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Your Niagara retreat

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Sit back, put your feet up on the front patio when you arrive ... aaah.
Bright sunlight streams in, and the woodburning fireplace lends its warmth.
Why not curl up with a good book?
Good conversations happen over colourful meals at the harvest table ...
Relax over a meal on the back patio.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8100.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
337 Niven Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, L0S 1J0
  • Jackson-Triggs Winery
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Shaw Festival Theatre
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Peller Estates Winery
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • St. Catharines, ON (YCM-Niagara District)
    ‪11 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

North Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

South Bedroom

1 Double Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Ensuite Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Main Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Your Niagara retreat

Bracken House is located on the outskirts of Old Town; close to wineries, theatres, parks, biking trails. Ideal for groups of friends, families or small staff retreats to a maximum of 8 overnight guests. This newly renovated, 1085 sq.ft. bungalow is pleasantly situated on 2/3 acre. Bedrooms: the master bedroom has queen bed w/ensuite bath, north bedroom has a queen bed, and south bedroom a double bed. The main bathroom is a small, but includes a shower. The kitchen is fully equipped, with a dining table to gather for your meal. Take that gathering outside to the patio dining table & BBQ, or perhaps around the fire pit in the rear garden. WIFI throughout the house. There is a wood-burning fireplace and a TV/DVD player in living room. The large screen TV and electric fireplace is in the basement family room, which also has 2 queen-sized hide-a-bed couches for additional guests. There is a third bathroom adjacent to the family room. Laundry facilities are available to week-long reservations, or by special request. Further accommodation options include 2 full bed & breakfast suites at our own property, Bushy House, which is next door to Bracken House. The listed rates include all taxes: 13% HST and 3% MAT. That aside...
Relax, kick back, and slow down. Aaah.

Property manager

Jodie Godwin

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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Exterior

4 beds 3 bedrooms suits

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
4 beds 3 bedrooms suits

House Rules

Flexible check-in available (contact host in advance of arrival)
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
There's room to ramble around Bracken House!
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings
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Pets

No pets allowed
The issue is two-fold: allergies and wear & tear.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outside only, and not near open doors/windows.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 10
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Located in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this holiday home is in a rural area. Shaw Festival Theatre and Niagara Falls State Park are cultural highlights, and some of the area's popular attractions include Fallsview Indoor Waterpark and Aquarium of Niagara. Travelling with kids? Don't miss Niagara SkyWheel and Maid of the Mist. Kayaking and power boating offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.
Map
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

What's nearby

  • Jackson-Triggs Winery - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • Fort Mississauga - 4 min drive - 3.5 km
  • Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club - 4 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Shaw Festival Theatre - 4 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Peller Estates Winery - 6 min drive - 5.0 km

Getting around

  • Niagara Falls, ON (XLV-Niagara Falls Train Station) - 21 min drive
  • Niagara Falls, NY (IAG-Niagara Falls Intl.) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Pillitteri Estates Winery - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Two Sisters Vineyards - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Irish Harp Pub - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Your Niagara retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-out at Your Niagara retreat?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is Your Niagara retreat located?

This family-friendly Niagara-on-the-Lake holiday home is located in a rural location, within 2 mi (3 km) of Lake Ontario, Niagara River Gorge and Jackson-Triggs Winery. Simcoe Park and Museum of the Paranormal are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The Bracken House is fantastic!

The Bracken House is lovely-
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Nice Little Get-away

The house is beautifully situated and was very clean and comfortable for the 6 of us. We particularly enjoyed sitting around the fire in the evening after a day of winery hopping and visiting the shops in town. All in all, a wonderful 3-day retreat.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary T

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A wonderful place for a family get-together

We were 6 adults (my husband, brother, son, daughter, and her fiance). We had a great time relaxing in the beautiful and spacious backyard, playing croquet, barbecuing, reading. The lake was a short walk away. Jodie and David were wonderful hosts and very accessible. We spent three nights there and all had a wonderful time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

NOTL vacation

We enjoyed it very much. Nice house, nice fire pit and great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The house is great!

