This town was first called Glover’s in 1863, but in 1886 was renamed Barrett’s Cross for the Miss Barrett who ran an inn and tavern at the crossroads of what today are
Highways 2, 6, 20, and 101. It was renamed Kensington with the coming of the Price Edward Island railway in 1870.
Community Gardens Complex is one of the most beautiful and cleanest arenas on PEI with a seating capacity of 1000 people in the winter and 2000 during the summer months. A strong Minor Hockey system, an enthusiastic Figure Skating Club, Recreational League, Preschool and Adult Skates and a strong Senior C Hockey Club plays out of Community Gardens. Summer activities include Minor Ball and Recreational Ball on the 2 ball fields adjacent to the Arena. Other activities during the summer months include a Dog Show, Auction sales, ice cream social, fiddling and step dancing jamobree, and the Harvest Festival,our main summer event run mainly by community volunteers.
A walk around the town is really quite pleasant and if you park at our historic train station, the visitor information center staff can point you in the right direction and give you all the tips. The local Veterans’ Museum was built by Legion members and graphically catalogues the sacrifices made by our local boys in the two world wars. Across the street from the museum, Kensington Water Gardens provides a pleasant outdoor atmosphere of flower gardens, walkways and water features to sooth and relax you. Displays inside the Towers reflect much of the Island’s English heritage.
Kensington Attractions
Here are some of the attractions in and around Kensington:
Burlington Adrenaline Park
1077 Rte 234,Burlington, PE, C0B 1M0
902-836-3098
PEI’s only kart racing club, and the largest kart racing track in the Maritimes, has go kart racing every other weekend, regional karting events once every month. ASN Canada FIA inspected and governed. A day of fun featuring the Island’s largest half-mile track with the fastest karts. Three sizes of karts. Single-driver formula karts, doubles for adult and child. Bumper-boats, bumper-cars, trampolines, batting cages, shooting gallery, roller-coaster, mini golf. Challenging 18-hole mini golf. Some ride restrictions apply. Canteen services. Open June 1-Sept 6. Admission fee.
Kensington Flea Market and Craft Sale
21 School Street, Kensington, PE, C0B 1M0
(902) 836-3547
Country Oven Restaurant and Dunkin Donuts on premises. Gussie’s Lounge holds auctions and bingo Open Year Round, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Craft Sale: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flea Market: Sat. 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Kensington Station
Summerside Rd (Route 2), Kensington
The 1871 construction of the 147 mile long Prince Edward Island Railway connected Georgetown and Alberton. The high cost of building the line added substantially to the public debt and helped to persuade the colony to enter Confederation in 1873. The town of Kensington was among the numerous communities benefiting, and its original frame structure was replaced by this distinctive 1904 stone station, designed by the Island architect, Charles Chappell. This station is now a National Historic Monument.
Kensington Tower & Water Gardens
P.O. Box 685, Kensington, PE, C0B 1M0
(Summerside Rd, opposite the Royal Canadian Legion)
902-836-4356
Family-oriented indoor/outdoor attraction offers a light & sound display portraying the life of Lucy Maud Montgomery, based on European Son et Lumiere exhibits. Also, great reproductions of large-scale structures such as the Eiffel Tower and Mad King Ludwig’s Neushwanstein Castle., King Arthur’s Camelot. Also see The Rambles, a walk through time into the medieval streets of London, all inside a Tudor-style building. One acre of beautifully landscaped Water Gardens featuring waterfalls, fountains, streams, pools and many breathtaking flowerbeds. A children’s area has an aerial tree walk with slides and a small play area.
Kensington Veterans Memorial Military Museum
86 Victoria St W, Kensington, PE C0B 1M0
(Route 2 on Summerside Rd, next to Kensington Royal Canadian Legion)
(902) 836-3600
Opened in 1985. Collection of Canadian and other military memorabilia, mostly from World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.
Woodleigh Replicas & Gardens
27 School St, Kensington, PE C0B 1M0
(take Rte 101 from Kensington, or follow signs from New London)
(902) 836-3401; fax (902) 836-3620
For 50 years the gorgeous grounds have featured 30 large-scale replicas of glorious castles and legendary buildings painstakingly hand-built over a lifetime by a famous Islander, extensive English Gardens, sparkling fountains, food service, picnic area, unique gift shop and playground. Amazingly, some replicas are large enough to enter and furnished with priceless antiques and artifacts. The castles spring to life during our popular Medieval Faire which runs daily 11 am-5 pm from July 15 to Aug 25. A memorable experience for all ages. Open June 1-Sept 29, daily. June and Sept, 9 am-5 pm; July and Aug, 9 am-7 pm. Gates close one hour prior to grounds closing. Admission, preschoolers free.
