Last Updated on July 8, 2019
Each year, fans of “Anne of Green Gables” flock to Prince Edward Island on the east coast of Canada to see the places that inspired author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s books, and the movies that followed.
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The atmosphere of PEI is picturesque, the lighthouses are iconic, and the landscape is stunningly beautiful. This province has many attractions for tourists to visit, but it can be challenging to narrow down a list of what to see when you plan your trip.
That’s why Sullivan Entertainment, the producers of the original 1985 Anne of Green Gables and its sequels, released an official PEI Travel Guide. New this year, the Travel Guide highlights locations used in the filming of “Anne of Green Gables” and its spinoff series, “Road to Avonlea.”
The guide comes as part of a PEI Road Trip Companion Set – complete with the widescreen restoration of the “Anne of Green Gables” films and snapshot postcards from the Island –ideal for Anne Fans who want to visit PEI and experience the magic from the films.
The Travel Guide includes 12 must-see iconic locations, easily recognizable from Sullivan Entertainment’s “Anne of Green Gables” miniseries.
Here are three Anne filming locations that we’d like to visit this summer:
Dalvay By the Sea
This magnificent 19th century hotel was constructed between 1896-1899 by an American oil industrialist named Alexander MacDonald. He named the building “Dalvay By the Sea” after his boyhood home in Scotland. It served as the summer residence for him and his family until 1909. In 1938, the house and land were sold to the Canadian Government. Situated in the east end of PEI National Park on Dalvay Beach, it is now a hotel and dining room leased from Parks Canada and run as a private business.
Dalvay By the Sea is the perfect retreat for anyone seeking a romantic atmosphere with scenic views. The exterior of Dalvay was used as the White Sands Hotel in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, where Anne meets Morgan Harris. It is also a recurring location in Road to Avonlea and pictured in the opening sequence of Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning.
New London Lighthouse
The New London Lighthouse was built in 1876 by Captain George McKenzie under the commission of the department of Marine and Fisheries. It was originally the only lighthouse in the whole area. By 1879, a second lighthouse was built nearby, relegating the New London Lighthouse to a back-range light.
In 1894, its lighting apparatus was destroyed in a fire that would have consumed the whole structure – if not for McKenzie’s quick thinking. He entered the lighthouse and doused the fire, effectively saving the rest of the building.The New London Lighthouse and surrounding area appeared in Anne of Green Gables as a favourite meeting spot between Anne and Diana.
Thunder Cove
Thunder Cove Beach, located in Darnley, is home to some of the most beautiful sandstone cliffs in the world! The landscape of the cliffs, stunning sea stacks, and sweeping caves on the beach are always changing due to the relentless forces of the wind and sea. One particularly notable feature of Thunder Cove Beach is “Teacup Rock,” an aptly named stack of red sandstone that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top. This mesmerizing rock formation is best viewed in the early morning, when the water is calmest.
Sullivan Entertainment featured Thunder Cove Beach in the opening sequence of the films Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story, and Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning. It was also used as the backdrop for multiple episodes of Road to Avonlea and in Kevin Sullivan’s documentary about the life of L.M. Montgomery, Spirit of Place.
If you love learning about filming locations or want to visit Prince Edward Island yourself, Sullivan Entertainment’s PEI Travel Guide is an essential trip planner. The Guide is included in both the Prince Edward Island Traveler’s Kit and as part of the PEI Road Trip Companion, on the Shop at Sullivan website.
This post was written in tandem with a giveaway of the PEI Road Trip Companion Set. The giveaway has ended, and Sue C. H. is our winner, as announced on our Facebook Page, where the contest was held.
If you enjoyed this post, wander over to The Period Films List. You’ll especially like the Best Period Dramas: Family Friendly List. Also see Introducing Anne of Green Gables, for those of you who are wondering if it’s time to share Anne with the young children in your lives.
Robert
September 29, 2023 at 4:55 am (1 year ago)How do I book an actual visit there? Coming over to Canada on Oct 25 to Oct 27
Arlene Ewert
July 7, 2019 at 8:53 pm (5 years ago)Looking forward to reading the newsletter. Would love to win the contest today!
Chara
July 6, 2019 at 11:50 am (5 years ago)This would be a trip of a lifetime!
Patricia Grieshaber
July 3, 2019 at 8:52 pm (5 years ago)I love all the “Anne” books and I am also looking for a “kindred” spirit
Simon
July 3, 2019 at 3:51 pm (5 years ago)A dream come true this would be it would be lovely to see sonething in real life that played a big part in my childhood
Penny Cornett
July 3, 2019 at 3:30 pm (5 years ago)I, like Anne, am always looking for other Kindred Spirits.
Karen Brazeau
July 3, 2019 at 7:33 pm (5 years ago)I love Anne and her companions! I would love to visit the red cliffs of P.E.I.
Jackie Rodriguez
June 27, 2019 at 10:33 pm (5 years ago)My dream is to feel and live the Beatuful place
Janis
June 28, 2019 at 8:46 am (5 years ago)It’s been a dream of mine for many years..I will be 62 in December, and would love to have this..I am planning a trip for 2020, fingers crossed..