Northumberland

There’s more to Northumberland than just being a laid-back lakeside town. There are plenty more reasons why living in this area is a real treat, especially for those looking to raise a family or those looking for a quiet place to retire. Here are some things you should know about living and settling down in Northumberland County, Ontario.

Lifestyle

Northumberland County has plenty of unique spaces and places that cater to different lifestyles and paces of life, from urban areas to scenic rural and historic towns, as well as laid-back waterfront locations. Although the lifestyle opportunities are varied, the single thread that connects all of these is the warm and welcoming culture of the people.

For those seeking a vibrant outdoor lifestyle, there are 37 trails, 15 conservation areas, two provincial parks and forests, and a nature reserve in the county alone. There are also plenty of programs that support visual and performing arts as well as local heritage.

Education

Ontario prides itself on its public education. Northumberland has around 32 elementary schools, 6 secondary schools, 1 private school, and several colleges and universities nearby. The Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board oversees the local schools, while the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board manages the Catholic schools in the area.

Some of the local universities and college campuses in the area include: Fleming College- Cobourg Campus, Loyalist College-Belleville, Durham College-Oshawa Campus, Trent University- Peterborough and Oshawa Campuses, and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. The county also supports Distance Education through Contact North and apprenticeships through the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services.

Economy

Northumberland County’s economy is robust and growing. The county offers residents opportunities to start businesses, grow careers, and establish companies through its collaboration and networking services.

In fact, the average annual income in Northumberland County is around 5-6% higher than the national average. The local economy is supported mostly by the health care, retail, manufacturing, construction, education, and public administration industries. The most common occupations include sales and service, trade, business, finance, education, and healthcare.

Aside from these industries, Northumberland is also proud of its Apple Route, a special region of Ontario with more than 200 years of rich agricultural history. The area features many farms, antique stores, beaches, public parks, spas, and country inns. The region is primarily known for its apple production, but there are 50 farm-gate destinations here as well.

Getting in and around Northumberland

There are a lot of ways to get around Northumberland County. Many residents commute to work to their offices, but there is a significant number of people working at home. Out of those who commute to work, a majority drive their own vehicles or carpool. Commute times to work around Northumberland typically take 15 minutes or less. The county has a well-maintained network of County Roads that take residents around the area efficiently.

As for mobility in general, the county has plenty of accommodations for pedestrians, cyclists, and those who take public transport. In fact, Northumberland has invested in many cycling routes and trails throughout. The Ontario By Bike network lists many bicycle-friendly restaurants, attractions, and businesses in Northumberland County and Ontario. You can also visit the cycling page of the Northumberland Tourism Department for maps of some popular cycling routes in the county.

As for public transit, there are a couple of networks and services residents and visitors can use. For example, the Town of Cobourg and the Municipality of Port Hope each have their own bus services for residents and visitors. These two areas also provide VIA Rail services with routes to destinations across Canada.

Shopping

How special is shopping in Northumberland? Let us count the ways.

The county has a resource on their Tourism website specifically for those looking for a great shopping experience. The website includes a list of local shops like The Bee Works in Port Hope, which specializes in honey and other bee-related products, such as honey habanero sauce, popcorn, skincare products, and candles. If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind gifts and handcrafted trinkets, The Nooks is a great place to shop.

If it’s an unexpected experience you’re after, Primitive Designs features products and designs made by artists from around the world. Their shop even features giant robots made from recycled parts. Weekender’s Vintage features retro memorabilia, kitschy pottery, and conversation pieces from days gone by.

For fashion-forward folks, Northumberland also features several boutiques and shops that can help you find the right pieces for your wardrobe. Ravenswood Boutique features sustainable clothing and inclusive sizing at great prices. Gemini Boutique is a women-owned shop for women that offers fun pieces, kid’s clothing, bags, and accessories. Lastly, Rino Ferreri Menswear is an experience. Imagine browsing classic and trending styles and local and international brands while enjoying your favorite drinks and charcuterie.

Dining

The ultimate food trip lets you try out lots of things – from fresh local produce to classic and eclectic local restaurants. Fortunately, Northumberland County has all that and more.

Satisfy your sweet tooth with the Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour. The tour takes you to different bakeries and pastry shops in the region. It isn’t only about the butter tarts though, because the tour lets you taste and explore other local pastries as well. How about spending a weekend touring local brews? Take your friends and plan an exciting weekend at local craft breweries and taprooms using Northumberland’s Cheers Tours guide.

