| Grates Cove, Bay de Verde Peninsula
Grates Cove, at the tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula, is the most Northerly point on the Avalon Peninsula. It is one of the nearest points in North America to Europe; by water, the distance from Grates Cove to Ireland is approximately 1,600 miles.
View from Grates Cove
Photo: John White
There are two routes to Gates Cove from Route 70. The best quality road to the community is the one between Old Perlican and Bay de Verde on Route 70; however, the more scenic route is the one along the shore from Old Perlican through Daniel's Cove.
Replica of the Matthew, John Cabot's Ship
Grate's Cove during Cabot 500 Celebrations [1997]
Grates Cove - Long History
A local tradition that John Cabot landed at Grates Cove on his first voyage to North America in 1497 is closely linked to the story of a large rock which was said to have inscriptions carved by Cabot himself. Unfortunately, "Cabot Rock" disappeared some time ago. Local people say it was taken away by two strangers who arrived in a media van.
Monument to Cabot Rock.
Photo: Lloyd Rees
John Guy and his colonists mention "Grates Point" in their journals of their journey from Conception Bay to Trinity Bay in the Indeavour in 1612.
Replica of Colonists' Boat
Arriving in Cupids Harbour
Photo: Baccalieu Trail Ambassadors
Grates Cove - Attractions
The town has walking trails which follow the coast line, offering the visitor solitude and an unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean, since the area is not tree covered. Trail walkers can observe a family of bald eagles living in the cliffs.
Walking Trail
Photo: Lloyd Rees
Visitors cherish the slow, quiet pace of life, the solitude, the unpretentious lifestyle, and the unspoiled natural environment. Many people are purchasing homes in the community for early retirement.
Whales in Harbour
Photo: Beyond Baccalieu (see below)
Each season has a special offering. During fall, visitors and residents enjoy berry picking. In winter, people revel in snowmobiling. Spring has the ice covered rocks and large icebergs, which are often trapped in the cove. Summer offers a show of whales nudging the fishing boats near the waters edge. In addition, Grates Cove is very short distance from Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve).
School of Mackerel Breaching in Harbour
Photo: Lloyd Rees
The community is planning many new attractions for visitors including a new
whale watching and bird watching centre that over looks the wharf, so that that people can enjoy fresh sea breezes.
St. Luke's Anglican Church
Heritage Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
St. Luke's Anglican Church
St. Luke’s Anglican Church was built using materials from the dismantled Christ Church in Harbour Grace. Men from Grates Cove dismantled the church over several days and transported the material back to Grates Cove by schooner. The furniture and fragile objects were brought to Grates Cove by Mr. Allan Hodder, who owned one of the few vehicles in the community at the time. Once the schooners arrived in the Grates Cove, the wood from the dismantled church was moved using horse and cart and manual labour. Each family had to bring four barrels of rock and sand to the site of the new church. This was used when mixing the concrete for the foundation. Mr. Elijah King was the main carpenter on site and many community members contributed free labour to the building of the church. [from Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador website]
Grates Cove Rock Walls, formerly used to
wall vegetable gardens and keep out animals, are scattered throughout
the community. The rock wall have been declared a National Historical
Site.
Grates Cove Rock Walls
Photo: John White
Grates Cove Photos
Click for larger version, then right border for next.
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Tourism Association Members
Beyond Baccalieu is located in Grates Cove at the tip of the Bay de Verde Peninsula, with a deck that overlooks the ocean where you can watch the whales, icebergs and seabirds with a bird's eye view.
Their cafe features home-cooked, traditional Newfoundland cuisine and their gift shop offers locally made hand-crafted, quality souvenirs. Concerts : July 3 - Pamela Morgan, July 17 - Fergus O'Byrne and Jim Payne, and July 31- Allan Ricketts.
Contact: Beyond Baccalieu, Grates Cove, NL A0A 2L0 Website: www.beyondbaccalieu.com
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