Day Trips from London
Just a short drive from London you’ll find historic sites, theatres, provincial parks and some of the best freshwater beaches in the world. Every summer evening, the lights dim and the curtain rises on stages throughout the area. And when the heat of summer has you dreaming about cool breezes and long sandy beaches, both Lake Erie and Lake Huron are within an easy drive.
Stratford
Set in the heart of Southern Ontario, the city of Stratford is a cultural jewel. Step into the excitement of a vibrant city core or stroll through beautiful parks beside a peaceful lake. Victorian architecture, tree-lined streets and outstanding restaurants complement world-class theatre. Unique shops specialize in goods as diverse as antiquarian books, Scottish clothing, gifts, handmade chocolates, Waterford crystal, music and toys, to name just a few. Every year, the Stratford Festival features classics, contemporary dramas and musicals, with special emphasis on the lays of Shakespeare, attracting over 500,000 spectators annually.
Grand Bend
A 400-metre beach of white sand hugging the shores of Lake Huron is a powerful magnet that attracts people of all stripes. Just strolling the beach in bare feet is one of those simple pleasures in life that holds appeal whether you’re two or 82. Adults are drawn to Grand Bend to take in the summer theatre at the Huron Country Playhouse, or to break par 70 at the 18 holes of Oakwood Inn Resort. Auto-racing enthusiasts take in racing at the Grand Bend Motorplex or Grand Bend Speedway. Those 18 and over can also learn to skydive at the Grand Bend Sport Parachuting Centre.
Port Stanley
Just south of St. Thomas and still only 25 minutes from London is the picturesque fishing village of Port Stanley, complete with mooring trawlers, tugs and watercraft of all sizes—including the occasional tall ship. It’s fun to poke in and out of the many boutiques along the route to two main beaches or dine at one of several restaurants or small inns nearby. The town’s large sandy beach attracts families from all over. Cozy bed-and-breakfasts abound, along with the fully restored 1849 vintage Kettle Creek Inn featuring comfortable guest rooms and suites.
Fanshawe Conservation Area
This 3,000 acre conservation area was created when the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) built Fanshawe Dam and Reservoir in 1950-52, to protect the City of London from flooding. Our “outdoor playground,” perched on the edge of London, offers camping (both seasonal and overnight), boating, canoe and kayak rentals, hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, special events, and so much more! Fanshawe is one of three large, multi-use conservation areas in the Upper Thames River watershed, the others being Wildwood CA and Pittock CA.
The Pinery Provincial Park
A breathtakingly beautiful park with 10 km of sand beach on the shores of mighty Lake Huron. Extremely rare and fragile Oak Savanna and Coastal Dune Ecosystems with extraordinary biodiversity – over 800 vascular plants, over 300 bird species. Sunsets here are ranked by National Geographic as among the “Top 10 Best in the World”!
Excellent year-round outdoor recreation in 21 square kilometres of rare forests and rolling dunes. Enjoy 10 walking trails, a 14 km bike trail and 38 kms of groomed ski trails. Rent a canoe, hydro bike, paddleboat or a single or double kayak to explore the Old Ausable Channel – a provincially significant wetland.
Banting House National Historic Site
Banting House National Historic Site of Canada creates public awareness and understanding of the national historic significance of Sir Frederick Banting and preserves the commemorative integrity of Banting House, the birthplace of insulin, for the benefit of the people of Canada. The museum celebrates not only a great Canadian discovery, but the life and career of Sir Frederick Grant Banting (1891-1941). Come celebrate the most important Canadian medical discovery of the twentieth century and experience the life of the man you thought you knew.
Grand Theatre Take in a world class theatre production at the Grand Theatre! The Grand is an excellent example of the Proscenium Arch Theatre and is one of the more traditional forms of theatrical design. It was designed to send music and sound from the stage into the audience.
Museum London
Museum London is Southwestern Ontario’s leading establishment for the collection and presentation of visual art and material culture. Through public and educational programming, special events and exhibitions, Museum London strives to promote the knowledge and enjoyment of regional art, culture and history. At the heart of a great museum is its collection and Museum London is proud to have one of Canada’s most important art collections, and one of the most significant historical artifact collections in Ontario. To book your group visit and/or tour of ten people or more, we require notification two weeks in advance.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Fanshawe Pioneer Village is an early example of the museum type known as a “Pioneer Village,” initially developed in mid-20th century Ontario by Conservation Authorities. It tells the story of rural communities in the former townships of Westminster, London, North Dorchester, Delaware, West Missouri and Lobo in Middlesex County from 1820 to 1920 and the founding and development of the City of London up to 1840.
