The fall is a beautiful time to visit Trinity and the Bonavista Peninsula, but sometimes it can be unclear as to what is open. There are still plenty of activities and dining options in Trinity and the communities of Trinity Bight for our guests to enjoy.
What is Trinity Bight you ask?
Trinity Bight is a large area of the Northwestern portion of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The bight contains the communities of New Bonaventure, Old Bonaventure, Trouty, Dunfield, Goose Cove, Trinity, Lockston, Trinity East, Port Rexton, Champney’s Arm, Champney’s West, Champney’s East, and English Harbour. The Bight is just south of Port Union, Elliston & Bonavista. While this list does not include operating hours for businesses outside of Trinity Bight, our team will help you at check-in understand what will be available to you in those areas should you explore beyond The Bight.
Artisan Inn & Vacation Homes
CLICK THE LINKS BELOW FOR
PRINTABLE SEPTEMBER GUIDES
NOTE: These guides were created with information provided to us by various business owners. Some may decide to change their operating dates and hours based on volume of guests or staffing. We always encourage individuals to make reservations when possible and to double check that the information remains correct. Should any business in the Trinity Bight Area wish to contact us with information about their hours or to be added to or removed from the list, please reach out via email.
Includes operating dates and times for:
Twine Loft (open until October 15th 2023) , Dock Marina, The Galley, Fisher’s Loft, Brightside Bistro, Port Rexton Brewery, Oh My Cheeses, Trinity Cabins, Two Whales Coffee Shop, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolates,
Includes operating dates and times for:
Twine Loft, Eriksen Premises, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate, Lester Garland Building, Trinity Crafts, Two Whales Coffee Shop, Port Rexton Brewery, Shoreline Treasures, Sea of Whales.
Note all shops or businesses with shopping sections with the exception of Eriksen Premises are expected to be operating in October to some capacity. More details to come
Includes operating dates and times for: The Harbour Side Cafe, Union House Arts, Home from the Sea, Barbera Houston Art Studio, Ryan Premises, Mock Begger Plantation, Matthew Legacy Centre, East Coast Glow, Artistry on Church, Kind Seas Jewlery, Ragged Rock, Bicycle Picnics, Quintal Cafe
Wondering what you will see on a stroll through Trinity?
Sara Monika Photography
UPON ARRIVAL
This is the scene that welcomes you when you arrive in Trinity. The below scene has appeared in publications around the world including The New York Times and USA Today. It is one of the most coveted shots on a trip through Newfoundland. The houses in the picture below include the Artisan Inn’s Twine Loft, Barbour House, Gover House, Cove Cottage, Campbell House and Nathaniel House. Visit our getting here section for directions to Trinity if this is a must have shot for you.
Visit in the Summer when the wildflowers are in full bloom.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Taken in Late October when the light in Trinity has a more golden touch and the dogberries are at their best. Read our September and October Guide if you plan to stay during the Fall.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Visit during the Spring months of May or June to watch for ice. Read our May and June Guide to plan your trip at this time.
Learn about St. Paul’s church in our Historic Sites sections
Kathy Stacey Photography
Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate is one of many businesses to convert Trinity’s historic buildings into a shopping experience.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Salt Box Houses line the streets of Trinity
Photographer: Sara Monika
Trinity Harbour is where Trinity’s various whale watching tours depart from. This shot was taken from the deck of Admiral’s Lookout.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Admiral’s Lookout and Grant’s Stage are both registered heritage structures.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
White picket fences are found all over Trinity. This one leads to the beach in front of Gover House.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Despite electric heating being available many residents prefer to heat their homes with a wood stove.
Photographer Mark Colbert
Artisan Inn’s Campbell House is an 1840s registered heritage structure. It was the orginial building that the Artisan Inn’s owner Tineke Gow started her buisness with in 1992. Learn about the history of the Artisan Inn.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Fall Colours and picket fences. Read our September and October Guide to find out what can be done at this time of the year.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
The town of Trinity has two certified blacksmiths working in the town’s historic Green Family Forge.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Despite living with modern amenities many residents prefer drying their laundry on the line.
