Errington

History

The tiny village of Errington was first settled by Duncan McMillan, who named it after a small village in England's Northumberland county.

Location

Errington is located in the foothills of Arrowsmith Mountain on Errington Road, off Highway 4, just south of Parksville and Qualicum Beach on the east coast of central Vancouver Island.

Places to See

• Englishman River Falls Provincial Park
  
  Situated along the pristine Englishman River north of Nanaimo, Englishman River Falls Provincial Park features two stunning waterfalls cascading along the descending riverbed into a deep canyon.
  
  This picturesque destination, set amid a lush old-growth and second-growth forest of Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock and maple, is an ideal location from which to explore and appreciate the incredible diversity of south central Vancouver Island, including nearby Cathedral Grove, the Pacific Rim, and the sandy shores of Parksville and Qualicum.
  
  The park has a large day-use area and campground and contains several hiking trails that meander through the forest and along the river. Visitors can expect spectacular views along the way, particularly from two bridges that cross the river where it plunges down the narrow rock canyon toward quieter waters below. The lower falls end in a deep crystal-clear pool - an ideal swimming hole in the summer when river levels are low and a great place to view spawning salmon in the fall.
  
  
• Errington Farmers' Market
  
  Governed by the Farmers' Market Society, the market offers fresh produce, baked goods and items created by local crafters as well as coffee and goodies from the coffee shop in a woodsy, friendly atmosphere. There is always music playing, activities for the kids, and lots of conversation with friends and neighbours.
  
  Market hours are 10am to 1pm - The Market opens each May and runs every Saturday through the Summer until September.
  
  
• North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre
  
  Located on an 8-acre plot of land in Errington, the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre is where injured birds and mammals are nursed back to health. Adopt a heron, a fawn, an otter or an eagle! Open daily from 10am-4pm, April to October.
  
  
• Tiger Lily Farm
  
  Come out for fun, adventure, and excitement on this family-friendly farm. There's something for everyone!
  
  Children will delight at the antics of the baby animals, and adults will love the looks on their faces. Your family will enjoy mingling with the animals and learning all about them.
  
  Enjoy a guided trail ride, from half-hour excursions to full-day trips.
  
  Make Tiger Lily Farm your fun holiday destination. Located just outside Parksville on the way to Englishman River Falls.
  
  
• Little Qualicum Spawning Channel
  
  The Little Qualicum Spawning Channel on the Little Qualicum River is accessed via Melrose Road. Turn north off Highway 4, 3.5 miles (6 km) west of Coombs, and follow the signs to the hatchery. Over 4 million chinook salmon are raised annually, with the best visiting times being February to June and October to November. This hatchery is not to be confused with the big Qualicum Falls Hatchery, located on the Qualicum River north of Horne Lake.
  
  
• Macmillan Park
  
  Cathedral Grove, located in MacMillan Provincial Park, is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. Here visitors can stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas-fir trees, majestic pillars untouched by the modern world – some more than 800 years old.
  
  Trails on either side of the highway lead visitors through the mighty stands of this coastal forest. On the south side you will find the largest Douglas firs - one measuring more than 9 meters in circumference. On the northern side of the road you’ll find groves of ancient Western red cedar standing sentry over nearby Cameron Lake.
  
  The park protects and preserves an internationally significant representative example of Douglas fir old-growth forest within the East Vancouver Island and the Coastal Douglas fir Biogeoclimatic Zone. Many species of wildlife use the old-growth forest as their home.
  
  
• Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
  
  A favourite destination on Vancouver Island is Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, which straddles the Little Qualicum River and incorporates the entire southern shore of Cameron Lake.
  
  Impressive waterfalls cascade down a rocky gorge in a beautiful forested setting bordered by steep mountain peaks at this park, one of the most beautiful parks on central Vancouver Island. The falls, lake swimming, shaded riverside trails and picnic facilities make Little Qualicum Falls a very popular family recreation destination. A number of walking trails are available in and around the park, offering picturesque views of the river and providing access to the upper and lower falls.
  
