The Walkerton Community

A refreshing country drive through southwestern Ontario brings you to Walkerton, where nearby nature, an easier way of life, and a wide choice of outdoor and indoor activities reward all your hard work. Your vision in seizing this remarkably affordable, yet upscale, opportunity enriches your family’s life – and gives you the time to enjoy it.

In Walkerton, the necessities are all nearby, but so are the rich experiences and homespun warmth you expect from a real Ontario small town.

Set in the heart of rich Ontario farmland, Walkerton was settled in the mid 1800s by British, Irish, and Scottish immigrants – including Joseph Walker, who arrived from Ireland in 1850. He built saw mills and flour mills, promoted the town as a great place for business, was elected Walkerton’s first mayor – and gave the town its name.

Get acquainted with the area and its history with a self-guided driving or walking heritage tour of Walkerton.

Downtown Walkerton lights up for the holidays. (Walkerton BIA)

Shopping

Walkerton’s agricultural and commercial heritage reveals itself in nearby farmer’s markets and a busy Victorian-era downtown. Shops and boutiques feature clothing, home décor, fitness and sports equipment, and more. You’ll discover a variety of health and wellness products and services, including nearby spas. And you’ll find all the essentials you need right here, including hardware, pharmacies, and pet supplies.

Food and drink

In Walkerton, its easy to satisfy your hunger with a wide choice of restaurants, diners, bakeries, pubs, and fast food. The toughest part is deciding where you’ll go tonight. It’s also a breeze to shop for your own table, with a well-stocked grocery and a local butcher and cheese shop. And a weekend outing brings fresh harvest bounty throughout the seasons. Walkerton is home to maple syrup sugar bush operations, organic farms, a specialty produce retailer, weekly downtown farmer’s markets during the summer – and on any given day, you’re bound to chance upon roadside stands offering summer corn, tomatoes, and other food fresh from the land.

Culture and Entertainment

Visit the carefully restored Victoria Jubilee Hall to enjoy live theatre and music; catch regular Music in the Park concerts at the Heritage Water Gardens; or make a date for the Pickin’ by the Pond Festival in nearby Cargill. And you’re bound to get “hooked” by Walkerton’s unique Fish Art Tour – a yearly event in which local artists bring the town’s metal fish sculptures to life with vibrant colours.

Walkerton Fish Art Tour (Bruce County)

Activities

Speaking of fish, Walkerton has gained a reputation as one of North America’s top fly fishing destinations. Or if angling’s more your thing, you can cast for brown trout, bass, and pike in your favourite nearby feeder stream or spring-fed lake.

The Saugeen River meanders just steps from your home, so grab your canoe, kayak, or inner tube, and head to one of the nearby access points to explore the water. Calm and serene, punctuated now and then with mild rapids, the Saugeen invites all levels of adventurers.

And if you’re looking for wide open water and beaches, you’re less than half an hour from Kincardine and its sunny, sandy shoreline on Lake Huron.

A short summer drive to Kincardine Beach

Back in town, the Saugeen River Rail Trail trailhead is less than half a kilometre from your front door. You’ll discover nearby nature year-round as you trek its five scenic kilometres on foot, by bike, on cross-country skis, or on snowshoes.

And if you prefer your off-road cycling to be a little more challenging, head to the nearby Brant Mountain Bike Tract south of Paisley and discover 20 kilometres of unbeatable singletrack.

Healthcare

Walkerton is home to doctors, audiologists, chiropractors, naturopaths, pharmacies, and the South Bruce Grey Health Centre.

Schools

Your children’s school is nearby – with primary and high school (both public and Catholic) in town.