Shelves full of wheels of cheese at Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese.

Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese | Destination Ontario

Explore the Oxford County Cheese Trail

Shelves full of wheels of cheese at Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese.

Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese | Destination Ontario

Explore the area along the Oxford County Cheese Trail, a self-guided route featuring over thirty places of interest, including factory tours with cheese-makers, cheese-inspired menus at local restaurants, museums devoted to the history of dairy, family-friendly farm attractions and more.

It’s recommended to book tours in advance and pack a cooler with ice packs to store any tasty leftover treats as you eat and drink your way along the trail.

To help you plan the perfect itinerary for your cheese-centric getaway, check out these highlights from New Hamburg to Tillsonburg in Oxford County.

New Hamburg and Bright

Mountainoak Cheese

Adam and Hannie van Bergeijk moved from Holland to Canada in 1996 after honing their cheese-making skills to craft award-winning Gouda.

Stop by and get a behind-the-scenes look at the cheese-making process at Mountainoak, from pumping milk from the barn to the aging room shelf. A “Tour and Tasting” takes place on the last Saturday of every month, with some exceptions. You’ll be able to sample varieties of Gouda, including Black Truffle and Wild Nettle.

Location: 3165 Huron Road, New Hamburg  

Bright Cheese and Butter Co.

Bright Cheese is not only delicious but also a key part of Canada’s cheese-making heritage.

Established over 150 years ago by local farmers who realized they consistently had a surplus of milk, Bright Cheese is the oldest remaining Canadian cheddar cheese factory. It is still located on the same site where the business first started.

Known for naturally aged cheese made with 100% local milk, Bright Cheese produces aged cheddars, specialty flavours, and curds, with a side dish of rich history.

Location: 816503 County Road 22, Bright  

Woodstock

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese

This small cheese plant is big on producing award-winning cheeses. Owners Shep Ysselstein and Colleen Bator have operated the plant for more than a decade, crafting unique cheeses influenced by the techniques and recipes acquired while training in the Swiss Alps and made with quality milk from their nearby family farm.

Book time to tour the facilities and indulge in cheesy selections like Oxford’s Harvest, a mild, creamy cheese modelled after a Swiss cheese called Mutchli, or Handeck cheese, which has won best Farmhouse Cheese in Canada at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.

Location: 445172 Gunn's Hill Road, Woodstock  

Wild Comfort Body Care

Browse handcrafted soaps, moisturizers, deodorants and other skin and hair care products made from natural ingredients, including local goat’s milk.

In addition, the soap and solace experience invites you to craft your custom soap using wet felting and needle felting, making use of leftover scraps.

What better way to take a piece of the region home with you than with a beautifully scented souvenir crafted by your own hands?

Location445300 Gunn's Hill Road, Woodstock  

Golspie Dairy

Golspie Dairy is located on a 5th generation dairy farm, which offers white and chocolate whole milk as well as British-style cheeses.

Visit the retail shop or use the milk and cheese vending machines. Empty bottles are available for purchase if you forget to bring your own bottle.

Location455259 45th Line, Woodstock

Ingersoll and Salford

Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum

Have you heard the story of a 7300-pound wheel of cheese that went on tour to New York City? While it sounds like the start to a cheesy joke, this mammoth wheel of cheese is a part of the captivating cheese-making history of Oxford County.

With more than 20,000 artifacts on display, including original (some still operational) turn-of-the-century equipment, this museum brings the rich farming history of the region to life. Kids are invited to explore the cheese-themed playground located behind the museum in Centennial Park.

Location: 290 Harris Street, Ingersoll  

Elm Hurst Inn & Spa

Just a short drive from the Ingersoll Cheese Museum, the luxury Elm Hurst Inn & Spa is located on the grounds of what used to be the James Harris Cheese Factory, Oxford County’s first cheese production facility, which produced the colossal cheese wheel.

The Oxford County Cheese Trail package features a one-night stay in a deluxe room, complimentary breakfast at the Elm Hurst Mansion restaurant, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine from Burning Kiln Winery, a tasting of decadent chocolates and a cheese and cracker tray from local cheese artisans.

During your stay, treat yourself to a spa experience and recline in a Muskoka chair, enjoying the view of the inn and gardens.

Location: 415 Harris Street, Ingersoll  

Patinas Gifts of Art & Crafts

This shop specializes in pottery, glass and Canadian art pieces, featuring over 100 artisans from across Canada and the world. Browse a beautiful selection of handcrafted serving dishes made by Canadian artisans to showcase a variety of cheese. 

Location: 112 Thames Street South, Ingersoll  

Red Dragon Dairy

Formerly known as Quality Sheep Milk, this farm-turned-artisanal-cheese-plant with a local store is operated by the Morris family, who immigrated to Canada from West Wales.

Stop by to sample signature selections of fine sheep and water buffalo cheeses and yogurts.

Location: 383723 Salford Road RR#1, Salford  

Mount Elgin and Tillsonburg

New Galma Dairy

When the Zeldenrijk family immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, they kept their century-old tradition of making cheese with milk from the family farm.

Visit the farmstead store to sample and purchase varieties of traditional Dutch-style cheese made with fresh milk from their herd, including 2024 Royal Winter Fair finalist cheeses, like the pesto, Italian, nettle and medium-aged.

Location: 284059 Daniel Road, Mount Elgin

Ottercreek Woodworks

You’ll need a charcuterie board to serve all your freshly acquired artisan cheese from the Oxford Cheese Trail.

Discover the most unique and artful charcuterie boards crafted from local, ethically and sustainably sourced hardwoods. For a special activity to do with a group of friends or the perfect gift for the cheese lover in your life, pre-book the Build-Your-Own-Board Experience.

Location: Bell Mill Sideroad, Tillsonburg

Dad’s Ice Cream

McLaughlin sisters, Kim, Kelly and Kristine, fell in love with Shaw’s Ice Cream while serving it at their seasonal shop, Dad’s Ice Cream. In 2001, they purchased Shaw’s and now their products can be found in Ontario scoop shops and national grocers.

Visit Dad’s for a cone, sundae or shake in a variety of flavours. See why locals love Shaw’s, made with 100% Canadian cream.

Location: 6 Vance Drive, Tillsonburg

Whether you’re nibbling award-winning Gouda, wandering through charming farmsteads or crafting your felted soap, every stop along the Oxford County Cheese Trail is a delicious reminder that this region is rich in flavour, history and heart. Grab your cooler, your fellow cheese lovers and experience the love of all things dairy.

Last updated: August 25, 2025

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