We stay for 5 nights and everything was perfect! The house is well located. Thanks to Jodie and David!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lucy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house and garden

This is a beautiful house and idyllic garden situated minutes from the heart of Niagara on the Lake. The bedrooms are well decorated, the beds are comfortable and everything was spotless. The kitchen is well appointed and a pleasure to cook in. The hosts are welcoming and very helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Escape to nature!

This house was beautiful inside and out! There are beautiful flowers and gardens all around the property and a nice patio with a table to enjoy your coffee at in the morning or dinner in the evening. There is also a fire pit and plenty of firewood. The inside is very clean and well stocked with everything from towels, blankets, and kitchenware. Jodie is an excellent host and will ensure you have a great stay. The house is located about 5 minutes from the middle of the town with lots of shops and restaurants near by. There are also several wineries close by. Niagara Falls is only about 30 minutes away as well. This house is in a great location and is a wonderful place to stay when visiting Niagara on the Lake.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bracken House is Perfect For Your NOTL Getaway

The Bracken House is one of the nicest VRBO properties we have stayed at anywhere. We are a group of friends meeting in NOTL for a bit of theatre at the Shaw Festival as well as some sightseeing. The Bracken house was perfect for our group. The beds were very comfortable. The kitchen is a bit small but very well equipped and the furniture is both comfortable and accommodating for catching up with our old friends and having a glass of wine or two. Jodie, our host, met us at the house on our arrival and showed us where everything was. She is an artist and lots of her ceramic works as well as some other art decorate the home. The house is somewhat secluded with a very private backyard seating area and fire pit. Lots of birds visit the birdfeeder providing entertaining viewing. Although the listing only shows 2 baths, there is a full bath downstairs that we used as well. The downstairs tv room is very comfortable for relaxing and watching a movie at night after a day full of sightseeing, shopping, or perhaps to enjoy that wine you bought at one of the many vineyards in the area. Jodie also provided a detailed book explaining how things work, how to handle recycling, composting, and garbage, and some suggestions about the area. Very helpful.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Blissful holiday at Bracken House

We had a blissful 12 day Christmas holiday at the wondrous Bracken House. Stormy weather had us arrive into NOTL one day earlier than planned and Jodie and David were able to accommodate us. Arriving early evening into a beautifully lite home all decked out for Christmas with a fire started and so many lovely touches throughout the house, was just the best! The home is immaculate, and so warm and inviting. With the storm blowing outside, we hardly left our place for several days. The huge windows throughout the home on a large private lot, allowed us to be snuggled inside while we watched nature whirling around us. The birds and squirrels, including the rare silver squirrel were a marvel to watch. We made use daily of the fully equipped gourmet kitchen and had everything we needed to prepare a holiday turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The large entertainment room in the basement was perfect for movies and game nights as well as a quiet place to do some work when needed. The bedrooms are beautiful appointed and serene with beds that are oh so comfortable. Together with three well equipped bathrooms, we had all the space a family could need. We LOVED our stay at Bracken House and we loved our adventures in NOTL, Niagara Falls as well as St Catherine’s, all within a short distance from the house. NOTL was all decked out for Christmas and with the pristine snow everywhere, the town truly lived up to its promise of ‘prettiest town in Canada’. We felt truly blessed to have such a lovey holiday. Thank you Jodie and David for offering up your wonderful home and hospitality. It was the best!!!
Stayed 10 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tom L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice stay

It is a perfect location near NOTL, Jodie was great, she was there when we arrived to show us around the place and would respond quickly if we had any questions. The place was clean and the backyard with the firepit was fantastic. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a quiet place to relax and or go biking.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Huma K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our Vacation at Bracken house.

We had an excellent time. Jodie, the owner lives nearby and she is easily available. House is located in a nice quiet area. Every thing which we needed was in the house. Jodie gave us informative tour of the house and neighborhood. We enjoyed in the house interesting books, board games, firepit in the backyard, birds, all nearby attractions and scenic route to Niagara. One very interesting hidden gem is nearby secluded beach. It just appears out of nowhere after walking few metres along a narrow wooded path. It was refreshing and rejuvenating experience. Thank you Jodie and Vrbo.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect stay!

