The Root Cellars of Elliston, Newfoundland and Labrador
There is something special underneath the rock formations that dot the landscape of Elliston; root cellars, used for centuries to store supplies of root vegetables by locals. They are nestled in between stone and moss and are literally everywhere. How many are there, you ask? Over 135 of them. So many, in fact, that Elliston is known as the root cellar capital of the world.
NewfoundlandLabrador.com
The Root Cellar Capital of the World - Elliston Newfoundland
Recently we were in Eliston, the root cellar capital of the world. Eliston is located on the Eastern Coast of Newfoundland and has well over 130 root cellars that are still intact. Root cellars were a critical survival strategy employed by Newfoundlanders to get through the winter. While we were there we got to visit a half dozen of them as well as meet some of the locals that still use them.
We will be producing a longer piece on root cellars down the road, stay tunned to see the whole feature.
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In less than 10 years, Rob & Michelle Avis left Calgary’s oil fields and retooled his engineering career to help clients and students design integrated systems for shelter, energy, water, waste and food, all while supporting local economy and regenerating the land. He’s now leading the next wave of permaculture education, teaching career-changing professionals to become eco-entrepreneurs with successful regenerative businesses. Learn more and connect with Rob & Michelle at
Green Team -- Restoration of the Elliston Root Cellars
The Green Team is a program designed by the non-for-profit Conservation Corps of Newfoundland and Labrador to provide training and employment in environmental and cultural heritage restoration to the youth population.
Walk, eat, party - the annual 'Food Hike' in Elliston, Newfoundland & Labrador
Elliston in Newfoundland and Labrador has long been a home to food secrets. In fact 130 root cellars dotted across the coastal landscape literally hide away the small towns vegetable supply, and make for a unique tourist attraction. They were constructed with the most basic of tools, the strongest of backs and lots of good, old fashioned ingenuity - some have been here for 165 years.
Once a year, Elliston's quiet beauty is disturbed in the most wonderful way as it plays host to a one-of-a-kind culinary event. The Roots, Rants and Roars Festival features rising stars from the local and national culinary scene along with some of the provinces finest entertainers. With the spectacular natural setting of Elliston and surrounding area as the backdrop, visitors will have an interactive culinary experience that highlights local culture and connects people to the land and sea.
Perhaps the highlight of the festival is the Food hike. Walkers, armed with nothing but a keen belly, sturdy shoes and a fork gather at noon for the 3 mile loop that winds along the coast from Elliston to Maberly.
Along the way you'll find some of Canada's best Chef's offering their take on some of Newfoundland's best known ingredients paired with fine Canadian wines -- an adventure like no other.
chuck hughes food drink chef cooking cod Elliston hike walking Canada newfoundland newfoundland and labrador
The Memory Store: The root cellar capital of the world...
Don Johnson with Tourism Elliston describes the tourism and introduction of two festivals which developed in the town of Elliston as a result of the abundance of root cellars in the town.
The Memory Store is part of the HFNL’s goal to foster a greater appreciation of historic places, by researching the stories and histories of historic places, and making those stories more accessible to the general public. This research includes short video interview clips with people about heritage buildings as well as background research and photography of the historic places.
The HFNL is working to document the architectural history and the associated narratives of Newfoundland’s historic places, in and around the St. John’s region. This research project will form part of a permanent collection with Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Digital Archives Initiative.
We will be featuring a selection of short stories about historic places in the province, in the form of short oral history interviews conducted with the people who care about those places. If you have a personal memory about a historic place in Newfoundland and Labrador, and want to add your voice to the Memory Store project, let us know at ich@heritagefoundation.ca
Puffins, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 2013
Elliston's two major assets are the Puffin Site and its Root Cellars. Combined, these assets have helped turn Elliston into a tourist destination on Newfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula.
The Puffin Site is just five minutes walk from the main road, across a grassy meadow.
The main colony, of approximately 300 nesting pairs, can be viewed near their borrows some distance away. However, when you are quiet and respectful of their presence, some braver members of the colony come within close range (8 to 10 feet).
Roots, Roots, and Roars: Food Comas and Meat Sweats - #SplitTheRock
I headed to Elliston in September to take part in the Roots, Rants, and Roars festival, featuring big-name Canadian chefs and lots of entertainment.
On Friday night: The Cod Wars, with Newfoundland chefs creating innovative new dishes featuring (you guessed it) cod. On Saturday: a food hike around Elliston's shoreline. Why can't all hikes be this way? Check it out!
Music Accreditation: Score provided by Adam Foran - check out some of his work here:
2015 Elliston Christmas Parade
Elliston’s Annual Christmas Parade was held on Sunday, December 13th after being postponed the previous day.