Paul Dolk Photography: This photo can be purchased from Paul’s Website
There are many places to visit on the island of Newfoundland, however, few places have the density and diversity of experiences that Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula offers. Trinity is ideally situated for exploring surrounding communities for half-day and full day trips including Port Rexton, Port Union, Elliston, Bonavista, New Bonaventure, Upper Amherst Cove and more. Use this section to plan your trips and activities while staying in one of the Artisan Inn’s rooms or vacation homes in Trinity.
• Menu Format: Choice of two appetizers, two main courses (typically fish or seafood and meat), and a house-made dessert
• Price Per Seat: Dinner at the Twine Loft for the 2026 season is approximately $75-$79 per person plus tax.
• Dietary Accommodations: Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free (celiac), and lactose-free menus available with advance notice
• Dining Experience Length: Approximately two hours
• Reservations: Due to the small size of the dining room, each seat is reserved for the full evening dining experience
• Who Can Dine: Reservations are available for Artisan Inn guests and visitors exploring Trinity Bight and the Bonavista Peninsula. If your party includes guests under 19+ please review our information on dining with minors.
What Is Included in the Twine Loft Three-Course Dinner
Each evening guests enjoy a three-course set menu (see sample menu at top of page)
Appetizer – Choose One
Choice of two appetizers, typically including:
• one soup option
• one salad option
Main Course – Choose One
Choice of two main courses, typically including:
• one fish or seafood option
• one meat option
Dessert
A house-made dessert
Why Guests Can Feel Confident Booking a Set Menu Experience
Because our menu is based on fresh ingredients and seasonal availability, the exact dinner menu is usually confirmed the day before service.
When booking dinner, guests complete a dinner information form where they can note allergies, dietary restrictions, and strong dislikes. This allows our kitchen to plan a menu that works well for the guests joining us that evening.
Once the menu is shared, there is still time to discuss the possiblity of substitutions or to cancel your reservation if the menu does not suit your preferences.
The cook aims to ensure there is at least one suitable option per course for each reserved guest.
Dietary Needs and Allergies
With advance notice we can prepare three-course menus that accommodate:
• Vegetarian diets
• Vegan diets
• Gluten-free / celiac diets (few of our appetizer or main course recipes include gluten)
• Lactose-free diets
Providing this information in advance helps our kitchen ensure that everyone in your party can enjoy the evening safely and comfortably.
Example of a 3 course Vegan Menu at the Twine Loft
Please note this may not be your option on the day of your meal
Appetizer
Carrot Orange Soup
Main Course
Zucchini Croquets with Cashew Cream Drizzle served with Sauteed Asparagus and Roasted Lemon Potatoes
Dessert
Apple Crumble with Vegan Banana Ice Cream
Dining With Minors at the Twine Loft
Dinner at the Twine Loft is served as a timed multi-course dining experience lasting approximately two hours in a small and acoustically intimate dining room.
The Twine Loft dining experience is best suited to guests who are comfortable enjoying a relaxed, two-hour multi-course meal in a quiet and intimate dining room setting.
For this reason, the experience is generally best suited to adults and older children who are comfortable remaining seated for the duration of the meal.
During the months when we offer two dinner sittings, guests under the age of 19 must attend the 5:15 p.m. seating.
This requirement relates to our lounge license, which allows us to serve drinks on the deck. Under Newfoundland and Labrador liquor regulations, minors may not remain in the restaurant after 8:30 p.m.
We generally recommend that children be 10 years of age or older to dine at the Twine Loft.
While the dining experience is generally best suited to adults and older children, we have certainly welcomed younger guests who are comfortable dining in quiet, multi-course restaurant settings and have enjoyed our set menu meal.
Families considering dining with children are encouraged to contact us in advance so we can help determine whether the setting and pacing of the evening will be appropriate for the child in your party.
Expectations for Younger Guests
Children dining at the Twine Loft must:
• Order from the regular menu at the advertised dining price
• Remain seated at the table during the meal
• Maintain a volume appropriate for an intimate dining room
If children are using devices with audio, headphones must be used.
Children may not leave the table between courses to play outside unsupervised.