We arrived at the cottage and were welcomed by Jodie who walked us through the various areas of the house and showed us around. The place was spotless, and very pleasant, peaceful and comfortable. We enjoyed the flower gardens, fire pit and surrounding nature. We spent a very nice three days and wouldn’t hesitate to return. Thank you Jodie, it was a pleasure meeting you!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Smita H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Idyllic retreat for a few days with family

We are a family with two young boys and we normally travel at Christmas to see family. This being 2020, this obviously was not possible so we decided to staycate close by at Braken House in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It was wonderful. As soon as we walked in we felt right at home with comfortable, and stylish furnishings. The open plan upstairs was very cheerful with the fire going and allowed for everyone to chat while we were getting meals ready. The boys particularly enjoyed the 70” TV in the basement to play their Nindendo Switch and the space was big enough for the adults to play Trivial Pursuit with comfort. At night we all retreated to our bedrooms where we nestled into very comfy beds wrapped in equally luxurious linens for a great night’s sleep. The grounds were quiet and close to great walking trails and sledding slopes for the kids. Everything was spotless, the hosts are great and very willing to help. We are definitely coming back for more! Thank you Jodie and David for allowing us to relax, refresh and look forward to 2021!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

sheri c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home away from Home

I will be renting Bracken house again, a beautiful spacious home geared to children, a full chef's kitchen, and the gardens are breathtaking. Each morning as i sat in the garden i saw hummingbirds, birds feeding and listening to the various sounds.. My guests and I enjoyed sitting around the fire and roasting marshmallows. There are games and kids toys for them to enjoy, a huge TV and everything you can think off. We unpacked our bags, bought groceries, settled in. Jodie graciously left us fresh fruit from her tree, brought over homemade honey and crab apple syrup. She is the steward of her land and the land is deeply cared for. Each of the bedrooms were a good size, with comfortable bedding and beautiful art...the living and dinning room inviting and a well lit home. Jodie was always gracious when asked questions. I have chosen Bracken house as my second home away from home and will visit again soon.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Micheline L., Laval Québec

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bird’s paradise ...

Quiet and Peacefull just a few minutes from NOTL ... perfect spot ! We enjoy all the environnement inside and out!with a touch of art Jodie was very easy to reach and always helpful ... we recommand Bracken house anytime !
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Janine L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Gem

We stayed at this property over a long weekend with two families (5 kids) and had a very relaxing time! Jodie was a wonderful host! The location is quiet and peaceful, away from the crowds but easily walkable to some trails leading to the lake. The kids had a great time running around on the property and we enjoyed sitting in the backyard and relaxing by the fire pit. This house is impeccably clean, very nicely decorated and has lots of natural light throughout. You can see Jodie's artistic touch throughout the property. We would certainly recommend this accommodation to our friends!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Christine A.

Cozy and Contemporary

We had a wonderful weekend at Bracken House! The place was spotless and beautifully designed with lots of artwork and furnishings that were just our style. Practically everything you need is provided, from kitchenwares to curling irons, and the grounds were spacious and peaceful. Jodie was a very kind and welcoming host. (only feedback is I would recommend calling her instead of emailing for any questions) Would go back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Leith D.

Convenient, comfortable and very cheery

We spent 5 busy days in Niagara on the Lake, biking, going to the theatre, sight-seeing and sun- set chasing and there was nothing more satisfying/inspiring than knowing we were coming "home" to a bright, well designed and well equipped house. The garden is beautiful, we had a barbecue and "around the table" breakfasts. It is special as a place to the just relax. Jodie is an interesting and gracious host.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Justin L.

Amazing!! A MUST stay!!

This place is PERFECT! Beautiful property and home. Fully stock with anything you need. Stayed with 10 total and was more than enough room and bathrooms etc. Did not want to leave. Cannot say enough about our stay. Pictures do not do it justice.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jim M.

