Cumberland on Prince Edward Island combines a distinctive architectural history with views of the Northumberland Strait. The small rural St. Martin of Tours Church and Murphy House showcase different architectural styles and periods. Accommodations also vary in their features: one vacation rental highlights its private beach, while another oceanfront home offers heating and an outdoor hot tub. These differences can help you choose accommodation based on the features that matter most for your stay.
Historic Churches and Homes
The Roman Catholic St. Martin of Tours Church is a small rural church in the Carpenter Gothic style. Built from Prince Edward Island sandstone and brick, it offers views of the Northumberland Strait. Completed in 1868, it is one of the few sandstone buildings on the island. A landmark for its community and for seafarers, it connects regional architectural history with its waterfront location.
Murphy House is a registered historic site in Cumberland with elements of Gothic Revival architecture. It was built around 1879 by Thomas E. Murphy and retains original features: a double-door entrance, two bay windows, and a three-part window in the front gable. The church and house can be distinguished by their specific details: the Carpenter Gothic style of a rural church, and the Gothic Revival elements and articulated façade of a house.
Vacation Rentals with Different Features
Wexford House is a vacation rental in Cumberland, built in 1879. It has a 1,000-foot-long private beach with red island sand; the warm waters of the Northumberland Strait are suitable for swimming. Beach access is reserved for guests and depends on the operation of the house. Cumberland Oceanfront Hideaway offers different features: it is a heated home directly on the ocean, with an outdoor hot tub and views of the Northumberland Strait. If a private beach is a deciding factor in your choice, take the access restriction into account; for both homes, check current availability and amenity details before booking.
More Places to Explore in Queens County
In the wider destination of Queens County, other places offer their own perspectives on history and landscape. Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada is recognized for its role from 1720 to 1770 as a seat of government and port of entry for settlers arriving on Prince Edward Island. St. Elizabeth’s Anglican Church in Queens County is a Gothic rural church on a hill overlooking farmland. It was built in 1848 from wood harvested on the property.
John Ings Senior House in Pownal, Queens County, also adds to this historical picture: it dates to around 1830 and is one of the community’s earliest buildings. From there, there are wide views of farmland and across Pownal Bay. These regional examples are distinct places in Queens County, not features of Cumberland.
For a seasonal contrast, Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale is located in central Queens County. Winter activities include cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, tubing, and snowshoeing. In spring, summer, and fall, mountain biking and hiking trails start at the Nordic Centre. The park also has 25 km of well-maintained trails with varied terrain, a training park, and a roller loop. As trail conditions can change, check the latest updates before setting out.
Discover more destinations: Rice Point, Cymbria, Miltonvale Park, Victoria, Belle River, Mt Stewart, Breadalbane, Stanhope
For the wider travel overview: Queens County.
