Visiting London

About London

London is located just off of Highway 401, the world's busiest highway, that connects the city to Toronto and Detroit and Highway 402 to Sarnia, also, Highway 403, which diverges from the 401 at nearby Woodstock, Ontario, provides ready access to Brantford, Hamilton, the Golden Horseshoe area, and the Niagara Peninsula.

Attractions

Banting House National Historic Site of Canada

442 Adelaide Street North, London, ON N6B 3H8
TELEPHONE: 519.673.1752
EMAIL: banting@diabetes.ca
Banting House National Historic Site of Canada celebrates not only a great Canadian discovery, but the life and career of Sir Frederick Grant Banting (1891-1941). Come celebrate the most important medical discovery of the twentieth century and experience the life of the man you thought you knew. Permanent exhibitions include: London - the birthplace of insulin, Banting as the co-discoverer of insulin, artist and war hero, the Royal Visit and the Flame of Hope.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

http://www.diabetes.ca

East Park Golf And Water Park

1275 Hamilton Road, London, ON N5W 1B1
TELEPHONE: 519.451.2950
EMAIL: info@eastparkgolf.com

East Park is a unique multi-faceted facility centered around an 18 hole executive golf course and water park with picturesque picnic areas. The park combines various activities including go karts, batting cages driving range, mini golf, indoor rock climbing, bumper cars, a jungle gym and arcade games. There is no entrance fee and parking is always free. East Park prides itself on having something for everyone and its goal is that people of all ages can play side by side.
There are many programs and packages to choose at East Park from ranging from golf tournaments, organizational picnics, team building programs, corporate challenge events. The park also hosts school groups, corporate groups, youth and community groups as well as family events. East Park has two sister golf courses and offers unique golf memberships that include privileges at all three golf courses as well as East Park activities all at a low fee. Season's Passes, kids’ summer camps and special event days are also available.
Come to East Park where "We Cause Play!"
Hours of Operation:
Summer Hours Daily: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. varies by activity

http://www.eastparkgolf.com

Eldon House 175 Celebration

September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010
481 Ridout St. N., London, ON N6A 5H4
TELEPHONE: 519.661.0333

Eldon House is 175 years old! Share in the celebrations all year long! Eldon House was built for John and Amelia Harris in 1834, who moved into it with their eight children. Set on a piece of high ground overlooking the forks of the Thames, near the District courthouse, which still stands today, this home has been open to public visitors since the 1960s, when it was gifted to the city as a museum. Londoners can be proud of this important piece of architecture and its upkeep, making this home one of the premier heritage properties in Ontario.
From September 2009 to August 2010, plans are underway to celebrate this special year.

http://www.eldonhouse.ca

Fanshawe Pioneer Village

2609 Fanshawe Park Road East, London, ON N5X 4A1
Please enter through Fanshawe Conservation Area Gates

TELEPHONE: 519.457.1296
EMAIL: info@fanshawepioneervillage.ca

Fanshawe Pioneer Village is the reconstruction of a settlement showing what life was like here in London and area before the coming of the railroad. It is located on the shore of Fanshawe Lake, and its buildings include a Presbyterian church, grocery store, smithy, fire brigade storeroom and an assembly room recalling the influence in Ontario of the Orange Order founded in Ireland at the end of the 18th century.

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

http://www.fanshawepioneervillage.ca

London Museum of Archaeology

1600 Attawandaron Road, London, ON N6G 3M6

TELEPHONE: 519.473.1360

The museum is located near a prehistoric Indian burial ground. It has 40,000 exhibits and tells the story of the 11,000 years of Indian settlement in Ontario. The museum is unique in that it deals specifically with southwestern Ontario.

Hours of Operation:
May 1st to August 31st Monday to Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

http://www.uwo.ca/museum

London Regional Children's Museum

21 Wharncliffe Road South, London, ON N6J 4G5
TELEPHONE : 519.434.5726
EMAIL: information@londonchildrensmuseum.ca
The London Regional Children’s Museum is a special place for children and their grown-ups to play and learn together. Come and visit us for a special program, field trip, workshop, day camp, birthday party – or just for fun! It’s filled with hands-on, interactive exhibits that encourage children from infancy to twelve to explore and discover science, arts, heritage and more.
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Mondays (Victoria Day - Labour Day): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

http://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/

OLG Slots at Western Fair Raceway

900 King Street, (Mail: PO Box 7550, N5Y 5P8), London, ON N5W 2X6

On the fairgrounds of the historical Western Fair, OLG Slots at Western Fair Raceway has excitement for everyone! With over 750 slot machines, the Raceway is truly a winner's wonderland set in a World's Fair theme. There are 1¢ to $5 slot machines, such as Wheel Of Fortune, Jackpot Party and Blazing 7s.
OLG Slots at Western Fair Raceway's eateries offer savoury fare in abundance. Standardbred races draw enthusiastic crowds all winter long as does off-track betting throughout the year In September, we offer the added attraction of London's lively Western Fall Fair, a tradition that has continued for over 100 years. No matter when you come, it's always a great day to visit OLG Slots at Western Fair Raceway!

