10 things you didn’t know about Wakefield, Quebec

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Wakefield, Quebec—just 35 kilometres from Parliament Hill—is the quintessential day trip from Ottawa. But did you know these 10 things about this charming Outaouais town?

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It has a famous covered bridge

OK, if you know one thing about Wakefield, it’s probably that it is home to a striking red covered bridge spanning the Gatineau River. However, did you know that this isn’t the original covered bridge on this site? Sadly, the 1915 Gendron Bridge was destroyed by arson in July 1984. However, the town’s residents carried out a major fundraising and construction project to rebuild the landmark, which opened with great fanfare in 1998. (You can read more about the bridge’s history and reconstruction on the Gatineau Valley Historical Society’s website.)

It was probably named for Wakefield in northern England

No one is entirely sure, but since the nearby Outaouais communities of Hull and Masham also share names with places in northern England, many people believe Wakefield was named for the city of Wakefield, Yorkshire. (See this post on Quebec Heritage Web for a more detailed discussion.)

It hosts a documentary film festival

Why hike all the way to Toronto for Hot Docs when you can see great new documentaries every weekend for a whole month in Wakefield? The Wakefield Doc Fest usually runs in February.

It is home to a unique water maze

Just outside Wakefield, you can hop into a paddleboat and explore a man-made maze of marsh canals while learning about beavers and other animals that make their home there, at Éco-Odyssée.

It is a great destination for live music

OK, you probably already knew this, too. The Black Sheep Inn (AKA Le Mouton Noir) is one of the region’s most popular live music venues, usually hosting multiple shows a week. And just down Riverside Drive you’ll find another great spot for live music, Kaffé 1870. (Note: The Black Sheep has been closed for renovations during the pandemic but plans to re-open soon.)

It is near Canada’s highest bungee jump

Thrill seekers, take note: Canada’s highest bungee jump is located at the aptly named Great Canadian Bungee, just south of Wakefield. Fearless folks leap roughly 61 metres (200 feet) from a platform above Morrison’s Quarry.

It has a theatre company

Théâtre Wakefield stages plays and other shows throughout the year.

It is near a great spot for ziplining and caving

Arbraska Parc Laflèche from Dizifilms on Vimeo.

About a 15-minute drive east of Wakefield at Arbraska Laflèche, you can go ziplining, test yourself on an aerial ropes course (I’ve tried it, and it scared the bejeepers out of me!) or explore a cave system.

It has an old stone mill that’s now a hotel and spa

The Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa stands beside MacLaren Falls, a rushing waterfall that local industrialists first harnessed to power wool and flour mills in the 1830s. After a fire in 1910, the current stone building was rebuilt on the site. Seventy years later, it became a museum, and 20 years after that (in 2000), work began to convert it to its current use. The patio is a pleasant place to pass a summer afternoon.

It is home to a community centre in a 160-year-old farmhouse

The Fairbairn House Heritage Centre, a stone’s throw from Wakefield’s covered bridge, hosts all sorts of arts and community events—everything from nature hikes and children’s art activities to beekeeping workshops and historical exhibitions.

Wakefield accommodations

Use the handy map below to find hotels, inns and B&Bs in Wakefield and nearby.

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If you go

For more information, see the Destination Wakefield website.

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