Every avenue of our beautiful city has its own narrative to share. The streets are lined with trees, tales and treats from shopkeepers and restaurateurs.
Spend a day exploring one of London, Ontario’s neighbourhoods, Wortley Village! With its historic properties, gourmet restaurants and exclusive retailers, you’ll leave wanting to tell everyone your own story. Be sure to include Tourism London in the conversation by tagging your pictures with #ExploreLdnOnt!
What To Bring:
• Reusable Mug
• Reusable Shopping Bags
• Comfortable Shoes (for walking and dancing!)
Start Your Day: locomotive espresso south
Since 2014, Locomotive Espresso has been a perfect spot for espresso-based drinks, fresh food fare and baked goods galore, with ingredients sourced from local vendors to ensue high quality and community support. The professionally trained baristas have a passion for coffee that requires measured chemistry over a simple push button for brewing.
Sit back and relax on the patio as you soak in the Instagram-worthy ambience and get ready for a day of exploring Wortley Village!
Morning: Westland Gallery
Take in the vibrant arts and culture scene fostered in Wortley Village. Co-owned by Al & Karen Stewart, the Westland Gallery showcases both emerging and established artists with a rigorous group and solo exhibition schedule, which changes every three weeks. See why the Westland Gallery has earned a reputation as a haven for the cultural diversity that exists in London!
Lunch: Plant Matter Kitchen
Plant Matter Kitchen is the Forest City’s only vegan eatery of its kind. They pride themselves on being one hundred percent plant-based, vegan, organic, ethical, delicious and London local. The majority of their plant-based ingredients are sourced from local farmers and producers, including Marshall's Pasta, Patrick's Beans, and Green Goddess Guelph vegan “cheese.” They also offer beverages on tap from local breweries, including beer from Anderson Craft Ales and kombucha from Booch Organic Kombucha. Try their Creamy Mac & Cheese for a vegan take on the classic dish!
Afternoon
Once you’ve finished lunch, it’s time to go exploring! Walking through the Village and Old South Neighbourhood, you’ll come across impressive parks, cultural events (date dependent), retail shops and historic buildings and homes. According to NeighbourGood London, the majority of houses in the area “date back to the turn of the 20th century.” These buildings are often marked with city-certified Heritage Designation Plaques, Heritage Sites Committee Plaques or Original Home Owners Plaques, all of which designate properties of historic significance. One such heritage building in Wortley Village is the London Normal School, once a teacher’s college, located at 165 Elmwood Ave.
Alongside the Normal School is “The Green,” a spacious park in the heart of the Village. A number of well-attended community events take place here, including Gathering on the Green, Indigenous Solidarity Day and the Wortley Village Jazz & Blues Festival.
In addition to relaxing green spaces and fascinating architecture, Wortley Village is home to many unique, local shops. Boutiques such as Impressions of Wortley Village (148 Wortley Rd.) and Curiosities (174 1/2 Wortley Rd.) will have you decked out in the latest women’s fashions, and are great venues to pick up one-of-a-kind mementos of your day in Old South. Other notable retailers in the area include The Village Idiot, Karpos Dry Nuts and Fruits, A Village Tail and many more!
Dinner: Wolfe pack company bar
Wolfe Pack Company Bar offers a posh menu in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. The ever-changing food and drink menu will give you a new taste and experience with each visit! While the curated selection of food options is amazing in it's own right, it’s the drink menu that often steals the show. The choices of ten rotating beers on tap, international wine selections and inventive Company Bar cocktails elevate any dining experience!
Evening: Wortley Roadhouse
For twenty-six years, the Wortley Roadhouse has been known by locals for its energetic nightlife. Featuring live entertainment and music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as their popular Sunday matinees (October to May), the Wortley Roadhouse is a guaranteed good time! Come prepared to shake it on the dance floor, or tune in to one of their many HD screens for the big game.
Stay the Night: Idlewyld Inn & Spa
Although the Idlewyld Inn & Spa isn’t located in Wortley Village proper, after only a short walk or drive a couple blocks east, you can rest your head after an exciting day. Originally built in 1878 as the personal home for London’s then mayor, Charles Hyman, the Idlewyld boasts unique furnishings with many original details throughout. Now London's only historic boutique hotel, their 21 individually renovated and designed rooms mix the services needed for the modern traveler with the elegance of a bygone era. Amenities include complimentary breakfast, high speed internet access, free parking and more.
