There are many of nature’s hidden gems in the city of London, some of which are designated as Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) in both urban and agricultural settings. Beautiful forests, meadows, parks, and conservation areas draw visitors out to experience nature in the area and what the outdoors has to offer.
Weekend Getaways from GTA: Exploring Ontario Provincial Parks
Fanshawe Conservation Area
The Fanshawe Conservation Area offers a bit of everything, including fishing and boating, camping, and 20 kilometres of biking and hiking trails and 3.4 kilometres of hikers-only trails. Details
Location: 1424 Clarke Rd, London
Longwoods Conservation Area
The Longwoods Conservation Area is filled with accessible trails that lead visitors to a wetland boardwalk, through a Carolinian forest and arboretum, or across a meadow. It is additionally home to the Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum. Details
Location: 8348 Longwoods Road, Mount Brydges
Kains Woods
Kains Woods is a beautiful nature spot by the Thames River, steeped in the history of its traditional territory. Here, you will find incredible plant communities, wildlife including songbirds and white-tailed deer, and 5.8 kilometres of hiking trails. Details
Location: Beside 1888 Riverbend Road/1509 Shore Road, London
Kilally Meadows
The Kilally Meadows features riverside woods and swamps, and open meadows with stunning sycamore, poplars, and willow trees along the river, as well as wildflowers in the wooded areas. There are a variety of relaxed trails that total to 10.3 kilometres of trails. Details
Location: 5V3, 17-29 Edgevalley Rd, London
Meadowlily Woods
The Meadowlily Woods is a classic forest destination, with mature woodlands, deep ravines, and agricultural fields. 4.6 kilometres of trails exist in the woods, and people mainly visit the place for wildlife watching and exploration. Details
Location: 65 Meadowlily Rd S #35, London
Medway Valley Heritage Forest
The Medway Valley Heritage Forest has a rich history, where the remains of a mill dam can be seen in the area. It was formerly used by European settlers, and then as farmland. Nowadays, the forest provides habitat and food for lots of wildlife and contains 43 species of fish in the creek. Details
Location: 29 Doncaster Ave, London
Sifton Bog
The Sifton Bog is known and named after the floating acid peat bog and has amazing boreal plant life. The wetland provides a contrast between the northern boreal forest and the southern Carolinian vegetation types. Details
Location: 1210 Oxford St W, London
Warbler Woods
The Warbler Woods is full of well-respected trails for hiking and includes many opportunities to go wildlife watching in this woodland conservation area. Details
Location: 1952-1968 Commissioners Rd W, London
Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills
Perceived as the largest Environmentally Significant Area in London, the Westminster Ponds are located in a major urban centre but contain a variety of habitats. It is a highly important site as a stopover for migrant birds. Details
Location: 696 Wellington Rd, London
The Coves
Springbank Park
Springbank Park is the largest park in London, containing 30 kilometres of trails and is home to the family favorite Storybook Gardens. The Storybook Gardens provides an outdoor entertainment space for a great family outing. Details
Location: 1958 Storybook Lane, London
Credit: vision chen
Gibbons Park
Gibbons Park is a classic park with open fields, trails, tennis courts, a heated outdoor pool, perfect for a stroll, a run, or an afternoon of biking with friends or family. Additionally, be sure to check out the scenery and enjoy the shade under the trees. Details
Location: 2A Grosvenor St, London
Thames Valley Parkway
The Thames Valley Parkway is the city’s multi-use pathway system located on scenic parklands by the Thames River. The pathway is 40 kilometres long, with scenic river crossings and the opportunity to go further and access 150 kilometres of other pathways in London. Details
Location: Thames Valley, London
Thames Park
Thames Park is a friendly grassy park with views of the river, an all-purpose lawn and picnic areas, as well as a playground and basketball court. Details
Location: 15 Ridout St S, London
Ivey Park
Ivey Park is a beautiful green oasis by the river, with mature trees and blooming flowers. This peaceful park has a fountain, great views of the Thames, a dock to observe the ducks and geese, and a path to jog and bike. Details
Location: King St., 1, London
Victoria Park
Victoria Park is one of London’s major centres for community events with a long history. Apart from being the host of festivals like the International Food Festival and Rib-Fest, the park also is ideal for picnicking, jogging, and other recreational activities. Details
Location: 580 Clarence St, London
Harris Park
Harris Park is a city park with a modern amphitheatre for events, fields, and a popular multi-use path. It winds down the river and is a great place for a stroll, a picnic, a game of tennis, or to simply enjoy the outdoors. Details
Location: 530 Ridout St N, London
Jesse Davidson Park
Jesse Davidson Park is a quiet park named in honor of a man who lost his fight to Muscular Dystrophy. This beautiful space is a great community area for some downtime out in nature with paved trails and a small wooded area as well. Details
Location: 4V3, 731 Viscount Rd, London
Komoka Provincial Park
This urban-agricultural park is located by the Thames River, with meadows and mature forests to hike through, view nature, and go mountain biking and horseback riding on designated trails. Details
Location: 503 Gideon Dr, London
Credit: Video Eleven
Euston Park
This tranquil park is a hidden gem in London, with nice trails through nature and a private feel that will make you forget you’re in the city. It was formerly a place for landfill but is now filled with grasslands with thousands of wildflowers, shrubs, and trees planted in the last 15 years. Details
Location: 90 MacKay Ave, London
Dorchester Mill Pond
Close to the Village of Dorchester, the Dorchester Mill Pond is named after the pond surrounded by white oak, pine, and maple, for quiet walks and reflection, art opportunities, and photo opportunities. The flora and fauna are diverse and dense. Details
Location: Mill Pond, Thames Centre, London
Sharon Creek Conservation Area
The Sharon Creek Conservation Area is a 48.5-hectare green space comprised of forest, wetland, tallgrass prairie, and wooded ravines. People enjoy birdwatching, fishing, canoeing, and hiking in the area. Details
Location: 4212 Springer Rd, Delaware
Coldstream Conservation Area
The Coldstream Conservation Area has two trails – one that takes you through a cedar swamp, and the other taking you to an area abundant with birds and spring wildflowers, and a boardwalk takes visitors to the oldest part of the cedar swamp. Details
Location: 327 Quaker Ln, Middlesex Centre
Arthur Ford Park
The Arthur Ford Park is part of the Arthur Ford Outdoor Educational Foundation, a charitable organization. This park contains an arboretum, a hummingbird garden, a butterfly garden, and a hillside amphitheater. Details
Location: 671 Viscount Rd, London
Want to explore your neighbourhood? The CityMap by the City of London is a great tool to find less travelled community paths. You can also make use of the Bike & Walk Map for more options.