The sprawling Canfield Estate, located in the heart of Haldimand County, a 90-minute drive from Toronto, sits on a 200-acre property surrounded by forests and close to the sandy shores of Lake Erie.supplied
When you arrive at Canfield Estate after a picturesque jaunt along the country roads of rural Ontario, the first thing you’ll notice is the serenity. You can hear the birds chirping and the rustle of the leaves in the wind as the sounds and frenzy of city life slowly fade from your mind.
The estate, a one-of-kind private retreat, is on the market for an owner who is looking for natural beauty and a diverse range of amenities; from a games room and a cigar lounge, to a swimming hole and a ’50s-style diner outfitted with ice-cream makers, a popcorn machine and retro bar stools.
Located in the heart of Haldimand County, a 90-minute drive from Toronto, the sprawling 200-acre property includes 14 structures, including the stunning main lodge with five bedrooms and seven bathrooms, a versatile outdoor pavilion perfect for country dinners and four cottages for hosting friends and family for generations to come.
“It’s a place that people don’t want to leave,” says owner Blair McKeil, president and chief executive officer of Breakwater Investments. “Whether people arrive in a pick-up truck or helicopter, they want to stay longer. It’s a secluded sanctuary.”
The common area, a combined living room, dining room and bar, is warm and welcoming. The overall design of the estate is rustic modern luxury.supplied
Once used as a hunting lodge, the extraordinary estate can serve as an all-year family estate, a corporate retreat, a countryside resort, or a rustic wedding venue.
It’s easy to see why it has become a beloved getaway for so many guests since it was built in 2012. In the summer, there are plenty of activities to fill in the gloriously long days: fly fishing, paddle boating, skeet shooting, swimming, following the bevy of swans as they paddle through the pond, dining at a 50-foot harvest table, enjoying drinks outdoors as the sun sets, and later, catching a movie at the on-site drive-in theatre with a 20- by 30-foot screen.
“Canfield Estate brings people together to share and care,” says McKeil. “It offers a sense of community where you can feel safe and secure, like a bird’s nest.”
Come fall, activities shift to hiking through the golden-leaved forest, more fishing in the fully stocked pond and roasting marshmallows under the bright stars of a clear night.
In winter, it’s time for skating on a frozen pond, a friendly game of hockey, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing or tobogganing. Pamper yourself with a steam in the sauna and then cozy up next to the fireplace with a good book and a bottle of wine from the cellar.
Haldimand County is home to a growing wine scene and the sandy shores of Lake Erie are just a 15-minute drive away.supplied
Meanwhile, in spring, as the first blooms of the season open in the meadows, sunlight streams through the large windows of the Great Hall and meals prepped in the industrial kitchen of the main lodge may feature early fresh produce, such as asparagus and rhubarb, picked up at nearby farms.
The overall look of Canfield Estate is rustic modern luxury that’s warm and welcoming. Every room of each building of the complex has been thoughtfully designed with comfort in mind. The talent of local artisans can be seen in the details of the décor – hammered copper sinks, a pair of canoes hung from the ceiling and turned into light fixtures, birch bark accents and photos on the wall from the archives of Hudson’s Bay.
Haldimand County is one of Canada’s most liveable communities, according to a 2019 report by Maclean’s. It’s home to a growing wine scene and a wide range of local producers, offering everything from fresh turkey to organic fruits and vegetables. The sandy shores of Lake Erie are just a 15-minute drive away, handy for boaters and fishermen.
Canfield Estate is much more than a large piece of property. It represents a lifestyle, a more leisurely pace and an appreciation for things that really matter, like spending quality time with family and enjoying the finer things in life in a private space that feels like it’s a world apart. As McKeil points out, “You can do so many wonderful things here that many people have never experienced. It’s a very special place.”
For more details on Canfield Estate, refer to its real estate listing.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.