northumberland tourism ontario

B&Bs, Inns & Hotels

Cottage resorts.

• Campgrounds
• Pet Friendly
• Group Tours
• Motorcycle Routes
• Food & Drink

There's so much to see and do in Northumberland County

Check out our e-Brochures to start planning your road trip

Visitor Guide

Farm visits, road trips and hikes along the many trails here are just a few adventures. And with lots to do in our friendly towns and villages, we invite you to stay even longer. Plan the perfect fall escape for a night, a week, or more.

For a listing of Northumberland County accommodations and a Google map to find the perfect location, follow the links below.

Explore our Accommodation Directory

Map your Accommodations

Find a Place to Stay in Northumberland County

Looking to get away to a cottage resort to enjoy fishing and family fun? Look no further, Northumberland County has plenty to offer.

Charming bed & breakfasts, heritage inns and family-friendly hotels . Choose the perfect place to getaway.

Campgrounds & More

From provincial parks, to RV parks, off-grid adventures and glamping , Northumberland County gives you plenty of ways to experience the outdoors during your stay.

Special Requirements to Enjoy your Stay

Large groups.

With scenic surroundings perfect for photos, break-time or an end-of-the-day adventure, Northumberland County is a great place for larger events and group gatherings like weddings, conferences and retreats. 

Pet-Friendly

Pet-friendly options allow you to bring your fur-family along for your vacation or board them close-by.

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Kawarthas | Kawarthas Northumberland

Kawarthas and Northumberland

From a canoe museum to Indigenous heritage, scenic parks, lakes and waterways, the Kawarthas and Northumberland region offers many unique experiences.

One of the region’s must-see features is the Trent-Severn Waterway, a National Historic Site that’s actually a 386-kilometre system of locks and lifts connecting Lake Ontario with Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.

Whether you decide to kayak the waterways, spend the day at Cobourg Beach, browse the Port Hope Farmers’ Market, sample butter tarts or visit the Whetung Ojibwa Centre, you’re sure to find an experience you’ll never forget.

Where is Kawarthas and Northumberland?

Just over an hour’s drive east of Toronto, Northumberland County borders Lake Ontario, extending up to Rice Lake. To the north is the district of Kawartha Lakes, a web of over 250 lakes, rivers and waterways, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway.

While the region is most often visited by car, many of the lakes, waterways and rivers can be explored by boat . GO Bus service is also available.

Things to do in Kawarthas and Northumberland

Visit an art gallery.

Stop in and check out more than 1,000 works by artists from around the region and the world at the Northumberland Art Gallery in the town of Cobourg. Open Tuesday to Friday, year-round.

Go houseboating

Rent a houseboat and explore the “Houseboat capital of Ontario”, the Kawartha Lakes. Cruise to waterfront communities and family-friendly attractions, just north of Peterborough.

Find the best fishing spots

With more fish per hectare than any other lake in Ontario, fishing on Rice Lake is a must for any angler. The lake is just south of Peterborough and offers a variety of fishing spots.

Explore Indigenous heritage

Learn about Indigenous heritage and culture at the Whetung Ojibwa Centre at Curve Lake and see ancient rock carvings and paintings at Petroglyphs Provincial Park .

Visit a farmers’ market

Bring your shopping bags and stock up on seasonal produce, artisanal crafts, baked goods and more at the Port Hope Farmers’ Market , open Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., May to October.

Spend a day at the beach

Grab your beach umbrella, sunscreen and snacks and settle in for a day of fun at Cobourg Beach , a white, sandy destination with a splash pad, picnic tables and plenty of nearby parking .

Social Media links

For more trip ideas, visit the region’s tourism website and social media channels.

Cities and towns in Kawarthas and Northumberland

Find cities, towns and other destinations within this region.

Northumberland County

Peterborough and the Kawarthas

Kawartha Lakes

Points of interest in kawarthas and northumberland.

Add these highlights to your next visit to the region. 