GUN HILL TRAIL
Gun Hill Trail can be walked during any season. Late August and September offer of delicious berries and then their leaves turn a fiery red. Walk along the water, through the woods or stand at the top of the world.
Photographer: Sara MonikaPhotographer: Sara Monika / Hop Scotch the Globe
A fine spot for berry picking during late August and September.
Reward yourself with a stunning view from the top.
LET IT SNOW
We are not open November through April, but why not let you enjoy the pictures?
Photographer: Marieke Gow
A woodpile sits in front of Trinity Harbour.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Ryan Shop, Rising Tide Theatre and the Cooperage.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Artisan Inn after a snowstorm.
Photographer: Marieke Gow
Trinity Architecture pops in the Winter weather.
Photo Credits:
Photos featured on this page were taken by Mark Colbert, Sara Monika and Marieke Gow. If someone wishes to download one of these photos for use on a website, blog, other social media or print materials they must first contact Marieke Gow mgow@trinityvacations.com to seek permission.
The Twine Loft is recommended by “Where to Eat in Canada”. Most guests of the Artisan Inn book their tables when reserving their accommodations, sometimes a year in advance of their arrival. If you would like the Twine Loft to be part of your Trinity experience, we recommend you make your reservation as soon as possible. A reservation request form is available in our booking section.
Located near the majority of historic sites in Trinity, Aunt Sarah’s Chocolate and Sweet Rock Ice Cream are made right in Trinity. Sorbet is available for those who cannot have lactose.
THE DOCK MARINA
The Dock Marina serves up typical family-friendly fare including fish and chips, burgers, pasta and so on. Take out is also an option you may wish to avail of if you are staying in one of our vacation homes.
TRINITY CABINS
Just outside the historic core of Trinity, Trinity Cabin’s offers a spot to grab a cup of coffee, breakfast or lunch. Their made to order sandwiches are perfect for taking on day hikes and drives. They also excel at baked goods.
SOPHIA’S
Located in the Eriksen Premises, Sophia’s is open for lunch and evening meal service with a similar menu selection to the Dock Marina.
WHERE TO DRINK IN TRINITY
THE TWINE LOFT
The Twine Loft is the main building and dining room for the Artisan Inn, built directly over the water. While the Twine Loft is not a bar, a Happy Hour service is available to the public from 3-5pm daily. Guest can choose between drinking on the waterside deck during nicer days (blankets are available for chillier one’s) or in the upstairs loft above the dining room. During Happy Hour special pricing is offered on many of our drinks including wines by the glass, locally made beers and mixed drinks.
Easy (very top can be difficult)
2km Lower Gun Hill Trail (loop)
1km Upper Gun Hill Trail 1-2 Hours to complete both trails
The Experience:
Gun Hill, formerly known as Ryder’s Hill is located at the base of Trinity. The upper trail leads straight to the top of the hill for a fantastic 360 degree view of the entire area and offers a great vantage point for picture taking. Halfway up the trail hikers will find the cannons that once protected Trinity from attacks during the wars between the French and the English. A photo of Trinity taken in 1910 is on display that allows visitors to see what ways the town has and has not changed over that past 100 years. The best time to take this hike is late afternoon. The town looks spectacular during the golden hour when the sun lowers over Fisher Cove. The walk takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes to get to the top and slightly less time to get down. This is also a great spot to watch the sunrise because the entire trail provides an unobstructed view towards the East.
The Lower Trail (a loop) can be started behind the Eastern Health Clinic or Rising Tide Theatre and helps you to feel as though you could be in the middle of nowhere. Parts of the trail are completely inland while other parts hug Trinity Harbour. Walkers may also decide to take a side path to Tavener’s Point, lined with beaches on either side.
Marieke Gow Photography
During the summer, the trails are coloured with white purple pink and blue lupins and during the fall one can spend many peaceful hours picking wild flavorful blueberries from the hill’s many patches.
Directions from the Artisan Inn’s Twine Loft: Turn Left when leaving the Twine Loft and walk to the Royal Bank. This is a 2-minute walk. The path is marked and begins behind the bank. A large map of the trail (both upper and lower) is located in the town parking lot by the Rising Tide Theatre.
A seaside shop run by artist and jewelry maker Elizabeth Burry. Mirabella specializes in original art, Elizabeth Burry Jewelry and the pieces of other well known jewelry makers throughout Canada
Adam and Sarah left their lives in Toronto to run a chocolate shop in the small town of Trinity. Be sure to stop by for a bag (or 2 or 3) of these amazing chocolates or for a cup of Italian Hot Chocolate with Roasted Marsh Mellows.
From time to time you may notice a certain toasty aroma wafting through the air in Trinity. When this happens it means that Ian White is roasting a fresh batch of coffee beans for his various blends of Trinity Mercantile Coffee. Sip a cup in his shop while enjoying the salmon he smokes in-house, or purchase a bag as a souvenir from your trip.
One of the various historic sites of Trinity (This site does require a pass from the visitor centre), The Cooperage is where you will find Lester Cooper working away to produce traditional fisherman’s lunch boxes, children’s toys and practical items like wooden door stops.
While located in one of the Trinity Historic Sites, visitors may go straight to the craft shop without purchasing a historic sites pass. This shop is careful to carry item only made in Newfoundland including soaps, spices, art and select items from the Forge and Cooperage.
Located in the area of Trinity known as Hog’s Nose, Sweet Rock Ice Cream not only offers one of the best views in Trinity, but decadent ice cream made from local ingredients. If you are Lactose intolerant you can enjoy their sorbet of the day.
Locally knit sweaters, hats, mitts and even teddy bears line the shelves of this shop. These items are sure to keep you warm when standing on the windy cliff trying to catch a glimpse of a whale or puffin.
The Green Family Forge does come with an entrance fee, however, it is well worth a visit. This is not just a historic site, but a living museum where our two local and professionally trained blacksmith make coat hooks, pot racks, candle holders and more. Some of these items are available at the Lester Garland Building Craft Shop which can be entered without paying the historic sites entrance fee.
Trinity is one of the best areas in Newfoundland and Labrador to hop on a whale watching tour and have once in a lifetime experience with the Humpback Whales and other species that come to our area to feed on capelin during the summer months. To see daily records of whale sightings around the Trinity areaCLICK HERE.
Early in the season during the months of May and June, visitors may also have the opportunity to experience icebergs up close.
Iceberg: To purchase this print visit Paul Dolks Website. See the dot in the water to the far right of this photo is Paul’s boat.
By Fall, the Humpbacks have normally departed, however, the waters are teaming with other species including Sperm Whales, Blue Fin Tuna, superods of White Sided Dolphins and the occasional pod of Orcas. Birds including Gannets, Puffins and Bald Eagles often appear on the tours.
Please keep in mind that we can never predict or guarantee nature. Some years whales and icebergs arrive later or earlier than expected.
Vessel Type: Zodiac Phone: 1-709-464-3712 Address: 1 Stoneman’s Lane Walking distance from the Twine Loft: 4 minutes
Marieke Gow Photography
Photo By Paul Dolk, to purchase this print visit his website
Photo By Paul Dolk, to purchase this print visit his website
Photo By Paul Dolk, to purchase this print visit his website
Photo By Paul Dolk, to purchase this print visit his website, pauldolk.com.
Thank you to Paul Dolk, whose photography studio is located in Open Hall on Route 235 for allowing us to share his work. Visit his website Paul Dolk Photography
Did you know that Trinity was where Jon Clinch, a childhood friend of Edward Jenner, introduced the smallpox vaccine to the New World? What about the fact that the first court of justice in North America was established when Sir Richard Whitbourne held the first Court of Admiralty in Trinity in 1615? These and many other historically significant stories of Trinity and its harbour are ones we love to tell in a variety of ways.
TRINITY HISTORICAL WALKING TOURS
Bring your imagination and join Kevin Toope as he relates the story of Trinity and its peoples; the Beothuk Indians, the French, the Irish, and the English and their contributions to a magnificent and colorful history. Through stories, historic photos, burial records, shipwrecks, and disasters you will time travel through the history of Newfoundland in the magical setting called Trinity.
