Entering the enchanting farmhouse grounds of The Wilfrid feels like disconnecting from the stress and pressures of everyday life. It is not just a place to stay, it’s a place to escape for a few days, recharge and reset. Located in a quiet corner of picturesque Prince Edward County, one of Ontario’s many hidden gems, the five acres of former farmland are your ticket to tranquillity.
Hotel
The bed and breakfast is as warm and welcoming as it’s two owners, Frank and Nancy, a professional chef and designer who opened the bed and breakfast in 2016. It’s like a fairy-tale cottage fit for Snow White. From the library to the dining room and farm shop, each room is adorned with a blend of tasteful antiques and modern furnishings. In the shop, you can buy an array of delicious homemade produce, and even branded ‘Thanks Frank’ hats – a phrase the professional chef is more than used to hearing, because he truly goes above and beyond to make sure your stay is as relaxing and enjoyable as possible.
Room
Heading upstairs, the house has only three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, each entirely unique while sharing an unmistakable luxury. The house, like the grounds, dates back several hundred years. It’s something you’re reminded of in between comfortable modern furnishings. A sliding historic wooden block of barn door, for example, has been suspended in place of a bathroom door.
The washroom behind, like the bedroom, is light and bright with scenic views of the garden below. The quirks of the room, the slightly slanted floorboards, add to the charming character. At night, I experienced the best night sleep I’d had in weeks. I couldn’t t tell you whether that was down to the giant soft bed, peaceful tranquility of the area, or the delicious glass of wine I had with dinner.
Food and drink
As a bed and breakfast, you might expect professional chef Frank’s creative flair to be limited to the confines of the egg-based classics. You would be mistaken. We set aside a relaxing hour and a half for the first meal of the day, growing more and more in awe as Nancy laid out each dish on the antique wooden table in front of us. It started traditional with home baked pastries served with local jam and pressed local juices celebrating the county’s produce.
And as the courses continued, the menu got a bit more experimental. One dish took us – as Nancy described – into Frank’s brain and it turns out, it was a pretty tasty place to be. A plate of melon, cheese, capers and nuts. Delicious. The experimental theme continued, with pakoras, locally grown asparagus and steak. Frank and Nancy’s passion for the produce they serve and the area they call home is clear to see, while their passion for making breakfast (or brunch) the most important meal of the day, is impressive.
To do
We found the best things to do involved doing very little, like exploring the grounds, home to a historic towering wooden barn draped in fairy lights. It was constructed by German settlers who first ploughed these lands many years ago and wandering through its great old awnings, you can’t help but picture life back then. It’s something the Wilfrid exceeds in; allowing you to pause and take a breath.
A short walk from the barn is a small vineyard, cultivated by the couple. There are several options to sit outside and relax, but perhaps my favourite was the fire pit, surrounded by comfy armchairs and a wall of logs waiting to join the fire. Set slightly away from the house in another secluded corner, it was another reason why a stay at the Wilfrid is such a good way to relax.
Coves in which to read in aren’t all this hotel offers, as nestled in a secluded corner, away from the house, sits a sauna and water circuit. For an additional $80 per person, you can sweat it up in the barrel cedar sauna, followed by a bracing dip in the cold plunge pool, before immersing yourself in a second tub, filled with comforting hot water. If it all gets a bit much (and trust me it can) you can lie down in a quaint wood hut next door, or take a freezing shower, with stunning views of the green open landscape the county is famous for.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, simply jump in the car, or on one of The Wilfrid’s electric bikes, and head out to one of the island’s Prince Edward County beautiful beaches. We lounged on white sand and dipped our toes in the water at Sandbanks Provincial Park, an incredible stretch of coastline that some say are among the best in Canada.
In a nutshell
If you’re travelling through the Ontario province, a stay at The Wilfrid is a must. A guaranteed source of relaxation, rest and respite in the most beautiful of surroundings.
Factbox
Address: 1375 Royal Rd, Milford, ON K0K 2P0
Phone: (438) 390-2505
Website: thewilfrid.com
Photography courtesy of The Wilfrid Boutique Farmhouse.
