Toronto, often celebrated as one of the greatest cities in the world, has so much to offer. Known for its cultural diversity, Toronto is a vibrant metropolis where over half of its population was born outside of Canada. Walking down any street, you’ll hear dozens of languages and smell food from every corner of the globe. It’s a place where you can grab dim sum for lunch, enjoy a Jamaican patty as a snack, and finish the day with a plate of authentic Italian pasta. This cultural mix makes Toronto an exciting place to live and visit.
The city is also a cultural hub, offering something for everyone. World-class museums, a lively theatre scene, and the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), one of the biggest film festivals in the world, make it a must-visit destination for culture enthusiasts.
The skyline is iconic, with the CN Tower standing tall as a symbol of the city. But it’s not all concrete and glass—Toronto is full of green spaces, from the expansive High Park to the scenic waterfront along Lake Ontario. You can go from the heart of downtown to a peaceful park in minutes.
As a major economic center in Canada, Toronto is a place where ideas are born, and businesses thrive. The city’s mix of opportunity and talent makes it a magnet for entrepreneurs and innovators. It is consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world, offering excellent healthcare, top-notch education, and a great public transportation system. Toronto is a place where you can build a good life, surrounded by friendly people in a welcoming community.
TORONTO IS A GREAT CITY – BUT…
However, as wonderful as Toronto is, it’s also a big city – and it’s only getting bigger. Over the last 20 years, Toronto’s population has grown significantly. The city now has about 3 million residents, and the Greater Toronto Area has grown from around 5.1 million to over 6.6 million in the same period. This rapid growth brings challenges. Housing costs have skyrocketed, making it harder for many people to afford homes or rent.
Traffic is more congested, and public transit is often crowded. The city is struggling to keep up, leading to issues with roads, utilities, and public services. Environmental concerns, such as increased pollution and reduced green space, are also becoming more pressing. As Toronto continues to expand, the city faces the challenge of managing this growth while maintaining a high quality of life for everyone.
So, sometimes, it’s nice to get out of the city – and that’s exactly what we’re doing today. I’ve been invited on this trip by Durham Tourism, along with a group of other travel content creators.
Disclaimer: This is a paid trip, but everything I say in this blog post is, as always, my own opinion.
Facts About Where We Are
Location
The Rural Routes of Durham are located just northeast of Toronto, offering scenic drives through the picturesque countryside of Durham Region.
Purpose
These routes were created to highlight Durham Region’s rich agricultural heritage and to connect visitors with local farms, markets, and small businesses that have been part of the community for generations.
Scenery
As you travel along these routes, you’ll encounter rolling hills, farmland, and charming small towns, providing a perfect backdrop for a peaceful escape from the city.
Activities
Visitors can stop at farm markets for fresh produce, explore historic sites like old mills, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty that defines the region.
Experience
The Rural Routes offer more than just beautiful views; they provide an opportunity to connect with the land and the people who work it, offering insight into the traditions and lifestyle that have shaped this area.
Perfect for Day Trips
Just a short drive from Toronto, the Rural Routes of Durham offer a refreshing and enriching experience for those looking to take a break from urban life and enjoy a taste of rural Ontario.
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TINDALL FARM MARKET
We’re going to hit five stops today, starting at the Tindall Farm Market, a third-generation family-owned farm located in Uxbridge, part of the Leaskdale Loop. The farm has been operating for over 60 years and is known for growing 95% of what they sell right on the farm.
In the kitchen, we meet the passionate Karyn Tindall, who runs the market with her husband, Ryan. Karyn, who is the Market Manager, Baker & Cook, introduces us to her teenage daughter, Jessie – the fourth generation of the Tindall family – who is helping out. It’s a fairly big operation; for example, they grow a million heads of cauliflower every year. The farm also relies on a team of migrant workers from Mexico, affectionately called “The Amigos,” who have been working there for between 5 and 20 years.
One of the things Tindall Farm Market is famous for is its jam. The jams are made using fruits grown directly on the farm, ensuring that the ingredients are as fresh and flavorful as possible.
I ask Karyn if it’s true that jam is 90% sugar.
“Not here, not here, not here. Because my strawberries are so sweet, I don’t have to.”
The market also offers a wide variety of fresh produce, including seasonal items like strawberries in early summer and pumpkins in the fall. They host events like “Pick Your Own Pumpkin” patches and Christmas markets, making it a vibrant community hub.
“We grow 100 acres of pumpkins, every colour you could ever imagine. We grow 250,000 pounds of cabbage, 250,000 pounds of broccoli.”
THE SUNFLOWER FARM
Next up are the stunning sunflower fields of The Sunflower Farm in Beaverton.
When I speak with the owner, Ursula Kressibucher, I tell her that during COVID I updated my website, and my daughter took up knitting. I ask her what she did. She laughs and say:
“I started a sunflower farm. I tried the sourdough trend, but it wasn’t working, so I switched to sunflowers.”
She’s got 400,000 sunflowers in a field the size of fifteen football fields. Through the field is a track and part of it is shaped like a sunflower, adding a unique charm to the experience. So, I flew my drone to capture it.
