It's time to start posting about our fabulous members again! This past week, we were so excited to visit our member, Haven of Hope Farm B&B, so that we could meet them personally, take some photos, and see first-hand what makes this B&B unique and special!
We were welcomed warmly on the porch when we arrived by our host, Daphne. Her and her husband, Dave, own the property and transformed their home into a shared accommodation and a magical place to stay and relax. Haven of Hope Farm B&B is focused on providing a retreat for patients who are receiving treatment for medical conditions and their families, or for those who just need to get away from ‘the stresses of daily life’. No more than a couple minutes’ drive from the main road and only a five-minute drive from the Niagara Health System St. Catharines site, staying at Haven of Hope provides close proximity to medical care and a spacious, private setting where pressure and stress can be lifted.
Dave and Daphne provide a private apartment style suite and are the most accommodating hosts. They are more than welcoming to guests with allergies and dietary restrictions when making breakfast. Chef Daphne presented us with coffee and massive, gluten-free and dairy-free muffins that you can’t even tell are gluten-free! After the first bite, we told her that she should be famous for her muffins. She just smiled and laughed, humbly saying that she hears that all the time. There is plenty enough room for a family of four to stay comfortably at the B&B. The premises are clean, organized, and completely up-to-date. All amenities have been thought of and provided at the beautiful residence. The property and accommodations are wheel-chair accessible, with ramps on the outdoor wrap-around porch and deck, leading up to the doors of the B&B and throughout the bedroom, reading room, sitting room, and bathroom which has a wheelchair accessible shower, toilet, and vanity. The reading room is equipped with a fireplace, providing a cozy space to stay. The outdoor deck has a barbecue, the yard has a children’s playground, and there is a lookout where guests can sit back in comfortable chairs and read or just sit as they view the stunning forest of the Bruce Trail's Rockway Conservation Area from the nook. Wildlife such as deer can often be seen! The expansive 12-acre property is free to be explored during your stay.
There are large enclosures and a barn on the property that house the farm animals: sheep, chickens, and alpacas! The animals can provide a truly unique, effective therapeutic experience like no other. In the spring, the lambs are being born and you have the opportunity to see this as well as the sheep shearing process in the late summer! Dave was very encouraging of us to come and visit again during those periods, and we were completely thrilled. He also let me feed the sheep dried corn through the fence. Apparently, it was like candy to them! He was also very knowledgeable about caring for his sheep, telling me about the ways that he helps keep them clean and healthy, especially after the birthing process. He knows the personality of every sheep! We learned that sheep are more human-like and smarter than we often think. Our hosts also grow garlic in their garden, and they hang the garlic to dry in the barn after harvesting. As of right now, they have over 1,000 bulbs in there! We all had a chuckle when we saw all of the chickens chasing and clucking after Dave as he drove away down the driveway. There is charm around every corner of this place.
We left Haven of Hope enthralled with everything it has to offer. It is the most down-to-earth getaway with the kindest hosts. Dave and Daphne learn so much from their guests and truly love what they do. I've realized how incredibly lucky Twenty Valley is to have them here.
Claire, Twenty Valley Tourism Assistant