Kevin’s tour runs 6 days a week and begins at 10am at the end of Clinch’s Lane (less than 10 minutes by foot from the Twine Loft) and departs rain or shine. The tour usually ends in the same location at 12pm.
Distance from Twine Loft: Located on CLinch’s Lane, Walking Distance 8 minutes
THE NEWFOUNDLAND TRINITY PAGEANT
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, Newfoundland and Labrador’s history takes to the streets for Rising Tide Theatre’s New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant, a walking tour of the town led by actors portraying a few of the more outrageous characters from the not-too-distant past.
This play typically starts running in early July and ends Labour Day Weekend
Go to the green visitor’s centre on West Street where passes are sold for both Provincial and Municipal Sites. Visit the sites throughout the day at your own leisure (they are all within walking distance of each other and the inn) Within the sites interpreters will answer questions you may have about the sites’ significance in the area.
Lester-Garland House provides a visible means of interpreting the historic links between Poole (and the hinterland region known as Wessex) and Trinity (and the northeast coast of Newfoundland), the role of Trinity as a centre of trade and commerce in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries and especially of the culture that sprang from these linkages and associations.
Emma Hiscock’s life spanned a time when Trinity’s heyday as a centre for the salt fish trade was in the past, but it was still the place where everyone from all over the Bight came to do their shopping. Restored to 1910, today Emma’s house is a snapshot of life in this period and tells the story of how Emma kept up a genteel life for herself and her six children after her husband drowned in the 1890s.
The blacksmith in Trinity played a vital role in producing equipment and tools necessary for the fishery in Trinity. This is not just a historic site, but a living museum where our two local and professionally trained blacksmith make coat hooks, pot racks, candle holders and more.
The Cooperage, a location where barrels were traditionally made, played a major part in Trinity’s Fishing Heritage. Today it serves as a living museum where our local Cooper can be found working on products like fisherman’s lunch pails and wooden children’s toys.
Fort Point, also known as Admiral’s Point, offers a fantastic view of Trinity. This is where a British fortification once stood (cannons can still be seen) until it was destroyed during a 15 day period when the French occupied Trinity in 1762.
The second installation of a fort was in 1812 to serve as protection against the raids of American privateers. After the fort was abandoned a lighthouse was installed in 1871.
It is believed that St. Paul’s was built by either Caleb Marshall or James Harvey of St. John’s. The wooden church with its arched windows, chancel, side aisles, and tower with a spire is an excellent example of Gothic Revival architecture in outport Newfoundland during the nineteenth century.
Holy Trinity Catholic Church
This is said to be the oldest standing wooden Catholic Church in Newfoundland. The church never had electricity installed and has the feeling of a dollhouse inside.
Rising Tide Theatre is located just a few minutes walk from the Artisan Inn’s buildings. Evening performances are offered most days of the week and the New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant on Wednesdays and Saturdays is not to be missed!
To ensure guests receive the most up to date information on scheduling, availability and possible changes to performance times, guests are encouraged to book their theatre tickets directly with Rising Tide Theatre. Performance Schedules are often released in late May.
Photo Courtesy of Rising Tide Theatre
EVENING PERFORMANCES: SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL
All summer long Rising Tide Theatre presents a festival of evening performances relating to Newfoundland life and culture. Many well known Newfoundland actors including This Hour Has 22 Minutes’ Mark Critch, Come From Away’s Patrina Bromly, River Head’s Larry Barry and all three members of the Newfoundland Trio The Once, have been part of the cast of this theatre festival. Some of our favourite plays include: This Marvellous Terrible Place, West Moon, No Man’s Land and Saltwater Moon.
The Twine Loft Restaurant offers a pre-theatre sitting starting at 5:30 for plays starting at 7:30pm or later. Regrettably the Twine Loft is unable to accommodate guests trying to get to the 7pm play.
Evening performances typically run between early June to late September.
THE NEW FOUNDE LANDE TRINITY PAGEANT
On Wednesdays and Saturdays, history comes alive in the streets with The New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant, a walking tour of the town led by actors portraying a few of the more outrageous characters from the not-too-distant past.