Bringing Food for a Child
Families may choose to bring a meal for a child if preferred. Please note that because reservations at the Twine Loft are priced per seat rather than per meal due to our limited seating capacity, the regular dining price still applies to each person included in the reservation.
Why These Policies Exist
The Twine Loft kitchen operates with one cook working from two household stoves, and during a single seating we often accommodate multiple dietary menus such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, and vegetarian meals in addition to our regular offerings.
Because of this limited kitchen capacity and the small number of seats available each evening, we are not able to offer children’s menus or adjust the pacing of service once dinner has begun.
Accessibility
The first floor dining room of the Twine Loft is wheelchair accessible.
We also offer:
• one wheelchair-accessible washroom
• a wheelchair-accessible waterside deck
Guests using wheelchairs, scooters, or walkers are encouraged to inform us when making their reservation so we can discuss parking and access options.
Because our property uses gravel surfaces for drainage during high tides and heavy rain, we recommend that guests using wheeled mobility aids be dropped off directly at the access ramp in the Twine Loft driveway.
Dress Code
There is no formal dress code at the Twine Loft.
Many guests choose smart casual attire, particularly when celebrating special occasions. At the same time, we understand that many visitors are travelling and packing light, so comfortable travel clothing is always welcome.
Seating and Table Requests
The Twine Loft dining room is designed as a small and intimate space, and many tables offer views of the harbour or historic Trinity.
If reservations are high on a particular evening, dinner may be served on both floors of the Twine Loft. When bookings are lighter, service will take place on the main floor only.
Our reservation form includes a section where guests may indicate mobility needs, which helps us plan the most appropriate table locations.
Because the dining room contains a mix of table sizes and layouts that change depending on the reservations for that evening, we are unfortunately unable to accept requests for specific tables or window seating. Tables suitable for your party size are assigned on a first-come basis.
Making a Reservation
Guests may contact the Twine Loft at 1-709-464-3377 to inquire about dinner reservations.
The easiest way to request a reservation is through our online booking system. Please click BOOK NOW and submit a reservation request through the Twine Loft reservation page.
If you reserve by telephone, you will still be sent a digital reservation form to complete. For this reason, many guests find it quicker to submit their request directly through the online booking system.
We do not accept dinner reservations by email, as important messages can sometimes be missed due to spam filters.
Please note that reservations submitted through the online system are requests only. We will contact you to confirm whether space is available.
You will only be asked to provide a credit card number to hold the reservation once we are confirming your request.
Confirming a Reservation & Credit Card Holds
The Twine Loft generally requires a minimum of six guests booked on a given evening to operate dinner service. Exceptions may occasionally be made for guests staying in Artisan Inn properties.
Once your reservation request has been confirmed, a credit card number is required to hold the reservation.
Our cancellation policy is as follows:
• $25 plus tax cancellation fee per guest if the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours of the dining time
• Full meal price charged per guest if the reservation is cancelled within 4 hours of the scheduled dinner time
• For groups of five or more, the full meal price per guest will be charged if the reservation is cancelled within 24 hours
Whenever possible, we will make every effort to refill seats for last-minute cancellations so that charges do not need to be applied.
Credit card information is securely stored through our payment processing system, Stripe. Once entered, only the last four digits of the card are visible in our system.
If a charge is applied, it will appear on your statement as Artisan Inn Twine Loft.
Pricing Per Seat
Dinner at the Twine Loft for the 2026 season is approximately $75-$79 per person plus tax.
Because of our limited seating capacity and the structure of our set menu service, reservations are charged per seat occupied in the dining room rather than per guest ordering a meal.
This means that if guests choose to share a meal, opt out of a course, or request smaller portions, the price per seat remains the same.
Dining During Your Visit to Trinity
Many guests plan an evening at the Twine Loft Restaurant as part of a full day exploring Trinity, Newfoundland and the Bonavista Peninsula.
Visitors often join us for dinner when visiting Trinity to:
• Walk through the historic streets and visit the Trinity Historic Sites
• Attend a Rising Tide Theatre performance
• Whale, iceberg and bird watching in Trinity Harbour
• Explore coastal trails around Trinity Bight like Gun Hill and Skerwink Trail
• Explore the UNESCO Global Discovery Geopark
An evening at the Twine Loft offers a relaxed way to conclude a day of exploring the region.
