After living in Middlesex County for 25 years, I’ll admit I had grown a bit complacent. Familiarity had bred routine. What could be all that exciting in my backyard? When headquarters suggested I explore the region with fresh eyes, I didn’t expect the days ahead to be so full of truly interesting discoveries.
Middlesex County is much larger than I realized—3,300 square kilometres of farmland, small towns, and conservation areas wrapping around the City of London to the west, north, and east. With agriculture as its backbone, the county offers many unique opportunities to connect to the land in meaningful ways.
With many families seeking wholesome, farm-raised food and experiential learning, an increasing number of farms offer pick-your-own produce, on-site markets, and hands-on visits.
For our Middlesex County adventure, we zipped through winding backroads and village main streets in a sporty hybrid from Lexus of London. The 2025 Lexus UX 300h is compact yet confident, a stylish crossover offering great visibility, ease in handling, and a surprisingly roomy interior. We found it easy to navigate both rural roads and small-town parking. Its excellent fuel efficiency meant we could cover a huge swath of Middlesex County without constantly watching the gauge.
We spent two relaxing nights at the historic, charming (and perhaps haunted?) Clock Tower Inn is in the heart of Strathroy. Built in 1889 as the Federal Postal Office and Inland Revenue Offices, the majestic building was designed by Thomas Fuller, chief architect for the iconic center block and library of Canada’s federal parliament buildings.
In our luxurious Queen Victoria suite, we felt the bridging of two worlds: stately Victorian elegance meets modern comfort, including a tiled spa shower cleverly constructed inside the century-old walk-in safe.
Agritourism
Texas Longhorn Ranch is a treasure hidden among towering trees by the Sydenham River. Owners Gail and Fred Cahill have created a uniquely restorative experience on the 220-acre property that was once a designated conservation area and later hosted youth camps.
In 2010, the property became an adult-only guest ranch, where visitors can put busy lives on hold and allow nature’s rhythms to take over, earning recognition as Southwestern Ontario’s Innovative Business of the Year in 2019.
The accommodations are six rustic, charming covered wagons that offer the full comforts of glamping. Guests are encouraged to unplug and embrace “ranch time,” relaxing in a cabana by the Texas-sized azure pool, enjoying a BBQ dinner with fellow guests, or sharing stories around a campfire as the sun sets.
We piled into the farm pick-up truck for a ranch tour, down farm laneways and across open fields to see lounging longhorn cattle (their horns can exceed two metres!), horses being roped, and a herd of contented black Angus cattle that are part of Cahill-Shore Livestock Co., owned by Frank and Gail’s son, Coulter.
He believes in “raising cattle the old-fashioned way”—100% grass-fed and raised naturally, without shortcuts—a philosophy that shows in the quiet health and calmness of the animals.
A zippy drive past ripening cornfields brought us to Kustermans Adventure Farm. Since 2010, the Kusterman family has transformed their 100-acre berry farm into a family-friendly destination that combines pick-your-own produce with hands-on activities.
Their September/October Fall Festival offers wagon rides out to a 10-acre pumpkin patch, a corn maze, and corn cannons—seasonal highlights among a growing list of outdoor activities. The wagon ride to pick sunflowers and pumpkins was a perfect way to soak in the harvest spirit. The petting zoo invites children to meet gentle goats and rabbits, while food stalls serve fresh apple cider and warm kettle corn. The market’s shelves overflow with homemade fudge, preserves, local honey, and fall-themed décor—ideal for tasting the season at home.
Just a few country concessions away is the peaceful world of S.A.M.Y’s Alpaca Farm and Fibre Studio. Owners Yvonne and Steve Houle welcomed us with containers of molasses grain—exciting news for Henry, a very friendly jet-black alpaca, who snuggled up for a snack. Over 60 alpacas live on the farm, many of them rescued, along with a few llamas and goats. They are treated with deep respect, and their well-being shapes everything from the pastures to the hands-on tours.
Visitors can walk an alpaca, picnic in a pasture of alpacas, and browse the quaint studio filled with handmade knitted items. A small Airbnb offers a cozy retreat beside the main pasture. Our time with the alpacas was deeply soothing, a quality that members of the herd bring to St. Joe’s palliative care ward visits, offering joy and comfort with their simple presence.
On the other side of London near Dorchester, Apple Land Station has welcomed guests since 1985. In the fall, apple lovers come from as far away as Toronto to pick 14 varieties straight from the trees. A train to the orchards adds to the fun, making it a wonderful family outing.