Cobourg Beach

TPS Equine Services - Small Hooves Big Hearts

4th Line Business

Fishing in Kawarthas and Northumberland

Trail Tours

Warsaw Caves Conservation Area

Indian River Reptile and Dinosaur Park

Trent-Severn Waterway, Lock 21- Peterborough Lift Lock

Houseboating in Kawartha Lakes

The Publican House Brewery

Peterborough Museum & Archives

Peterborough Downtown Farmers' Market

Hutchison House

Kawarthas Northumberland Butter Tart Tour

Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge

Westben Theatre

Lang Pioneer Village Museum

Kawartha Trans-Canada Trail

Emily Provincial Park

Canadian Canoe Museum

Balsam Lake Provincial Park

Showplace Performance Centre

Art gallery of peterborough, peterborough petes, baxter creek golf club, beavermead beach, quarry golf club, whetung ojibwa art and crafts gallery, wild water & wheels amusement park, liftlock cruises, riverview park & zoo, liftlock paddle co., trent university wildlife sanctuary, peterborough-lakefield rotary greenway trail, jackson park, black's distillery, brewery discovery route – brews, bites and barns, the whistle stop café, elmhirst’s resort, the big apple, ste. anne's spa, kawartha lakes arts and heritage trail, trent-severn waterway national historic site.

Last updated:  January 29, 2024

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• > Things to do
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• > The Ultimate Northumberland Road Trip: Northumberland 250

The Ultimate Northumberland Road Trip: Northumberland 250

A 250-mile adventure across the land of dark skies, rolling hills and remarkable coastline.

One Northeasterner, inspired by his experiences of driving the Cabot Trail in Canada, the North Coast 500 in Scotland and – most recently – the Icelandic Ring Road (‘trips that are more about the journey than the destination’, he explains), set about creating a logical route to encompass his native Northumberland as a whole – meet NLAND250.

You’ll often find dedicated and considered driving, walking and cycling routes in areas with a wealth of varied and expansive beauty. Take Scotland’s North Coast 500, Devon and Cornwall’s Atlantic Highway and Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Highway, for example. In Northumberland however, there are few routes that allow you to take in the entire historic county and explore its contrasting landscapes. 

The 35-mile stretch from Alnwick to Lindisfarne, which is featured in Lonely Planet’s Epic Drives of The World (a showcase of 50 of the greatest road trips on Earth), is a popular way to take in Northumberland’s beautiful coast, but if you’re looking to explore the dark skies, chocolate box villages and lesser-known landscapes too, you would (until now) have been hard pressed to find a mapped-out route to help you do so.

Read More: How Northumberland Coffee is Serving Speciality Coffee Across the County

The new 250 mile route across Northumberland, which takes in Tweedmouth in the North, Kileder in the West, Allenheads in the South, and the majority of Northumberland’s rugged coast, is now free for the public to download. 

Broken down into four sections – the Northumberland Coast, Cheviot Hills, Dark Skies and North Pennines – it takes in some of Northumberland’s most iconic landmarks (think Bamburgh Castle and Sycamore Gap), as well as the more remote and lesser-known parts of the county. Giving you the freedom to explore Northumberland in one trip, whilst travelling on the more scenic roads around the county, it’s a unique adventure that can be completed by car, bike or on foot – as a whistle-stop weekend tour or a three-week adventure holiday.

The route organiser has also begun to collaborate with local businesses, meaning you’ll easily find food and drink recommendations, and some of the best places to stay if you’re planning on making a trip of it. So far NLAND250 have worked with BOX Pizza, Hesleyside Huts and Defender Camping, but are quickly building relationships with businesses big and small who are also passionate about helping spread the word about what Northumberland has to offer. Similarly, by collaborating with local content creators and photographers when curating their website and instagram page (@nland205), the route has now begun to develop exposure for local talent in the area too. 

Although the route hopes to encourage us Northerners to explore more of what’s on our doorstep (particularly with overseas travel somewhat limited at present), it’s also aiming to entice visitors from across the world in the same way many of the UK’s iconic driving routes already do. 

