A Family Fun Itinerary for Big Cheese Days

Big Cheese Days are BACK on Saturdays in May and if you're looking to plan an Ontario getawhey with your kids, we have grate news (or moOoOos?). 

This Big Cheese Days, our Cheese Trail stops have created some really fun experiences, kid-friendly meals and more to make your Big Cheese Days fun for you and your wee ones. 

Have Fun with Your Kids for Big Cheese Days

Read on for your go-to guide for a gouda, family-friendly trip along the Oxford County Cheese Trail this May. Want to find something particular? Skip ahead by stop!

• Experience Family-Friendly Farm Life and Eat Gourmet Ice Cream
• Delicious Lunch for All
• Delicious Dessert
• Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese Tour
• A Sweet Escape

Stop 1: Experience Farm Life at Udderly Ridiculous

Where: Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life, 906200 Township Rd 12, Bright, ON. (View Map)
Hours: Open 10:00 am -7 pm

Kick-off your day with a visit to Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life for one of their Experiences. Cuddle with goats or get zen with goat yoga. Walk the alpacas or have a picnic lunch with them. Get a single serve (buy one get one free) of some of Udderly Ridiculous's award-winning gourmet ice cream. Yum! Shop the Farm Market Store for their ice cream and other Canada-made fare.

Interested in learning more about their experiences? No problem! You can check out Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life's wide range of experiences starting as low as $15 on their website. 

Drive Time to Next Stop: 24 mins

Stop 2: A Delicious Pub Lunch

Where: Charles Dickens Pub, 505 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)
Suggested Time: 11:00 pm
Hours: 11:30 am - 1 am (Big Cheese Days Menu available Tuesday to Saturday 12:00pm – 9:00pm)

For a meal everyone will love, head to Charles Dickens Pub in downtown Woodstock.

Adults will love their Big Cheese Days menu, featuring local cheeses. Yum! Kids will love the pub-style food too! With a menu that changes fairly regularly, past kid-friendly items have included everything from grilled cheese sandwiches made with Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese and cottage pie among others. 

Note: If you opt for a shorter lunch and skip the next stop, you can also squeeze in at the 1 pm cheese factory tour at Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese!

Drive Time to Next Stop: 1 min
Walk Time to Next Stop: 5 min

Stop 3: Brie Ice Cream for Dessert

Where: Habitual Chocolate, 389 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)
Note: Brie ice cream is available in a small container for $2.50
Hours: 10 am - 5 pm

Gotta finish a meal on a sweet note? We get it! Head just down the street to Habitual Chocolate where you'll find Canada's largest selection of bean to bar chocolate, all expertly crafted in-house. 

For Big Cheese Days, Habitual Chocolate is rolling out their ever-so-popular brie ice cream. The combo of salty and sweet will absolutely knock your socks off. Get a little taster for $2.50 and add a berry compote for a small fee to take it to the next level. Enjoy it on your way to the next stop or at the table in front of the store. Either way, enjoy! 

Drive Time to Next Stop: 15 mins

Stop 4: Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese Tour

Where: Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese, 445172 Gunn’s Hill Rd. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)
Hours: Open 9 am - 5 pm, tours at 10 am and 1 pm

Heading out of Woodstock and down beautiful Gunn's Hill Road, you'll come to Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese. This award-winning cheese factory specializes in delicious appenzeller-style cheeses inspired by the cheesemaker's time spent learning in the Swiss Alps. Tour the factory and learn about the cheesemaking process at 10 am and 1 pm. (Must prebook at gunnshillcheese.ca)

Head into their farm store to shop a variety of their cheeses as well as some other local goodies to fill your charcuterie board. Try their Artisan Grilled Cheese Sandwiches available 11 am - 1 pm on Saturdays in May.

Don't forget to snap your photo with their cheesy photo opps and use the hashtag #TryTheTrail so we can see! 

Note: Continue your explorations into the Tillsonburg area of the Cheese Trail for more Big Cheese Days offers.

Drive Time to Next Stop: 9 mins

Stop 5: A Sweet Escape at Jakeman's Maple Farm

Where: Jakeman's Maple Farm, 454414 Trillium Line, Beachville, ON. (View Map)
Note: Stroll the Trillium Woods Trail and let the kiddos burn off some energy
Hours: 10 am - 4 pm

End your day as a fam at Jakeman's Maple Farm for a sweet escape. Shop the farm store and pick up a Jakeman's Pancake and Syrup Duo during Big Cheese days. Take a look at the unique maple-related pieces that this fam-run operation have collected over the years to learn a bit about maple syrup making.

Look both ways and head across the road to Trillium Woods Trail to take in some fresh air before the ride home. This wide, well-maintained 1km loop trail is wheelchair accessible and great for the whole family.

 See You Soon

We can't wait to see you for Big Cheese Days! Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions and have so much fun.