Discover the North End of the Oxford County Cheese Trail

Just a ninety minute drive from Toronto and located where the 401 and 403 meet, Woodstock and the northern end of Oxford County are the perfect places to spend a day on the Oxford County Cheese Trail. We recommend covering your first two stops on your way down and then continuing on the Cheese Trail at your own pace.  This itinerary can be covered in one or two days if you prefer a more leisurely pace. Please refer to the drive time table at the bottom of the itinerary to see distances between stops.

Stop 1: Tour a Gouda Factory

Mountainoak Cheese, 3165 Huron Rd. New Hamburg, ON. (View Map)

 

Mountainoak Cheese is the perfect place to start your trip. Drive along beautiful country roads to this Dutch Gouda factory nestled on a beautiful dairy farm.  Mountainoak uses milk from their own dairy herd to create seventeen different flavours of delicious gouda.  From their classic Premium Farmstead GOLD to their unique Wild Nettle Gouda, you'll love sampling the flavours, seeing how they're made and of course, taking some home with you. If you'd like a tour, please call ahead to book.
We love: The newest flavour, celery gouda
Time to next stop: 12 mins

Stop #2: Taste Better Cheddar

Bright Cheese and Butter, 816503 Oxford Rd. 22, Bright, ON. (View Map)

Located in their original factory from 1874, Bright Cheese and Butter specializes in premium cheddar but also makes delicious asiago, colby, moteray jack, havarti and more. Try their cheese curds fresh every Monday afternoon and discover why they've been a favourite local spot for over 140 years.
We love: the asiago cheese
Time to next stop: 23 mins

Stop #3: Wander a Gallery

Woodstock Art Gallery, 449 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

So many treasures await you in the halls of Oxford's largest municipal gallery, The Woodstock Art Gallery.  WAG (as the locals affectionately refer to it), hosts a beautiful array of artwork from pieces by famous Woodstock artist Florence Carlyle to photography by Canada's first female astronaut, Roberta Bondar.  They have an extensive collection of Inuit art and an array of pieces by artsits from all walks of life.  Discover international, national and local artists all from this gallery.  Alongside classes and events, you'll love the ways you can get artsy at WAG.
We love: The Tiff by Florence Carlyle (on loan from the Art Gallery of Ontario)
Time to next stop: 14 mins walk

Stop #4: Tour a Swiss-Style Cheese Plant

Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese, 445172 Gunn's Hill Road, Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

Nestled in rolling farmland, Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese specializes in making Swiss-style cheese using milk from their family's dairy herd just across the road. Explore three aging rooms, see where the cheese maker works and feast on a delicious array of cheeses.  Coming on a Friday? Swing by after 1pm and line up to get warm cheese curds fresh out of the vat.
We love: 5 Brothers Cheese (named after the cheese maker and his four brothers)
Time to next stop: 15 mins

Stop #5: Cheers to The Trail Over Delicious Craft Beer

Upper Thames Brewing Company, 225 Bysham Park Dr. #9, Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

You'll feel right at home as you step into the spacious tap room at Upper Thames Brewing Co.  Taste test a selection of beer made in house with a flight and cheese pairing or pick your favourite and pair it up with a tasty charcuterie board.  If you're looking to have some hands on fun, Upper Thames has awesome crokinole boards made locally, games and plenty of events that range from live music and record spinning parties to paint evenings and yoga classes.
We love: Timberbeast Brown Ale
Time to next stop: 6-8 mins

Stop #6: Feast on Local Fare

Charles Dickens Pub, 505 Dundas St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map) or SixThirtyNine, 639 Peel St. Woodstock, ON. (View Map)

By now, you've tried the cheese on its own but it's time to leave the rest in the hands of professionals...chefs that is.  Choose one of the Cheese Trail restaurants below for a deliciously local feast featuring ingredients from the area.

Charles Dickens Pub
This traditional British pub features over a dozen menu items featuring local cheese. Choose from classic dishes like grilled cheese and chop salad to creative twists like curried poutine.  Cozy in and enjoy the evening over pints of beer, hearty dishes and a fantastic atmosphere.
We love: The curry poutine with Gunn's Hill cheese curds
 

SixThirtyNine
Food lovers unite over the delicious meals at SixThirtyNine.  Using almost exclusively local ingredients, Chef Eric Boyar creates works of art on your plate.  With a menu that changes seasonally, you can always count on a fresh, full taste in each dish.  Growing much of their own ingredients, SixThirtyNine is Oxford County's only FeastON certified restaurant and is a beautiful place to spend the evening dining on the patio, in the dining room or at the Chef's Table where you can watch your meal being made.
We love: the cheese, bread and preserve board