Please be advised that there is a shortage of rental cars during peak season. Verify that you can rent a car before you commit to reservations.
Public transportation is limited in the area. There is a taxi system to get you to the Bonavista Peninsula, however, once on the Peninsula, there is no system to get you around the Peninsula.
GETTING TO TRINITY
Please be advised that there are two towns of Trinity in Newfoundland. Our Trinity is located in the Eastern Region of Newfoundland and Labrador on the Bonavista Peninsula. This area is also known by its destination route name, The Discovery Trail. When searching online, please make sure you are searching TRINITY, TRINITY BAY.
The other Trinity is located in Central Newfoundland and is Trinity, Bonavista Bay
Driving Directions:
Trinity is located 1 hour from The Trans Canada Highway/Highway 1
1. Take the exit for Route 230 (near the town of Clarenville)
Drivers have the option of driving directly from Highway 1 to route 230 or they can cut through the town of Clarenville taking Route 230A that eventually meets up with Route 230. There is little difference in time between these two options, however, the second option is more scenic and more convenient if you plan to stop in Clarenville, which has larger grocery stores and a large NLC (Liquor Store) for supplies.
2. Drive 50.8km along Route 230 and turn right onto Route 239
3. After 3km you will see a large bay of blue and white buoys (this is a mussel farm)
4. There is a left-hand turn after this bay that leads into the historic town of Trinity.
GETTING TO THE ARTISAN INN
Once you have reached the Royal Bank you will take a sharp hairpin right turn The Twine Loft is the second building on the right located behind a green building called the Barbour House. All guests must register at the Twine Loft (self-check-in is not an option for vacation homes) and our staff will bring you to your reserved room or house.
Discover the many reasons why Trinity is the perfect place to stay while exploring Eastern Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula. Trinity is one of the most walk-able town’s of Newfoundland, taking only 25 minutes to stroll the circumference of the town with various white-picket fence lined streets criss-crossing throughout its centre. The majority of attractions and activities are located on the opposite end of town to the Artisan Inn’s accommodations, allowing our guests to take advantage of the peace and quiet of an out-port community while being only a few minutes away by foot from Rising Tide Theatre, whale watching, historic sites and shopping.
Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay serve as nature’s playground during the Spring and Summer months in Newfoundland.
Twenty-two species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises swim the waters along the coastline of Newfoundland and Labrador during the months of May to August. The Bonavista Peninsula is a perfect location to see and appreciate these magnificent creatures of the sea.
Some species spotted in Trinity Bay and Bonavista Bay include: Humpback Whales, Sperm Whales, Minke Whales, Pothead Whales and Killer Whales (Orcas). White-sided dolphins and Bluefin Tuna are frequently spotted during the Fall.
Boat tours also provide the opportunity to see the many majestic icebergs floating past Trinity during Spring and early Summer. The prime time to see icebergs is between late May and late June.
Finally, the Peninsula’s unique geological features offer an added bonus on every trip.
Marieke Gow Photography
Those who come to visit during the month of June and early July are sometimes lucky enough to spot icebergs, whales and various sea birds, including: the Atlantic Puffin and Bald Eagles all at once!
To see daily records of whale sightings in our areaCLICK HERE.
The two communities that offer boat tours with the focus of seeing wildlife are Trinity and Bonavista.
TRINITY
Three boat tours are located within walking distance of the Artisan Inn
Photo Taken on Sea of Whale Adventure Tours. The #1 boat tour on trip advisor for the town of Trinity
Vessel Type: Larger vessel type with indoor and outdoor seating and a washroom on board Phone: 1-709-468-8438 Address: 15 Roper Street, Bonavista NL Located in the parking lot of the Matthew Legacy site.
Places to Whale Watch From Land in Trinity Bight
While boat tours offer a first class whale watching experience, getting you up close and personal with wildlife, not everyone has the greatest sea legs. We can never guarantee a whale sighting, however, we can tell you where the locals often go to watch Humpbacks feeding once they have arrived for the season. Our staff receive updates from local boat tours and summer residents when pods are feeding close to shore in certain area’s. We do our best to communicate anything exciting that we are aware of when we register guests at the inn or during morning breakfast.
