Peggy’s Cove & Fishing Village
Peggy’s Cove is a small picturesque fishing village with a population of approximately 30 permanent residents. The surrounding rock-solid granite slopes act as a fortress to the narrow ocean inlet, offering a safe haven for the settlement during raging Atlantic seas.
Sadly, no historical evidence of Peggy exists in the community, but legend claims she lived here in the 1800’s. However, a painting and a marble sculpture of Peggy by William deGarthe are displayed in his gallery. Peggy is also depicted in his fifty foot granite carving ‘A Memorial to the Fishermen’ outside and behind The deGarthe Gallery which is located across the street from the Visitor Information Centre.
Listed below are a few attractions that will not only remind you of Peggy’s alluring character but were also there during her time.
Click on the map link to see where each attraction is at Peggy’s Cove, along with lots of other attractions in the area.
Printed copies of the ‘Peggy of Peggy’s Cove Guide’, including the map are available, free of charge, from the Peggy of the Cove Museum.
A small picturesque fishing village with a population of approximately 30 permanent residents. Solid granite slopes surround it and act as a fortress to the narrow ocean inlet, offering a safe haven for the settlement during raging Atlantic seas.
Sadly, no historical evidence of Peggy exists in the community, but legend claims she lived here in the 1800’s. However, a painting and a marble sculpture by William dearth showing Peggy are displayed in his gallery. Peggy is also depicted in his fifty foot granite carving ‘A Memorial to the Fishermen’ outside and behind The deGarthe Gallery which is located across from the Visitor Information Centre.
Listed below are a few attractions that will not only remind you of Peggy’s alluring character but were also there during her time.
Click on the map image to see where each attraction is at Peggy’s Cove along with lots of other attractions in the area.
The Lighthouse
The present lighthouse was built in 1914 to replace the old original wooden structure from 1868 – the Fog horn of which can be seen in The Peggy of the Cove Museum. There’s no doubting there must be a reason why the lighthouse was originally built on this spot.
Halibut Rock
Climb over the rocks around the lighthouse and take a peek out to the waves to see for yourself the fateful ‘Halibut Rock’. Breath in the fresh sea air and admire the power and majesty of the sea, now, understanding how such a shipwreck could have happened at this location.
Old Red School house
The colourful houses scattered over the hills of Peggy’s Cove offer exceptional photographic opportunities. One particularly rare structure is the ‘Old Red Schoolhouse’ that stands tall on a knoll at the heart of the village – just imagine Peggy running to school to meet her friends. At present the school house is an entertainments venue.
Fishermen’s Monument - the William deGarth sculpture
A lasting monument to Nova Scotian Fishermen the sculpture is carved on a 30-meter (100ft) long granite outcropping, situated behind what was once William’s home in Peggy’s Cove along the South Shore. The magnificent sculpture depicts 32 fishermen, their wives and children and the legendary ‘Peggy of the Cove’ all enveloped in the wings of a guardian angel.
Clam Pond swimming area
An unknown treasure of Peggy’s Cove is that of Clam Pond, a small swimming hole that is located by a short footpath at the end of the provincial parking lot. If you follow the path you will find the crystal clear waters of Clam Pond, somewhere that no doubt Peggy and her friends would have spent a lot of time at, especially as tidal pools are not commonly found around the village, unless you are lucky to be there at low tide when it’s a great spot for aquatic life.
The Cove & Fishing Village
Fishing was a way of life back in the time of Peggy and you can still see how it would have been even now. Most people head straight for the lighthouse but a stroll through this beautiful little village is well worth it for the stunning photographic opportunities. Be sure to saunter down Lobster Lane, it offers a whole different perspective of the Cove.
Devil’s corner
It is here that the cliffs go straight down into the ocean, forming a sharp corner. When a heavy ground surf is running you’ll shudder from spray shooting high into the air and the sound of a thunderous crash – something that Peggy would have no doubt found terrifying, enticing and magical all at the same time. It is said that she often stood on the rocks looking out to sea, wondering who she was and where she was from.
