Photo: Fells Meadows © Northumberland Tourism
In Northumberland County, autumn is not something you simply look at through the car window. It is something you taste, hike through, photograph, learn from, and settle into for the night. With rolling farmland, colourful forests, lively small towns, harvest flavours, and just enough October spookiness, the region makes an easy case for turning a fall day trip into a full weekend.
1. FOLLOW THE COLOUR
Start with the scenery. Northumberland’s back roads wind through forests and farmland, alongside lakes and rivers, and into villages where every turn seems to reveal another blaze of red, gold, and orange. Cruise the rolling hills around Warkworth and Grafton, take in Rice Lake views, or head toward Brighton and Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Better yet, park the car and head out for a walk to let the leaves crunch underfoot.
2. TASTE THE HARVEST
October comes with an appetite. Apple orchards, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, farm markets, and roadside stands make harvest season easy to savour. Follow the Butter Tart Tour for a road trip with a sweet reward, or add a stop at one of Northumberland’s craft breweries or cideries. It is fall colour touring with snacks built in.
3. EMBRACE SPOOKY SEASON
Port Hope’s starring role as Derry, Maine, makes it a fitting place to celebrate October. Follow the self-guided IT Walking Tour to filming locations from IT, IT Chapter Two, and IT: Welcome to Derry. In Cobourg, evening Ghost Walks bring local history and hauntings together. Wesleyville Village’s Annual Ghostly Visit and Haunted Forest Trail adds another eerie October outing. Still craving a bigger scare? Phantom Farm’s haunted barn and hayride turn an October night into a full-fledged fright fest.
4. TAKE FALL OUTSIDE
Cooler temperatures and bright fall days are made for moving. Hike or bike through the Northumberland County Forest, cross the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, paddle the Trent-Severn Waterway, tee off at one of the region’s golf courses, head into the canopy for ziplining, and disc golf is on the menu, too. Whatever your pace, October gives you plenty of reasons to stay outdoors.
5. STEP INTO THE STORY
A major new reason to visit this fall is the newly opened Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM), where Gidinawendimin offers an immersive, Indigenous-led experience celebrating Michi Saagiig culture. Developed under the guidance of local Indigenous Elders, NCAM’s inaugural exhibition centres Michi Saagiig voices and explores connections to land and ancestors.
Round out the day with more local history at the Cobourg & Area Museum through Thanksgiving or tour the grounds of Wesleyville Heritage Village. You can also take history outside with a self-guided heritage walk through communities including Cobourg, Port Hope, and Grafton.
6. STAY SOMEWHERE WORTH TALKING ABOUT
No need to rush home when Northumberland’s overnight options are part of the adventure. Enjoy the thermal spa area when you stay in one of Whispering Springs’ A-frame cabins, retreat to the countryside at Fells Meadows, choose historic luxury at Villa Idalia, or settle into small-town charm at Grafton Village Inn. There is also upscale country living at Cobblestone Farm Retreat, a plant-based escape at Bed Yoga Breakfast, and one of the most playful stays of all at Haute Goat, where guests can book an alpaca “sheepover” or cozy up in a woodland Yome.
This October, do more than admire fall from a distance. Pick a route, choose a few stops, stay the night, and make the season your own. Start planning your Northumberland getaway at Northumberlanding.ca.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: NORTHUMBERLAND FALL EVENTS
- Till Beth Do Us Part | October 1–10
- Cobourg Ghost Walks | Fridays in October, plus October 28, 29, and 31
- Roseneath Fair | October 2–4
- Cobourg Harvest Festival | October 3
- Northumberland Film Sundays | October 4 & 18
- Roseneath Carousel | October 4 & 11
- Whispers of the Forest | October 16–18
- Story Within a Story, Chalk Talk Concert | October 24
- Wesleyville Ghostly Visit | October 24
- Sweet Water Country Music Series | October 25
- Port Hope Farmers’ Market | Saturdays until October 31
- Cobourg Farmers’ Market | Saturdays
- Campbellford Farmers’ Market | Saturdays until October 31
- Hastings Farmers’ Market | Saturdays until October 10
- Codrington Farmers’ Market | Sundays until October 25
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Northumberland County offers road trips that take you through rolling hills in the country or to small towns. Make a day, or more, out of it with shopping, dining and arts & culture experiences.