St. John's 
Elliston is a small community on Eastern Newfoundland’s Bonavista Peninsula. Also known as the root cellar capital of the world, Elliston is home to over 130 roots cellars, and is one of the first communities in the world to become so largely dependent upon the cellars’ success.
Beyond the cellars is more coastline scenery to explore, as well as the town itself. The Elliston Visitor’s Centre is a great place to start when exploring the area, as they’ll offer guidance on how to best view the restored cellars. While exploring the area, always be on the lookout for the cute-as-ever puffin birds along the coastal rocks or the possible icebergs floating in the sea.
About the Root Cellars
The root cellars are a food preservation method and integral to keeping harvested foods from the region fresh for longer periods of time. This is key as the soils around the area make farming much more difficult. The root cellars are part of the Peninsula’s larger Discovery Geopark which includes natural attractions all along this part of the Bonavista coastline.
They are also a huge part of the area’s history. To view the root cellars, take a drive, walk, or bike ride around Elliston. There are 133 documented root cellars in Elliston to give the community unique scenery among the already beautiful coastal scenery of the Bonavista Peninsula.
Visiting Elliston
Elliston surrounds wide-open Atlantic ocean waters where visitors will also spot Bird Island. The area is well-known for the root cellars, as well as its beautiful coastline and ocean views, the puffin population, and the scenic Sandy Cove Beach.
- Within town are two local dining options- both of which pay homage to Elliston’s claims to fame: The Puffin Café, and Nanny’s Root Cellar Kitchen.
- Along Main Street, and further out toward Maberly, are small craft stores and art shops to browse for creations or supplies.
- Sandy Cove Beach offers picnickers a wonderful view from the sand, the rocks, or the tables of the Elliston Municipal Park. This is a great place for a dip on a hot day, for finding the puffins, or for simply watching the waves and ships.
More Elliston History
The town’s root cellars are pretty cool to take in as you explore the area. And as you do, there will be more odes around Elliston to local history, culture, and heritage.
- Start with the John C. Crosbie Sealers Interpretation Centre. This is the site of the former Memorial School, and the War Cenotaph. The school was originally built as a memorial for WW1, while today, the centre and cenotaph stand to memorialize WW1, 2, and the Korean War.
- Follow this by a visit to the Sealers Statue & Memorial Wall, an outdoor piece standing next to the water.
Where to Stay in Elliston
Between Bonavista and Elliston are several adorable B&Bs, private rentals, cabins, and cottages. These accommodations get you close to the root cellars, and the other attractions around the Discover Global Geopark. Some options also offer waterfront decks and patios, giving you a private space for watching the puffins or icebergs from shore.
- The Bird Island B&B is right in the heart of town while also overlooking the water.
- The Island View Cabins are a short drive outside of the main streets of Elliston while still facing the ocean. Each cabin has its own private deck and chairs for taking in these views.
- The Me Mudder’s B&B offer three different room options on Airbnb and are quite close to the local Puffin Café.
- Several more vacation rentals are available with Airbnb or VRBO in Bonavista.
The Bird Island Puffin Festival
This weekend-long festival in Elliston celebrates the puffins plus so much more. The annual event takes place at the Sandy Cove Beach and Municipal Park every July for family fun all weekend. The Bird Island Puffin Festival includes dinners and barbecues, live entertainment, kid’s games, and bar service/beer gardens.
Planning your trip – Elliston
What: the root cellars of Elliston date back to the 1830s. The cellars, built into the ground, offer a way of preserving food over the area’s harsh winters. These root cellars pop out of the grounds between Elliston and Maberly, and some are incredibly well-preserved. There are estimated to be over 130 around the area, a number which gives Elliston the title of Root Cellar Capital of the World.
Best time to go: May-October
Location and how to get there: Elliston is located approximately 300 km from St. John’s in the southeast of Bonavista on Highway 238. If you come from the south, use Highway 230.
Elliston is located near the stunning Spillars Cove.
Cost: free
For more information:
Elliston: Root Cellar Capital of the World
