One of the most amazing things about Ontario is how vast it is and Durham Region is a good reflection of that scale. Spanning 980 square miles from Lake Ontario to Lake Simcoe it encompasses 8 towns and cities end to end. Needless to say, exploring all this land in one day is impossible so today we will focus on North Durham.

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North Durham is organized around 4 primary rural routes:

  • A Country Path (Clarington)
  • Backroads of Brock (edge of Lake Simcoe)
  • Leaskdale Loop (Uxbridge)
  • Sideroads of Scugog.

These routes are organized and operated by local businesses and supported by the Durham Tourism Board. As such, every stop has a welcoming, homey feel. Along these routes, you will find animal farms, cideries, breweries, wineries, and other attractions but what brought them all together for me is the rural charm of sustainable agriculture.

Getting around

You can of course drive but the more unique approach to this adventure is a local, family-owned transportation initiative, Town Trolley Tours Durham. The vehicle is a classic, recently renovated San Francisco trolley operated by Michael and Pauline. The duo operate a series of pre-planned tours and routes and offer custom experiences. Pauline is a skilled driver and while she carefully manoeuvres the trolley through the streets of rural Durham Michael shares stories, tells jokes, and plays music trivia with the attendees.

The Sunflower Farm

Separated from the main road by a wide lawn the farm is an endless field of sunflowers reaching for the sun as far as the eye can see. The field is intertwined with walking paths eventually coming into focus as two connected sunflowers if seen from a bird’s eye. Naturally, The Sunflower Farm is a popular location for photos which there are plenty of staged and organic opportunities for. The owner, Ursula Kressibucher, operates a “multigenerational family farm to you and bring you closer to agriculture in Ontario”. The farm hosts a range of events and workshops throughout the summer. Visitors can make their own flower bouquets, shop the market, and meet adorable farm animals, like Feta the baby goat.

Backroads of Brock, 24430 Side Rd. 17, Beaverton, Ontario

Lavender Blu

Lavender Blue is a family-owned, sustainable farm. The primary focus is of course lavender and they have been offering lavender products since 2007. But this gorgeous field of organized lavender plants, loosely shaped wildflowers fields and various resting stops is essentially an art gallery. Owner-operator Ludmila Haynos-Owen (Mila) works tirelessly to create an environment in which nature can feel comfortable. The wildlife is slowly coming to claim its place.

The complete Lavender Blue experience is a 12-stop nature walk through different stops and natural installations, self-guided with an informative booklet. One of the stops on this adventure is the Insect Hotel, taking inspiration from natural elements and shapes this abstract wall is home to spiders, moths, butterflies, caterpillars, and ladybugs. Bees are, of course, full-time residents on the farm. Lavender Blue is also a creative artist studio supporting local artists of all mediums in various ways. Some of these pieces can be purchased at the on-site shop while lavender products can be also found online.

Township of Scugog, 2375 Bank Rd, Seagrave, Ontario

Willowtree Farm

Another family-owned and operated business Willowtree Farm is a sustainable farm and orchard, fresh market, and cafe. “Home to multiple generations of McKay farmers” this is a future-proved, ecologically friendly operation producing food “the way nature intended”. On the property is a playground and an animal enclosure drawing families from across the region. Behind the lineup of attractions are sprawling farm fields and greenhouses. The berry greenhouses contain long, elevated strawberry tables and walls of raspberry and blackberry bushes. Lifting the berries from the ground and controlling their growth in this manner allowed for a longer harvest season, higher berry yield, and makes it easier for berry pickers to work. And yes, all berries are hand-picked. In September Willotree will open their doors for the second strawberry harvest inviting people to pick their own fruit, one of the many events McKay family hosts on the farm.

Township of Scugog, 975 Durham Regional Rd 21, Port Perry, Ontario

Honourable mentions

  • Montgomeryshire Orchard and Nursery. Located side-by-side in Uxbridge this is a young permaculture orchard and nursery growing organic fruit, berries, and vegetables.
  • Forget-Me-Not Alpacas. Alpaca Farm in Beaverton offers tours and experiences raising their animals in a very sustainable and gentle way.
  • Archibald’s Orchard and Winery and Ocala Winery & Orchards for the scenic orchard views and a taste of fruit wine and cider.
  • Tyrone Mills, a traditional water-powered mill (built in 1846) where you can buy fresh flour, grab a donut, or freshly baked oven pizza.

In the gear bag: Fujifilm X-H2S with an XF50mmF2 R WR lens* and Fuji XF 23MM F2 R WR lens* plus DJI Mavic Mini* drone. 

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