Bellville, Ohio, surrounded by rolling green hills, is a historic village where the cemetery is carefully maintained and the downtown area -- defined by its mile-long Main Street -- has thriving shops, restaurants and antiques stores. Trees planted along the street offer shade in the summer, and the bandstand on the Village Green symbolizes traditions and heritage embraced by the residents. You'll find ample opportunity for active pursuits and interesting places to visit in and near Bellville. The small burg is approximately 10 miles south of Mansfield, halfway between Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio.
Play at the Lakes
- Plan a visit to one of three lakes surrounded by forested hills within 15 miles of Bellville, to play in or on the water. Spend the night at one of the 380 campsites at Pleasant Hill Lake Park after a day of water skiing, hiking and swimming. Clear Fork Reservoir, designed to be the major source of water for the city of Mansfield, contains 997 surface acres of water for boating and fishing, 14 miles of shoreline, and an adjacent 1,000 acres of land where you can picnic, hike, hunt and camp. Anglers usually reel in largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill. Charles Mill Lake Park has 1,350 acres of water surface with a swimming beach and 2,000 acres of land with more than 500 campsites and hiking trails.
Hit the Old Rail Trail
- Outdoor-lovers will find ample room to ride in the scenic, rural countryside on the Richland B&O Bike Trail, a paved 18.2-mile bike trail that winds through Mansfield, Lexington, Bellville and Butler. You'll pass farms and woods and will pedal through downtown Bellville, crossing Main Street. You can take a break at the designated stop in town that has restrooms, water fountains, drink machines and picnic tables nearby. In Lexington, a bike shop will help out if necessary, and bike rentals are available during the season. Don't worry about elevation gain; the entire trail is mostly flat with mile markers, benches on occasion and parking areas.
Discover the State Parks
- Two state parks less than 10 miles west of Bellville draw visitors for different reasons. Canoeing, fishing and hunting are the main attractions at Mohican State Park, where the the Clear Fork of the Mohican River flows through the park; it's known throughout the state as a good canoeing river. Anglers will most likely catch smallmouth and largemouth bass, carp, catfish, perch and bluegill. The adjacent 4,525-acre state forest is open to hunters in season with a valid license. Nestled in the hills, Malabar Farm was built in 1939 by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Louis Bromfield, who lived there until his death in 1956; it became a state park in 1976. Tour the Big House, the farm, the gardens and Pugh Cabin, and take time to enjoy hiking trails, hayrides and the horse camp.
Celebrate with Events and Festivals
- One of the big, annual events in Bellville centers around the Bellville Street Fair in September. Come for the truck and tractor pull, carnival rides, exhibits and livestock shows and sales. Meet a friend for coffee and a pastry at the seasonal, weekly Farmers Market on the square in Bellville, or try out the twice-weekly Carrousel District Farmers Market in nearby Mansfield. Try fresh, local produce, baked treats or canned goods and pick up a homemade gift or craft. If you enjoy looking for treasures, mark your calendar for the Flea Market and Antique Show held at the Richland County Fairgrounds the last full weekend of each month, February through November. Celebrate the Annual Ohio Heritage Days Festival in September at Malabar Farm, shopping for crafts and antiques while enjoying food and live music.
