Visiting the Nautical Village, Pickering, Ontario: a waterside community with coastal architecture

Pickering is situated in the south east of Ontario's Durham Region. At the southern end of Pickering's Liverpool Road is a picturesque neighbourhood which is often — in the summer — bustling with visitors. The marina on the adjacent Frenchman's Bay is often crowded with vessels.

The housing and shopping complex which runs along and adjacent to the lower Liverpool Road — collectively known as Nautical Village — has uniformly followed the style known as coastal architecture. Balconies and weatherboards, many of them painted in a pleasing white, abound in this waterside community.

It can thus be pleasantly surprising to see at this Lake Ontario community the sort of architecture which would often be associated with the coastal localities of Massachusetts such as Martha's Vineyard, Hyannis Port, Nantuckett and others.

There is a whole series of quality retail outlets and eating places, including high class cuisine. Along the Liverpool Road boardwalk-style sidewalks, retail units include those for nautical supplies (given the proximity of the marina), realtor services (doubtless these have been busy!), convenience supplies and others.

I actually like to go to the Nautical Village during an off-season period: it will be uncrowded, and there are bracing walks to be obtained along the nearby Waterfront Trail. (What's more, there is plenty of parking!) I have included a photo, above, taken in midwinter, of the Nautical Village seen adjacent to a frozen Frenchman's Bay.

So if you are in the Pickering vicinity and have not yet visited this pleasing new suburb, go and see it: the Nautical Village may exceed your expectations.

(But be warned: be prepared to walk at the height of midsummer: parking spaces are in high demand!)

June 26, 2012

Also worth seeing

In Pickering itself, numerous visitor attractions include: the Waterfront; the Barrier Beach; the Erskine Chapel, with its Pioneer Memorial Cairn; Rouge Valley, and others.

Ajax (distance: approx. 11 kilometres); Post Hill House, which has recently been refurbished, is a fine example of 19th century Rural Gothic Revival architecture.

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How to get there: Air Canada, flies to Toronto Pearson Airport, with wide North American and other connections, from where car rental is available. (Distance from Toronto Pearson Airport to Pickering : approx. 47.8 kilometres). GO Train operates a service between Union Station, Toronto and Pickering. Highway 401 gives straightforward access to Pickering. Please check with the airline or your travel agent for up to date information.

MJFenn is an independent travel writer based in Ontario, Canada.