Pennfield

Explore Pennfield through two historical themes: Christ Church in the village and the history of aviation training.

Local History and Aviation

Christ Church stands in the village of Pennfield, on the west side of Beaver Harbor Road. Its exact location on the road connects the church to the village, while the region’s memorial sites reflect a different historical focus.

RCAF Station Pennfield was one of three training schools established in New Brunswick as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. No. 2 Air Navigation School has its own historical timeframe: it was based at Pennfield Ridge from mid-1941 to May 1942.

RCAF Station Pennfield Ridge used Lockheed Venturas to train four-person crews for Bomber Command. Pennfield Ridge Memorial Park is a former British Commonwealth Air Training Plan base and preserves the connection to the site’s former use.

A local report from May 2025 describes annual “Walking the Ridge” tours at the site of the former Pennfield Ridge Air Station. The same report notes that group tours typically begin at Pennfield Ridge Memorial Park. Check whether suitable dates are available before your trip.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Charlotte County

Beyond Pennfield, the wider destination of Charlotte County offers an expansive coastal region: its coastal communities stretch from St. Stephen and Saint Andrews to the coastal islands along the western shore of the Bay of Fundy. The following places and experiences offer their own reasons to look beyond Pennfield.

At St. Andrews Blockhouse, visitors can explore the barracks and gun battery. Residents built the blockhouse during the War of 1812 to protect the town from American privateers and military forces. At the blockhouse, the water level along the coast and in the harbour rises and falls twice a day; the average tidal range is 7.24 metres.

Kingsbrae Garden in Saint Andrews spans 27 acres and is a horticultural and ornamental garden. It is open daily from mid-May through October; check seasonal access information before your trip. Ministers Island is accessible only at low tide and includes the Van Horne estate. The island also has walking trails and coastal views. Its tide-dependent access makes visiting a different kind of planning experience from a seasonal garden visit.

The Chocolate Museum tells the story of confectionery making in St. Stephen and Ganong’s Canadian confectionery innovations. Visitors can watch Ganong Hand Dippers make chocolates using a method that has remained in use for more than a hundred years. At Fundy Discovery Aquarium, visitors can touch marine animals in large subtidal pools under supervision. At low tide, the aquarium also offers beach access and daily animal feedings. Check current operating details before your visit.

Ganong Nature Park covers 350 acres and offers views of the confluence of the St. Croix River and St. Croix Island. Activities include hiking, cycling and snowshoeing, as well as exploring the intertidal beach zone at low tide. These Charlotte County destinations therefore offer a range of experiences, from historic sites and museums to activities in garden and coastal settings.

Discover more destinations: Fairhaven, Saint James, Caithness, Blacks Harbour, Bocabec, St George, Grand Manan, Saint Andrews

For the wider travel overview: Charlotte County.