Prince Edward County is not one place but a collection of small villages, each with its own history, personality and pace. The county seat of Picton has the most services and the liveliest main street. Wellington sits on the lake with a sandy beach. Bloomfield is the arts hub. Waupoos, Consecon and Carrying Place are quieter, more rural, and offer a glimpse of the county before tourism arrived.
Knowing the villages helps you choose where to stay and what to expect when you arrive.
The county seat and largest town. Main Street has restaurants, shops, a cinema and the county's best walking neighbourhood. Most visitors pass through Picton at some point during their trip.
A lakeside village with a public beach, a growing restaurant scene and a quieter pace than Picton. Wellington is popular with visitors who want to be near the water without the Sandbanks crowds.
The artistic centre of the county. Galleries, antique shops, cafes and a walkable main street that draws creative types from across Ontario. Smaller than Picton but full of character.
Deep in the eastern county, Waupoos is farming country. Apple orchards, a cider house, quiet roads and long views over the bay. This is the Prince Edward County that existed before the wineries arrived.
A small village on the northern edge of the county, set between Consecon Lake and the surrounding farmland. Quiet, historic and close to the water without the tourist traffic of the south shore.
The gateway to Prince Edward County from the west. Named for the historic portage route, this village sits at the narrows where the county meets the mainland. It is a practical starting point and a slice of county history.