If you can’t decide where to eat, the Northumberland tourism website also has a page dedicated to restaurant reviews from a local foodie and Cultivate Food Festival founder, Jeff Bray. Some of the best-reviewed restaurants include Black Cat Cafe, which is according to Bray, one of the best coffee spots in Cobourg. McGilliacafey’s Pub and Eatery is a family-friendly dining spot with great views of the water. His recommendations include the House Smoked Beef Brisket and the saffron-infused cocktail. If you want to explore the local history through cuisine, you should try out The Whistling Duck. The menu is vast and generous, but the star will always be the Honey Balsamic Brussel Sprouts.

Things to do in Northumberland

It doesn’t matter if you’re an outdoor enthusiast or not, there’s something to do in Northumberland, Ontario. Here are some of our recommended activities to enjoy alone or with your friends and family:

• Chill at the beach

  Stay cool and enjoy the waters of Rice Lake and Lake Ontario all summer long with Northumberland’s beaches. Northumberland has the 4th best beaches in Canada because of its pristine waters and sandy shoreline.

  Port Hope’s beach is popular with families because it’s equipped with a playground and change rooms. If you’re worried about the beach being too public, there are more private areas further down the beach. Cobourg’s beaches are very popular as well with its splash pad, playground, and canteen. It also has a beautiful marina leading to the Ecology Garden and the rocky West Beach.

  If you want to extend your stay at the beach for a whole day or two, you can get a day pass through the Ontario Parks Reservations webpage to camp and stay at the beach with family.

• Enjoy fishing and boating

  Northumberland is home to some of the best spots for boating and fishing with over 350 lakes and rivers in its territories, including Rice Lake, Lake Ontario, Ganaraska River, and Trent River. Anglers can fish for more than 15 species of fish in 16 fishing areas, including walleye, crappie, bass, carp, muskellunge, trout, salmon, and pike.

  There are also several marinas and spots for recreational boating. Trent-Severn Waterway is especially popular from late May to mid-October. There are spacious camping spots, washroom facilities, canoe, and kayak accessibility, and public and private boat launches as well. The local tourism website has a downloadable guide for boating in the county.

• Explore the many biking and hiking trails

  Northumberland is paradise for those looking to traverse the vast stretches of dual and single-track mountain biking trails in the Ganaraska Forest, complete with hill climbs and wide forest roads.

  There are also over 45 kilometres of hiking trails across the county, which go through forests, wetland, tallgrass prairie, savannah, and sand barren, and gently rolling hills. Some of the popular hiking trails include the Beagle Club Trails at Harwood. These trails range from 1 kilometre to 14 kilometres. Another popular hiking trail is the Oak Ridges Trail at Morris Road. From the trailhead, hikers can go 8.5 kilometres either to the east or west.

• Go bird watching

  There are plenty of birdwatching spots in Northumberland County, thanks to its scenic countryside and the Greenbelt, which includes Oak Ridges Moraine, Rice Lake Plains, Peter’s Woods, Ganaraska, and Northumberland Forests. There’s also the Presqu’ile Provincial Park, Ferris Provincial Park and 15 other conservation areas. Plus, there’s the 70 kilometres of Lake Ontario shoreline, rocky and sandy fields, and cedar bogs.

Must-visit places and yearly events

At Northumberland County, Ontario, the fun lasts all year long. Take note of the local attractions and calendar of yearly events here. These are just some of our favorite festivals and attractions:

• Northumberland Scottish Festival & Highland Games

  The Northumberland Scottish Festival and Highland Games is hosted every year by the Cobourg Highland Games Society. Originally, the festival was held in Cobourg, but has since moved to Port Hope. The event is held as a celebration of the Scottish immigrants and their heritage.

• Cobourg Waterfront Festival

  The Cobourg Waterfront Festival is the municipality’s main summer event and is part of the local Canada Day celebrations. The event was first celebrated in the 1960s and has since grown into a huge celebration which includes parades and live entertainment.

• Port Hope Arts Festival

  Port Hope hosts one of the biggest arts festivals in Northumberland County. The one-day celebration is usually held in August at the back lawn of the Town Hall and features local vendors, merchants, and artisans and their wares. The festival runs alongside the Port Hope Farmers Market.

• Brighton Concerts in the Park

  The annual Concerts in the Park is Brighton’s annual summer celebration of local musicians and performers. The event is held from June to August and features live performances every Wednesday at the Memorial Park. The Brighton Municipality website lists the year’s lineup.