Oxford County takes its title as Canada’s Dairy Capital so seriously that this picture-perfect collection of rural communities has created its very own Cheese Trail, boasting over 30 different stops! Just a 90-minute drive from Toronto, the Oxford County Cheese Trail, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, showcases cheesemakers, dairies, restaurants, museums, shops, and more. Dive deep into dairy while exploring one of the trail’s five hubs in an afternoon, or spread the cheese over a few decadent days.
Raise A Glass To An Exciting New Craft Beverage Destination
Situated on the same latitudinal plain as Northern California, Ontario’s Blue Coast is home to a rapidly growing wine, beer, and cider scene with a relaxed, laid-back coastal vibe. The growing collection of craft breweries, cideries, and wineries in the Sarnia-Lambton area has inspired its own tasting trail. The Cheers To The Coast Trail helps craft beverage enthusiasts easily navigate their way to 15 different friendly stops. Rather than stuffy tasting bars, you’ll find sipping patios with swings, relaxed tasting rooms where guests are invited to join in fun and games, and warm, welcoming staff who can’t wait to share their passion for their products.
Go Barrel Hopping In The Birthplace of Canadian Whisky
Feeling up for a sweet summer challenge? The Chatham-Kent Ice Cream Trail has 20 different stops for visitors to try, and it only takes stops at five different locations to be in the running for a fabulous prize!
Get An Up-Close and Udderly Ridiculous Taste of Farm Life
Experience what life on a farm is actually like with an immersive experience on a working Oxford County farm that will have you walking with alpacas, feeding playful goats, meeting the cutest Highland cows, discovering how chickens are like dinosaurs, and devouring farm-made goat milk ice cream. The Taste of Farm Life Experience has both adult and family options.
Pick A Perfect Berry Patch Picnic
Whether you fancy a country tea, family snack time or meal, couples escape, decadent dessert course, or berry-themed birthday party, Berrylicious Farms, located just outside of Woodstock, delivers delicious berry patch experiences that you’ll talk about for years to come. Most experiences include the opportunity to fill your own bucket with berries, and the chance to lie back and relax as you sip the farm’s signature elderberry and apple lemonade.
While blueberry picking isn't in season, you can still take part in Marian's Country Tea experience in the blueberry field!
Harvest Your Very Own Farm Brunch Bounty
After hitting the fields to harvest fruits and vegetables, visit the chickens, gather eggs, and explore the farm, Thames River Melons invites its Harvest Brunch guests right into the kitchen to hear a passionate Ontario farm family’s take on where food comes from and the benefits of supporting local producers. As you spend time working with other participants to create a beautiful long table brunch crafted around the season’s freshest finds, you’ll experience firsthand how food inspires connection, and the delicious difference local makes!
Enjoy The Ultimate Front Porch Dinner Party
Dinner parties don’t get any fresher than Cider Keg Farm Market’s Farm Dinner Experience! Groups of six or more guests are invited to first tour the Norfolk County farm market and garden to collect ingredients for the meal with a Red Seal Chef. The Chef then prepares a four-course dinner for guests to enjoy on the front porch. Each course is paired with a local beer or wine.
Make Your Own Goat’s Milk Cheese and Yogurt
Head to the Jireh Hills Family Homestead in Middlesex County for a hands-on lesson that will teach you insider secrets for creating fresh goat’s milk cheese and setting a batch of cultured yogurt. You’ll also watch the cutest herd of goats get hand-milked, and have some time to interact with them as well.
Hunker Down At A Hotel That Thinks With Its Stomach
Port Dover’s beautiful new hotel, The Dover George, is a food-forward destination that’s out to wow its guests with the bounty of Norfolk County. The four-room luxury boutique hotel has a state-of-the-art show kitchen where local chefs regularly host culinary events. Guests can also score secret seats to sold-out immersive farm dinners hosted by Thrive Dinner.
Be VIP House Guests of Two Award-Winning Chefs
Head to Strathroy for a bed and breakfast experience that goes above and beyond. The Chef’s Estate is a luxurious 12,000-square-foot space where guests are invited to expand their culinary horizons through unique dining, entertainment and hospitality experiences carefully curated by Chefs Michael Callaghan and Barbara VanRassel. Choose from bed and breakfast packages, stay and dine packages that include a three-course dinner and breakfast, and weekend packages that include a cooking lesson as well as meals.
Taste the Cultural Fusion of the Global Black Food Experience
London’s Yaya’s Kitchen blends traditional African, Black, and Caribbean culinary arts with contemporary techniques rooted in African heritage to create an ever-changing tasting menu showcasing seasonal ingredients and locally sourced products. Fridays are dedicated to a fully vegan menu. Saturday’s menu explores the Black experience with dishes that offer a culinary connection between past and present.