Local Attractions

Cabot’s Loft is located in historic Bonavista and is almost next to the historic Ryan’s Premises and a short walking distance from the Matthew replica. In addition to what Bonavista has to offer staying at Cabot’s Loft places you near several smaller communities that have much to offer a visitor.

Some of many points of interest in Bonavista include:

• The Ryan Premises & Bonavista Museum
  - For more than 100 years this merchant-run salt fish complex served as a key economic force behind Bonavista's inshore fishery.
• Cape Bonavista Lighthouse
  - Throughout history innumerable vessels sailing through Newfoundland's waters have been dashed upon the rocks of her rugged coastline. The lighthouse and that extraordinary breed of men and women who chose to maintain and operate them, played an extremely important role in safeguarding the lives of mariners who executed their trade off Newfoundland's formidable coast.
• The Matthew Legacy
  - A full-scale replica of the Matthew made a transatlantic voyage in 1997 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Cabot's discovery, arriving for a ceremony on June 24th, 1997, presided over by Queen Elizabeth II. The tradition continues in Bonavista as Matthew Legacy Incorporated has built another full-scale replica. The boat was officially christened and launched on June 24, 1998 in Bonavista.
• John Cabot Monument
  - The acceptance of Cape Bonavista as Cabot's landfall site is based primarily on maps produced after the discovery. John Mason's map (1615-1621), marks Bonavista as "A Caboto primum reperta," or "First found by Cabot."
• The Dungeon
  - Bonavista is built upon sedimentary deposits of the Precambrian Age (600 million years ago). On the road between Lance Cove and Bonavista you'll find one of nature's carvings - the Dungeon. It is a circular opening in the cliff with two seaward-side channels where the sea roars through. It is approximately 300 feet across and 15 metres deep.
• Mockbeggar Plantation
  - The earliest owner of the Mockbeggar Property that has been identified was Joseph White of Poole (1685-1771). He carried a diversified business related to cod fishing, salmon, and seal fisheries, ship building, and trading between Newfoundland, Ireland, New England and the West Indies. On his death, the plantation was passed to his nephew Samuel White but it is probable that it was used by the important Trinity firm of Jeffrey and Street, which took over most of Joseph White's Newfoundland properties.
• Carriage Gun
  - The carriage gun in front of the courthouse was used in the First World War.
• The Whipping Post
  - In 1754 Bonavista had an institution known as the "Whipping Post" where lawless people were punished as an example to others at that time.
• Bonavista Courthouse
  - The present courthouse was built in 1900, on the very spot where Bonavista's English defended themselves from French attack in 1704, and where the Whipping Post stood.
• White Rock Murals
  - Located atop White Rock is one of the Town's water tanks. It was constructed in 1995/96, and was painted with paintings portraying life and the history of the Town of Bonavista.
• White Rock
  - The highest point of land in Bonavista is White Rock. Visitors can drive up to the rock and be rewarded by a magnificent view of Bonavista, the nearby town of Spillars Cove and the Atlantic Ocean. It is a great place for photographer to take scenic pictures of the surrounding country.
• Alexander (Bridge) House
  - The oldest house in Bonavista today is the dwelling built in 1811 by Alexander Straithie, a Scottish tradesman from Renfrew, Scotland. It is also the oldest surviving structure documented in Newfoundland. This is not to say that there may not be older structures in the province but that the Bridge House is the one to which the oldest date now known can be assigned.
• Loyal Orange Lodge
  - The Orange Lodge received its warrant in April 1872. The first meeting was held at the Thornlea Hotel on Forbes Street, Bonavista. It was not until 1907 that the present lodge was built. It is worthy to note that this hall was built with all free labour. The upstairs, where all meetings are held, has never been changed and remains the same after 90 years.
• Memorial United Church
  - The first Methodist church was constructed in 1814 under the ministry of Rev. William Ellis. It served its congregation for thirty-five years and was known as the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel while its followers were called ‘Wesleyans'. In 1851, it was felt that the church had to be enlarged and was done so a few years later. However, on Sunday, January 8, 1870, a severe storm destroyed the church. Undaunted, the people rebuilt the church and it was completed in 1871 under the ministry of Rev. John S. Phimmey.
• J.T. Swyers Company Ltd.
  - Joseph Thomas Swyers (1876-1965) was the founder of J.T. Swyers Co. Ltd. Joseph, after the death of his father Joe Swyers, being the eldest in the family, was left to provide for his mother and sister.
• Puffins, Whales, & Icebergs
  - All can be seen in the area.
• Scenic, Rugged Coastlines
  - All around the coast of the Bonavista one is captivated by the scenic beauty of the rugged coastline.
• Heritage Structures
  - The Town of Bonavista is full of history. Many of its buildings, both homes and businesses, have been classified as Heritage Structures due to their age and significance to the history of our Town and province. In recent years, funding has become available to restore many of these buildings to their original state.

Other Points of Interest:

Local Historic Communities Online

• Elliston: Known as the Root Cellar Capital of the World
• Trinity Bay North: Contains a National Historic District

• Matthew Legacy
• Bonavista Area Chamber of Commerce

The links below are a marvelous source of information for those traveling in our Province.

• The Discovery Trail
• Newfoundland and Labrador.com
• Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
• Explore Newfoundland and Labrador
• The Downhome

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