Movie Sets and Locations

PETER PAN & WENDY (Release on Disney + late spring 2023)

Genre: Drama

Starring: Jude Law, Eva Anderson

Synopsis: Live-action adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic tale of a boy who wouldn’t grow up and recruits three young siblings in London to join him on a magical adventure to the enchanted Neverland island. (synopsis courtesy of imbd)

Locations: This film was shot in both British Columbia and Newfoundland.  The rugged and wild landscape of the Bonavista Peninsula brings Neverland to life.    

Trinity – Fort Point: Fort Point located a 15 minute drive away from Artisan Inn is part of the municipality of Trinity and is where a British fortification stood 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.  The opening scene of the recently released Peter Pan & Wendy trailer shows Wendy on a beach in Neverland. This scene was filmed at the base of Fort Point showing the beach as well as the rock formation referred to by locals as the Naked Man. 

Other Locations: The movie will be released later in Spring 2023, while we don’t know what scenes made the final cut we do catch a brief glimpse in the preview of Wendy meeting the Lost Boys for the first time. This shoot location was at Spillars Cove / Cable John Cove. While not in the preview we know that scenes were also shot at Tickle Cove and the Dungeon. Spillars Cove/Cable John Cove, Tickle Cove and the Dungeon are all notable locations of the UNESCO Discovery Global Geopark.

Trailer:

Fort Point, Trinity – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

 

MAUDIE

Genre: Drama

Starring: Sally Hawkins, Ethan Hawke

Synopsis: An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community. (synopsis courtesy of imbd)

Locations: This movie may be set in Nova Scotia, where the true life events took place, however, it was filmed here in Newfoundland.  

Trinity: The town of Trinity was used to represent Digby, Nova Scotia in this film. The mortuary on the road into Trinity (adjacent to the Eastern Health Building) was used as the wedding chapel where Ethan Hawke and Sally Hawkins’ characters wed. 

Port Rexton: A scene often repeated in the movie is of Ethan Hawke (Everett Lewis) pushing Sally Hawkin’s (Maude) on his cart as they travel to and from their tiny house outside of the town and Digby.  This scene was shot across from the Two Whales Coffee Shop in Port Rexton, an 8-minute drive from the Artisan Inn

Keels: The old town post office was transformed into the general store for the movie.  After filming was complete, a local business person turned the property into a tearoom called Maudie’s Tearoom.

 

Trinity, Newfoundland – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

RANDOM PASSAGE

Genre: Drama

Starring: Colm Meaney, Aoife McMahon

Synopsis: A four-part miniseries that follows the lives and struggles of both Irish and English families that crossed the Atlantic to start a new life in Newfoundland.

Location: New Bonaventure

Random Passage was set in the early 1800s. The set for the community where the characters reside had to be built from scratch.  The location, just past the town of New Bonaventure, was selected because telephone and electrical wires could not be seen.  When filming was finished the town requested that the film set be left intact so that people could visit.  Even if you have not seen the series (8 hours long) or read the books, the site is well worth a visit.  

Random Passage – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

Visit the Random Passage Site

THE GRAND SEDUCTION

Genre: Comedy

Starring: Brendon Gleeson, Gordon Pinsent, Taylor Kitch, Mark Critch

Synopsis: A Newfoundland village requires a permanent town doctor in order to convince a company to set up in their area and create jobs for those left unemployed by the fishing moratorium.  The village manages to convince a doctor to live in their community for a month and will stop at nothing to convince him that their small town life is one he does not want to leave.  

Locations: This movie was filmed throughout various parts of the Bonavista Peninsula

New Bonaventure: Joe’s bar was built specifically for the film with the agreement that it would be disassembled once filming was done, however, the town of New Bonaventure asked to have the set left as it was, so that visitors to the area could visit the set on a tour.  It does not function as an actual bar, but is used for special events such as kitchen parties from time to time.  Visitors can tour the building as part of an individual pass or joint pass with the Random Passage set tour.

Joe’s Place – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

Tickle Cove: There is a scene in the movie when Gordon Pinsent emerges from the water in scuba gear after playing a trick on the doctor.  This is filmed in front of the Tickle Cove sea arch.  Whether you have watched the movie or not this geologically significant sight is worth a visit if one is driving along the scenic route 235.  

Tickle Cove Sea Arch – Photo Credit: Marieke Gow

 

Red Cliff: Red Cliff is where the Cricket Match was filmed.  It is possible to wander from the town of Red Cliff to this area, however, the trail is unmarked and not part of the Hike Discovery network, so visitors may do so at their own risk.

Open Hall: This was where the house the Doctor was put up in is located.  

Maberly: The scene where the Doctor is caught in the rain during a jog and finds his love interest taking cover under a stage was filmed in Maberly.

