Anne-Charlotte PasseraFollowing Les Chemins d’Eau from Ottawa, you will discover the cultural and natural heritage of the Outaouais region. A must-see is the quaint and picturesque town of Wakefield, only a 30 minutes drive from Ottawa. Why not stop by and enjoy this little trip back in time?
We were supposed to go to Wakefield to do a water activity during a 2 day trip to Ottawa. Unfortunately, the activity was cancelled due to a heavy storm the day before that ravaged the area. This did not discourage us though. We still went to see it before heading back to Montreal. Had we known, we would have arrived much earlier.
The village of Wakefield, which is located in the heart of the Gatineau Hills, is bewitching. The colorful wooden houses, the river that runs alongside them, the warm and welcoming people will make you regret not booking a room in a country B&B.
Between the art galleries, the boutiques, the nature, the activities, there is enough to get away from your daily worries for a day or a long weekend.
How to get there
To get to Wakefield from Ottawa, you can either drive (faster) or take a bus.
The 923 bus leaves from the Hull Galleries bus station about a 10 minutes drive from downtown Ottawa and will drop you off in the heart of the village. There are several departures to get there, but fewer returns. The trip is relatively short, 45 minutes and costs $5.
However, the most practical solution is of course the car. By taking the highway, it takes 30 minutes.
To enhance your little escapade to the past, take the tourist route Les Chemins d’eau which follows the Gatineau River by taking route 105 to get there and route 307 to return to Ottawa.
(…) it runs parallel to the Ottawa River and the Gatineau River. Through hills and villages, it reveals pieces of history, Quebec wildlife and a generous nature.
bonjourquebec.com
Once there, park next to the general store or at the Fairbairn House for free.
The history of this picturesque town
The village of Wakefield was founded in 1830 by a mix of Irish, Scottish and English immigrants. Its name comes from the town of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England.
Wakefield was one of the first villages to settle along the Gatineau River. It quickly began to prosper thanks to its mill and its proximity to the river and forest.
Accommodations
It’s hard to pass up some of the accommodations Wakefield has to offer without thinking, “if I had known, I would have slept there”.
The Wakefield Hotel Mill and Spa is surely the most glamorous place to fall into the arms of morpheus. This hotel is located in Gatineau Park about 1km from the bridge over the La Pêche River which flows into the Gatineau River. Formerly a flour mill built in 1838 and hidden behind a hill, it was transformed into a rather luxurious hotel with its own spa on the edge of the MacLaren Falls.
Dogs under 75 pounds are allowed, but only in one cottage. A supplement of $35 will be required.
One night stay: base price is $252 which generally includes breakfast, access to the outdoor pool (in summer) and the spa. Possibility of sleeping in a mini-cottage.
Another option is the B&B Les Trois Érables. This Victorian style house dates back to 1896. There is a beautiful veranda that wraps around the house highlighted by a turret on each corner. Located in the heart of the village, you will be next to everything.
One night stay: between $149 and $209
Colourful attractions
As you step onto Riverside Street in Wakefield, which runs along the Gatineau River, you will feel as if you have been transported to another era with its colourful and stylish Victorian homes.
The buildings that remain, as there were several fires, date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
As you stroll down the street, you will be able to soak up the bohemian atmosphere that wraps you up warmly like a little vest that you put on by the fire on a beautiful late summer evening.
Make a culinary stop in one of the many restaurants. Discover local creators and artists. Eat a some ice cream at Ma Boule before ending your day with a pint on a small terrace.
Pushing the bohemian/hippie style to the limit, make a pit stop at Tempol located on Wakefield Valley / Riverside. It’ looks like an Alibaba cave with really affordable prices. I was so intoxicated by the incense smell of the store that I lost all notion of time. So, I even brought some home with me.
Wakefield’s Offbeat Attractions
The general store dates back to 1923 and is located at the end of the village. The interior has not really retained its original character and that is a shame.
Next door is the old train station, built in 1929 and transformed into a restaurant. A steam train used to run between the Hull station and Wakefield in the summertime.
From there, you can take the long trail that will lead you to a beautiful pedestrian covered bridge and one of the oldest houses in the village.
The covered bridge is not original. The 1915 bridge was destroyed in an arson attack in the 1980s. Thanks to community volunteers, it was rebuilt and opened to the public in 1998.
The Fairbairn House dates from 1861. It houses a small theater and offers cultural and family activities. From there, you can follow a trail that takes you on a 1.8 km loop through a forest.
The village of Wakefield is regularly animated by festivals and concerts.
Outdoor activities
- To make the most of this picturesque village, download the free mobile app (Wakefield History).
The app will guide you through this picturesque village that is over 100 years old. You will discover 18 historic sites starting with the Fairbairn House. To do so, you will also have to follow the walking trail that runs along the old railroad tracks and the river. By the way, if you are looking for a place to picnic, go to the back of the general store. A beautiful picnic table on a sandbar with your feet in the water, who can beat that?
Don’t worry, if you have an urge, there are dry toilets on the way.
- Take a short hike in the Gatineau Park (Free). There are 183km of trails, so you’ll have plenty of trails to choose from for a nice walk. The closest to Wakefield is A Day in the Countryside (P17) which is 4.9km long. You will walk through dense forest, streams and lakes.
Water activities
- If you feel like it, rent a canoe or kayak ($35-40/1h) with Wakefield Expeditions. The store is centrally located on the main street. Equipment can be rented for the day or for a full weekend. You won’t have to go far, as the Ottawa River is right across the street. You just have to cross the street.
- Navigate a water maze with Eco-Odyssée.
This is the activity we wanted to do originally, but was cancelled due to an extremely violent storm.
The activity lasts 2 hours by canoe or pedal boat. To make it a little more fun, you will have to solve small riddles to find your way back.
Book your tickets online HERE.
Anyway, I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait to go back and spend the night with my dogs. I really fell in love with Wakefield, an enchanting and picturesque town camouflaged from the world by nature.
