The countryside, however, has an innate beauty that belies the name. Crystal clear lakes mirror the snow-clad peaks of the surrounding mountains. Quaint churches with soaring spires nestle in meadows amidst mature trees. Rolling green valleys stretch out towards the horizon, broken only by a scattering of rural villages and time-untouched towns.

Historic settlements like Kowlton, Frelighsburg and Dunham were largely founded by Loyalists to the British Crown. Year round, lake-side resorts like North Hatley and Magog also portray their English origins, but the lakes themselves were named by the Abenaki people; Massawippi and Memphrémagog.