Uxbridge Neighbourhood Guide: Historic Charm

Uxbridge is a picturesque township, situated 65 kilometres northeast of Toronto in a scenic valley nestled along the northern slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Although the main town in this community is Uxbridge, other notable communities in the township include Coppin’s Corners, Altona, Goodwood, Glasgow, Roseville, and Quaker Village, among others.

With its beautiful landscape, unique shops and restaurants, and a thriving arts scene, Uxbridge is well worth the 45 minute drive from Toronto to experience historic nostalgia and first-rate, small-town shopping and dining.

The first settlers in Uxbridge were the Quakers, who arrived here in 1806 from Pennsylvania. Many of the historic buildings from this era are still visible, including the Uxbridge Friends Meeting House, which was built in 1820 and sits atop Quaker Hill, a kilometre to the west of Uxbridge. Uxbridge itself is named after Uxbridge, England. However, its twin city is Catawissa in Pennsylvania, where many of the original settlers originated from.

Uxbridge offers a range of housing options from luxurious estates worth $3 million situated on acres of rolling countryside to historic farm homes to newer detached, semi-detached, and townhomes situated in the town. Depending on your lifestyle, you can choose a newer home with modern features or raise a family in a traditional farm home with the advantage of having a private green space for lots of room to roam.

The Uxbridge Fall Fair is a 150-year-old tradition in this community and is held at Elgin Park. The fair is a lively event, offering spectators a variety of shows to take in, including a horse show, cattle show, and a car show. There are horticultural displays of colourful flowers and exceptional field crops, along with awards for photography, artwork, and culinary art creations. The Uxbridge Fall Fair is a historic community event that brings the community together and intrigues visitors with unique and memorable contests and entertainment.

Residents of the Town of Uxbridge proper can enjoy the convenience of a centrally located shopping mall. The plaza on Douglas Road is located in the heart of the shopping district. Join friends for a coffee at Starbucks or choose from a range of dining options, including well-known eateries like Wendy’s, Pizza Hut, and Popeye’s. Or enjoy pub food on a night out with friends at One-Eyed Jack. This plaza is a local hub for locals running the day’s errands or gathering for a casual pub meal.

Although Uxbridge has been designated the Trail Capital of Canada, hiking trails aren’t the only type of trails you’ll find in this community. Uxbridge offers food and beverage connoisseurs a chance to tour some of the region’s top culinary establishments; sightseers can choose to explore cider houses and breweries on the Beer and Cider Trail, explore farm-fresh foods on the Farm Trail, or locally prepared foods on the Culinary Trail.

Explore the area’s finest restaurants on the Culinary Trail guided tour, where you’ll make stops in Uxbridge and nearby Goodwood (where the popular show Schitt’s Creek is filmed) and explore such eateries as Jurgen’s Deli, Colonel McGrady’s Pub and Grill,

Urban Pantry Restaurant, and The Bridge Social Inc. 

The Urban Pantry Restaurant is a quaint nook situated in Uxbridge on Toronto Street North. This eatery serves up succulent farm-to-table dishes, and all of their food is sourced from local farms. You’d be hard-pressed to find fresher food in the region. 

The Bridge Social lives up to its name with a charismatic and cozy setting, offering up organic coffee and tea and also selling unique. Try an organic smoothie or pick up a local artisan piece to remember your time in this historic village.

Trails and greenspace abound in this region, and some of the local parks you might explore include Elgin Park, the site of the Uxbridge Fall Fair, Veteran Memorial Park, and Testa Park, all situated in the picturesque town of Uxbridge.

If you enjoy hiking, walking, or even trail running, you’ll feel right at home in Uxbridge, which has been named the Trail Capital of Canada. With over 300 kilometres of trail networks, you’ll find plenty of places to explore, including forests, streams, wetlands and meadows, along with historic villages along the way.

The two major trails in this region are the Oak Ridges Moraine Trail and the Trans-Canada Trail. Numerous other small offshoots of the trails can be found, where you can horseback ride, cross-country ski, cycle, or just take a leisurely stroll on the easier trails with family.

With a variety of difficulty levels and landscapes, you’re sure to find a trail to your liking!

The Township of Uxbridge is 64 kilometres northeast of Toronto, which can be reached in 45 minutes to an hour.

The Township of Uxbridge has a varied collection of historic hamlets scattered among scenic countryside, offering unique shopping and dining experiences and an abundance of recreational trails for outdoor enthusiasts.

Just under an hour’s drive from Toronto, Uxbridge is a historic gem with many fascinating historic sites and shopping and dining venues to explore nestled along the scenic shores of the Oak Ridges Moraine.