Spend a peaceful vacation in a southwestern Ontario town known for its fine cheese making and stunning landscape.
Ingersoll is an attractive riverside town with a cheese making heritage. Enjoy countryside and waterfront walks and learn about the importance of cheese to the area.
Ingersoll was founded in 1793 by Thomas Ingersoll who settled in Ontario following the American Revolution. One of Canada’s first cheese factories was built nearby in 1840, and the town soon gained a reputation as the cheese capital of Oxford County, a tag it retains to this day. Be sure to sample the local produce in Ingersoll’s delis and restaurants.
Don’t miss the Ingersoll Cheese and Agricultural Museum which features a replica 19th-century cheese factory. Hear stories of how cheese put Ingersoll on the map, including one about the creation of a massive wheel of cheese in 1866. Visit the old blacksmith shop and examine early farm implements. These are used for live demonstrations during the summer.
The museum also houses a Sports Hall of Fame. Look at photos, awards and memorabilia from the town's local sporting stars, some of whom are Olympians.
The Thomas Ingersoll Trail makes for an excellent stroll or cycle ride, with a long paved route that will take you by Victoria Park and Smith's Pond and into the downtown area. While you are in this part of town, see the large statue of Major Ingersoll in the lobby of the Town Center building. After your excursion, relax at the Little Peace of Heaven Wellness Center. Enjoy meditation and yoga, swim in the pool and meander through 30 acres (12 hectares) of gardens.
For your evening’s entertainment, have a go at bowling at Ingersoll Lanes or take in a show at the 148-seat Ingersoll Theater of Performing Arts.
Ingersoll is well connected to several major cities. The town is located 97 miles (156 kilometers) southwest of Toronto and is between Woodstock and London. You can easily visit Ingersoll’s historical and scenic attractions on foot or by car.
