Great Fall Drives
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Incredible Elgin County is an experience rich in history filled with museums of many kinds, wineries and unique Agritourism. Stay at a country B&B or charming Inn so you can visit the smallest Jail, see the wind turbines dot the Lake Erie shoreline, and shop for everything from antiques to scented candles. You can experience authentic tea time and visit local folk artists, some of whom may invite you right into their studio, or give you a tour of the landscaped grounds. Take in the breathtaking scenery where fall colour abounds. Travel at your own pace and just enjoy!
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As you travel west from Norfolk County on Highway #3 take time to drop down just off highway 3 to stop at Heritage Line Herbs . Enjoy the shopping opportunity for fresh grown herbs and take a rest while you dine in the Tea Room. Now its back to Highway #3 and on to Aylmer where you can enjoy the beautifully revitalized downtown. Visit the Aylmer Museum, Old Town Hall , Clovermead Bees and Honey and tour with the beekkeeper then stay in a beautiful country setting at Apple Pie B & B (rokebyorchards@porchlight.ca) from $80. You might even have apple pie for breakfast. While in the area you cannot miss a visit to Pinecroft Pottery, Green Frog Tea Room , home to the oldest Canadian owned pottery in Canada and just a short drive from Pinecroft see Shelley McVittie Art Studio . Continuting on Highway #3 you should enjoy a homemade chicken dinner at the New Sarum Diner and stop at Meadow Lane Winery . Take time to stop and taste the wonderful wines made with local grapes and other fruits. Then its off to City of St. Thomas where you may choose to see Jumbo the Elephant and the Elgin Military Museum on Old Talbot Road and the Old St. Thomas Church in the same area. The Elgin County Railway Museum which brings the history of the railway city alive and the Elgin County Museum can round out this full day of adventure in St.Thomas. For evening entertainment try the Elgin Theatre Guild to enjoy a live show then choose from a number of various types of accommodation and stay the night.
As you continue west make a stop at Picard Peanuts in Talbotville to stock up on snacks and then continue west to visit the town of Shedden and the enjoy the shops, then its off to Wallacetown. In Wallacetown visit Yellow Cottage Garden and Gifts for those unique purchases you won’t find at home. For a little added value travel north from Wallacetown into the municipality of Dutton - Dunwich to visit the homestead of John Kenneth Galbraith which is marked by an Inuksuk on Thompson Line. Travelling back to Curry Road continue into Dutton for a rural experience in small town Ontario and then on to County Road 2 towards the municipalities of West Lorne and Rodney where you will find the smallest Jail in Canada – a must see stop.
At Rodney you will begin the return portion of your adventure. Travelling south on Furnival Road you will connect with Highway #3. Then we begin to travel east on Highway # 3 and a stop at Eagle to experience Lakeview Gardens and Greenhouses home of indoor gardens and greenhouses and a perfect spot to stop for lunch. Afterwards, enjoy the greenhouses and boutique. The beach at Port Glasgow is just down the road.
Continue east on the Talbot Trail and south along Currie Road to Lakeview Line and see the Backus-Page House and St. Peter’s Cemetery and the site of the homestead of Colonel Thomas Talbot. The entire area is filled with historical sites which relate the story of Elgin County’s birth.
Back on the Talbot Trail we travel into Fingal then south on County Road 20 and into Port Stanley where you can spend a full day. Here you will find an excellent choice of accomodations. Try the Inn on the Harbour or the Kettle Creek Inn or the Telegraph House B & B Weather permitting, enjoy a round of golf at The Bluffs of Port Stanley Golf Course Don't forget to take a ride on the Port Stanley Terminal Rail for a trip back in time. Hungry? Enjoy a casual meal at Mackie's on the Beach or, if it's not beach weather, try the Roxy Diner. For more formal dining try M.E. and Suzie's , the Kettle Creek Inn, or Telegraph House. An overnight stay in Port Stanley is a definite must!
Follow County Road 24 out of Port Stanley for an opportunity to visit Hawk Cliff (famous for the migration of raptors and birds of prey in the early fall) or continue to Quaker Road (#36) and into the wonderful village of Sparta. Historical stories come to life in this beautiful, quaint artisan village with great folk and antiquities shopping. Quai du Vin Estate Winery , Pfeffer Rhea Farm
and Winter Wheat (a must see) are just minutes away.
Leaving Sparta continue on Quaker Road to John Wise Line. At John Wise Line you can travel west for another opportunity to visit the studio of Shelley McVittie gallery - Cobblestones or go east towards County Road 73 which passes County Road 35 and an opportunity to see the colour at the Springwater Conservation Authority . Back on John Wise Line continue to County Road 73 and travel south towards Port Bruce. Another opportunity for a side trip is only a few kilometers away up HIighway 73 near Copenhagen to visit Rush Creek Winery and the Dairy and Heritage Museum . From Port Bruce you will begin to see the magestic wind turbines which stretch into Port Burwell along County Road 42 (Nova Scotia Line). Port Burwell is home to the Marine Museum and one of the oldest wooden lighthouses in Canada. Take your time and enjoy a perch lunch or dinner. Need another night? Try the Grey Gables B& B. In the morning follow HIghway 42 right into Norfolk County to continue the sights and sounds of a "Great Fall Drive".
