Din Niagara Retreat

When we moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Calgary, we were drawn by this beautiful town, its architecture and environs. We purchased an acre property, designed and built our house (my husband, David, is an architect). We have successfully operated Bushy House B&B since 1999, and have enjoyed the many guests that have come, quite a few of whom come back every year to their Niagara home away from home. We are raising our family here, and love living where we are close to the town, but surrounded by parks and woodland. We have big perennial and vegetable gardens, chickens, and are even trying our hand at beekeeping!
Bracken House is a natural extension of this life we've built, and the two properties merge, separated by a wooded ravine and the path between them. We have enjoyed renovating it, and have come to realize what a gem it is, with its bright and sunny aspect, and mature gardens rimmed by parks and orchards behind.
I am an artist who works sculpturally, lives creatively, and is quite busy making pottery (and knitting) in the winter months. Want to take a souvenir or two home? We do have some items you may want to tuck away for your own homes or a gift: pottery, paintings/drawings, honey & jams...
We love living in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and have formed some great friendships here. I love my book & knitting groups, and our Monday Night Bible study. I enjoy gardening (and we do have rather a lot of it!), tending our beehives, and of course: our chickens. Do feel free to wander over to Bushy House to say hello to the "Girls"!
Life expands even more as we have formed longstanding friendships with some of the Jamaican seasonal workers who labour in the orchards and vineyards around us. I have had several opportunities to visit their homes & families in Jamaica. It all contributes to THIS being a rather special place. We are rather fond of it!

You can spend your day wandering the Old Town, sightseeing in Niagara Falls, doing winery tours throughout the peninsula, or taking in a show or three at Shaw, and then? Then, you can retreat to the quiet and green space that is Bracken House. One of the last stands of Carolinian forest on Lake Ontario is just down the road, so many species of birds can be seen amidst the mature gardens. Before we owned it, Bracken was home to an avid gardener for years, and so we can all enjoy the fruits of her labours throughout the season. The home is bright and clean, and affords a place to unwind and enjoy time with friends in a casual atmosphere. Because it can be combined with the accommodations at Bushy House, Bracken House can also be a place for small group retreats. If your arrival is going to be a later one, or if you just want a chance to get your bearings, provisions for your first breakfast can be stocked at Bracken upon request. For those at Bushy House, our full breakfasts are still being served, brought to your suite in a large basket. At Bushy House, you can enjoy breakfast in the privacy of your suite or out on the garden deck or porch outside your room.
We strive to serve or make available fresh and local fare - Niagara is a good place for just that!