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Summary

This enchanting village is 1.5 hours from Toronto and locals say it's like Victorian England

Old-world streets and horse-drawn carriages await.

A horse-drawn carriage on a historic street. Right: A person sitting at a tea shop.

A small town in Ontario.

Ian Whitworth| Dreamstime, @bitakarimmi | Instagram
Lead Writer, Travel

Fancy a trip to London? While this small Ontario town doesn't have double-decker buses or royal castles, its old-world charm will transport you to the heart of an English village.

In a post on Narcity Canada's Facebook page, we asked readers to share destinations in Ontario that make them feel like they're in Europe. The post received hundreds of responses, and this storybook small town was one of the recommended spots.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is an enchanting destination located under 2 hours from Toronto. According to locals, it's like a trip to "Victorian England" without leaving the province.

You can wander along old-world streets, peek into cozy shops, and indulge in delicious cuisine while visiting this spot.

According to Visit Niagara Canada, "the Heritage District in Niagara-on-the-Lake is made for walking, with its boutique shops, cast-iron planters bursting with flowers, and horse-drawn carriages transporting riders to another time and place."

There's no shortage of things to enjoy in this picturesque town. From catching a show at the Shaw Festival Theatre to getting pampered at a spa or visiting some of the surrounding wineries, you'll find plenty of ways to enjoy the region's charm.

It isn't a trip to England without some afternoon tea, and the Prince of Wales Hotel offers an extravagant high tea experience.

You can also head to the Olde Angel Inn for authentic British fare and draft ale.

With historic streets and European charm, Niagara-on-the-Lake offers a little taste of England right here in Ontario.

Tourism Niagara-on-the-Lake website

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.

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    • Lead Writer

      Madeline Forsyth is a Toronto-based Lead Writer for Narcity Media. After earning her B.A. (Hons) at Queen's University, she spent a year travelling much of the world as a flight attendant. Now, she uses her experience in the travel industry and passion for writing to share stories about buzzworthy events and adventures across Canada and the globe. Madeline has been published in PopSugar and has interviewed sports and entertainment personalities for Narcity. She has covered and photographed restaurant openings as well as event launches such as the world premiere of the Dr. Seuss Experience. Some of her favourite things to write about include charming small towns and anything to do with Harry Potter.

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