Visit Joe’s Bar

THE SHIPPING NEWS

Genre: Drama

Starring: Julianne Moore, Kevin Spacey, Judy Dench, Cate Blanchette

Synopsis: The Shipping News traces one man’s extraordinary journey toward self -discovery when he returns to his ancestral home on the coast of Newfoundland. After the death of his estranged wife, Quoyle’s fortunes begin to change when his long-lost aunt convinces him and his daughter to head north. Now in a place where life is as rough as the weather and secrets are as vast as the ocean, Quoyle lands a job as a reporter for the local paper. In the course of his new career, he uncovers some dark family secrets.

Location: The Town of New Bonaventure

The Director of the Shipping news spent two years trying to find the perfect location to bring the Annie Proulx novel to the big screen.  On one tour of Newfoundland, someone took him to see the set of the film Random Passage and as they passed the town of New Bonaventure he knew he had found the perfect location.

The House:  Many people ask us where they can visit the house from the movie, however, it was built for the film and taken down after shooting.  The house was located on an off-road from the Fort Point Lighthouse.  There is a new hike you can do around the general area called the South Side Hills Hike. 

Fun fact: Julianne Moore stayed at the Artisan Inn in the Barbour House during the 6 weeks of filming.

 

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

Need more details on how to get to these spots from the Inn? Check out our Communities and Directions page!

Performing and Fine Arts

TRINITY

The Bonavista Peninsula is a place where music, theatre and art are sewn into the fabric of our being.  Here are just a few options for where to take in quality art or experience musical or theatrical performances on the Bonavista Peninsula.  Many businesses and not-for-profits announce artistic events throughout the summer season.  If you are interested in what is going on be sure to ask us when you register. 

RISING TIDE THEATRE

Photo courtesy of Rising Tide Theatre

There is so much to be said about Rising Tide Theatre located in Trinity that we have created its own page under our Explore Trinity.  2018 marks the 40th year anniversary of the Theatre Company. Its director, Donna Butt, has received the order of Canada for her contribution to the arts in Canada.

Visit our Rising Tide Page to learn about 

RISING TIDE SEASONS IN THE BIGHT THEATRE FESTIVAL: EVERY NIGHT JUNE – LATE SEPT

RISING TIDE NEWFOUNDLAND TRINITY PAGEANT: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

RISING TIDE DINNER THEATRE: WED & SAT JULY-LABOUR DAY

 

ST. PAUL’S SUMMER CONERT SERIES

Come experience the exceptional beauty and incredible acoustics of St. Paul’s.

Admission: By donation, to be used for maintenance of the church

Upcoming Concert Dates: Wednesday July 7 – 7:00pm – The Scallywags (bluegrass, country / NFLD)

Wednesday July 31st – 7:00pm – Maureen and Friends: A Celebration of Newfoundland Music

Sunday August 4th – 7:30pm – The Ennis Sisters

 

TWINE LOFT ART EXHIBITS

Art Exhibit at the Twine Loft

The Twine Loft uses its walls to exhibit original Newfoundland art and a majority of the pieces are for sale.  If you are not a guest of the inn or dining with us, you are welcome to come look at the art between 10am and 5:30pm when meal services are not taking place.

View our Art Exhibits page under our Restaurant section to learn more about featured artists.

PORT REXTON

10 Minutes from Trinity

TWO WHALES COFFEE SHOP

The Two Whales Coffee Shop doubles as a vegetarian restaurant and gallery space, featuring multiple exhibits, often of Newfoundland artists, throughout their operating season. They also host musical performances multiple times a month.  To find out which artists are being featured or concert schedules, visit their website.

Two Whales Website

FISHER’S LOFT CONFERENCE CENTRE

The Fisher’s Loft Conference centre often hosts art exhibits in the main conference room. On occasional evenings throughout the summer authors host book readings.

Fisher’s Loft Website

 

ENGLISH HARBOUR

19 minutes from Trinity

English Harbour Arts Centre

ENGLISH HARBOUR ARTS CENTRE

The English Harbour Arts Centre is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the promotion of artistic and cultural education and the preservation of historic and cultural spaces. They are committed to operating an economically self-sustaining institution for the arts that provides learning opportunities for people of all ages and levels of artistic experience. Their multidisciplinary program includes art holidays, workshops, residencies, community outreach, special projects and public events. The English Harbour Arts Centre hosts various performances by some of Newfoundland’s most celebrated musicians including The Once, The Fortunate Ones, Matthew Byrne, The Ennis Sisters and many more.  

Additional Links

English Harbour Arts Centre Website

 

PORT UNION

30 Minutes from Trinity

UNION HOUSE ARTS

Art Gallery, Workshops, Screening Room, Artist Residencies, Community Events

Union House Arts (UHA) is a new community artspace operated through the Sir William F. Coaker Heritage Foundation. UHA is committed to supporting work being produced by artists and craftspeople in Newfoundland and Labrador through place-specific dialogues and collaborative programming in Port Union.