Fort Point Lighthouse and Beach
We recommend getting a lunch to go from Trinity Mercantile Coffee Shop and heading to Fort Point Lighthouse for a picnic. Whales are often seen feeding during the month of July just off the point’s beach.
Driving Distance from Trinity: 19 Minutes
English Harbour / Horse Chops
Located 19 minutes from the Artisan Inn
This is the area many locals go to watch whales from the cliffs. The beach in English Harbour is also a popular spot to watch the capelin when they start to roll. locals are often seen here with buckets to harvest the small silver fish for a meal.
Driving Distance from Trinity: 19 Minutes
Skerwink Trail, Trinity East/Port Rexton
Marieke Gow Photography
Whales often feed below the cliffs, offering hikers a bird’s eye view. One cannot drive up to these spots, but instead, must hike the outer trail for the best vantage points.
Driving distance from Trinity: 13 minutes
Please note that whales are wild animals and their feeding times and locations can never be guaranteed.
Find Driving Directions to all communities mentioned
The Bonavista Peninsula is a hikers paradise. The Artisan Inn in Trinity can serve as an excellent home base for those who wish to explore the various hikes and walks along the Discovery Trail. With a variety of coastal and inland trails, rated from easy to difficult, there is something for both walkers and hikers. Spend the day hiking, return to comfortable accommodations and curl up in a blanket with a glass of wine on our front deck while resting your feet! Hand carved, wooden hiking sticks are available for Artisan Inn guests who do not wish to travel with their own.
Located in Trinity, starting behind the Royal Bank or the Rising Tide Theatre
Easy (very top can be difficult)
Approx. 2 km Loop, 0.75 km to the Top, 45 Minutes – 1 Hour return
To Learn more about this trail visit the Gun Hill Page on the Explore Trinity section of our website
PORT REXTON – SKERWINK TRAIL
Located 10 minutes from Trinity
Moderate – Difficult
5.3 km Loop, 1.5 – 2 Hours
The Experience
Just minutes from Trinity, in Trinity East, Skerwink has been selected as one of Travel and Leisure magazine’s “25 Great Walks in North America and Europe” (May 2009).
The trail is rated Moderate and takes approximately 2 hours to complete (longer if you are passionate about photography) and is a 5.3km coastal loop. At certain locations hikers may feel as though they are standing at the edge of the world. Steeper sections of the trail have been lined with stairs and board walks cover any boggy sections. Many lookouts have been built with benches allowing visitors to stop and enjoy the view.
Moose, foxes, bald eagles, whales, seabirds and icebergs are often spotted.
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista
Turn Right towards Trinity East after large yellow gas station in Port Rexton
Drive approx 5 minutes, pass one church, then arrive at a parking lot across from a second church. A large sign with the map of the Skerwink Trail will be to your your left.
The trail displays the beautiful coastal scenery, views of the surrounding communities and local wildlife, then finishes with a walk through the fishing village of Champney’s West. Take the time to walk down and view the fishing stages and maybe get your opportunity to chat to a local resident.
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista
Drive past Port Rexton and turn Right onto Route 230-17 to Champney’s West
The trail parking lot is located on the right, 2km from the turn off and across from the old cemetery.
This coastal loop trail will take you through the abandoned community of Murphy’s Cove and overlooks the Green Island Lighthouse. This looped trail has a variety of headlands that provide viewing platforms where surrounding communities, whales, seabirds and fishing vessels can be photographed. The halfway point provides a lookout where users can view the Green Island Lighthouse, one of the last remaining manned lighthouses in the province. The trail follows the coastline offering great photo opportunities.
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista
Drive 30 minutes to Port Union and turn Right onto Reid’s Road
Follow the blue hiker sign. The entrance of the Trail is located next to St Catherine’s Haven retirement home.
A 3.5 km trail along the coastline that runs parallel to the main road from the Town of Bonavista to Cape Bonavista. This trail provides one with a spectacular view of Bonavista Bay as you enjoy a leisurely walk on a marked trail to the Cape Bonavista Lighthouse. Along this route you can enjoy the rugged coast line while watching for birds and whales (in season). Stop for a picnic along the trail or at the John Cabot Municipal Park.
