Travel Blog

Read about the people, places, businesses, and history that make Kawarthas Northumberland special

Overhead view of cake boxes and a pink plate

Taste of the TSW with Jeff Bray: Cake by the Lake

Bobcaygeon is broken into two parts: the mainland and the islands. Together, they make up an idyllic cottage country community.

The main island is by far the largest. This is where you’ll find the largest concentration of shopping, outdoor recreation rentals, and food and beverage options. Bridges across the Bobcaygeon River connect it to the mainland—and to the second island, home of Lock 32 along the Trent-Severn Waterway.

The third island is the smallest of the three, and only big enough for a handful of buildings. It’s easy to miss, but explore and you’ll find a hidden gem: Cake by the Lake, a specialty bakery that packs a surprising variety into its tiny shopfront.

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Wall of paintings at El (P) restaurant

Taste of the TSW with Jeff Bray: The El (P)

I am restaurant obsessed. I worked in the industry for 20 years doing everything from washing dishes to owning a business myself to teaching Restaurant Operations at Centennial College.

When I go out I have high expectations, but not unreasonable expectations. I expect the food to be of a quality related to the concept. I expect to feel some value in the experience, and I expect friendly and fairly prompt service. Not unreasonable, but extremely rare. The El (P) gives me these things.

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Lilac in the foreground, with people walking in the background

Spring Is Sprung: Visiting the Warkworth Lilac Festival

There’s a moment every year when you walk out the door and realize, “spring is really here!” Temperatures climb upward, buds appear on the trees, and birdsong suddenly seems louder. Nothing drives the feeling home quite like spring flowers, though—and the avid gardeners at the Warkworth Lilac Festival have found a way to turn that sensation in a weeks-long celebration along the Millennium Lilac Trail.

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Jeff Bray holds a burger up to the camera

Taste of the TSW with Jeff Bray: Lock & Anchor

The village of Youngs Point may look tiny, but boaters exploring the Trent-Severn Waterway know it packs a lot in. For instance, there’s the historic Young Points Bridge, one of the oldest metal bridges in Ontario—and plenty of good eating. Dock a boat at Lock 27 and you’re not far from Lock & Anchor Eatery, a family-owned and operated restaurant that feels more like a home than a business after 30+ years and many owners and variations.

With no prior restaurant experience, Janice and Max Costa purchased Granny’s Kitchen back in 2016 in the hopes of inspiring their kids to move nearby and get involved. Having owned a restaurant myself, I can confidently say this is not a great reason to open a restaurant. The husband and wife team dug in nonetheless, and transformed the space into something they and their kids would be proud of.

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Two men toast pints of beer at Focal Brewing Co.

Taste of the TSW with Jeff Bray: Focal Brewing Co. 

Focal is a portmanteau of focus and local, and it’s more than just a name—it’s the philosophy that makes Hastings’ latest brewery so exciting. Brandon Bickle and Matt Filion may have just opened the doors of Focal Brewing Co. in 2022, but the plans have been in motion for about 12 years.

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Small building displaying MoreRoses Apiary sign

Taste of the TSW with Jeff Bray: MoreRoses Apiaries & Honey

What started as a hobby has turned into an award winning operation. 

About seven years ago, John and Linda Moroz got into beekeeping. John did it a little as a kid and always imagined it being a wonderful retirement hobby. Quickly, though, a small apiary turned into 200 hives across Hastings. It was too much, too fast, so they found their way to a comfortable 150 hives and hit their stride, producing award-winning honey and wax.

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Overhead view of Fells Meadows stone labyrinth

Unique Places to Stay in Kawarthas Northumberland

Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean getting on airplane—finding something out of the ordinary close to home can evoke a similar sense of surprise. That’s why we chose to highlight a few of the accommodations around Kawarthas Northumberland that are off the beaten path. Whether it’s the décor, the location, or the

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Outdoor ticket booth with receptionist inside at Westben

Go Play Outside: Unique Summer Theatre and Music Venues

With the warmer weather upon us, it’s almost a shame to spend time indoors. Yet the summer is also a time for vibrant cultural events, so what’s a lover of the arts to do? In Kawarthas Northumberland, they can check out the wide range of musical and theatrical performances taking place in the lap of

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Purple spring flowers on a branch

Green Thumbs Up: The Ennismore Secret Garden and More

Ennismore Waterfront Park is a charming place. It has shady trails, a sandy beach on Chemong Lake, and a playground for the kids. This summer, keen-eyed visitors may stumble across its latest attraction—the Ennismore Secret Garden, a lovingly designed green space filled with wildflowers growing inside the foundation of an historic barn. The new garden

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Two smiling kids skate towards the camera

Things to Do on Family Day 2023

After the new year, the lights and the excitement of the holidays fade and winter doldrums can set in. But there’s hope! Family Day weekend provides a welcome pick-me-up and a reminder of the fun to be had in the colder season. In 2023, businesses and organizations throughout Kawarthas Northumberland have organized family-friendly events that

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A couple lean in together, silhouetted against the sun

9 Ways to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Kawarthas Northumberland

Love is in the air this February—have you made plans to celebrate? Throughout Kawarthas Northumberland, businesses and organizations are looking forward to Valentine’s Day and planning special events to mark the occasion. Whether you’re looking for a traditional romantic dinner for two, a Galentine’s get-together with good friends, or a bracing outdoor experience with a

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A child plays with blocks of coloured ice

Polarfest: A Selwyn Township Tradition Comes Roaring Back

Forty-three years ago, a group of brave souls jumped into Chemong Lake on a chilly February weekend. Little did they know the tradition would not only be alive and well four decades later, but their little gathering would grow into a community-wide festival featuring dozens of events and businesses in and around Selwyn Township. On

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