Summer hours are 11-5 Thursday – Monday, until the Biennale starts August 17th. Then the schedule changes to 10am-5pm daily.

Union House Arts Website

BONAVISTA

45 minutes from Trinity

looking out from the stage of the Garrick Theatre. A mic in the centre of the stage, red chairs and the lights are up.

THE GARRICK THEATRE

The  Garrick  is  a  multi-use,  200-seat  theatre  and  meeting  space  in  the  Town  of Bonavista.  Owned and  operated  by  the  Bonavista  Historic  Townscape  Foundation, this  year-round  cultural  facility offers comfortable  theatre  seating,  state-of-the-art sound   and   lighting   equipment   including   full   digital cinema,   and   exceptional acoustics.  At The Garrick you can find the best in performing arts and film.

Additional Links

The Garrick Theatre

 

For more information on Artisan Craft visit our page

SHOP LOCALLY MADE

For directions to these locations visit

COMMUNITIES AND DIRECTIONS

 

 

Historic Sites

TRINITY

HISTORIC SITES PASS

We have an entire page dedicated to the historic sites of Trinity, all within walking distance of Artisan Inn accommodations.  Sites include:

The Lester Garland Building
The Hiscock House
The Green Family Forge
The Ryan Shop
The Trinity Museum
The Court House/Wooden Boat Museum
The Cooperage
St. Paul’s Church and the Holy Trinity Church

Visit our page HISTORIC SITES IN TRINITY to learn more.

NEW BONAVENTURE            

A laundry line is hung with clothing from the 19th century with a square green house in the background

Random Passage Site   

Ok, this is not a historic site, but instead, a movie set from the mini-series Random Passage.  It does, however, offer visitors the chance to understand the struggle many of the first Newfoundland settlers faced when they arrived on this barren isolated land from England and Ireland and what early settlements would have looked liked including the church, schoolhouse, and the disparity between the houses of the well-off and those who struggled to survive the winter.

Additional Links

Random Passage on Eastlink’s Discover NL

PORT UNION

Port Union Museum

Port Union National Historic District

Port Union is the only union-built town in North America. Construction began on the shores of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, in 1916. Within five years, a busy and modern union town bordered the protected deep-water harbour-all made possible through the hard work and vision of the members of the Fishermen’s Protective Union (the FPU) and their first leader, William Ford Coaker.

To learn more about the Union Town, visit the Factory and The Bungalow

Additional Links

Trip Advisor Reviews

ELLISTON

Home from the sea, Sealer’s Memorial Museum

The great sealing disasters of 1914 contributed greatly to the loss of a generation soon to be devastated by World War I. In remembering these men, Home from The Sea presents the historical and cultural context of sealing in Newfoundland and Labrador through seven captivating visitor experiences.  Learn more by visiting the linked website.

Sealer’s Memorial Statue

Situated on Porter’s Point, facing the sea and looking back toward home, rests the bronze statue of father and son Reuben and Albert John Crewe, residents of Elliston who perished out on the ice in the 1914 SS Newfoundland sealing disaster. Created by acclaimed sculptor Morgan MacDonald, it sits as a poignant reminder not only of great loss but of the remarkable ties that bind families together in places where going to work and coming Home from the Sea is never a guarantee. It stands to represent all sealers who have risked and lost their lives in their efforts to support their families and communities. Learn more by visiting the linked website.

BONAVISTA

The Ryan Premises

A salty scent lingers within the cluster of white, 19th century clapboard buildings of the Ryan Premises, perched on the shore of Bonavista’s historic and picturesque harbour. Hear the reminiscences of the site’s interpreters, most of whom have a personal connection to the fishing industry; marvel at the variety of artifacts in the on-site Bonavista Museum; and explore the internationally-recognized “Cod, Seals and Survivors” exhibition that tells the 500-year story of Canada’s east coast fishery.

Matthew Legacy Centre

500 years after John Cabot first arrived in Newfoundland, both Bristol and Newfoundland marked the monumental event by recreating the voyage in 1997. A replica of Cabot’s ship, The Matthew, sailed across the Atlantic and landed at Bonavista’s shores and was greeted by hundreds of on-lookers, including Queen Elizabeth II.  The Matthew Legacy Centre was built to house the ship and visitors can tour the boat and learn more about Cabot.

Additional Links:

Video: A Voyage Across the Atlantic on a Replica of The Matthew – History Channel

Bonavista Lighthouse

Cape Bonavista Lighthouse was constructed in 1843 and is currently restored to the 1870s period. The highlight of the lighthouse is an original catoptric light mechanism that dates to 1816. An adjacent interpretation centre features exhibits on lighthouse technology and lightkeepers’ lives.

Additional notes: Some of the site summaries are copied directly from the websites of those sites and are not the original content of the Artisan Inn and Twine Loft.