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Situated at the crossroads of Highway 10 and County Road 4, the town of Flesherton sees quite a lot of activity. This Grey Highlands town of just 700 people is a bustling little community, especially during the winter ski season and summer cottage season.
People often think of Flesherton simply as a town on the way to somewhere, but we invite to instead consider Flesherton as your destination. When we visited this spring, we found 9 great reasons why you should plan your own trip (listed in no particular order)!
1 – The Bakery
This former bank has been converted to a beautiful bakery (the vault is now a pantry!). Besides the very tempting glass cases full of goodies, you’ll find a large selection of specialty breads, all baked on site. Different varieties are baked daily, and each day at least one type of bread is GMO and ADA free. The Bakery also has a lovely selection of kitchenware and giftware. We couldn’t resist the beautiful gurgle pots!
Get your baked goods and coffee or lunch to go, or stay and enjoy the cozy atmosphere with its view of the main drag. That is, if you can snag a table in this busy spot!
2 – The Bicycle Cafe
A tasty spot to stop for a great lunch, this cafe puts a twist on the ordinary. The vibe feels a bit like something you might find in a trendy Toronto district, while simultaneously being entirely comfortable and family-friendly. You’ll love opening the record-cover menus and reading through the unusual takes on comfort classics. We highly recommend the grilled cheese croissant, and the Caesar salad we had with it was great! They also have a great selection of coffees, both hot and cold.
If you’re around for an evening, check the cafe’s Facebook page to find out what live music might be playing on that given weekend. You can pull up a chair and sip a nice cold beer and enjoy the night.
Three prolific and very talented artists have put together a wonderful collection of their work in the Arsonten Gallery. Holger Majorahn, Jennifer Stenberg and Anna-Maria Dickinson have created the most fun and welcome gallery we’ve ever been to. As soon as you step inside, you’ll see the fantastic range of talent of these artists. Then you’ll notice the handprints on the floor and start doing what you’re supposed to: follow them! They’ll guide you through the various gallery rooms and eventually show you into the hidden Cuckoo Valley Garden in the back, which is full of creative displays.
For a little something extra, grab a snack or some lunch up the street at The Bakery or the Bicycle Cafe and enjoy it at one of the tables in the garden (and yes, we’re serious — the artists insisted they love it when people do this)!
Get a latte served in a Mason jar, sit in retro-styled booths, hang out in the quiet reading room, gaze at local art, and enjoy the warm and welcoming atmosphere at this. The coffee snobs out there will want to stop and pick up some fair trade organic beans from the over 60 varieties offered. If coffee isn’t your thing, you might appreciate the selection of fair trade organic teas, hot chocolate, chocolates, and spices!
5 – Leslieville Cheese Market North
The “North” location of the Leslieville Cheese Market family is a fabulous reason to stop and explore Flesherton. Inside you’ll find an enticing array of Ontario cheeses and old European classics. Don’t leave without tasting one of the excellent options on offer. You’ll also find other local foods and fine pantry staples to accompany your cheeses.
6 – Peasemarsh Farm
World-class chef Chris Bishop has brought his skill and passion to the lucky citizens and visitors of the Flesherton area. Not only can you hire him to cater your wedding or event, but you can stop in at his storefront location to pick up excellent pre-made dinners made with local ingredients. These aren’t your average, ordinary dinners. We’re talking Quinoa Chili. Beef Stroganoff. Greek Vegetable and Feta Bake. Butter Chicken. All made with natural and organic ingredients and much of it dairy- and gluten-free
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Owned by the same young chef that operates the very successful Flying Chestnut Kitchen down the road in Eugenia, The Flying Spatula is everything you’d expect in a diner: seats along the counter, simple decor, lots of windows, coffee in mismatched mugs,and straightforward service. But of course the thing you’d most like to find in a diner is great food, and this joint does not disappoint! We had breakfast there, and we highly recommend the good ol’ eggs, bacon and hashbrowns: we promise you’ll be blown away by how delicious a simple breakfast can be! If nothing else, do not miss the seasoned hash browns.
An artisan with a storefront on the main drag, Ann Wylie-Toal has been selling her jewellery creations for about 25 years. Ann specializes in her own invention, continuous line wireworking, and also niobium jewellery, because it is allergy safe. For most of her pieces, you can choose between gold-filled, silver, or niobium. In her shop, you’ll find many of her pendant and earring designs, ready to purchase, or you can order from her website. Also featured in her shop are the wares of other local artisans, so if you’re looking for a few one-of-a-kind pieces, be sure to stop in!
9 – Flesherton & District Farmer’s Market
On any given Saturday between May and October, you’ll find local food to sample, farmers and producers to interact with, the wares of bakers and artisans to drool over, and more. Take home anything and everything from plants to barn portraits, homemade yarn to handmade honey lip balm, fresh produce to one-of-a-kind cookies. Most months features a different celebration, such as Local Food Day, Kid’s Day, and Farmer’s Market Week. Then, go back in November for the Christmas Market!
Stay
Our friends at Stay in Grey recommend Hawthorn Cottages & Camping and Knights Inn in Flesherton. If you’re looking for something different, the Stay in Grey site or the Grey County Tourism site have more options around the area.
And more!
For many more ideas of what to do and see in the area, stayingrey.ca and visitgrey.ca have got you covered. And don’t miss our post {Try} Spend a Weekend in Grey Highlands with some of the highlights of our visit this spring!
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