November 21, 2022

Cobblestone Farm: A Four-Season Venue in Northumberland

In a recent newsletter, Cobblestone Farm Proprietor Sam Campbell wrote about the variety of events that take place at her beautiful venue located near Cobourg, Ontario, from weekend retreats to master class cooking lessons and even new trends like micro-weddings.

“With many couples postponing their weddings the last two years,” Sam explains, “it’s given them pause to re-think how they might want to celebrate their big day… I’m seeing an interest in very small, very intimate events, usually with less than twenty guests.”

From an afternoon brunch to an evening dinner party or weekend stay at the farmhouse, Cobblestone is a place for social gatherings centred around a renovated 1850’s century home and a working horse farm. “It never ceases to amaze me how creative and inspirational people can be,” Sam adds.

In fact, Cobblestone Farm hosts and curates events all year. During the winter, guests can explore Northumberland’s cross country ski and snowshoe trails and even enjoy relaxation and treatments at nearby spas, with a plethora of options and attractions that make Northumberland a true tourism destination. Sam has been working with partners including the Northumberland Tourism Team to encourage guests to visit the region this winter, and has co-developed a special “Modern Day Farm Life” experience with her good friend and chef, Sonja Seiler, of Nurture. They tested the idea in October and received rave reviews from the participants.

“Sam is really bringing so much passion and creativity to the table at Cobblestone,” said Kim Botrie, Loan Manager at NCFDC. “We were proud to support the expansion of her venture at a time when the tourism industry was facing considerable headwinds.”

Sam explains, “When the world turned upside down in early 2020, I unfortunately had to close Cobblestone Farm to visitors. The tourism industry was facing incredible uncertainty and although the banks were offering support, I didn’t qualify. I wasn’t sure where to turn and then, gratefully, I was introduced to the team at NCFDC. Without their support and guidance my business would have closed permanently. Instead, I was able to weather the storm and flourish as the world started to re-open. I can’t thank NCFDC enough for all of their help.”

For more information about how NCFDC’s alternative lending programs back entrepreneurs like Sam Campbell of Cobblestone Farm, and how you can apply for a loan to start, stabilize or expand your business in Northumberland, visit our financing page at ncfdc.ca (click here) and apply today.

For women entrepreneurs across Canada (including Northumberland), please visit our DELIA women entrepreneurship loan fund page (click here) and apply now.

CFP, RRRF and DELIA are made possible with the support of FedDev Ontario and the Government of Canada, and DELIA Fund 2 was advanced to national reach with the support of ISED Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada).