As more and more Ontario businesses invest in updates to improve accessibility, fun new trip options are popping up for folks travelling with walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers. If concerns about building access have been keeping you from exploring some of the more rural parts of our province, it’s officially time to look beyond the big city.
Norfolk County, affectionately known as Ontario’s Garden, and Oxford County, which holds the title of Canada’s Dairy Capital, offer incredible tasting and touring options for travellers seeking farm-to-table flavours and small-batch cider, wine, and craft beer. Add in a few of the area’s other accessible activity and accommodation options, and you’ve got a winning equation for a getaway that’s equally enchanting for everyone in your crew, no matter how they roll! Let the following itinerary serve as a starting point for planning your upcoming trip.
Day 1
Fuel up for your busy day of exploring by starting off your adventure with a hot drink and scratch-baked scone at Woodstock’s Whisk & Roll Bakery. The owner, Cheryl, is committed to making every visitor feel welcome, which you’ll notice in accessible design elements, including lowered counters, accessible seating, and a barrier-free entrance.
While your travel team is soaking up the friendly vibe at Whisk & Roll, spend some time perusing the dozens of delicious stops that make up the Oxford County Cheese Trail. This self-guided tour features 30 delicious stops showcasing the County’s cheese and dairy producers and related experiences. Accessibility ratings for all 30 sites are available on the Access Now website. As not all sites along the Trail offer the same degree of accessibility, Access Now is a great tool to help plan your specific stops. Some of the more accessible stops to consider along the trail are listed below.
Golspie Dairy, just outside Woodstock, has been a dairy farm since 1874 but only started making cheese in 2022. Those with mobility restrictions or aids will appreciate the accessible parking and washroom, barrier-free entrance, accessible seating, and lowered counters. Everyone will get a kick out of the fun cheese and milk vending machines and enjoy connecting with the friendly staff.
A cheese trail adventure wouldn’t be complete without some squeaky cheese curds to snack on as you explore, and Red Dragon Dairy is the perfect stop to grab some. “Dragon Eggs,” which are cheese balls that come in a variety of delicious flavours, are another popular choice at this accessible stop that offers an accessible washroom with a barrier-free entrance and sink and lowered counters, and other universal design considerations.
For a Canadian take on delicious Dutch cheese, plan a visit to New Galma Dairy. This friendly and accessible family-run dairy makes traditional Dutch cheese using milk from the family’s cows. Guests with mobility aids will appreciate the dairy’s accessible seating, lowered counters, and spacious public areas.
To learn some of the fascinating history behind Oxford County’s thriving dairy industry and proud agricultural heritage, be sure to spend some time at the area’s friendly and accessible museums and art galleries, including the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum, Norwich and District Museum, Woodstock Museum National Historic Site, Woodstock Art Gallery, and Annandale National Historic Site. Each of these locations offers accessible washrooms, barrier-free entrances, and spacious layouts for easy navigation. If you time your trip right, you can even take part in special workshops and hands-on activities, including learning how to churn butter!
For a fun and nostalgic break from tasting your way through Oxford County, make a stop at Skill Shot Pinball Café in Tillsonburg. This unique, fully accessible arcade and café offers a fantastic collection of pinball machines, arcade games, and board games for visitors of all abilities to enjoy. The space features a barrier-free entrance, accessible seating, and a spacious layout for easy navigation. Whether you're a pinball pro or just looking for a playful way to unwind, Skill Shot Pinball Café is a welcoming spot to add some excitement to your itinerary.
After a busy afternoon of touring, check in at a comfortable area inn to enjoy some downtime before dinner. The Mill Inn and Eatery in Tillsonburg is an interesting and accessible choice. The building was originally a grist mill built in 1878 by the founding family of Tillsonburg – the Tillsons. In addition to accessibility features that include rooms with roll-in showers and knee-clearance sinks, the elegant Elm Hurst Inn offers an excellent spa with a roll-in infrared sauna and a fully accessible nail bar.
Should you wish to stay put for the evening, both of these inns boast excellent restaurants. If you’d like to experience even more of what this part of Ontario has to offer, get a taste of the area’s craft brewery scene by enjoying dinner at Brickhouse Brewpub. Accessible parking, washrooms, a barrier-free entrance, flexible seating, and easy-to-maneuver pathways and patio spaces make the space feel welcoming to all. The pub invites diners to pair a meal with craft beer choices, including 13 taps of Upper Thames Brewing Company beer made onsite and 12 draft beer choices from other craft breweries around Ontario.
Day 2
Build your second day’s touring itinerary around Norfolk County’s hopping craft beverage scene to discover the interesting things that local producers are doing with cider, beer, and wine.
Choose from some of the area’s excellent and accessible choices listed below.
For some sensational sober sipping, head to The Cider Keg near Vittoria. Enter through the easy-access doors to find an extensive selection of ciders made with 100% Canadian fruit and no added sugar or water.
Front Road Cellars at Blueberry Hill Estates in Saint Williams produces both ciders and wines made from local fruit. Cocktail enthusiasts will want to pick up a bottle of the winery’s red or white vermouth or sip one of the creative cocktails shaken up onsite. The property has accessible parking, as well as accessible washrooms on the main floor.
Charlotteville Brewing Company is an excellent stop for those interested in learning what Norfolk County’s passionate producers are doing to protect the planet. In addition to tasting sustainably produced pale ales, porters, pilsners, IPAs, sours, stouts, and more, visitors can enjoy a meal and join in the fun of regularly hosted special events, including book discussions, music nights, and craft workshops. The building’s doors accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and strollers.
Frisky Beaver, in Port Dover, produces a delicious selection of wines to try, as well as a new alcohol-free option, Virgin Beaver Sparkling Cider. This semi-dry sipper is crisp, refreshing and full of fresh peach flavours. Entering the winery is as easy as a wave thanks to its convenient hands-free doors.
If visiting the area between May and early October, consider wrapping up your afternoon in Port Dover with dinner and a show at The Lighthouse Theatre. The century-old theatre has been updated with accessible washrooms and seating, and an elevator, and friendly staff and volunteers are available to support patrons using assistive devices. The theatre’s 2025 season promises big laughs with performances like The New Canadian Curling Club, Norm Foster’s Here On The Flight Path, and more. Those who prefer an earlier night can opt for a matinee performance followed by dinner. Whether you choose to dine before or after your show, The Beach House offers good accessibility, a fantastic Lake Erie view and delicious food.
From Port Dover, make the 15-minute drive to Simcoe and call it a day at an accessible hotel choice, like Travelodge by Wyndham Simcoe, where staff have been trained to support guests with disabilities, or Best Western Little River Inn, which offers an elevator and wheelchair accessibility.
Want more accessible itineraries in Ontario’s Southwest? Check out the following blog posts.