The Sunflower Farm in Beaverton is a popular attraction, especially during mid-August when the sunflowers are in full bloom. So, being here right now is perfect timing for us.
The sunflowers aren’t just pretty. In the fall, all the sunflowers are actually going to be harvested for bird seed.
At the end of the trail, we meet a small family of goats, including the cutest little baby goat named Feta.
LAVANDER-BLU
From one beautiful farm to the next, we head to Lavender-Blu, where we meet yet another passionate woman, Mila Haynos.
Lavender-Blu is a small family business comprised of a hobby farm, a lavender garden, and a lavender artisan studio. Since 2007, Mila has been handcrafting lavender products and teaching the public about the multifaceted beauty of lavender through workshops and community-based activities. During our visit, Mila takes us on a short walk around the beautiful natural garden. She tells us that she considers lavender “living art,” a philosophy reflected in both the garden and her studio.
She’s not using any fertilizer and I ask her if this doesn’t make her garden getting eaten by insects. But she says that it’s just a healthy ecosystem.
“If something isn’t eating your garden, you don’t have a good garden.”
TOWN TROLLY
We started our day on a minibus in Toronto, but we switched to a trolley owned and run by Mike Bryant and his wife, Pauline. The Town Trolly, affectionately named Nelly, looks like something straight out of the hills of San Francisco.
Mike and Pauline are incredibly proud of their trolley, which even made an appearance in a Disney movie, “A Christmas Dance Reunion.”
Mike tells us the story of how they ended up owning this beauty and how it became a movie star.
ARCHIBALD’S ESTATE WINERY
From one person working beyond the normal retirement age to another, we visit Fred and Sandy Archibald, who runs Archibald’s Estate Winery with his wife, Sandy.
The winery is a family-owned fruit winery and cidery located on a picturesque property. They produce a variety of wines and ciders, made mostly from apples grown on their land. They have 10,000 apple trees, and all the wine and cider they produce is sold here in their own shop.
“I don’t want to work that hard. I don’t want to become just a name. I like the connection with the customers and still liking it. So that’s always the main important thing.”
Fred loves his work and have no plans of retiring even though he’s in his 70s.
“I tell my friends and family that I retired back in 1982 when I started the Wine Estate.”
As we sip the first wine, Sandy tells us about how the collaboration with the route “A Country Path ” came about ten years ago.
TYRONE MILLS
We finish the day at Tyrone Mills, a historic water-powered mill located near Archibald’s Winery. The mill has been in continuous operation since 1846 and is one of the few remaining 19th-century mills in Canada that still operates using its original equipment – well, almost.
In the wood workshop, Rob Shafer tells us how the watermill works:
“The belt comes up from the basement to the line shaft in the other room, and then it comes in here, and then it’s driving this shaft, that shaft. It’s been in continuous operation since 1846.”
The mill is powered by water from a nearby pond, and we got a chance to see the process in action, from the grinding of grains into flour to the cutting of lumber in the sawmill.
The charm of Tyrone Mills lies not only in its historical significance but also in its preservation of the craftsmanship and skills of a bygone era. It’s a place where you can step back in time, experience the workings of a traditional mill, and enjoy the warmth of a family-run business that has maintained its commitment to quality and tradition for over 175 years.
The mill’s scenic location and welcoming atmosphere make it a popular destination for both locals and visitors – and a perfect end of our day in the Durham Region.
A Day Well Spent in Durham Region
As our day in the Durham Region comes to an end, it’s clear why this area is so special. It’s about connecting with the land, the people, and the traditions. Whether you’re exploring the rolling hills, tasting fresh produce, or learning about local history, there’s something for everyone. The Durham Region offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Toronto, providing a refreshing and enriching experience just a short drive away.
So, the next time you’re in Toronto, make sure to put Durham Region on your list of places to visit. There’s so much to see, experience, and taste in the countryside just northeast of the city.
And why don’t we sum up the day with a little song – hear it on the podcast episode and sing along. (39:14)
It’s been an amazing day, oh what a sight to see,
The Durham region’s calling, come on, follow me.
From Karyn’s kitchen jam, so fresh and sweet,
To Ursula’s sunflower fields, where land and sky meet.
Put Durham on your list, when you’re in Toronto town,
Where the countryside’s alive, and the hills are rolling down.
Taste the wine, feel the breeze, let the lavender be your guide,
In Durham’s heart, where the simple joys reside.
At Lavender-Blu, take a peaceful stroll,
In Mila’s artisan studio, watch the magic unfold.
Visit Fred and Sandy, where the fruits turn to wine,
At Archibald’s Winery, where the flavors intertwine.
Put Durham on your list, when you’re in Toronto town,
Where the countryside’s alive, and the hills are rolling down.
Taste the wine, feel the breeze, let the lavender be your guide,
In Durham’s heart, where the simple joys reside.
Tyrone Mills is turning, with the power of the stream,
Tradition’s alive, just like a dream.
See you on the road, where the stories never end,
Till next time my friend.
My name is Palle Bo, and I gotta keep moving. See you next time!
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