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Cobourg Ontario bed and breakfast:
One of the best bed and breakfasts in Cobourg Ontario
recommended by Janette Higgins.
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Area East of Toronto along Lake Ontario
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Corner Cottage Bed and Breakfast
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Jayne and John Duncan
181 Bagot Street
Cobourg, ON
Canada, K9A 3G3
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| Phone: 905-372-3437 |
| Artist at work on sketch of this 1860s Victorian Cottage completely renovated for bed and breakfast. |
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Review by Janette Higgins
author of The Best Places to B&B in Ontario: A Selective Guide
Six editions of the book were published to critical and popular acclaim. Janette now publishes her B&B
reviews and holiday reports online.
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Note 1 to reader: Every Ontario bed and breakfast receives my consideration. I travel incognito, pay where I stay and write reviews of the top 5%. Here is one I recommend. Janette Higgins
John and Jayne Duncan were knocked out by Cobourg's considerable charms and decided well over a decade ago to leave Toronto's trendy Cabbagetown behind for life in a small town. And they weren't the only ones who've been impressed; many have followed since. In fact, the Globe and Mail newspaper has twice touted Cobourg as one of the eight best communities in Canada in which to live and do business.
Once settled in, the Duncans decided to open a bed and breakfast. And another, And another. In fact Corner Cottage is their 5th bed and breakfast. Each time they’ve done some renovations and each time they’ve done a fine job. Corner Cottage Bed and Breakfast is their most ambitious project yet. Formerly run-down, with 3 apartments and beer-swilling tenants, but in a desirable neighbourhood, they gutted to the studs and together with a talented area builder have created a welcoming bed and breakfast home loaded with distinctive architectural detail.
Here’s what you can expect as their guest. Inside, on the main floor, you'll find a large comfortable navy drawing room with elegant antiques all accented with creamy yellow. Upstairs there are two guest bedrooms. The serene Windermere has a vaulted ceiling and elongated hexagon window in the peak. Its four-poster queen-size bed has a cream matelasse cover and there are touches of green and turquoise throughout. The bathroom is en suite. The Secord Room is done in yellows with red floral bedding atop another matelasse cover. Its private-use bathroom is directly across the hall and has an antique tub with separate shower stall. Both guest bedrooms have TVs and Yardley bath products.
And there’s one other thing the Duncans are big on – verandahs. Most of their B&Bs have had cushioned wicker seating on old-fashioned verandahs. Corner Cottage is no different. In fact, here there are two from which to choose. Plus this bed and breakfast has location, location, location. It’s just a block from Lake Ontario in one direction and a short walk to downtown's 19th-century streetscape and picturesque harbour in another.
Next morning, in the formal red dining room, breakfast usually consists of fresh fruit then perhaps lemon ricotta pancakes with blueberries. There’s also something freshly baked like muffins or kuchen. After, take a stroll over to the marina, then follow the Victorian boardwalk which skirts the wide, sandy beach, and end up at Victoria Park. Head up to the main street and along the way stop at a few of the interesting shops before taking a gander at the ornate Victoria Hall which houses municipal offices, an art gallery and an Old-Bailey-style courtroom often used in film shoots. By then, you'll probably have figured out why the Duncans (and the Globe) think so highly of this gem of a small town.
Note 2 to reader: I appreciate your support of the continuation of my research by letting Jayne and John know you read my review of their bed and breakfast on this bbontario website. Many thanks! Janette Higgins, Travel Writer
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Reviews of Janette Higgins'
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of Ontario's best bed and breakfasts
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Corner Cottage Bed and Breakfast, Cobourg, Ontario
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| Tell your hosts Janette Higgins sent you! |
| E-mail: |
Click Here |
| Website: |
http://www.cornercottagebnb.com |
| Best to call: |
Anytime |
| Languages: |
English |
| Season: |
All Year |
| CDN $ Rates: |
S $120, D $130 (no taxes) |
Currency converter
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| Cards: |
VISA MC AMEX Diners Cash Cheque |
| Restrictions: |
Children over 12 welcome. Smoking outside on porch only. No guests' pets. |
| Facilities: |
2 guest bedrooms with queen size beds; one with en suite (shower stall only) and one private-use with clawfoot tub and shower stall;
living room and verandah for guests; central air |
| Parking: |
For two cars behind house |
| Breakfast: |
Full |
| In Residence: |
Mack and Duff, the two ginger cats |
| Location: |
Cobourg is an hour or so east of Toronto on Lake Ontario. |
| Directions: |
From Hwy 401 take exit 472 all the way south to King Street (Cobourg's main street). Keep going straight for one more block to Albert St. Turn left and drive one block to Bagot. Turn right. House is on SW corner of Albert and Bagot. |
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