A popular summer resort area, the southern section of the Lake Huron
shoreline is trimmed by sandy beaches and a steep bluff that's
interrupted by the occasional river valley. The water is much less
polluted than Lake Ontario, the sunsets are fabulously beautiful, and in
Bayfield and Goderich the lakeshore possesses two of the most appealing
places in the whole of the province. Of the two, the more southerly is
BAYFIELD , a wealthy and good-looking village whose handsome timber
villas nestle amongst well-tended gardens beneath a canopy of ancient
trees - all about 80km north of London. The villagers have kept modern
development at arm's length - there's barely a neon sign in sight, never
mind a concrete apartment block - and almost every old house has been
beautifully maintained: look out for the scrolled woodwork, the
fanlights and the graceful verandas. Historical plaques give the lowdown
on the older buildings that line Bayfield's short Main Street , and pint-sized
Pioneer Park on the bluff overlooking the lake at the west end of Main
Street is a fine spot to take in the sunset, but it's the general
appearance of the place that appeals rather than any particular sight.
If you've the time, you should also venture down to the harbour on the
north side of the village and from there ramble up along the banks of
the Bayfield River where, in season, you can pick wild mushrooms and
fiddleheads. The Mara Street footpath down to the harbour begins just
behind Pioneer Park - it's signed. In winter there's ice fishing and
skating to enjoy.
You'll need your own transport to get to Bayfield - there are no buses
at all. The tourist office (May-Sept daily 10am-6pm; tel 519/565-2499),
in the booth by Hwy 21 just north of the Bayfield River bridge, has a
full list of local accommodation and they will help you find a room,
though their assistance is only really necessary in July and August when
most places - including the B&Bs - are heavily subscribed. At other
times of the year, it's easy enough to find a place yourself. The best
hotel for miles around is the outstanding Little Inn of Bayfield , Main
Street (tel 519/565-2611 or 1-800/565-1832, fax 519/565-5474,
www.littleinn.com ; $100-125), a tastefully modernized early nineteenth-century
timber-and-brick building with a handsome second-floor veranda and
delightfully furnished rooms, most of which have whirlpool baths. The
hotel has an annexe just across the street and, once again, the rooms
here are simply splendid. Incidentally, do not confuse this hotel with
the Bayfield Village Inn , a very different proposition. Other good
places to stay include the pleasant Albion Hotel , in another old
building on Main Street (tel 519/565-2641; $40-60), and several charming
B&Bs : try beside the village green at either the Clifton Manor Inn , 19
The Square (tel 519/565-2282; $80-100; reservations required), or Clair
on the Square , 12 The Square (tel 519/565-2135; $60-80). There's
camping at Pinery Provincial Park (tel 519/243-2220), a popular chunk of
forested sand dune beside Lake Huron about 40km south of Bayfield.
Bayfield has several great places to eat , but it's hard to beat the
smart and chic restaurant of the Little Inn of Bayfield , which is the
best place to sample fish from Lake Huron - perch, white fish, pickerel
or steelhead. Footsteps away, the Red Pump Restaurant (tel 519/565-2576)
is similarly classy, whilst the Albion Hotel has more routine, but
appetizing and less costly bar food and meals.
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