Wakefield (Quebec)

Wakefield was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish, and English immigrants. It went to to become a lumber town (like so many others near Ottawa), then became a bedroom community suburb of Ottawa/Gatineau. Nowadays, it's best known as the home of the Black Sheep Inn (see below).

By car

Take any bridge from Ottawa to Gatineau but the Macdonald Cartier bridge from King Edward Street is the most direct. Take Highway 5 to Maniwaki. Go north about 15 minutes past the Casino exit. Take Exit 28 and Wakefield Exit at the immediate roundabout. The Main Street is just down the hill. Total trip time from Byward Market area is about 20 minutes.

By bus

Greyhound goes from the Ottawa bus terminal to Wakefield once per day and takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes. A return ticket is about $15. The bus leaves Ottawa at 08:30, and (if it's running on schedule) leaves Wakefield at 15:05.

Expéditions Wakefield rents bicycles; see their entry in the "Buy" section.

• The Black Sheep Inn

  phone: +1 819 459-3228
  address: 753 chemin Riverside
  Has become well known for top quality musical entertainment, and has hosted some concerts broadcast across Canada. Check listings in Ottawa newspapers, such as the Ottawa Citizen or on their web site.

• Fairbairn House Heritage Centre

  phone: +1 819 778-3382
  address: 45 Wakefield-Heights
  Wakefield's local history museum, located in the 1850s-era Fairbairn farmhouse.

• Prime Minister Lester B Pearson's Gravesite

  address: 42 chemin du Cimetière-Maclaren
  A Nobel Peace Prize recipient, former prime minister, and contributor to the founding of the United Nations Peacekeeping Forces, Pearson died in 1972.

• Wakefield (Gendron) Covered Bridge

  address: Chemin du Vieux-Pont
  An historic bridge that was reconstructed in 1996 after burning down earlier in the decade. Indicative of the area, the red bridge spans the Gatineau River near the centre of the village.

Seasonal

• Fall leaves in the Gatineau Hills are incredible. Usually best in late September and early October, the whole region is a feast for your eyes.
• During the spring months, and "break up time", locals place a barrel on the ice of the Gatineau River. Bets are placed as to when this barrel will sink. Nothing spectacular to see, but if you look for it, it will be there.

• Great Canadian Bungee

  phone: +1 819-459-3714
  address: 1780 Quebec Route 105
  For the adventurous. North America's highest bungee jump.

• Artists in their Environment

  phone: +1 819-459-3233
  Held in September each year and features many local artists. Visitors can tour the studios of local artists and acquire interesting creative works.

Outdoors

Gatineau Park can be accessed from the village and from several other locations nearby. Hiking, walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing trails abound.
Walking trails starting from several points in Wakefield Village will give visitors historical or nature perspectives. Groomed and marked baths run along the outskirts of the Village and can be accessed by MacLaren House, near the Mill.
Kayak and canoe in the Gatineau River or one of the hundreds of lakes in the area. Rentals can be arranged with Boutique Burro Borracho at 721-B Riverside Dr beside Solstice Books. Canoe trips can also be booked with Expeditions Radisson
Swim in the Gatineau River near the Wakefield Covered Bridge.

• Captiva Farms

  phone: +1 819-459-2769
  address: 189 chemin de la montange
  Horse back riding on trails which wrap through the lush forests, open fields and wind through mountainous terrain. (E-mails will be answered when time permits; calling by telephone will ensure a quicker response.)

• Ski Edelweiss

  address: 538 chemin Edelweiss
  Ski hill, snow tubing, equipment rental and repair, restaurant and bar on-site.

• Ski Vorlage

  phone: +1 819-459-2301
  address: 65 chemin Burnside
  Medium-sized ski runs.

There are several small shops featuring local artisans and interesting articles; these are only a few of them.

• La Confiserie Wakefield

  phone: +1 819-459-1177
  address: 817 chemin Riverside
  A classic confectionery, selling chocolates, candies, and preserves.

• Expéditions Wakefield

  phone: +1 819-459-2225
  address: 721 chemin Riverside
  Sells outdoor clothing, bicycles, paddleboards, and kayaks. Also rents bicycles.

• Khewa Native Art Boutique and Gallery

  phone: +1 819-459-2112
  address: 737 chemin Riverside
  A shop selling authentic native arts and jewellery.

• Wakefield Bakery

  phone: +1 819-459-1528
  address: 813 chemin Riverside
  Breads, pastries, fudge, and sausage rolls - especially sausage rolls, made according to a 30-year-old family recipe.

• Bistro Chez Eric

  phone: +1 819-459-3747
  address: 28 chemin Valley
  Dining room, sandbox and patio. Café by day with superb specialty coffees, lunch specials, several innovative dishes and a bistro by night.

• Café Pot-Au-Feu

  phone: +1 819-459-2080
  address: 794 chemin Riverside
  Upscale restaurant in village's old train station on Gatineau River. French, Québécois and international cuisine. Site is the subject of a Philip Craig painting.

• Café Molo

  phone: +1 819-360-8726
  address: 1 chemin Valley
  An inexpensive country café that serves breakfast and lunch.

• Le Hibou

  phone: +1 819-459-8883
  address: 757 chemin Riverside

• Pizzeria Mama Gen

  phone: +1 819-459-3999
  address: 12A Valley Dr.
  Gourmet pizza featuring unusual ingredients on a herbed thin crust.

Inns & Bed and Breakfast

• Auberge de Mon Petit Chum B&B

  phone: +1 819-459-1814
  address: 29 chemin Burnside
  Downtown 3-room B&B, full breakfast served 08:00-10:00, wi-fi, all rooms have private bath. Coffee, tea & hot chocolate available 24 hours/day. Several packages introduce visitors to local restaurants, Ottawa area museums, outdoor activities, local music venues and spas.

• Belle De Nuit Wakefield Inn

  phone: +1 819-720-0222
  address: 21 chemin Burnside
  A relatively-new five-room inn. Smoking is allowed only in the parking lot. Rate includes in-room breakfast.

• La Grange Country Inn

  phone: +1 819-459-3939
  address: 37 chemin Rockhurst
  Four-sun bed and breakfast close to the centre of the village, attractive barn-style architecture, several rustic rooms, some feature kitchenettes. Regular yoga sessions.

• River Echo

  phone: +1 819-328-3635
  address: 735 chemin Riverside
  Formerly a second-language school, River Echo is now operating as a country inn. No smoking inside the building.

• Les Trois Érables

  phone: +1 819-459-1118
  address: 801 chemin Riverside
  Four-sun bed and breakfast in the heart of Wakefield village in historic village doctor's residence, constructed in 1896, a beautiful building on lovely grounds.

• Wakefield Mill Inn & Spa

  phone: +1 819-459-1838
  address: 60 Mill Road
  Restored mill on the La Pêche River at a small waterfall. Spa and restaurant. Dinner and spa packages available. Pet-friendly - one or two pets can stay with you in your room for an additional $35/night.

Motels

• Alpengrus Motel

  phone: +1 819-459-2885
  address: 831 chemin Riverside
  Rustic European-styled motel, 15 rooms. No smoking in the building. Free parking. Secure bicycle storage.

Splurge

• The Wakefield Grand

  address: 911 chemin Riverside
  The Wakefield Grand can only be reserved as an entire building.

• North along Hwy 105 for about 20 km will take you to Low, Quebec. A small town with a hockey arena.
• Chelsea, known for Gatineau Park, is the next town south on Hwy 5, the highway to Gatineau.