loving long point, ontarioby brett |
Austin Parkway public beach access, Long Point, Ont.
The August issue of STYLE AT HOME will be hitting newsstands this weekend (yay!), and the theme of the issue is “Simple Summer” – gorgeous summer getaways and easy, breezy outdoor living.
Last weekend, I had the chance to ditch the sweltering urban heat island (I’m so not a fan of Toronto in the summer!) and escaped to my own slice of heaven – Long Point.
Long Point is a 40-kilometre sandspit that juts from southwestern Ontario into the warm waters of Lake Erie, and has been my summer getaway since I was a kid. Wide, sandy beaches, lined with whispering poplars that glint like silver in the summer sun, and an unpretentious atmosphere among the cottagers who have a real passion for the place… Regional Road 59 takes you down the fascinating Causeway, flanked on either side by marshes teeming with turtles and birds (over 300 species fly through Long Point through the year), and terminates at the Provincial Park – the fourth oldest park in the province.
One of my fave activities on the Point, of course, is to go dream cottage shopping. I’ve always loved this buttery-yellow beachfront property, which sold two summers ago for a prince’s ransom (I’d heard $750,000, but that’s local gossip talking).
Why do I love it? It’s a combination of knockout location, with a modest, charming design that doesn’t take away from the splendour of the landscape (Long Point is recognized as a United Nations World Biosphere).
The most famous property on the Point, however, has got to be the Old Cut Lighthouse.
Built in 1879, the three-storey fort-style beacon with a fascinating history is now a private residence, lovingly restored. The renovation actually won a number of awards, including “Most Outstanding Historical Renovation in Ontario”. Isn’t the fence awesome?!
I’ve always wanted to see inside, and a little websleuthing brought up these tasty snaps. You can also see the shabby state the lighthouse was in towards the end of the 1990s… The transformation is nothing short of stunning!
Tags: before & after, before and after, historical renovation, historical restoration, lighthouse before and after, long point, long point beach, long point lighthouse, long point old cut, long point provincial park, long point tourism, norfolk county, old cut lighthouse, ontario parks long point, restoration project, sandspit
Ooooh Brett.. you’ve just shown me my new summer getaway! Love it
I agree with Lauren - love it! And you’re right Brett, the fence design is awesome; it frames the lighthouse perfectly. What a work of art! And to think someone resides in it. Well, I’ll just say, they’ve ’seen the light’ to this location’s charm… Lausen
Long Point is beautiful and very magical.
It offers the rest, relaxation and beauty we all need.
The homes are cute and very “sea-side” and the sand is warm and smooth between the toes.
It is a very magical place…
Now I’ve got a place to daydream about when I’m stuck in a subway train with no A/C this summer! Beautiful photos!
I couldn’t agree more. I moved to Port Rowan/Long Point 4 years ago from “the city” because I discovered the beach & other great attributes of the area. And now, in fact, I am the Tourism Promotions Coordinator - promoting to everyone else how great this area is and how much there is to offer. (fishing, boating, beaches, cottaging, birding, a NEW ZIP LINE, great local foods, wineries, shopping, theatre, hiking, cycling, motorcycling…you name it.) If you want any information at all about where to visit or stay, please contact me or visit our website. We’d love to see you here. http://www.norfolktourism.ca
1-800-699-9038
Beautiful photos, that first image is totally charming!
i love the sleuth! i was in long point this past weekend and totally enjoyed the sandy beach, the warm campfire and the mystical aura of the point - now if only something could be done about the outdated book selection at the cottage - this is the third year i’ve spent a weekend with Atwood’s “Blind Assasin” - thanks for the great post - taking me back to the point
Ooh - so many Long Point fans! I’m so glad it’s not as well-kept a secret as I thought!
Thanks for all your comments.
I’m from Florida, a state known for famous beaches. However, none of them can compare to Long Point’s natural beauty on a stormy afternoon as witnessed on June 25 from Rob & Mary’s shoreline home!
As Sue Williams stated:
The morning was absolutely beautiful. Then late afternoon the lightening started. What a site to behold as we all stayed under the deck overlooking the lake.
Glad to share it with our Florida family. Now you see why we love it here.
Oh, I missed that thunderstorm by two days… I LOVE Long Point thunderstorms!
Long Point is best in the fall. A lot quieter, but just as beautiful.