If you’re travelling with the family to Prince Edward Island this vacation, a visit to the Woodleigh Replicas is a lovely—and educational—way to spend a day. Surrounded by forty-five acres of landscaped beauty, the replicas are downsized reproductions of famous castles and structures of the British Isles, and it’s a sure bet that they’ll amaze and delight every member of your clan.
Woodleigh History
After serving in the First World War, a young soldier by the name of Ernest Johnstone returned to his home in Prince Edward Island and purchased the large Woodleigh property, which at that time was farmland. Johnstone, enamoured of what he had seen in Britain, wished to bring some of the beauty and splendour of that place to his native land, and he proceeded to create his own British historical theme park. His years of effort resulted in a vast park filled with English country gardens, scattered throughout which are thirty faithful reproductions of famous British buildings.
Exploring the Replicas
The replicas themselves range in size, with several of them large enough to actually walk thorough. The Tower of London is one such, as is the authentically furnished Waterloo Barracks. Others are realistic miniatures, some of which measure only three feet tall, like highly detailed dollhouses forgotten in the grass by errant children. Among the smaller attractions you’ll find Anne Hathaway’s cottage, a tiny reproduction with an authentically thatched roof. The mid-sized offerings include the stunning St. Paul’s Cathedral and Yorkminster, the latter of which sports 145 windows and took five years to complete!
It’s difficult to choose a favourite among these small wonders. Each and every one of them is a main attraction for the little folk, who are thrilled to find a world more their own size. Ditto for the adults, who are rightly amazed at the effort that went into such a detailed undertaking and can appreciate the history behind the facades.
Secondary Attractions at Woodleigh
Ernest Johnstone clearly had an eye for beauty. The grounds of the park are as appealing as the replicas, with much of the forty-five acres given over to gardens done in the English cottage style, complete with fountains and pathways. There are even tranquil, gorgeously landscaped water gardens to inspire you. Though there is food service available, there are some great places to picnic, so you may want to bring your own lunch to enjoy under a shady tree in these aesthetically delightful surroundings.
If that’s not enough, onsite events include daily treasure hunts for the children (there’s a playground for them, too), a Medieval Faire and even Highland Games, where tartan-garbed dancers exhibit their fancy footwork to the strains of the bagpipe. And, of course, there’s the gift shop, housed in a Tudor-style cottage, where you can pick up a few souvenirs of your visit.
Scheduling Your Visit
Whether you’re a British history buff, a fan of historical architecture or just want to learn about cottage garden design, you’ll want to spend the entire day immersed in the magical world of Woodleigh. The site is open from June 5th to September 25th, and the gates open at 9:00 am daily, so arrive early for maximum enjoyment. Entry fees are reasonable, ranging from $4.50 to $8.50, and admission is free for preschoolers.