Perfect for our extended family get together

Lovely house. Location was good, even though out of town. Easy drive or bicycle to get into town. 3 couples, 3 kids, plus another family at the Bushy House B&B. It worked out very well.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mark K., Apple Valley

Perfect!!!

There were two couples, so we only rented half of the house. The house was clean and beautifully decorated. Jodie and David were helpful and attentive hosts. If anything, the listing did not do justice to the house. I expected a lot, and our stay far exceeded my expectations. I will recommend this house, and Bushy House (we stayed there one night too) to anyone travelling to Niagara-on-the-Lake. By the way, the wine is very good too...
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Newsha D.

Above and beyond!

Stayed at Bracken House with a group of 10 girls and loved every minute. The house was clean, beautifully decorated and equipped with everything we could possibly need (the slippers were especially appreciated). Jodie was friendly and accommodating and went above and beyond to make sure we felt comfortable! Really enjoyed my stay and will definitely return!

About the host

Hosted by Jodie Godwin

Host profile image
When we moved to Niagara-on-the-Lake from Calgary, we were drawn by this beautiful town, its architecture and environs. We purchased an acre property, designed and built our house (my husband, David, is an architect). We have successfully operated Bushy House B&B since 1999, and have enjoyed the many guests that have come, quite a few of whom come back every year to their Niagara home away from home. We are raising our family here, and love living where we are close to the town, but surrounded by parks and woodland. We have big perennial and vegetable gardens, chickens, and are even trying our hand at beekeeping!
Bracken House is a natural extension of this life we've built, and the two properties merge, separated by a wooded ravine and the path between them. We have enjoyed renovating it, and have come to realize what a gem it is, with its bright and sunny aspect, and mature gardens rimmed by parks and orchards behind.
I am an artist who works sculpturally, lives creatively, and is quite busy making pottery (and knitting) in the winter months. Want to take a souvenir or two home? We do have some items you may want to tuck away for your own homes or a gift: pottery, paintings/drawings, honey & jams...
We love living in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and have formed some great friendships here. I love my book & knitting groups, and our Monday Night Bible study. I enjoy gardening (and we do have rather a lot of it!), tending our beehives, and of course: our chickens. Do feel free to wander over to Bushy House to say hello to the "Girls"!
Life expands even more as we have formed longstanding friendships with some of the Jamaican seasonal workers who labour in the orchards and vineyards around us. I have had several opportunities to visit their homes & families in Jamaica. It all contributes to THIS being a rather special place. We are rather fond of it!

Why they chose this property

It has always felt like a gift to live on the lovely green corner, and we feel more like stewards of it, and grateful to be here. I grew up in cities, but now I love being a part of this beautiful small town. Sometimes, when I see a horse-drawn carriage going by, I enjoy a chat with a friend at the grocery store, or I catch a glimpse of the blue-green lake, and wonder at the striation of colour of an orchard in spring - I am so glad to live here. Bushy House has been a place of renewal and refreshment for our guests for years, and now we look forward to extending that to those who come to Bracken House.

What makes this property unique

You can spend your day wandering the Old Town, sightseeing in Niagara Falls, doing winery tours throughout the peninsula, or taking in a show or three at Shaw, and then? Then, you can retreat to the quiet and green space that is Bracken House. One of the last stands of Carolinian forest on Lake Ontario is just down the road, so many species of birds can be seen amidst the mature gardens. Before we owned it, Bracken was home to an avid gardener for years, and so we can all enjoy the fruits of her labours throughout the season. The home is bright and clean, and affords a place to unwind and enjoy time with friends in a casual atmosphere. Because it can be combined with the accommodations at Bushy House, Bracken House can also be a place for small group retreats. If your arrival is going to be a later one, or if you just want a chance to get your bearings, provisions for your first breakfast can be stocked at Bracken upon request. For those at Bushy House, our full breakfasts are still being served, brought to your suite in a large basket. At Bushy House, you can enjoy breakfast in the privacy of your suite or out on the garden deck or porch outside your room.
We strive to serve or make available fresh and local fare - Niagara is a good place for just that!

Languages:

English
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