When most visitors think of Prince Edward County, they think of Picton — the county seat, the main street, the obvious starting point. But if you really want to experience the soul of PEC, you need to turn off the main road and follow Closson Road just north of the village of Wellington.

This quiet stretch of countryside is home to some of the most distinctive experiences in the County: world-class wine, fields of lavender, and a working alpaca farm that has been quietly becoming one of Ontario's most beloved rural destinations. Welcome to Closson Road the “Golden Mile” of Prince Edward County — and welcome to a side of Prince Edward County that is dotted with wineries and farm experiences.

Start at Chetwyn Farms: Where the Alpacas Are

Chetwyn Farms sits on Closson Road in the heart of Hillier, and it is unlike anything else in Prince Edward County. This is a working alpaca farm — home to a herd of curious, gentle alpacas who are as interested in meeting you as you are in meeting them.

The Alpaca Encounter is the signature experience: you walk among the herd, hand-feed them, and learn about the farm's fibre-to-product journey — from the fleece on the animal's back to the finished alpaca socks and yarn available in the farm shop. It is hands-on, unhurried, and genuinely memorable for visitors of all ages.

Beyond the animals, Chetwyn Farms is a destination for fibre arts. The farm shop carries alpaca yarn, alpaca socks, luxury home goods, and thoughtfully curated gifts — all rooted in the farm's own herd and the broader world of natural fibre. Workshops in spinning, weaving, natural dyeing, and more run throughout the season, often with guest artists from across Ontario.

Chetwyn Farms is not a petting zoo. It is a real farm, a real fibre business, and a real creative community — and that authenticity is exactly what makes it worth the drive.

Follow the Road to Lavender

Closson Road is also home to one of Prince Edward County's most photogenic stops: a working lavender farm that transforms the landscape into a sweep of purple every summer. Lavender season in PEC typically peaks in late June and July, making it a perfect pairing with an alpaca encounter — two very different farm experiences, both rooted in the same quiet corner of the County.

The lavender farm offers u-pick, essential oils, dried bundles, and the kind of slow, sensory afternoon that is increasingly rare to find. It is the sort of place that earns its own Instagram post and its own return visit.

End the Day with a Glass at Closson Chase or The Grange

No day on Closson Road is complete without wine, and this stretch of Hillier is home to two of Prince Edward County's most celebrated estates among others (more than 7 wineries call Closson Road their home)

Closson Chase Vineyards is one of PEC's founding wineries — a benchmark producer whose Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have helped put the County on the international wine map. The winery sits on a gentle rise above the vineyards, and the tasting room is relaxed, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming. If you have never understood what makes PEC wine different from Niagara, a visit to Closson Chase will answer that question.

The Grange of Prince Edward is another cornerstone of the Closson Road wine experience — a family estate with deep roots in the County and a portfolio that spans from crisp whites to elegant reds. The Grange is known for its hospitality as much as its wine, and the property itself is beautiful in every season.

Together, Closson Chase and The Grange anchor the wine side of the Closson Road corridor and make a compelling case that the best of PEC wine country is not in Picton — it is out here, on this road, among the farms and fields.

Plan Your Closson Road Day

The beauty of the Closson Road corridor is that it is genuinely doable in a single day — and genuinely worth a full weekend. Here is a simple itinerary to get you started:

• Morning: Arrive at Chetwyn Farms for your Alpaca Encounter — book in advance, as spots fill quickly in summer.
• Late morning: Browse the farm shop for alpaca socks, yarn, and gifts to take home.
• Midday: Walk the lavender fields and pick a bundle to bring home.
• Afternoon: Tasting at Closson Chase Vineyards, followed by a visit to The Grange of Prince Edward.
• Evening: Head back into Wellington for dinner — the village has excellent restaurants and is just 10 minutes down the road.

If you want to make a weekend of it stay at both the alpaca farm in the turn of the century farm-cottage - or the Lavender Farm B&B - both put you right in the middle of it all — wake up to alpacas or lavender outside your window, spend the day exploring the corridor, and return to the farm for a quiet evening under the stars.

Getting Here

Chetwyn Farms is located on Closson Road, just 10 minutes north of Wellington on the west side of Prince Edward County. From Wellington, head north to Closson Road and you will find Chetwyn Farms, the lavender farm, Closson Chase, and The Grange all within a short stretch of the same road.

Wellington itself is easy to reach via County Road 33 — a scenic drive along the Lake Ontario shoreline that is worth the trip on its own. If you are coming from Toronto or the GTA, Wellington is approximately two hours east, making Closson Road a very achievable day trip or weekend escape.

Known locally as “the Golden Mile” of Prince Edward County It is quieter, more rural, and more real — and that is precisely the point.

Book your Alpaca Encounter at Chetwyn Farms and make Closson Road your next Prince Edward County adventure.