Uxbridge

Named after its English counterpart, the quaint Canadian town of Uxbridge is a suburban gem located in northern Durham Region, just north of Toronto. 

The first settlers in Uxbridge were Quakers from Pennsylvania who made their home in Ontario in the early 1800s, and the oldest building in town is the Uxbridge Friends Meeting House. Nowadays, Uxbridge is better known as the real-life stand-in for the fictional town in the popular television show Schitt’s Creek

There is plenty to do in the Uxbridge area, from exploring the vibrant arts community to enjoying its numerous outdoor recreation opportunities.

To learn more about all there is to see and do in Uxbridge, scroll down or visit the town's tourism website.

Where is Uxbridge?

About 65 km northeast of Toronto, in a picturesque valley along the northern slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine, you’ll find the town of Uxbridge. 

Uxbridge is an easy hour's drive from downtown Toronto. GO Transit also provides bus service to Uxbridge.

Those heading to Uxbridge from further abroad will travel through Toronto Pearson International (YYZ), the country’s largest airport.

Things to Do in Uxbridge

Nicknamed the ‘Trail Capital of Canada,’ Uxbridge features over 220 km of managed trails that wind through forest, wetlands, meadows and historic villages. With various types and difficulties, hikers, cyclists, equestrians, skiers and outdoor enthusiasts will all be able to find the perfect trail. Check the Discover Uxbridge website for a complete listing of trails

Those who prefer more urban exploration can take the self-guided Uxbridge Historical Walking Tour, which features over 35 points of interest to see in just two hours. 

A visit to Uxbridge is not complete without seeing the Thomas Foster Memorial. A visit to the Taj Mahal in India during the 1970s left Thomas Foster in awe and spurred the creation of the marble memorial filled with 22k gold mosaics. There are outdoor concerts on the grounds on Friday evenings in the summer months. 

Anyone curious about history should pay a visit to the Uxbridge Historical Centre. Established in 1972, the Centre aims to preserve, collect and celebrate anything related to the history of the Uxbridge area. The collection includes agricultural equipment, machinery, musical instruments and other artifacts on display throughout ten historic buildings. Tours are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday during the months of June to September.

Discover Uxbridge also offers several self-directed public art tours of the indoor and outdoor installations around town. Check their website to pick the tour that interests you.

Those wanting to do a bit of shopping should walk Brock Street and the surrounding area in downtown Uxbridge. There, you’ll find gift shops like Blue Barn Creative and Presents Presents Presents alongside Blue Heron Books, Preston Gallery, Rutledge Jewellers, candy store Sugar FX and many more one-of-a-kind shops. 

Be sure to hit the slopes while in Uxbridge. The area has several ski resorts, including Dagmar and Lakeridge, where you can take your pick of skiing, snowboarding or snow-tubing.

Uxbridge Neighbourhoods & Districts

The Township of Uxbridge comprises eight smaller communities: Coppin’s Corners, Goodwood, Leaskdale, Sandford, Sandy Hook, Siloam, Udora, and Zephyr. Read on for more information on some  of these charming hamlets.

Coppin’s Corners

A hotspot for golfers, this small area took its name from the Coppins family, who owned houses on three of the four corners at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 21.

Goodwood

This small rural community has exploded with tourists lately thanks to the popularity of the television show Schitt’s Creek, which was filmed in various spots across town.

Leaskdale

North of Uxbridge is Leaskdale, where famous resident Lucy Maude Montgomery wrote Anne of Green Gables.

Udora

Originally known as Snoddon Corners, Udora’s small rural community is characterized by strong Estonian culture, including a language immersion camp that operates during the summer months.

Zephyr

This former logging town northwest of Uxbridge is surrounded by forests full of pine trees and ample farmland.

Things to Should Know About Visiting Uxbridge

Uxbridge is the perfect place for a quick getaway.  

Check out these insider tips when planning your next trip to Uxbridge and the surrounding area: 

Where to go for a drink

All trails lead to the Second Wedge Brewing Co., the perfect spot for a nice cold drink after taking in all of Uxbridge’s natural beauty.

Great place to see fall colours

The Uxbridge Fall Fair takes place every year in September in Elgin Park, the historical site where Sir John A. MacDonald held his first re-election picnic.

Little-known fact

Uxbridge is the northernmost stop on the York Durham Heritage Railway, a 20 km excursion between Uxbridge, Goodwood and Stouffville on vintage railcars from the early 20th century.

Last updated: January 5, 2023

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