‘It’s a unique adventure that can be completed by car, bike or on foot – as a whistle-stop weekend tour or a three-week adventure holiday’

Read more: 13 beautiful photographs of northumberland like you've never seen it before, holy island.

Lying just a few miles off the Northumberland coast, Holy Island is cut off twice-daily from the rest of the world by fast-moving tides. Both an island and a picturesque village, Holy Island carries a wealth of history within its tidal walls. See the 12th Century priory and, rising from the sheer rock face at the tip of the island, Lindisfarne Castle.

Farne Islands

Animal fans rejoice: puffins, guillemots, eider ducks, razorbills, terns, grey seals (and their annual litter of about 1,000 pups), and, if you’re lucky, maybe a dolphin, porpoise or even a minke whale could pop up and say hello on these zoologically-diverse islands. 

No trip to this stretch of the Northumberland coastline would be complete without a visit to the impressive castle that once protected our shores. Sitting 45 metres above the sea, Bamburgh Castle was built in approximately 500AD and has witnessed many pivotal moments in British history, from the Anglo-Saxon, Norman and Viking invasions to the Wars of the Roses. 

Dunstanburgh Castle

The iconic ruined Dunstanburgh Castle, with one of the only three-storey keeps ever built, stands as a sentinel looking over the North Sea and the large sandy bay of Embleton. As one of the largest and grandest fortifications in Northern England, it’s a must on any Northumbrian adventure.

Simonside Hills

There are few vistas more spectacularly and quintessentially Northumbrian than that of the Simonside Hills. Teeming with wildlife (as a Special Area of Conservation), the distinctive ridge stands guard above Rothbury and boasts 360 degree views across the Cheviot Hills and North Sea coastline.

Read More: Nine of Our Favourite Places to Eat near Alnwick

This most picturesque village, often used for film sets, was built from the remains of a 12th century abbey and is surrounded by some the region’s most spectacular and unspoilt countryside. 

Sycamore Gap 

Standing beside Hadrian’s Wall, Sycamore Gap’s tree is famed in part thanks to the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Previously crowned England’s Tree of the Year by the Woodland Trust, you’ll want to make the walk west from Housesteads to see it for yourself. 

Hareshaw Linn

Hareshaw Linn is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), designated for its rare ferns and lichen. Take a magical walk through an ancient woodland, crossing no less than six bridges to reach a beautiful nine-metre high waterfall.

Kielder Observatory

This astronomical facility sits within the largest protected Dark Sky Park in Europe, so if you’re going to enjoy an evening of truly spectacular stargazing anywhere, then it’s going to be here. Kielder Observatory boasts an unrivalled programme of stellar events all year round, and with some of the best equipment in the business at your fingertips, you’ll soon be transported to a galaxy far, far away.

GET THE ROUTE

Head to nland250.com/route and enter your email address to receive your free copy of NLAND250’s Google Maps route direct to your inbox. 

www.nland250.com

Related articles, ways to unwind this weekend, everything to see and do this weekend, three petrifying podcasts, all the things you'll want to do this weekend.

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Northumberland county discover what's on their table..

Just east of Toronto, Northumberland County is surrounded by waterways including Lake Ontario, Rice Lake, the Trent-Severn Waterway, and the Ganaraska River. You’ll find picturesque towns & villages dotting the rolling hills. From bakeries to markets, and take-out to dine-in, there is a lot of delicious food in Northumberland County.

Northumberland is also home to award-winning food! Canada’s favorite doughnuts can be found at Dooher’s Bakery in Campbellford, while our nation’s favorite burger, as voted by Canadian Living, is grilled in Port Hope at Olympus Burger. The region also plays host to Cultivate Festival every September which brings together musicians, art and farm experiences and, of course, the amazing local food of Northumberland County.

Looking for lasting memories to savour? Discover delicious ways to eat and drink your way through Northumberland County.

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Animal lovers will swoon over the alpacas and dwarf goats at Haute Goat near Port Hope. From Goat Shmurgles (aka goat cuddle sessions) and alpaca walks to an 18-hole disc golf course and a boutique full of handmade goat milk products the entertainment options are endless. Feast On® certified Screaming Goat Café features locally sourced, ethically grown ingredients in its farm-to-fork breakfasts and lunches which can be enjoyed with local wine & craft beer.