Dancing rock
A flat outcrop of rock where dances and picnics often occurred when seas were calm… a romantic site for young men to propose to their sweethearts or simply watch the sun go down. A secluded spot for Peggy and her friends to meet.
Bark Pot
On Lobster Lane opposite Beales Bailiwick Gift shop – sits one of the original old bark pots also known as a bark kettle. By filling the pot with water, adding pitch, spruce, or hickory bark before building a fire, the fishermen of Peggy’s Cove then boiled their twine nets in this brew to preserve them from the elements.
Hags on the Hill
This old house, which today is actually an artisan seasonal craft store, just so happens to be the oldest house in St. Margaret’s Bay. It was built in 1812 and is one of the finest examples of the type of house that Peggy herself may well have lived in after her rescue.
The Lighthouse
The present lighthouse was built in 1914 to replace the old original wooden structure from 1868 – the Fog horn of which can be seen in The Peggy of the Cove Museum. There’s no doubting there must be a reason why the lighthouse was originally built on this spot.
Halibut Rock
Climb over the rocks around the lighthouse and take a peek out to the waves to see for yourself the fateful ‘Halibut Rock’. Breath in the fresh sea air and admire the power and majesty of the sea, now, understanding how such a shipwreck could have happened at this location.
Old Red School house
The colourful houses scattered over the hills of Peggy’s Cove offer exceptional photographic opportunities. One particularly rare structure is the ‘Old Red Schoolhouse’ that stands tall on a knoll at the heart of the village – just imagine Peggy running to school to meet her friends. At present the school house is an entertainments venue.
Fishermen’s Monument - the William deGarth sculpture
A lasting monument to Nova Scotian Fishermen the sculpture is carved on a 30-meter (100ft) long granite outcropping, situated behind what was once William’s home in Peggy’s Cove along the South Shore. The magnificent sculpture depicts 32 fishermen, their wives and children and the legendary Peggy of the Cove all enveloped in the wings of a guardian angel.
Clam Pond swimming area
An unknown treasure of Peggy’s Cove is that of Clam Pond, a small swimming hole that is located by a short footpath at the end of the provincial parking lot. If you follow the path you will find the crystal clear waters of Clam Pond, somewhere that no doubt Peggy and her friends would have spent a lot of time at, especially as tidal pools are not commonly found around the village, unless you are lucky to be there at low tide when it’s a great spot for aquatic life.
The Harbour & Fishing Village
Fishing was a way of life back in the time of Peggy and you can still see how it would have been even now. Most people head straight for the lighthouse but a stroll through this beautiful little village is well worth it for the stunning photographic opportunities. Be sure to saunter down Lobster Lane, it offers a whole different perspective of the Cove.
Devil’s corner
It is here that the cliffs go straight down into the ocean, forming a sharp corner. When a heavy ground surf is running you’ll shudder from spray shooting high into the air and the sound of a thunderous crash – something that Peggy would have no doubt found terrifying, enticing and magical all at the same time. It is said that she often stood on the rocks looking out to sea, wondering who she was and where she was from.
Dancing rock
A flat outcrop of rock where dances and picnics often occurred when seas were calm… a romantic site for young men to propose to their sweethearts or simply watch the sun go down. A secluded spot for Peggy and her friends to meet.
Bark Pot
On Lobster Lane opposite Beales Bailiwick Gift shop – sits one of the original old bark pots also known as a bark kettle. By filling the pot with water, adding pitch, spruce, or hickory bark before building a fire, the fishermen of Peggy’s Cove then boiled their twine nets in this brew to preserve them from the elements.
Hags on the Hill
This old house, which today is actually an artisan seasonal craft store, just so happens to be the oldest house in St. Margaret’s Bay. It was built in 1812 and is one of the finest examples of the type of house that Peggy herself may well have lived in after her rescue.