Brewery Tours
Labatt Brewery
Labatt Brewery Tours run all year round…and MUST be pre-booked by email or by phone. The tour takes about 2 hours to complete and includes a full guided tour of the brewery and sampling. The tour costs $12 per person (cash only) and everyone on the tour MUST wear closed toe, closed heel and flat footwear (running shoes preferred).
Toboggan Brewing Company
The Toboggan Brewing Co. invites you to taste their pioneering beers, enjoy our local food and more importantly have a good time doing it. Massive wooden ramps were built, buckskin moccasins adorned and toboggan blankets put on order for the new craze. The local press coverage jubilantly reported all of the latest on the Toboggan scene; 485 foot long double chute runs, lit by lanterns attended by over 75 tobogganists per night. ‘One of the finest slides in the Dominion’, they would confidently remark.
Forked River Brewing Company
Free brewery tours at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm on Saturdays. We cap tour participants to 10 per group, so please call on the day of to reserve your spots. Please wear closed toed shoes for the tour. Last minute staffing issues may also force us to cancel tours. Send us an email or call for pricing on private tours.
London Brewing Co-operative
The London Brewing Co-operative is a craft brewery located in London’s Old East Village. “We place quality over quantity and believe that great beers start with superior ingredients. That’s why we choose the finest local and organic malts and hops available. Ours is a beer that celebrates the hard work and wisdom of local farmers. It’s a beer that values relationships, cooperation, and community. It’s a beer that recognizes the finite nature of our home planet, and the need to make sustainable choices in everything we do.”
Anderson Craft Ales
Is a family owned and operated brewery proudly brewing out of London, Ontario. “We pride ourselves on crafting small batch, handcrafted, premium beers without compromise that we know you’ll love; from our family to yours.”
Local Restaurants & Coffee Shops
Abruzzi Ristorante
Abruzzi is well-groomed but casual. The simple, striking décor with bare brick walls and lots of mirrors, the innovative lighting, and the friendly ambience are all central to the Abruzzi experience. The service is attentive, polished and knowledgeable. The menu offerings capture the essence of Italian cooking. They are intuitive, often iconic, prepared with locally-sourced and quality ethnic ingredients, executed with skill and an eye to detail.
David’s Bistro
A classic French bistro was opened in 1988 by David Chapman. His traditional bistro, with its small bar, vibrant red walls and checkered tablecloths, is a venerated downtown London culinary anchor. The classic bistro motif perfectly matches the traditional approach to service and attention to detail. The emphasis is on authentic country cuisine with primarily seasonal and high-quality local ingredients.
Covent Garden Market
Established in 1845, we are a 6 day a week Market located right in Downtown London! Offering an abundance of food, services, a local farmers’ market twice weekly and an array of cultural festivals and events!
Black Walnut Cafe
We are authentically independent: every baked good is made on site, every coffee bean is hand roasted; visit one of our two locations, Wortley Village or Richmond Streets.
Thaifoon
The 38-seat restaurant is a tasteful and refined take on the ancient Siamese culture, with a soothing décor. The kitchen’s oeuvre is a consistent showcase of Thailand’s regional flavours of hot, sweet, sour and salty, honouring tradition while embracing modernity. Thaifoon is careful to give you just the level of spicing you want.
The restaurant is popular with vegetarian and gluten-free clients.
Plant Matter Café
Plant Matter Kitchen serves organic, delicious, vegan meals—the kind of food we serve our families! From revamped familiar favourites to global flavours—and everything in between—Plant Matter Kitchen creates whole food meals with no artificial ingredients. No scary additives. Nothing processed. No chemicals. Just good, organic, meals made from healthy and delicious real food.
The Church-Key
The Church Key follows the British tradition of the gastro pub by specializing in traditional food done with a gourmet flair. Chef Michael Anglestad has over 20 years experience in fine dining and uses seasonal, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Owners Peter and Vanessa Willis have nearly 50 years combined experience in the restaurant industry and the opening of The Church Key in May of 2009 was the culmination of a long time dream.