  Cameron Lake is an ideal spot for swimming and fishing, as well as sail boarding, due to a wind funnel created by the surrounding mountains. The Cameron Lake and Beaufort day-use areas are located 10 minutes west of the campground on Highway 4.

Things to Do

• Fishing
  
  There's excellent bank casting for rainbow and cutthroat trout on the Englishman River, either near the river mouth on the Strait of Georgia near Parksville or in Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. There's a steelhead run as well in the river. Unfortunately, a decline in salmon stocks in British Columbia has forced closures on fishing for a number of species, so be sure to check in advance. Over the past century, brown trout have been successfully introduced to a number of Vancouver Island rivers, such as the Little Qualicum. The best access to the river for bank casting is at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. You'll also find good trolling and boat casting in Cameron Lake, part of which also lies within the park. There's a boat launch at the picnic grounds on Cameron Lake.
  
  
• Golf
  
  Golf is played year-round at the Arrowsmith Golf & Country Club. Other courses in Qualicum Beach are Eaglecrest Golf Club, Glengarry Golf Links, and Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club.
  
  
• Hiking
  
  Both Englishman River Falls and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Parks have rambling trails that lead beside the clear waters of these pristine rivers. A walk to the falls is a big part of a visit to either park.

Events

• Hi Neighbour Day
  
  Held every year on the 3rd Saturday in August, this is a fun community celebration with something for everyone in the family.
  
  The day starts off at 8am with a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the volunteer fire department. The Arts & Crafts Display, held in the Old Fire Hall, gives creative locals a chance to show their work. A special Farmers Market begins at 10am with live music and lots of kids activities added to the usual mix of fresh veggies, home baking, cut flowers and crafts.
  
  The Hi Neighbour Parade, reputed to be the world's shortest, starts at noon and wends its way from the old elementary school, around the corner and down the street to the Hall. Kids on decorated bikes, horses, ponies and imaginative floats - anything goes in this parade.
  
  After the parade, the adults adjourn to the hall to have a cold drink, some lunch, and bid on the incredible bargains at the Goods & Services Auction. In the meantime, the kids are involved in games on the ball field with the team from Parks & Rec, having a pony ride or visiting the preschool for a movie.
  
  The day winds up at 9pm with the Hi Neighbour Dance. Advance $15 tickets for the Dance will be sold at Errington Store, Blasting Impressions in Parksville or Timbuktu Music in Qualicum. None available at the door.
  
  
• Hallowe'en Dance
  
  On the Saturday closest to Hallowe'en there's always a costume dance in the Errington War Memorial Hall. Usually the band is dressed up too and they help to judge best costumes. If you like a good party, come along! Tickets are $15 at Errington Store, Blasting Impressions in Parksville and Timbuktu in Qualicum. Sorry, no tickets at the door.
  
  
• Hallowe'en Pumpkin Trail
  
  On Hallowe'en night in Errington, parents bring their costumed kids to the Community Park at 6:30pm, where they run the gaunlet past the 'spooks' hidden along the dark trails; at each spook they'll get a treat. At the end of the trail, near the market site, they can get a hot chocolate from the coffee shop, warm themselves by the bonfire, and watch the fireworks display.
  
  
• Christmas Arts and Crafts Sale
  
  On the second Saturday in December, local shoppers have a chance to find that perfect gift, selecting from a wide variety of crafts and handmade products. From 10am to 3pm, in a festive Errington Hall atmosphere, have a look, have a coffee and a treat from the kitchen, meet your friends, and get into the Christmas spirit!

Contact Info

Errington War Memorial Hall

Errington War Memorial Hall Association
PO Box 15
Errington, BC
V0R 1V0

E-mail: ewmhinfo@gmail.com
Website: www.erringtonhall.bc.ca