Discovering the perfect place to bring a story to life is like stumbling upon a long-lost kindred spirit—it must feel meant to be! Period tales like Anne of Green Gables, Road to Avonlea, and Wind At My Back call for settings that seem to have been gently lifted out of another time. While many of Anne’s most beloved scenes were filmed amidst the rolling red roads and seaside charm of Prince Edward Island, other corners of Canada proved just as magical in capturing her world.
Here are 10 enchanting filming locations where Anne’s story truly came to life...
1) BUTTERNUT FARM
SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO, CANADA
The iconic white and green farmhouse was originally built in the 1850s and was used in all of the Anne of Green Gables films and in the spin-off series Road to Avonlea. It is not actually located in Prince Edward Island but rather in the province of Ontario where much of the original Anne of Green Gables films were also filmed. The farmhouse veranda railing and white picket fence were put up by Sullivan Entertainment during filming and still exist at the farm today. Today, the classic Green Gables house is still a working farm and orchard!
2) WESTFIELD HERITAGE VILLAGE
ROCKTON, ONTARIO, CANADA
The historic Jerseyville Railway Station, now located at Westfield Heritage Village in Rockton, Ontario, played a memorable role in Anne of Green Gables as the Bright River Station, where Anne first arrives at Green Gables. Originally built in 1896 for the Toronto, Hamilton and Buffalo railway line, the station was moved from Jerseyville to Westfield in 1962, becoming the first building relocated to the heritage site. Today, it stands proudly beside a vintage TH&B 103 steam locomotive and remains a beloved landmark. Westfield Heritage Village itself features over 30 historical buildings, many of which appeared in Sullivan Entertainment’s productions. Scenes such as the Hammond Sawmill where Mr. Hammond dies, the orphanage bedroom, and the interior of Lawson’s Store were all filmed here, making this picturesque village a cornerstone of Avonlea’s on-screen charm.
3) PICKERING MUSEUM VILLAGE
GREENWOOD, ONTARIO, CANADA
Pickering Museum Village, located in Greenwood, Ontario, is the largest living history museum in the Durham Region, featuring 19 carefully preserved heritage buildings that bring the spirit of 19th-century pioneer life to vivid reality. This charming village played a significant role in Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables adaptations, offering an authentic backdrop for some of the series’ most memorable moments. The Cole House is where the daring Anne famously walks the ridgepole of a roof to prove her bravery, while the Oddfellows Hall became the Carmody Town Hall, the elegant setting of Anne’s first ball. The village’s Blacksmith Shop doubled as Spurgeon’s Farm, seen in the background during Mr. Phillips’ departure scene. With its white-fenced lanes, rustic workshops, and period gardens, Pickering Museum Village perfectly captures the essence of Avonlea’s timeless charm, allowing visitors to quite literally step into Anne’s world.
4) SEACOW HEAD LIGHTHOUSE
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA
Seacow Head Lighthouse, perched dramatically on the red sandstone cliffs overlooking the Northumberland Strait near Bedeque, Prince Edward Island, is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea. Built in 1864, it stands 18.3 meters (60 feet) tall and remains one of the island’s oldest surviving lighthouses. Its name, Seacow Head, comes from the walruses—once known locally as “sea cows”—that were once plentiful in the surrounding waters. The lighthouse’s striking white tower and red lantern have made it an enduring symbol of Avonlea’s maritime beauty, appearing in countless exterior shots throughout the Road to Avonlea series, often representing the coastline near the King family homestead. The structure was automated in 1959, meaning the lighthouse could operate on its own, without the need for a resident keeper - and the keeper’s dwelling was sold and removed shortly after in 1960, leaving the lighthouse to stand alone as a quiet sentinel above the sea. Today, Seacow Head remains a cherished heritage site and a must-visit location for Anne fans seeking the windswept romance of Prince Edward Island’s storied shores.
5) DALVAY BY THE SEA
DALVAY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA
Dalvay by the Sea, located on the serene north shore of Prince Edward Island, is one of the island’s most enchanting landmarks and famously appeared as the White Sands Hotel in Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel. This grand Queen Anne Revival–style home was built between 1896 and 1899 by American oil magnate Alexander Macdonald as a lavish summer retreat for his family. With its turrets, gables, and sweeping views of Dalvay Beach, the estate perfectly captures the elegance and romance of Anne’s world. Today, Dalvay by the Sea is lovingly preserved and operated by Parks Canada as a charming hotel and fine dining destination within Prince Edward Island National Park, allowing visitors to experience the same timeless beauty that has graced both history and film.
