Prince Edward County (aka PEC & The County) is the ideal destination for those that love well crafted food & drink, art, nature and appreciate slower living. It’s also about the same distance from Ottawa/Montreal and GTA/London, making it an ideal mid-point destination for groups gathering from around Southern Ontario.

The County is a unique mix of farms, art, a long list of ‘must visit’ restaurants of varying price points, 40+ wineries/breweries/distilleries/cideries, a few little towns with cute shops to check out, golf courses, and a healthy amount of beaches + outdoor gems to explore.

Visit the many beautiful shops & art galleries / studios, enjoy a wine  food tour (by car, foot or bike), tour the water (guided tour, or boat rental), or enhance your stay with an experience (sound bath, yoga, farm-to-table dinner, bike rentals, beach visits, concerts).

The food & beverage scene is strong here. The spring/summer offers popular Farmers Markets, many pop-up fruit & veggie stands (usually with other great items too) and a new wave of food vendors to try. There are a lot of really great restaurants open year round - some favourites listed below.  Make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment, especially with a large group. You can also grab some local ingredients and prepare great meals at Clarke Road Retreat - there are 2 complete kitchens plus a BBQ.  Or if your budget allows, hire a local chef to cater a dinner at the house. There are also over 40 wineries/distilleries/cideries through the island, so there really is something for everyone.

Also Dog Friendly! Your dogs are welcome at Clarke Road Retreat, as well as on several patios (including Slake, Parson's Brewery) & at the 2 designated dog areas at Sandbanks beach (at Outlet Beach & Lakeshore Beach).

Even with all these options, we often have guests that don’t leave the property once they are all together. Clarke Road Retreat is the perfect backdrop for your special time together:  celebrating special birthdays or bachelorettes, wedding party accommodations, family and friend reunions, or special interest & work retreats.   

The sky I the limit when it comes to the sorts of things you can to in PEC. 
Some examples:

Wellness-Focused:

• Sound Bath: Immerse your group in a meditative sound bath session.
• Yoga Class: Experience yoga with alpacas or goats for a unique twist.
• Nordik Spa Visit: Relax and rejuvenate with a local spa experience.

Food-Based Experiences:

• Dining: Explore PEC’s acclaimed restaurants offering diverse culinary delights.
• Farm-to-Table: Engage in farm-to-table experiences showcasing local produce.
• Cooking Classes: Enjoy hands-on cooking classes led by expert chefs.

On-Site Catering:

• Enjoy a gourmet meal catered right at Clarke Road Retreat, or shop at local stores and farmsteads and cook a meal together.

Outdoor Activities:

• Hiking: Discover nearby trails like MacCauley and Sandbanks Provincial Park.
• Golfing: Practice at an indoor space, driving range, or play on local courses.
• Sailing / boating: Enjoy some time on the water - options include pontoon boats or sailing.

Local Breweries and Wineries:

• Visit over 40 producers of wine, cider, beer and hard liquor, many complete with tasting rooms and food offerings,
• Experience a few on your own, or plan an organized tour.

Art-Based Experiences:

• Explore the vibrant local art scene with studio visits through the Art Trail.
• Take part in workshops in pottery, jewelry making, flower arranging, and soap making.
• Paint your own pottery studio just opened in Picton.

Organized Tours:

• There are many companies offering different types and levels of tours, i.e.: boat tours, sailing tours, wine tours, foodie tours, outdoor picnics, bike tours, and farm tours.

On-Site Team Building:

• Host a bocce tournament, team Olympics, or a cooking competition right at Clarke Road Retreat

• Picton, Wellington and Bloomfield are the largest towns located on the island, each with shops & restaurants to explore. They also have a lot of beautiful architecture in them – great to grab a coffee or ice cream and go for a walk.
• Base31 - An old army base that being slowly transformed into a new destination and neighbourhood. They have a sensory garden for children and have recently opened a little open air food court. They also hold concerts & events. It is 3 minutes away. 
• Sandbanks Provincial Park – a beautiful park for a walk or beach time. It has a few different beaches, sand dunes, tree/wooded areas and trails. We include 4 car passes with the rental of the house.
• Wander the Resort – beach bar, restaurant and recently opened Nordik style spa - beautiful spaces for an elevated afternoon. Reservations highly recommended. 
• Oeno gallery – fairly large outdoor sculpture garden – nice space to walk through (with or without a glass of wine).
• Local Farmstands - Hagerman Farms, Laundry Farms, Van Grootheest
• Lake on the Mountain - a cool site to see (a lake on a 'mountain').  There are a few restaurants to enjoy while you take in the view.

Casual dining/take-out less than 10 minute away:
> Crepe Escape (Picton Main Street)
> Lusco Bites (Picton Main Street)
> Harry’s Burger (Picton Roundabout)
> Sujeo Korean (Picton Main Street)
> Dive In Charm Sushi (across from Canadian Tire)
> PECish Bakery (Millford)
> Picton Farmers Market on Sunday (Picton Main Street)
> The Royal Takeout Counter – freshly baked pastries + bread, and coffee bar (Picton Main Street)
> Slickers Ice Cream (Picton Main Street)

Local breweries/distilleries/wineries:
> Slake Brewing– great beer and the best view (sunsets are stunning) - has food pop-ups on occasion. Only 5 minutes away.
> Wild Lot Farm Distillery – a beautiful distillery with ‘crushable cocktails and elevated comfort food’
> Parson’s Brewery – has great beer, a very family friendly atmosphere and amazing food
> Midtown Brewery – good food + drinks - a great option if you are in the Wellington Area

A really nice night out (reservations highly recommended):
> The Royal – Really beautiful space with delicious food (pasta, pizza, burger)
> Bocado – Spanish Tapas inspired menu
> Stella’s – Cool vibe, amazing food
> Flame & Smith – Beautiful and delicious food and drinks in a stunning space
> Darlings – Cool vibe, pizza restaurant
> The Drake Devonshire – Beautiful spot on the water with amazing view & good food. Best appreciated during daylight