Woodstock: History, Art and Trails

Woodstock combines historic architecture and art with a range of ways to explore on foot or by bike. When looking for a hotel in Woodstock, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: Would you like to explore the city’s history, include an art experience, or spend time on the trails? The following attractions and routes differ considerably in theme and scope.

History and Art in Woodstock

Woodstock Town Hall was designated a National Historic Site in 1955 and retains many original features. At the Woodstock Museum, the “History of Woodstock” gallery displays more than 400 artifacts and 125 images across 1,200 square feet. Another historic feature of the museum is the Council Chambers, which still look just as they did when the building was constructed in 1879. Together, these places offer different ways to explore history, from preserved architectural features to a gallery of artifacts and images.

The Woodstock Art Gallery adds to the cultural offerings. It is the only public art gallery in Oxford County and has a permanent collection of more than 1,900 works of art. Its program is aimed at different age groups: The gallery offers classes, PA Day programs and holiday camps for children up to and including age 12, as well as classes and workshops for teens and adults aged 13 and older. As program availability may change, check in advance which offerings will be running during your visit.

Walks and Trails

Woodstock’s trail network is suitable for hiking and cycling. When planning, it is worth checking the route details and the character of each trail. The Hickson Trail follows a former railway line from Woodstock to Hickson and passes through the woodland landscape of Oxford County. Its access point in Woodstock is on Frederick Street. The trail is 10 kilometres one way and is not a loop. Plan accordingly for a one-way trip and make separate arrangements for the return journey.

The Brick Ponds Trail offers a much shorter walk: The easy trail is 0.33 kilometres long and ends at a lookout over a historic wetland. If you prefer a short route, the Brick Ponds Trail, at 0.33 kilometres, is considerably shorter than the Hickson Trail’s 10-kilometre one-way route.

There are also several historic walking tours for a self-guided look at the city’s history. They pass grand homes, the old jail and the County Courthouse, which is still in use.

Woodstock and Oxford County in Context

Woodstock is located at the junction of Highways 401 and 403. The city can also be considered a starting point within a wider regional context: the broader destination of Oxford County offers the Oxford County Cheese Trail, a self-guided culinary route available year-round. It includes more than 30 cheese- and dairy-related stops throughout the county, including cheese makers, farm shops, restaurants, stores and special visitor experiences. For route planning, starting points such as Woodstock, Ingersoll and Tillsonburg, as well as rural stops, are recommended. The trail is therefore a county-wide attraction, while Town Hall, the museum, the art gallery and the trails described above are located in Woodstock itself.

Discover more destinations: Ingersoll, Thamesford, New Hamburg, Embro, Tillsonburg, Norwich, Burgessville.

Return to the regional travel overview: Oxford County.