Explore the Oxford County Cheese Trail

Mountainoak Cheese

Adam and Hannie van Bergeijk moved from Holland to Canada in 1996 after honing their cheese-making skills to craft award-winning Gouda.

Stop by and get a behind-the-scenes look at the cheese-making process, from pumping milk from the barn to the aging room shelf. You’ll also be able to sample some of their varieties of Gouda including Black Truffle and Wild Nettle.

Location: 3165 Huron Road, New Hamburg  

Bright Cheese and Butter Co.

Bright Cheese is not only delicious but also an important part of Canada’s cheese-making heritage. Established over 150 years ago by local farmers who realized they consistently had a surplus of milk, Bright Cheese is the oldest remaining Canadian cheddar factory and is still located on the same site where the business was established.

Known for naturally aged cheese made with 100% local milk, Bright Cheese produces aged cheddars, specialty flavours, and curds, with a side dish of rich history.

Location: 816503 County Road 22, Bright  

Gunn’s Hill Artisan Cheese

This small cheese plant is big on producing award-winning cheeses. Owners Shep Ysselstein and Colleen Bator have operated the plant for more than a decade, crafting unique cheeses influenced by the techniques and recipes acquired while training in the Swiss Alps and made with quality milk from their nearby family farm.

Book time to tour the facilities and indulge in some of their cheesy selections like the Oxford’s Harvest, a mild, creamy cheese that is modeled after a Swiss cheese called Mutchli, the fresh curd available on Fridays and their Handeck cheese, which has won best Farmhouse Cheese in Canada at the Canadian Cheese Grand Prix.

Location: 445172 Gunn's Hill Road, Woodstock  

Wild Comfort Body Care

With specialty soaps using local goat’s milk, this stop along the Oxford Cheese Trail will allow you to create custom cold processed soap using herbal and botanical ingredients.

What better way to take a piece of the region home with you than with a beautifully scented souvenir crafted by your own hands? 

Location: 445300 Gunn's Hill Road, Woodstock  

Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum

Have you heard the story of a 7300-pound wheel of cheese that went on tour to New York City? While it sounds like the start to a cheesy joke, this mammoth wheel of cheese is actually a part of the captivating cheesemaking history of Oxford County.

With more than 20,000 artifacts on display, including original (some still operational) turn-of-the-century equipment, this museum brings the rich farming history of the region to life. Kids are invited to explore the cheese-themed playground located behind the museum in Centennial Park.

Location: 290 Harris Street, Ingersoll  

Elm Hurst Inn & Spa

Just a short drive from the Ingersoll Cheese & Agricultural Museum, the luxury Elm Hurst Inn & Spa boasts its own claim to fame. Remember that 7300-pound wheel of cheese? This 48-room inn is on the grounds of what used to be the James Harris Cheese Factory, Oxford County’s first cheese production facility, which produced the colossal cheese wheel.

The Oxford Cheese Trail package features a one-night stay in a deluxe room, complimentary breakfast at the Elm Hurst Mansion restaurant, a chilled bottle of sparkling wine from Burning Kiln Winery, a tasting of decadent chocolates and a cheese and cracker tray from local cheese artisans.

During your stay, treat yourself to a spa experience. On a sunny day, recline in one of their Muskoka chairs and enjoy the view of the inn and gardens.

Location: 415 Harris Street, Ingersoll  

Patinas Gifts of Art & Crafts

Browse a beautiful selection of handcrafted serving dishes made by Canadian artisans to showcase a variety of cheese.

Location: 112 Thames Street South, Ingersoll  

Red Dragon Dairy

Formerly known as Quality Sheep Milk, this farm-turned-artisanal-cheese-plant with a local store is operated by the Morris family who immigrated to Canada from West Wales.

Stop by to sample some of their signature selections of fine sheep and water buffalo cheeses and yogurts.

Location: 383723 Salford Road RR#1, Salford  

Ottercreek Woodworks

Discover the most unique and artful charcuterie boards crafted from local ethically and sustainably sourced hardwoods. If you’re thinking of a special activity to do with a group of friends or you’re looking for the perfect gift for the cheese lover in your life, pre-book the Build-Your-Own-Board Experience.

Location: Bell Mill Sideroad, Tillsonburg

New Galma Dairy

When the Zeldenrijk family immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands, they kept their century-old tradition of making cheese with milk from the family farm

Visit their farmstead store to sample and purchase varieties of traditional Dutch-style cheese made by their family with fresh milk from their herd.

Location: 284059 Daniel Road, Mount Elgin

Golspie Dairy

Golspie Dairy is located on a 5th generation dairy farm, which offers white and chocolate whole milk as well as British-style cheeses.

Visit the retail shop or use the milk and cheese vending machines. Empty bottles are available for purchase if you forget to bring your own bottle.

Location: 455259 45th Line, Woodstock

Dad’s Ice Cream

McLaughlin sisters, Kim, Kelly, and Kristine fell in love with Shaw’s Ice Cream while serving it at their seasonal shop, Dad’s Ice Cream. In 2001, they purchased Shaw’s and now their products can be found in Ontario scoop shops and national grocers.

Visit Dad’s for a cone, sundae, or shake in a variety of flavours. See why locals love Shaw’s, made with 100% Canadian cream.

Location: 6 Vance Drive, Tillsonburg