We spoke with Dan Muzylowski, whose family had the vision to plant the orchards and create an inclusive atmosphere that celebrates togetherness, adventure, and nature’s abundance. As we walked across the extensive activity area, we could almost hear the laughter of children racing through cornfields, bouncing on giant pillows, rolling inside newly built “hamster wheels,” or climbing to the top of a massive sandhill to become the king or queen of the castle.
Inside the station-themed shop, we found Canadian products such as unique preserves, pies, and their famous fresh apple fritters.
Farm Stores
Drawn by stories of creamy gelato and deep agricultural roots, we were eager to meet Janan McNaughton at Proof Line Farm. The McNaughton family has farmed this land since the 1850s, and today the farm embraces regenerative practices that prioritize soil health and carbon sequestration. What began as a roadside stand selling fresh eggs has grown into Middlesex County’s first on-farm dairy, inspired by a life-changing trip to Australia, where Janan and her husband, Steve McNaughton, worked at a micro-dairy and returned with a vision. In December 2023, they opened a creamery and farm market offering fresh non-homogenized milk, pasture-raised beef, and locally sourced products and crafts.
Proof Line Farm has earned a glowing reputation for its gelato, made in-store from the farm’s milk. We sampled strawberry/basil and key lime flavours—creamy, luscious, and unforgettable!
Crunican Orchards, near Elginfield, is celebrating its store’s 75th anniversary this year. With the fifth generation of the Crunican family now involved (orchards were first planted in 1887), upholding tradition is important, but so is innovation and community engagement. You’ll find an impressive variety of apples and Crunican’s Generations hard cider, as well as produce and food products from other local producers and area entrepreneurs.
Although Van Osch Farm has been operating since 1954, the farm store just opened in May, enabling the family to offer their sustainably and ethically raised beef directly to the public. The store is well thought out and easy to navigate. Customers can purchase BBQ pleasers—from burgers to wagyu—or order bundles of beef for the freezer. The store also carries quality products from other local vendors, including beverages, smoker pellets, seasonings, and tasty snacks.
Middlesex Eats and Treats
The Still Bar and Tasting Room opened in 2022, bringing a polished mix of craft spirits and elevated bar bites to Mount Brydges. The space is equal parts refined and relaxed, blending sleek industrial design with warm woods and Edison bulbs, and has a breezy outdoor patio.
We enjoyed NE1 Berry Bramble and Hibiscus Lemonade, gin cocktails crafted in Mt. Brydges—refreshing, fruit-forward, with just a hint of sweetness—followed by a pulled pork quesadilla, loaded with smoky shredded pork, melted cheese, and roasted peppers all tucked into a crisp tortilla. The Still is quickly becoming a favourite for locals and Londoners alike.
What began as a weekend hobby for Emily Sleegers became The Cookie Nook in Dorchester in 2021. Inside the cozy pastel-hued shop, rows of glass jars are filled with fresh cookies, handmade with local butter and quality ingredients. We were impressed by the variety—from chocolate chip to lemon-zest shortbread—and couldn’t resist creating a custom sampler box to enjoy with coffee on the patio picnic tables.
Nearby, Fat Olive is full of warmth, flavour, and family history. Inspired by Dino’s Italian roots, owners Dino and Carla Dassie trained at Goodfella’s Pizza School in Staten Island and opened the bistro in 2023. The menu features traditional Italian comfort food made with local ingredients like Metzger Meats pork and Howe Farms produce, with pasta made fresh in-house.
We enjoyed a crisp house salad, Pesto Bowtie—a tangy, creamy, and zesty dish with pine nuts and fresh mushrooms—and an equally satisfying Chicken Parmesan. This is food that feels both familiar and elevated.
We popped into Art’es Bakery in Strathroy for an early morning pick-me-up and found it humming with regulars. Our coffees were rich and dark, and the decadent natas (Portuguese custard tarts)—reputedly the best in the region—were creamy and flaky. All baked goods are made in-house, and many early risers came in for warm loaves of specialty breads. We loved our perch by the window, watching the busy world pass by while we savoured a feeling of old-world contentedness.
Komoka’s Little Beaver was buzzing with diners when we arrived. A local favourite for more than 40 years, the restaurant serves all-day breakfast, hearty daily specials, and familiar favourites. We enjoyed the three-egg veggie omelet—loaded with peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes—but there is something for everyone.
After fleeing Ukraine with her family in 2022, Alla Shevchuk began selling handmade pierogies from a small shelf in an ice cream shop. Within a year, demand and community support helped her open Alla’s Ukrainian Pierogies & More in downtown Strathroy. We visited the cheerful café and enjoyed tender potato and cheese pierogies, classic cabbage rolls, and a steaming bowl of borscht. Alla serves authentic Ukrainian comfort food, made from scratch with fresh ingredients and no additives, staying true to the recipes she grew up with. It’s food that tells a story—and invites everyone to the table.
