu item.
• Moore Orchards is located 6 kilometres west of Grafton, and is worth visiting in the autumn. Go strawberry, raspberry, and apple picking in this family-owned farm and winner of the Royal Winter Fair’s Premier Apple Grower of the Year Award. They also grow pears and blueberries (ready-picked only) and sell fruit pies and jams in their store.

The Grafton area takes “countryside retreat” to a whole new level. Spas and wellness facilities in Northumberland County are regarded as some of Canada’s best and are destinations for people across the country seeking peace of mind and body.

• Ste. Anne’s Spa is Canada’s top destination spa. Located on Massey Road 10 minutes north of Grafton, this wellness retreat offers over 35 elegant spa treatments with a eucalyptus steam, saunas, and hydrotherapy pools that help lower stress. Guests also have access to a 500-acre stretch of countryside with farmland and woodland trails. They also have the option to stay overnight in cosy cottages or at the castle-like inn. Daytime spa and relaxation packages are also available for guests not staying the night.
• Northumberland Heights Wellness Retreat & Spasituated on a hilltop 10 minutes from Grafton on Northumberland Heights Road, also offers overnight and daytime spa packages. They specialize in Ayurveda, an ancient holistic approach to wellness originating from India. Specific treatments offered using this method of healing include Shirodhara (head), Pada Abhyanga (foot), and Kizhi treatments.
• Sally Staples Transformational Nature Connection is a mindfulness workshop facilitated by Sally Staples, a Chopra Vedic teacher of yoga, meditation, and Ayurveda. Book her services by the day for guided meditations by the Lake Ontario shoreline or experience forest therapy in Grafton’s wooded surroundings.

It’s hard not to appreciate Grafton’s heritage when its restored old buildings stand out so prominently in their old-world charm, serving as material links to the past while showcasing the architecture and craftsmanship of bygone eras. These are shining examples of how an engaged citizenry and local government work together to make the town feel alive and connected to its culture. Grafton’s cultural and historical preservation initiatives have been a draw for tourists in this otherwise unassuming patch of Ontario countryside.

• The Grafton Inn & Café: Originally the log cabin called Grover’s Tavern from which the whole hamlet sprang, its current Neoclassical facade was built in 1833 and restored in the 1990s. Sticking to its roots, the building offers a bed and breakfast for guests visiting the area. The smaller west wing was built much later and served as a telephone exchange before becoming a café.
• 1812 Heritage Building: Beside the Lass & Ladle is a classic commercial building that sells antiques and curios from the area’s storied past. Built in the 1820s, this elegant structure has accommodated various businesses over the years including a general store, a barber shop, a bookstore, and a post office.
• Grover House: This two-storey residence on Old Danforth Road was constructed around 1822 by its original owner – Grafton’s first settler, John Grover. Its symmetrical design and centrally placed front door typifies Georgian architecture which was popular in New England, although Grover came to Canada from the United States in 1798. What remains of the original structure is the cedar shingle siding covering the roof.
• Barnum House Museum: This stylish Neoclassical home-turned-period house and museum is located on County Road 2 on the western side of Grafton. It features various memorabilia of the Barnum family. The original owner, Eliakim Barnum, played a key role in the early development of the hamlet. He helped found the township’s first school, as well as St. George’s Anglican Church. In his day, he also operated a milling business, tavern, and distillery.