Cheese. Chocolate. Carbs. Plan a decadent cheat weekend touring Oxford County

Even the most disciplined of dieters need to work in the odd cheat day now and then. When that time arrives, there’s no better place to plan a decadent day of tasting and touring than Oxford County. Canada’s Dairy Capital isn’t just home to amazing cheese. It’s also a hotspot for heavenly handcrafted chocolate, country comfort foods, fantastic farm-to-table cuisine and amazing farms and markets overflowing with the region’s bounty. Pick your pleasure and let the touring begin.
 

Cheese please

If your favourite indulgence is rich and creamy cheeses, Oxford County has you covered. Oxford County’s reputation as a world-class cheese producing region goes all the way back to 1866 when local cheese makers sent a 7300-pound wheel of cheese to the New York World Fair and then on to Great Britain. One hundred and fifty years later, the region is still capturing attention with the many award-winning cheeses produced here.

The easiest way to get a taste for the region’s cheeses is to taste and tour your way along the Oxford County Cheese Trail, which showcases the region’s best cheese makers, along with restaurants, retailers and attractions that all have some link to cheese. Be sure to plan a stock-up stop at Bright Cheese and Butter Manufacturing Company and Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese. For a one-stop cheese shopping experience, visit Urban Wheel at Sundown Farms, a family-operated market that has over 40 varieties of cheese, including many local ones, available for purchase. Download the printable Oxford County Cheese Trail map here.

Must have chocolate

If your go-to treat is cocoa based, you’ll find plenty of options for sinful snacking along your Oxford County route.

Habitual Chocolate in Woodstock produces handcrafted single-varietal chocolate from cocoa beans they have sourced directly from small family farms in Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Nicaragua, Mexico and the Dominican Republic. Similar to the unique flavours of wines from different regions, the rustic chocolates you’ll taste here showcase the unique tastes and characteristics of each country. With only three ingredients in their dark chocolate bars, the true flavours of each bean shine through. They’re also vegan, so you can chalk this indulgence up as a healthy one!
 

Rural comfort foods

For country comfort food just like Mom used to make, stop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner at Quehl’s between Woodstock and Stratford.

Leaping Deer Adventure Farm is a bakery on an expansive farm property, specializing in from-scratch goodies. Check out fresh breads, soups, out-of-this-world cookies and their famous maple syrup butter tarts. Really want to try something deliciously unique? Check out their sizzlin' hot havarti bread made with Bright Cheese and Butter.

 Locally sourced kettle chips qualify as a must for any cheat day and they don’t get tastier than the ones made at Ramblin’ Road Brewery Farm. Wash them down with a taste of the farm’s delicious craft beer, which is made with hops grown right on the farm.  Also in the county, Upper Thames Brewing Company offers a fantastic selection of seasonal brews and flagship beers served up fresh in their taproom. 

If you’re looking for a single meal stop that will showcase the diverse range of products produced in the region, reserve a table at SixThirtyNine in Woodstock where Chef Eric Boyar will treat you to a meal to remember. Upgrade to a seat at the Chef’s table for the ultimate dining experience.

Healthier Farm Fare

Indulging in products that may be counterproductive to your diet isn’t the only way to taste your way through Oxford County. Visiting the region’s many markets and farms is a fun way to spend the day and you can stock up on healthy products to take home while you’re at it. Here are some great local options:

Picking your own berries is a workout that rewards you with a delicious summer treat. Head to Berrylicious Fruit Farm for blueberries and elderberries.

The retail store at Oak Manor Farms offers an amazing selection of organic grains, seeds, beans, cereals and flours.
 

YU Ranch raises grass-fed beef in an ultra-sustainable way.  Be sure to pick up some of their grass-fed beef jerky.

Jakeman’s Maple Farm produces world-class maple syrup that was voted by The National Post as the best tasting maple syrup in Canada! They’re open year round and offer a great range of maple products including maple syrup, maple cream cookies, maple ice wine syrup, maple sugar, maple candies and maple tea and coffee.

For another naturally sweet stop, visit Oxford Honey for unpasteurized liquid honey, naturally creamed honey, honey combs, pure beeswax candles, pollen and other bee specialties. Catch the fascinating beehive demonstrations offered on Saturdays at 11 am throughout the summer.
 

The easiest way to stock up on a variety of products all at once is to visit the fantastic markets and farmers’ markets in the area. In Woodstock the Downtown Woodstock Farmers’ Market runs on Thursday afternoons from May through October. Insider tip: Grab a jumbo hotdog from Todd’s Dogs and enjoy every bite on a bench beside the fountain. The Woodstock Fairground Farmers’ Market runs year-round on Saturday mornings. Insider tip: stock up on local cheeses, raisin bread from Pieters Bakery, Bentum’s carrots or radishes, Medima’s sausages and garlic from Tom's Organics (several varieties). Tillsonburg Farmers’ Market is another great option if you’re travelling in the area on a Saturday morning from May through October. Insider tip: this market is located right in front of the Station Arts Centre, so leave some time to tour the gallery. Other can’t-miss local markets include Turner’s Market Farm, Parion Farm & Table, Bre's Fresh Market and Your Farm Market.

No itinerary needed

One of the many great things about spending time touring in Oxford County is that you can get from one corner of the county to the other in less than an hour. Woodstock and Ingersoll, both excellent starting points for your tour, are easy exits off Highway 401. The journey is a big part of the fun, so plot out a few of your must-stop spots and then start exploring the scenic country roads between them.
 

Make it a true escape

With so much tasting and touring, it will make for a more relaxed pace if you can spread your travels over two days. Fortunately, there are plenty of beautiful options for an overnight stay. The historic Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll is a local landmark with gorgeous grounds and a fantastic patio.   For those exploring the south end of the county, Seven Gables provides an enchanting rural escape.  For more options check out our great hotel, bed and breakfast and camping options in the area. 

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