Prince Edward County


 * For the county in Virginia, please see the Central Virginia article.

Prince Edward County is a county and amalgamated municipality of about 26,000 people (2021) in Eastern Ontario, Canada. Locally, it is nicknamed "the County".

Understand
Prince Edward County used to be divided into smaller towns: Picton, Bloomfield and Wellington being the main population centres. The area is on the shores of Lake Ontario, and is known for beaches (including Sandbanks Provincial Park), farms on which visitors may pick apples and strawberries in season and wineries.

History
Long settled by indigenous peoples, the county has significant archeological sites. These include the LeVescounte Mounds of the Point Peninsula Complex people, built about 2000 years ago.

The county was created by Upper Canada's founding lieutenant-governor John Graves Simcoe in 1792. It was named after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent (the fourth son of King George III) who was commander-in-chief of British North America.

Shortly after the American Revolution, the Crown made land grants to some of the earliest United Empire Loyalists to encourage their settlements in Ontario and provide compensation for property lost in the Thirteen Colonies. The county was divided into three townships named in honour of three of George III's daughters.

For many years Prince Edward County has been closely associated with the wholly mainland Hastings County. Its longtime militia unit has been the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment (locally known as the Hasty Ps), whose most famous member was Farley Mowat. This noted nature author wrote And No Birds Sang about his experiences with the Hasty Ps during the Second World War's Italian Campaign.

In 1998, all of the former municipalities in Prince Edward County amalgamated to form a single-tier municipality as part of provincewide municipal restructuring. Each of the former municipalities is now a ward.

By car
By far the most convenient way to get around in the County, cars can be rented in the nearby city of Belleville.

You can access the County from three main points off of Hwy 401 or Hwy 2.
 * Coming from the West (Toronto), exit the 401 at Exit #522 Wooler Road in Trenton and travel south to Picton on the Loyalist Parkway (Hwy 33).
 * Coming from the East (Ottawa), exit the 401 at Exit #566 and travel south into Picton on Hwy 49.
 * A third (and closest) access point is Hwy 62 through Belleville and across the Bay Bridge. Belleville to Picton is approximately a half-hour drive (and a local 'phone call).

An alternative is to take Highway 33 from Kingston to the free Glenora Ferry and follow Hwy 33 to Picton. Lineups for the ferry can be long during the summer months. Kingston to Picton takes approximately one hour.

Bus or train
Accessing the County by bus or train can be difficult. The nearest intercity bus terminal served by major bus lines is in Belleville, as is the nearest train station. Cost for a taxi from Belleville to Picton is $70-85 (July 2018).

Deseronto Transit runs a limited local bus service from Belleville to Picton, and weekdays from Belleville to Napanee.

Quinte Transit operates between Belleville, Bloomfield and Picton. Four trips operate each day Monday through Friday. An on-demand service also connects Trenton, and destinations in the north-west corner of the county, including Wellington.

By boat
The County is almost an island and therefore a popular stop for boaters touring Lake Ontario. Harbours in Waupoos and Picton may rent a slip overnight; some of the waterfront campground and cabin sites offer boat launch, docking or boat rental.

Get around
The easiest and most popular way to travel around the County is by car, as many points of interest are separated by fair distances. It is possible to hire a taxi to drive you between points but this can be costly. While driving be alert and courteous of slow-moving tractors on County roads, as they often use main roads to travel between farms. Usually the driver will wait until it is safe and move to the side, allowing you to pass. Signs posted in rural areas remind drivers "Slow Moving Vehicles- Farmers producing YOUR food." Please don't honk or tailgate. Give space on the road to the many cyclists who travel County roads as there are no bicycle lanes on most roads.

Chauffeured buses/cars for wine tours are another popular way to get around the County without worrying about driving while still being able to enjoy sampling all the local wineries. There are several companies in the region that offer this service.

Cycling is an environmentally friendly and increasingly popular way to see the area. To avoid busier main roads The County has many side roads that are well worn and paved in many cases. They offer fantastic views and a taste of the area that many visitors miss. The Millennium Trail follows an old rail line almost between Picton and Carrying Place.

Do
Prince Edward County is a very interesting place: the local rural culture is blending with the newer additions of artisans, wineries, spas and high end cuisine. As a result there is a wide range of activities, festivals and attractions available. These are some highlights;



In Bloomfield
Bloomfield is filled with small boutiques offering everything from clothing to antiques to sweets and is also a haven for artists, hosting many of the stops on the Arts Trail. Bloomfield is home to perhaps the world's funkiest bike shop, the Bloomfield Bicycle Company.

In Picton
Picton is the largest town in the County and offers many stores and boutiques. For clothing try Jimodi or Beach Bum. Popular boutiques include Gilbert & Lighthall (housewares, art, jewellery), Allison's (bed and bath, art, stationary) and Kelly's (amazing jewellery, funky knick-knacks, clothing). Picton also has grocery stores, pet stores, pharmacies, a guitar shop (Strum) and a Canadian Tire for camping supplies. Free parking available on Mary St (turn right at Bean Counter).



On the farm
Local farms and orchards invite you to pick your own apples or strawberries in season; berries are usually ripe before Canada Day and the various types of apples are ready between August and October. Local produce is also available in the farmers' markets seasonally.

Wine and cheese
A vibrant wine industry has sprouted from grapes planted in Prince Edward County over the course of the past decade. The official designation of DVA Prince Edward County was established in 2007, with over 40 wineries open locally.



Eat
Prince Edward County's food scene is an interesting mix of urban flair and rural simplicity.

Groceries

Fast food

For familiar food in a hurry Picton has a McDonald's, KFC, Subway and Tim Horton's. All are on Main St. Subway has a patio that is popular in the summer.

Pizza

Wineries
The county hosts 20 wineries (as of 2020). Here are some that provide tours and welcome walk-in visitors:

Go next

 * Trenton and Belleville
 * Napanee
 * Kingston and the Thousand Islands