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Tourism Oxford
Located in the heart of SouthWestern Ontario, Oxford County is a perfect combination of bustling urban life and tranquil country landscapes. If you enjoy cheese, the tourist renowned Oxford County Cheese Trail and other cheese-inspired attractions will give you plenty to see and do. And if after gorging on some delicious cheese, you feel the need for a hike, there are numerous trails to burn off some calories while enjoying the picturesque views along the Thames River. Here are some of the best winter activities in Woodstock, Ingersoll, Tillsonburg, Blandford Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Norwich, South-West Oxford and Zorra.
- Get a taste for the local flavor in Downtown Woodstock. Many of Woodstock’s businesses are concentrated in this area and there is a variety of shops, restaurants, and cafes to choose from.
- The Woodstock Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday at the Woodstock Fairgrounds. Established in 1854, the market has been open for nearly 10,000 Saturdays; rain or fine from 7 am-12 pm. Take in the European market flair while you sip on your morning coffee and shop for local produce, meats, cheeses, and other delicacies that the local vendors have to offer.
- Soak up nature at the groomed trails at Pittock and Wildwood Conservation Area. The trails are groomed year-round and are ideal for fat biking in the winter.
- There is a lot to do at the Southside Park in Woodstock. The onsite playground and skate park are open year-round; although the skate park closes periodically if it’s too wet or frozen. Along the park’s walking trails you’ll come across a picturesque gazebo, an ornate historic bridge and the original gates from when the park first opened.
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- Built in classic Gothic architectural style, the Old St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Woodstock is protected by Ontario Heritage Trust. The pointed arches and the stained glass Baptistery windows are just some of the features that can be enjoyed from the outside. While inside, the crown molding encircling the sanctuary and the surviving box pews transport parishioners back to the 19thInterestingly enough, during the rebellion of 1837-1838 the church was used as a temporary jail and the onsite cemetery is the final resting place of many first settlers in the area.
- If you enjoy history and are not easily spooked by the spirits of the deceased, you’ll enjoy a visit to the Presbyterian Cemetery in Woodstock. Amongst the tombstones, you’ll come across the “Klondike” Joe Boyle’s gravesite. This Yukon gold miner helped to improve the railway system in Russia, and after the Russian Revolution in 1917, he was responsible for the collection and distribution of food. A spy for Britain and France, Boyle had many adventures in his life and was honored with the highest awards from Russia, France, and Britain.
- Visit the Pittock Conservation Area for a walk along the Thames River Reservoir in Woodstock. While the area is quiet in the winter months, you’ll see many wintering birds as you explore the area trails.
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- Just five minutes from the Pittock Conservation Area you’ll arrive at the L. Dickson Arboretum. Created by a group called “The Men of the Trees” the arboretum honors a former county warden who was dedicated to the preservation of the local woodlot. The 140 labeled native trees and shrubs found here make it an educational experience for an aspiring arborist.
- Located in a historic building, the Woodstock Museum and National Historic Site offer an insight into Oxford County history. The building once served as Counsel Chambers and is surrounded by walking trails. The museum’s exhibits and grounds can be viewed for free, however, donations are welcome.
- Every year tourists flock to the area to discover the Oxford County Cheese Trail. Download the self-guided tour map and enjoy the many delicious cheese samples while learning about the rich dairy heritage of the area. Inspired by the Cheese Trail, the Centennial Park in Ingersoll recently installed a cheese-themed playground. Parents can relax on the park’s cheese slice benches while youngsters climb through the cheese-themed obstacle course nearby.
- Woodstock’s life-size cow monument was erected in 1937 to commemorate “Springbank Snow Countess” a local cow who broke the world record for butterfat production and held it for the next 21 years. During her lifetime the Countess produced an impressive 9,062 pounds of butterfat. The monument is located on the original site of the Springbank farm and taking a photo next to it is a popular tourist tradition.
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- Winter is the time when you get your skates out and head out to enjoy quality time in the fresh air. Open daily during the season is the skating rink at J.L. Scott McLean Outdoor Recreation Pad.
- The 2.5km Thomas Ingersoll Scenic Trail starts at the Cheese Museum and runs through Centennial Park, while the Gazebo at the end of the trail provides walkers with a spot to rest before continuing their walk through downtown Ingersoll. The trail is wheelchair accessible and ideal for fat bikes.
- Enjoy a winter stroll at Smith’s Pond. After the city of Ingersoll took ownership of the pond and of the surrounding area back in the 70s it turned it into a local “beauty spot.” In the summertime, the stocked pond is a perfect family fishing spot and in the winter the trail along the Smith’s Creek is a good spot for a walk or a bike ride accompanied by songs from wintering birds that reside in the trees along the trail.
- Another architectural marvel in Oxford County is the Annandale National Historic Site. The Victorian building was constructed in the early 1880s and occupied by Tillsonburg’s first mayor Edwin Delevan Tillson and his family. This Victorian building was built in accordance with the popular Aesthetic Art Movement, more commonly practiced in larger metropolitan areas at the time, the house cost $30,000 to complete and featured novelties like gaslighting and steam heat. Today you’ll see the building featured in many films set in the late 19th Century.
- If you have a four legged companion, you’ll want to make a pit stop at the Thamesford Off-Leash Dog Park, located at the Grace Patterson Park. It offers plenty of space for the dogs to run around and meet new friends and there is plenty of parking is available onsite.
- The Elm Hurst Inn & Country Spa is a historic landmark, dating back to 1872. Built-in the popular architectural style in the late 19th century, the Gothic Revival style Inn is surrounded by mature trees and features a beautiful fountain out front. The luxury spa and a fine dining restaurant inside are definitely worth a visit, but if you have other plans, the building’s exterior silhouette alone is definitely worth a detour.
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- Victoria Park in Ingersoll is ideal for young families. The park’s playground, walking trails, ample parking and being conveniently located off the highway make it a preferred destination for local parents and visitors with young children.
- Explore Grace Patterson Park located along the picturesque Thames River in the Township of Zorro. The park’s miles of winding trails are frequently used by snowmobilers in the winter months.
- Memorial Park in Embro is a pleasant way to spend an afternoon with your family. The park’s playground equipment is designed for children 18 months to 12 years of age. The monument in the middle of the park honors the soldiers who gave their lives during WWI.