http://www.olg.ca

Royal Canadian Regiment Museum (The

Wolseley Hall, Area Support Unit London, 750 Elizabeth Street, London, ON N5Y 4T7
TELEPHONE: 519.660.5102
EMAIL: Breede.C@forces.gc.ca

The RCR Museum is located in beautiful London, Ontario, near the intersection of Oxford Street and Adelaide Street. The Museum occupies the west wing of historic Wolseley Hall, the first building built by a Canadian government especially for the new standing Army in the late 19th century.
Walk through the timeline galleries, following the path of Canadian history since 1883 as you learn about The Royal Canadian Regiment in service to Canada. View the silver Regimental Memorials, honouring the Regiment's actions in conflicts in Canada and abroad. See medals awarded to soldiers of the Regiment, and a variety of weapons and equipment used by Canadian soldiers for over a century. Discover one of London's best-kept secrets and explore one of Canada's finest regimental museums!
Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Storybook Gardens

1958 Storybook Lane, London, ON N6K 4Y6
TELEPHONE: 519.661.5770
EMAIL: storybook@london.ca

Storybook Gardens is a unique family-centered park owned and operated by the City of London. Built in 1958, Storybook Gardens is 20 acres located in the middle of beautiful Springbank Park. A cherished favourite family destination for over 50 years, Storybook is an enchanted storybook environment for young children, themed around storybooks, fairy tales, and nursery rhymes.
During the spring and summer season, the park features include a variety of animals including a variety of farm animals as well as seals, otters, and lynx; several large themed play structures; an interactive spray pad; a large sand and water play area; three family-friendly amusement rides (a carousel, ferris wheel, and miniature train); as well as daily entertainment including zookeeper talks, puppet shows, stage presentations, storytellers, music, and more. Costumed characters and mascots roam the park to delight park visitors. On-site concessions are available.
In the winter, all of the animals remain on exhibit, and the park features a beautiful outdoor 250 metre skating trail, that winds its way through the trees in the front half of the park.
Hours of Operation:
Daily (summer):10:00am to 6:00pm
Hours, admission rates, and dates of operation vary by season.

http://london.ca/storybook

Shopping

Covent Garden Market

130 King Street, (corner of King and Talbot), London, ON N6A 1C5

info@coventmarket.com
WEBSITE: Discover what's fresh for you at Covent Garden Market! Formally established in 1845, Covent Garden Market is one of London, Ontario's most treasured cultural landmarks. In years past, farmers and shoppers mingled on sawdust covered floors where everything and anything was sold: meat, wild raspberries - even fire wood! Today, the Market continues to be a centre of rural and urban exchange where wholesome, farm-fresh quality can be found each day of the week - from the city's best selection of organic foods, award-winning meats, ethnic foods, and the largest assortment of cheese in Southwestern Ontario to tempting sweets, beautiful flowers, and elegant restaurants.

Visit the twice-weekly seasonal outdoor farmers' market and find the fresh produce, meats, baking, and other products produced right here in Southwestern Ontario. Meet real farmers. Learn about the foods you eat.

Arts and culture are the focus of the Market's mezzanine where a number of London's cultural organizations and artists are located – there’s even an art school and a theatre!

Public spaces both indoors and out as well as the seasonal Rotary Rink makes the Market a centre for both community activity and special events. From Market Hall, the Labatt Lounge, and The London Free Press Market Kitchen on the mezzanine to Market Square at the west end of the property, there are spaces suitable for a variety of public and private functions. To find out more about facility rental opportunities, contact the Market at 519.439.3921.

Hours of Operation:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Outdoor Farmers’ Market: Thursday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. May to November

http://www.coventmarket.com

Masonville Place

1680 Richmond Street North - PO Box 23
London, Ontario, N6G 3Y9

TELEPHONE: 519.667.4884
Masonville Place was constructed by the Cadillac Fairview Corporation in 1985. The shopping centre was constructed in the north end of the city which, at that time, was mainly agricultural land.
The centre was the first multilevel shopping centre in London, Ontario. It would continue to strive and achieve many first to market initiatives for years to come.
In 1991, the shopping centre expanded to include over 70 new stores and services. This included a miniature golf course in middle of the centre. At that time, it was anchored by three large retailers; Sears, Eaton's and Loblaws. Three years later, Zellers was added to the mix as one of the major anchor retailers.
A major redevelopment in 1998 to 1999 created a whole new Masonville Place. Loblaws closed its doors and was replaced by the city's first Famous Players Silver City. Eaton's closed and was replaced by The Bay. The food court went under major renovation and the miniature golf course was removed from the common area.
Cadillac Fairview had anticipated large urban growth towards the North end of the city as the building was planned and developed. Twenty-four years later, residential growth has approached the doors of Masonville and grown beyond.
Today, Masonville Place is home to over 190 stores and services including some first to market retailers such as Aritzia, Lululemon Athletica, MAC Cosmetics, Nike, Nine West, Build-A-Bear Workshop and Banana Republic.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Westmount Mall