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista
Once in Bonavista, follow Confederation Drive (route 230) until you see the Right hand turn onto Cape Shore Road
Continue on Cape Shore Road until you pass the Ocean View Cabins where a parking lot will be on your right
ELLISTON / BONAVISTA – KLONDIKE TRAIL
Located 45 to 50 minutes from Trinity
Gentle – Moderate
3km, 45 minutes each way
The Experience
Located on the northern section of Elliston, it was regularly used years ago as a horse and cart trail, leading from Elliston to the community of Spillar’s Cove. This walk takes you from forest to wetlands, heathlands to sea. Learn about the plants and animals inhabiting our area while looking for our provincial bird, the puffin. You may also see whales, kittiwakes and other sea life as well as spectacular coastal scenery. This area was initially called Bird Island Cove and offers hikers spectacular oceanfront scenery with plenty of seabirds and wildlife along the way. – Text courtesy of Hike Discovery.
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
Turn Right on Route 230 towards Bonavista
Spillar’s Cove end(Most of the Klondike trail is inland, so we suggest driving to the Spillar’s Cove end and exploring the northern section of the trail)
Drive to the Town of Bonavista
You will reach an intersection with a large green highway sign indicating Elliston and Spillar’s Cove to your right, Turn Right
Keep Left towards Spillar’s Cove at the intersection of Spillar’s Cove Road and Route 238 to Elliston (You can also Turn Right onto Route 238 to Elliston, then turn Left onto Main Street in Elliston to access the Elliston end of the trail)
Drive through the village of Spillar’s Cove until you reach the end of the paved road, the trail begins here
Elliston end
Drive 35 – 40 mins on Route 230, then turn Right on Route 238 to Elliston
Turn Left at the John C. Crosbie Sealer’s Interpretation Centre in Elliston
1.7km inner loop, 3.5km outer loop, 0.5 or 1 hours
The Experience
The King’s Cove Lighthouse Trail is classed as a stacked loop. This provides the walker/hiker the option of completing the 1.7km inside loop or the 3.5km outside loop. Both trails are coastal hikes to the lighthouse. The outside loop offers the hiker additional coastal viewing into Bonavista Bay and Brook Point, then proceeds into the woods on a primitive trail leading back to the church. Returning via the inside loop, walkers/hikers have the opportunity to walk along rock foundations while admiring spectacular coastal scenery in Blackhead Bay.
The lighthouse was built in 1893, after some fifty shipwrecks occurred in Bonavista Bay. It was constructed of pre-cast iron, shipped from Birmingham, England. It was the first lighthouse in Newfoundland to be fitted with a revolving kerosene light system from Sweden and was visible from 14 nautical miles. Since it had to be lit every night and extinguished each morning, Philip Batterton was hired as a light keeper, a position held for over 62 years by the Batterton family.
– This information has been provided by the Discovery Trail Tourism Association
Directions from Trinity
Leave the town of Trinity
Turn Right onto Route 239 towards Route 230
The trail is located at the halfway mark of Route 235 and there are two ways to get there from Trinity. Either route will take approximately 45 minutes. One can:
A) Turn Left onto Route 230 towards Clarenville
Turn right onto Route 235 at South Bay
Turn Left onto Top Road
Park at the large church in King’s Cove. The trail begins there.
or
B) Turn Right onto Route 230 towards Bonavista
Turn left onto Route 237 at Catalina
Turn Left onto Route 235
Turn Right onto Top Road
Park at the large church in King’s Cove. The trail begins there.
GPS: N48 34’12 W53 19’56
We do not recommend taking the Route 236 through Lockston Path Provincial Park, as it is a dirt road with no cell phone reception
The photographs on this page are by Marieke Gow and may only be used on other websites or print material with written permission from Marieke. mariekegow@yahoo.com
Rooms, Vacation Homes and Fine Dining In Trinity, Newfoundland
Since 1991, the Artisan Inn has been providing unique experiences to travellers to the Bonavista Peninsula in Eastern Newfoundland. The Inn, described in the New York Times as a “diffused hotel”, offers both rooms and self-catering vacation homes throughout various buildings in the heart of the cozy, historic outport town of Trinity, Trinity Bay within the Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark.