The Pageant typically starts running in early July and ends Labour Day Weekend.
Photo Courtesy of Rising Tide Theatre
DINNER THEATRE
On Wednesday and Saturday evenings, Rising Tide Theatre offers an evening dinner theatre at 5:30. Once dinner is served to visitors in the main theatre the actors take to the stage with a combination of theatrical skits and musical acts exhibiting Newfoundland’s rich culture.
Dinner Theatre typically starts running in early July and ends Labour Day Weekend.
“Trinity charms visitors on at least two accounts. Many newcomers are struck by the natural beauty of the area, a magnificent harbour and the splendid maritime setting. Others are touched by a powerful sense of history (Old Worldliness) and the pride of place instilled by the cultural landscape. Trinity is a community whose personality has been largely shaped by the sea. The harbour has been proclaimed as one of the best in Newfoundland, even one of the finest in the world. The harbour not only provided abundant shelter and good holding ground, but was also spacious. It was once claimed to hold the entire British Navy.
Trinity Harbour has provided access to and refuge from the North Atlantic since the early 16th century when it was first used by European fishermen. West Countrymen from England began using it as a summer station in the migratory fishery in the 1570s, and in 1615 Richard Whitbourne (later Sir Richard) held a Court of the Admiralty, the first of its kind in the New World. Since then Trinity has been the scene of many other significant historical events.”
-The above is an excerpt from Gordon Handcock’s “The Story of Trinity”, a publication of the Trinity Historical Society
The Merchants from Poole
In the early Newfoundland fishery the most prominent merchants were from the seaport of Poole, Dorset, England. Ships sailed from Poole to Newfoundland with salt and provisions, then carried dried and salted fish to Europe and then returned to Poole with wine, olive oil, and salt.
In the late 16-hundreds Poole merchants had settled in Bay Verds [now Bay de Verde] near Old Perlican on the east side of Trinity Bay. However, the harbour of Old Perlican is broad and open and not easily defended. Under Pierre Le Moyne D’Iberville the French attacked and burned many of the buildings in 1697. Fearing further attacks through the early 1700s the Taverners, who were prominent Poole merchants, relocated their major premises to Trinity’s safer harbour.
The Lesters were also a Poole merchant family and were related, through marriage, to the Taveners. They established at Trinity in the 1750s. As well they were prominent in a number of other communities in Trinity Bay buying Newfoundland codfish and providing settlers with supplies and provisions. They also employed many men cutting wood, trapping furs, and sealing. By 1793 Benjamin Lester owned 20 ships, the largest fleet operated by an English-Newfoundland merchant in the eighteenth century. Benjamin’s daughter Amy married George Garland and, with time, George Garland assumed more direct responsibility for the trade. After 1819, the firm became George Garland and Sons.
The end of the Napoleonic Wars and the conclusion of the War of 1812 ended Britain’s monopoly over the Newfoundland fisheries. Poole’s Newfoundland trade decreased and, within a decade, most merchants had ceased trading. George Garland operated his business until 1825.
The Ryan Brothers
The Garland buildings were leased to various firms until 1900 when the Ryan Brothers acquired the site and operated until 1952. James and Dan Ryan belonged to the Bonavista family of Ryan merchants. Under the management of their youngest brother Edmund the firm’s chief goal, in Trinity, was to profit from supplying Trinity and Conception Bay schooners that were involved in the Labrador fishery. The Garland/Ryan store in Trinity was one of the first Ryan buildings to be restored during the present era of historic reconstruction. Visitors to the Bonavista Peninsula can now view many Ryan buildings, some of which have been only recently restored.
Trinity Harbour Modern History
As a child the Artisan Inn’s manager Marieke would watch boats being built in the Vokey Shipyard.
During periods up until the late 1980’s Trinity was sustained largely by aspects of the fisheries and business families such as the Vokey shipbuilders and Bartlett’s Plumbing and Electrical. However, outport Newfoundland fell on hard times with the close of the cod fishery in 1992. During the following decade, ships were built, in Trinity, for a newly emerging crab fishery and there was diversification in the rural economy. Today tourism has replaced the shipbuilding industry as the main economic driver in the area.