The Whistling Duck is one of the region’s oldest and most popular restaurants. Locals flock here for the sprawling lakeside patio with picturesque views of Presqu’ile Bay.

Looking to relax and unwind? Northumberland is home to one of Ontario’s best spa experiences. Feast On® certified Ste. Anne’s Spa offers hot pools, forest bathing, a sprawling aromatic garden, a gluten-free bakery and so much more. You can get a day-visit pass or stay the night in their luxurious accommodations.

Golfers can celebrate a round well played with a meal at The Mill Restaurant & Golf . After playing 9-holes on the walkable course along Cobourg Creek, refuel on classic food with a twist. You could even enjoy a weekly “Pint and Putt” or “Sip and Chip” session that includes golf training and a drink of your choice. Play on! 

Northumberland is home to Ontario’s quintessential road trip stop: The Big Apple! Stop in for a freshly baked pie or a multitude of treats celebrating all things apple. Visit the petting zoo or take in a game of mini-golf through the warmer months. Canine companions can stretch their legs in the dog park. Pulled pork sandwiches and brisket meals from the on-site smokers can be enjoyed on the patio year-round for those who prefer their snacks on the savoury side. Be sure to take a tour inside the big apple where spectacular views of the area await at the top.

Exploring the Region?

Here are a few great places to start.

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• B&Bs, Inns & Hotels
• Cottage Resorts
• Campgrounds
• Pet Friendly
• Group Tours
• Motorcycle Routes
• Food & Drink

There's so much to see and do in Northumberland County

Check out our e-Brochures to start planning your road trip

Visitor Guide

Business Directory

The Edge of the Woods

Grass-fed beef, poultry, eggs, maple syrup, baked goods and vegetables. 

Seasonal tearoom, open May 1st to October 31st. Wednesday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm. Reservations required 48 hours in advance. Call 905-349-3942 for reservations.

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Activities in Northumberland

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Infinite adventures

Adventure Activities

Watersports

Everything for the sporty type.

Mountain biking

Horse riding

Swimming and leisure

Outdoor stores and hire

Take it down a notch.

Walking and hiking

Tours of Northumberland

Boat trips and tours

Wildlife and birdwatching

Activity providers in Northumberland

Kielder Observatory

Pedal Power Cycle Hire

Exploring, etc

Saddle Skedaddle Cycling Holidays

Fishing at Kielder and Fontburn

Wild Experiences Northumberland

Serenity Farne Islands Boat Tours

Heatherslaw Light Railway

Heatherslaw Corn Mill

Northumberland Days Out Leaflet

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Listed below are provincial and regional funding programs to support marketing or experience development initiatives. Northumberland Tourism can assist you to identify which program is applicable for your project.

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has put together a list of potential funding opportunities for the tourism sector. Funding comes through a variety of sources. Check all links for submission deadlines and application guidelines.

Find all the details on the TIAO website .

Kawarthas Northumberland Partnership Allocation Program

Do you have a project for your tourism-based business that will help make the Kawarthas Northumberland region a premier travel destination? The  Partnership Allocation Program  supports projects in Northumberland County.

Project areas may include experience development/enhancement, photography/videography and workforce development & training. 

Projects need to align with one of the following areas: culinary, cycling, trails, boating, Trent-Severn Waterway, Indigenous traditions/experiences, paddling, arts & culture and fishing.

Through the Regional Tourism (RTO) program the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS) offers funding for qualified regional tourism businesses and attractions.   Funding of up to 50% is available for projects that have a cost of $5,000 or more , align with Kawartha Northumberland’s (or RTO8’s) business objectives, and can be measured and reported.   

For more information about the current program and submission deadlines, or to discuss potential partnership projects, please  contact Brenda Wood .

Ontario Grant Opportunities

The Ontario government may have grants or other funding available. Look for current opportunities through the Ontario government. 

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