17 researched places across 3 pockets — restaurants, shops, schools and parks.
The plazas at William Jackson and Brock serve the new Duffin Heights community with casual restaurants, cafés and takeout.
Local pick: Quick meals in the new community
The cafés and small eateries of Claremont village — a relaxed country stop for coffee or breakfast in north Pickering's farm belt.
Local pick: A country breakfast in the village
A charming bakery and tea room in the heritage hamlet of Whitevale, on the West Duffins Creek — a quiet stop on a country drive.
Local pick: Tea in the heritage hamlet
The first restaurants and cafés serving the brand-new Seaton community along the Taunton corridor — casual dining for the area's new families.
Local pick: New dining for a new community
Duffin Heights' growing retail centre — grocery, big-box stores, pharmacy and services for the new north-end community.
Local pick: Grocery and big-box near home
Claremont village's general store and small shops — the everyday centre of one of north Pickering's historic farm communities.
Local pick: The country general store
The protected heritage hamlet of Whitevale on the West Duffins Creek — preserved 19th-century homes, a community hall and a scenic country setting.
Local pick: A stroll through the 1800s hamlet
The new retail serving the master-planned Seaton community — grocery, services and cafés for the area's first wave of residents.
Local pick: Brand-new shops in a new town
A Durham Catholic DSB JK–8 elementary serving the new Duffin Heights community in north Pickering.
Local pick: A new community Catholic school
A Durham DSB JK–8 public elementary serving the growing Duffin Heights community.
Local pick: A new Duffin Heights catchment
A Durham DSB JK–8 public elementary serving Claremont and the surrounding rural communities of north Pickering.
Local pick: The country village school
A new Durham DSB JK–8 public elementary built for the fast-growing Seaton community.
Local pick: A brand-new community school
A 12.7 km trail along the West Duffins Creek with historic routes and varied terrain for hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing — the green spine of the Seaton lands.
Local pick: A 12 km hike along West Duffins Creek
Durham's largest living-history museum at Greenwood — restored 19th-century buildings, costumed interpreters and seasonal events on the Duffins Creek.
Local pick: Costumed history in a heritage village
A conservation area on the Duffins Creek near Greenwood — forest and meadow trails, picnic areas and a quiet river valley escape.
Local pick: Trails along Duffins Creek
A conservation area and nature centre near Claremont — woodland trails and outdoor education in north Pickering's countryside.
Local pick: Forest trails and the nature centre
A new community park serving Duffin Heights — playgrounds, sports fields and walking paths for the growing north-end neighbourhood.
Local pick: The new playground and fields