Cottages For Sale in Prince Edward County

Buying a cottage in Prince Edward County

Prince Edward County, often just called the County, is a single-tier municipality on a headland at the east end of Lake Ontario. The Bay of Quinte wraps around its north and east sides. Since the Murray Canal opened in 1889 it has been cut off from the mainland by water, so you arrive by bridge or by the free Glenora ferry. Picton and Wellington are the two main towns.

Waterfront here is varied. The south and west shores face open Lake Ontario, with limestone ledges, sand beaches and big views. East Lake and West Lake sit behind the Sandbanks dunes and are warm and sheltered. Consecon Lake, Roblin Lake and Wellers Bay are quieter. The Bay of Quinte side has calm water and good boating. Properties range from old farmhouses and classic cottages to new lakefront builds.

The land is flat, limestone-based farmland, so wells and septic systems need a close look. Ask about water quantity and quality on any rural lot. The County licenses short-term accommodations, and the rules limit where and how a property can be rented, so check before you count on rental income. Summer traffic near Sandbanks is heavy. Most roads are municipal and plowed, which makes year-round use easy.

Getting there: About 2 to 2.5 hours from Toronto.

• Sandbanks dunes
• Wineries
• Lake Ontario shoreline
• Bay of Quinte
• Picton and Wellington