Bayfield Ontario

BAYFIELD ONTARIO

Bayfield is a small historic village on the shore of Lake Huron, combining old fashioned charm with modern amenities, about an hour and 15 minutes north west of London between Grand Bend and Goderich on Lake Huron. I think of it as a smaller version of Niagara On The Lake ..... granted a lot smaller, but it has its own special charm. There are few sidewalks if any, but instead grassy areas and lots of trees. Many of the homes and cottages have retained their 30's quaint look. It has retained a village culture that has been described as New England in its style.

There is a lovely harbor filled with boats and a wharf on the south side that you can walk out on and several public beaches that provide the perfect vantage point for viewing an afternoon regatta or a long colourful sunset.

There is a main street shopping area with lovely shops, excellent restaurants and two lovely 1800 Inns ..... The Albion and The Little Inn. Both of these wonderful old time establishments have double decker verandas that look like they are from a western movie set. You have the choice of eating outside.

There is also a restaurant with deck overlooking the harbor. This is located on the north side of the bridge. I love the deck there on a nice summer day when I sit there with my beer in a mug that has been chilled in the freezer and look down on the boats. It’s then I feel that all is right with the world. I usually go there at 3 after having just finished checking the cottage cleaning between renters.

A fun thing to do is walk the trail through trees, down an old road that has been closed to traffic for many years. It has evolved to just a path ..... it’s like a secluded trail out of a gothic novel. This walking adventure is at the north end of Main Street (that’s the street with all the shops) It goes down the cliff to the harbor ..... and from there you can walk to the beach and wharf and see a lot of fine boats. I sailed a 35' schooner with 7 sails out of the Bayfield Harbor in the 70's and 80's.