6) SPADINA MUSEUM
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
Spadina Museum, located in the heart of Toronto, Ontario, is a beautifully preserved historic mansion that offers a glimpse into the life of Toronto’s wealthy elite at the turn of the 20th century. Officially opened as a museum in 1984, it is one of ten heritage sites operated by the City of Toronto and was once home to three generations of the Austin family, who lived there from 1866 to 1982. The house showcases a fascinating evolution of architectural and decorative styles—from mid-Victorian opulence to the clean lines and glamour of the 1930s Art Deco period—making it an ideal filming location for Anne of Green Gables. In Kevin Sullivan’s adaptations, both the interior and exterior of Spadina Museum were featured as Beechwood, the elegant Toronto home of Aunt Josephine Barry, Diana Barry's wealthy and spirited Aunt. The mansion’s period furnishings, intricate woodwork, and lush gardens helped bring Aunt Josephine’s world to life, perfectly reflecting her refined yet independent character. Today, Spadina Museum (located right next to Casa Loma) remains open to the public, offering tours and exhibits that explore Toronto’s social history, design, and architecture during one of its most transformative eras.
7) NORTH RUSTICO
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND, CANADA
North Rustico, a picturesque fishing village on the north shore of Prince Edward Island, is one of the island’s most beloved coastal gems and has become inseparable from the charm of Anne of Green Gables. Founded in 1790, the village grew around a natural harbour that opens onto the Gulf of St. Lawrence, its red cliffs and colorful fishing shacks perfectly embodying the maritime beauty so often depicted in Anne’s world. Originally settled by Acadians who sought refuge here after fleeing British capture and deportation during the Seven Years’ War, North Rustico carries traces of its early French heritage even as it evolved through the 19th and 20th centuries into a community shaped largely by English, Scottish, and Irish settlers. This blend of cultures has given the town its unique warmth and resilience. In Kevin Sullivan’s film adaptations, North Rustico and its surrounding landscapes provided the authentic coastal backdrop for scenes set in Avonlea, capturing the heart of Prince Edward Island’s fishing traditions, rolling dunes, and salt-tinged air. Today, it remains a favorite stop for visitors seeking to experience the timeless beauty and quiet nostalgia that inspired generations of Anne’s “kindred spirits."
8) EMMANUEL INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
GORMLEY, ONTARIO, CANADA
Emmanuel International Centre, located in Gormley, Ontario, served as one of the most memorable filming locations in Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables series. Nestled among peaceful woodlands and winding streams, the property’s rustic footbridge became an enduring symbol of Anne’s imagination and courage. It was featured prominently across multiple films—including Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, and Anne of Green Gables: A New Beginning—perhaps most famously in the iconic “Lady of Shalott” scene, where Anne’s fanciful daydream nearly leads to disaster as her boat sinks beneath her. The original wooden bridge, admired for its handcrafted, weathered charm, eventually became unsafe with age and was replaced. However, the new bridge was built as an exact replica, preserving every detail of the beloved structure that fans associate with Anne’s romantic adventures. Today, the site remains a tranquil retreat, its serene landscape still evoking the whimsy and wonder that define Anne’s world.
9) DE LA SALLE COLLEGE "OAKLANDS"
TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA
De La Salle College “Oaklands”, located in Toronto, Ontario, is a stately 19th-century mansion that brought refined elegance to Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel, where it appeared as Maplehurst. Built in 1860 by Senator John Macdonald, the grand residence stands as a remarkable example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, featuring ornate gables, tall arched windows, and intricate woodwork that evoke the grace and grandeur of its era. Today, the mansion forms part of the De La Salle College campus, a co-educational private school operated by the De La Salle Brothers. Its beautifully preserved interiors and period detailing made it a perfect choice for Kevin Sullivan’s productions, not only serving as Maplehurst in The Sequel but also appearing in The Piano Man’s Daughter. With its sweeping staircases, lush gardens, and timeless design, “Oaklands” captures both the romantic sophistication and quiet introspection that define the spirit of Anne’s world.
10) SIMCOE COUNTY MUSEUM
MINESING, ONTARIO, CANADA
Simcoe County Museum, located in Minesing, Ontario, is a charming rural heritage site that served as the backdrop for several memorable moments in Kevin Sullivan’s Anne of Green Gables series. Most notably, it is home to the Avonlea Schoolhouse, where Anne first proved her spirited intellect and unshakable imagination - and we musn't forget the infamous CARROTS! slate scene with Gilbert Blythe. The museum’s grounds were also used for other beloved scenes, including the playful moment when Anne and Diana are pelted with pinecones, and the tense sequence in which Anne trespasses on Mr. Sadler’s farm. Set amid rolling countryside, the museum features a collection of pioneer buildings, log cabins, and farmsteads that vividly recreate rural Ontario life in the 19th century. Alongside these historical structures, the modern exhibition centre offers displays on local heritage, industry, and settlement, blending education with nostalgia. With its rustic beauty and timeless atmosphere, Simcoe County Museum perfectly embodies the simplicity and charm of Avonlea, transporting visitors straight into Anne’s beloved world of red roads, white fences, and schoolyard adventures.
Love learning about our filming locations? Why not visit them!
Read more about filming locations across Canada in “Finding Green Gables, A Comprehensive Guide to all of the Filming Locations,” included in the Anne of Green Gables Blu-ray box set.
See these locations come to life in the video below - and if you want to watch the Anne of Green Gables movies today you can visit Gazebo TV and stream them now!