Dining at the Clock Tower Inn in Strathroy was a highlight of our trip—a testament to the vision and care of owners Mark and Cathy Graham, who have transformed this historic building into a warm and welcoming “Celebration Destination.” Their dream of owning a restaurant and inn in a vintage space has become a reality, offering both farm-to-table dining and catering for larger events. The inn is an ideal hub for a weekend escape or special occasion, with an atmosphere that blends elegance and comfort. The menu is seasonal and thoughtful, built around locally sourced, ethically and organically raised ingredients, reflecting their belief that “good food makes the world a better place.”
Our memorable meal began with crab cakes that were crispy on the outside and packed with savoury crab and bright,t zesty flavour, and signature duck crepes, filled with smoked duck and caramelized onions, tender and fresh, finished with delicate pea shoots. For mains, the steak, rich and perfectly cooked, rested on a bed of roasted cauliflower risotto with vibrant seasonal vegetables. Across the table, the creamy risotto was the epitome of elevated comfort food: simple, satisfying, and beautifully executed. We ended with a slice of almond rhubarb coffee cake, equal parts decadent and delicate. The meal delighted us from start to finish—not just for its quality, but for the way it redefined small-town dining.
Specialty Shops
Willow & Lace Home in Mount Brydges fulfills Luiza Whelan’s 20-year dream: a boutique dedicated to timeless beauty, craftsmanship, and intentional living. Opened in 2021, the store reflects Luiza’s commitment to curating artisan-made goods that tell a story. Nothing is mass-produced; every item is selected for its authenticity and heritage, including hand-dipped Danish candles made by a family-run maker with a 100-year legacy, Moroccan glassware sourced from the last remaining factory where glass is still crushed by hand, French pottery, and Turkish carpets. The space itself feels spacious, warm, and deeply personal, with Luiza’s calm presence adding to the experience.
Also in Mt. Brydges, Bookmarks the Spot has been a cornerstone of the community since 2006. Owners Kristen and Travis Adams hold a steadfast belief in the power of face-to-face conversations about books; they don’t sell online, preferring the warmth of in-person browsing and discussion.
The shop feels like a well-loved reading nook: wooden shelves stocked with new titles for all ages, local-interest picks, and beloved favourites that get passed along to new readers. We delighted in browsing titles, asking for recommendations, and chatting about recent reads with Kristen, who is keeping reading alive and well in her community.
Delaware is home to Antler River Archery, founded 10 years ago by James Vanos. The fully equipped indoor range, with five 20-yard lanes, offers private lessons, group sessions, or team-building events—all led by knowledgeable instructors and including all necessary gear. Youth classes, family experiences, and birthday parties are also available, making archery accessible and fun for all skill levels. The on-site pro shop provides expert tuning, repairs, and custom gear support, and the store contains a wide and fascinating collection of bows and related equipment.
Family-owned and operated, Hoskin Feed & Country Store in Komoka retains the warm, rustic ambiance of an old-time feed shop, with wide aisles and wooden shelves. Stocked with thoughtfully chosen goods—from a barrel-full of Ontario Mennonite-made corn brooms, premium pet food and toys, to an impressive variety of bird feed and feeders, local honey, maple syrup, farm tools, and seasonal supplies—Hoskin’s is a trusted spot for both everyday needs and country-living specialty items.
Melissa Tiller founded Blue Hens Market (“The Church”) in 2024. Housed in a beautifully repurposed church in Bryanston, this market of emerging vendors is open most weekends from spring through December, with a special Fall Fest that draws visitors from across the region. A rotating selection of over 30 vendors offers vintage décor, shabby chic, handmade goods, and even local preserves. The warm, community atmosphere makes it more than a shopping trip; it’s a social outing where you’re likely to meet the makers and take home something truly one of a kind.
As we turned our trusty Lexus toward home, I felt a quiet gratitude—for the people we met, the meals we shared, and the surprising richness of the places we’d long taken for granted. What began as a familiar route became a rediscovery of Middlesex County’s depth and character. This region is rooted in tradition yet full of fresh ideas, where community and craftsmanship still matter. From farm fields to small-town storefronts, we found stories worth telling and reasons to return. I may have started as a local, but I came back with a new appreciation for the place I call home.
LOIS QUAIL is an avid cyclist and adventurous traveller. She has an appreciation of life’s finer things and simple pleasures, including time with her sons, chickens, and grand pianos.
