Westmorland County borders the Northumberland Strait and the upper reaches of the Bay of Fundy. Its marshlands were an important part of the traditional routes of the Mi’kmaq. For trip planning, these connections to the waterways and this cultural landscape provide distinct points of reference. The area also has historical themes ranging from railways and shipbuilding to a fort from the colonial era. When looking for hotels in Westmorland County, you can first consider whether landscape, transportation history or architectural heritage should guide your choice of location.
Places and History
In Shediac, the second railway line built in the Maritimes was inaugurated in 1857. The precise date and the line’s ranking give the town a specific connection to the transportation history of the Maritimes.
At the Boultenhouse Heritage Centre in Sackville, visitors can explore New Brunswick’s industrial past in shipbuilding. The Centre consists of three buildings: a Georgian house built by the Bulmer family around 1790, a Greek Revival-style house built by Boultenhouse in 1840, and the Anderson Octagonal House, dating to around 1855. The buildings represent different periods of construction and architectural styles. The Centre thus connects the history of shipbuilding with architectural heritage that can be explored through three specific houses.
Fort Beauséjour/Cumberland is located in Westmorland County. It is New Brunswick’s only surviving major fort from the colonial era and has a museum. The British laid siege to the fort in 1755; it was besieged by American rebels in 1776. Today, Fort Beauséjour/Cumberland is a Parks Canada National Historic Site. For history enthusiasts, both the two sieges, which took place at different times, and the site’s present-day historic status are key points of interest.
Other Landscape Examples in New Brunswick
In the broader destination of New Brunswick, there are other distinct examples of natural areas and parks. The approximately 500-metre-long Kellys Beach Boardwalk in Kouchibouguac National Park provides access to Kellys Beach. At Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, there are three main access points to the Ocean Floor. The Ocean Floor (Low Tide) route is 1.9 kilometres long. The two examples therefore differ in their described access points and in the length of the route mentioned.
Fundy Trail Provincial Park covers 2,559 hectares and has a 30-kilometre parkway along New Brunswick’s southern coast, with views of the Bay of Fundy. The park is open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October and is designated one of New Brunswick’s Signature Trails. Fundy National Park offers a different landscape profile: its trail network includes coastal views, views of the world’s highest tides, Acadian forests, waterfalls, moss-covered river valleys and backcountry swimming pools. Together, these examples showcase different types of parks and landscapes in the broader destination of New Brunswick. If visiting the seasonally open Fundy Trail Provincial Park, be sure to factor its stated opening period into your plans.
Discover more destinations: Moncton, Dieppe, Beaubassin East, Shediac, Sackville, Melrose, Murray Corner, Cap-Pele, Memramcook
Back to the broader travel guide: New Brunswick.