Westmount Shopping Centre
Retail Store
785 Wonderland Road South
London, Ontario N6K 1M6
TELEPHONE: 519.641.0976

We are located just south of the intersection of Wonderland Road and Viscount Road, just minutes from Highway 402. Westmount Shopping Centre is a two-level shopping centre with 130 storefronts including Sears, Zellers, Cineplex Odeon and Metro grocery store and services available for all your shopping needs. TD Canada Trust is also located on the property at the corner of Viscount and Wonderland Roads.
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

http://www.westmountshoppingcentre.com/index.html

White Oaks Mall

1105 Wellington Road South, London, ON N6E 1V4
TELEPHONE: 519.681.0434
EMAIL: bcostello@redcliffrealty.com

White Oaks Mall is a regional shopping centre located in south London, Conveniently located on Wellington Road just north of highway 401. White Oaks Mall is anchored by Wal-Mart and The Bay and supported Sport Chek, H&M, Urban Behavior and Jacob. White Oaks Mall has a diverse selection of over 175 national and regional retailers with some independent stores. Exclusive tenants to London, Ontario and White Oaks Mall are Aeropostale, H&M, Aerie, Bath & Bodyworks, Applebee's Neighbourhood Bar and Grill, Costa Blanca and Club Monaco.
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Saturday: 9:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Sunday: Noon - 5:00 p.m.
For more information: www.whiteoaksmall.ca

http://www.whiteoaksmall.ca

A Short History of London, Ontario

The event which crowned London's prosperity was the incorporation of the town as a city, effective January 1, 1855. Murray Anderson, a tinsmith, was elected first mayor, and the council included such leading business figures as Thomas Carling and Elijah Leonard. The coat-of-arms, still the symbol of the city today, appropriately was topped by a railway engine belching smoke.

Then suddenly, in 1857 it seemed that London's prosperity was to be wiped away by depression. But in 1861 London was rescued by the American Civil War. Located in a rich agricultural belt, the city was soon shipping the wheat of its hinterland to supply the Northern Army. Depression was supplanted by prosperity.

Civil War affluence was soon evident in London's physical appearance. The erection of large downtown buildings began again and by the mid-1870's the centre of the city had assumed the shape it retained up until the 1960's. The decade of the 1870's also saw lines of new mansions rising along Queens and Grand Avenues, visible reflections of the city's new-found wealth. New institutions, such as the London Psychiatric Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital came into being. Huron College was established in 1863 and the University of Western Ontario followed in 1878.

Local financial institutions were founded simultaneously. By 1864 the merchants of the city were rich enough to form their own trust company, the Huron & Erie; life insurance companies followed with the founding of the London Life Insurance Company in 1874. The communications of the city were again being extended, both internally and externally. The London Street Railway was begun in 1873 and the modernization of the bridges began with the construction of the present Blackfriars Bridge in 1875. The telephone exchange appeared in 1879. Outside the city, the London, Huron & Bruce Railway was constructed to Wingham during 1871-75 and the present Canadian Pacific tracks followed across town a decade later. All these were factors which helped to consolidate the hold of the city over the region. 1.

From this prosperous period, until the end of the century, London grew in size both geographically and demographically. Several of London's adjacent suburbs were annexed - London East in 1885, London South in 1890 and London West in 1898. Pottersburg, Ealing and Chelsea Green followed in 1912. In 1914, on the eve of World War I, London had reached a population of approximately 55,000 people.

Change, Evolution and Progress

During the interwar period from 1918 to 1939, the city continued to grow steadily, although it was badly affected by the Great Depression. Several large buildings were constructed in this period - the Dominion Public Building on Richmond Street, the first buildings on the present campus of the University of Western Ontario, the Bell Telephone Building on Clarence Street and the London Life Insurance Company offices on Dufferin Avenue. Many new homes were built in London South and in the vicinity of Huron Street. A major flood struck London West in April, 1937. The water rose fifteen feet in only a few hours. Miraculously, only one resident was killed, though hundreds were left homeless.

Since the end of World War II, London has experienced a growth unprecedented in its history. With the major annexation of 1961, which added 60,000 people to the city, London had grown close to a quarter of a million people in 1976, the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of its founding. Major physical changes in London's appearance have occurred. In the old city core, many of the landmarks of the past have gone to be replaced by modern developments - the McClary factory was demolished for Wellington Square; the Hotel London was replaced by the City Centre; the Covent Garden Market was enclosed by the Market Garden Parking Building; and a new Court House was finally constructed on a demolished two block site.

New suburbs have appeared on the outskirts-Lockwood Park, Sherwood Forest, Oakridge Acres. The old residential areas became threatened by the overuse of the automobile on streets meant only to accommodate horse and buggy. Recent planning decisions have, however, been carefully made to ensure that the character and integrity of the old city is maintained, something which can only result in enhancing the urban environment and in making London a pleasant place for its present and future citizens.

2010 Special Olympics Canada Summer (English)