More than a decade ago, the temple of my heart opened, and I fell in love. It happened gradually as I wandered among sculptures, kayaked the long body of the Avon, and applauded as the curtain lowered. It was heightened by memorable moments at dusk when lights swam in the water and geese lifted into the air.
This steady undercurrent of my life is in Stratford, Ontario. While the Stratford Festival Theatre and Shakespeare are a strong draw for visitors, I want to highlight some of my favorite spots beyond the many references to the Bard.
In the many years that Stratford has been a day-to-day heartbeat of my life, I’ve been inspired by the places and people that live here. Parts of my award-winning poem, How We Live On, were written along the banks of the Avon River. I recently started a poetic travel series to celebrate a place I am deeply connected to. This article features excerpts and photographs from my Stratford Gems series.
Avon River
The Avon River flows slowly through Stratford, with walkways, riverbank lawns, and benches to rest on. It’s an integral part of our city — where we walk and talk with friends, push strollers and wheelchairs, share meals and laughter. Some of us slip into the river’s tranquil waters by canoe, kayak, or paddleboat. Others climb trees, take photos, and feed swans and ducks by the shore. Among the small inlets, bridges, and hidden spots, many hold a memory of the river in their hearts.
The sentinels of the river are the muted swans. Iconic in Stratford, they are met with great fanfare each spring as Scottish pipers lead them toward the river. While this event draws thousands, most Stratford residents have personal swan stories. Some have waited for them to cross the road. Others have watched them from afar as they nest their young. As a kayaker, I’ve watched them move smoothly toward me in the water, and we’ve floated together on a calm morning.
On the river’s shores, a park system and walkway border the entire perimeter. Sometimes, when I stroll through a Stratford park, a gentle breeze seems to whisper. At those moments, I stop at a nearby bench to pause, breathe deeply, and honor the person’s name on the bench.
These memorial benches are located throughout Stratford. They include 8” x 5” bronze plaques with personalized messages or motifs with special meaning. A simple seat, transformed into a lasting tribute, is thoughtfully placed under shady canopies or near tranquil water features. They can become sacred spots for quiet contemplation. During each season, they make each park feel timeless, a place where love endures beyond life itself.
Stratford Perth Museum
Another place that holds the enduring signature of time is the Stratford Perth Museum. Spanning the early 1800s to today, it offers historical and present-day insights into Stratford and Perth County.
While many wander through the 1870 Victorian brick home to view one of the oldest ongoing collections in Ontario or the Justin Bieber exhibit, a new additional outdoor viewing area is open to the public for free during all seasons. The one-kilometer path passes a pond, woodlots, and historical placards, which lead you from 9,000 BC to the present.
I love to stand among the trees, close my eyes, and imagine the land as it was in the early 1800s.
Tom Patterson Theatre Café
You don’t have to be a theatergoer to enjoy the Tom Patterson Theatre.
The experience starts well before theatre doors open, with a pianist playing in front of the café tables in the lobby. The café offers an excellent selection of hot and cold items, wine, coffee, tea, and sweets.
But the patio overlooking the Avon River is the highlight. I love coming here two hours before a performance when the theatre is still relatively quiet, and you can feel art folding unto itself.
Gallery Stratford
The walls of Stratford’s original pump house are a work of art in themselves. Transformed for Gallery Stratford in the 1960s, they are protected under the Ontario Heritage Act.
The gallery features Canadian and contemporary art in its interior exhibition space, but art isn’t contained in this 1800s building. Outside, the gallery features public sculptures on its grounds. Some were created with materials from the old city hall, rare finds, and different glass pieces from antique shops. A trail leads to some of these art pieces, and you can follow them to Confederation Park.
Outdoor Murals
Outdoor art isn’t restricted to the gallery itself. Stratford is home to many talented artists who support each other and work together year-round. There are many collectives, including one started by Claire Scott, a multimedia / visual artist and eco-fashion designer. Her visionary murals can be found throughout Stratford. Walking through downtown Stratford, you’ll see several murals, many of the bright and bold ones featuring the CLAIRE moniker.
Her “Love Wins” mural was created to bring inspiration to the city. It’s a permanent installation outside Revival House and worth a visit both during the day and in the evening when the lights add another dimension to the artwork.
From there, if you walk toward downtown Stratford, you’ll find Allen’s Alley halfway down Wellington Street. Step inside this passageway and Stratford’s musical history will surround you. Both sides of the alley walls are covered with murals of some of Stratford’s well-known musicians. From Dayna Manning, Loreena McKennitt, and Richard Manuel to the Black Swans, Perth County Conspiracy, and the Otto Henderson Band, you can read about them on a nearby placard.
This alleyway used to be a passage to livery stables behind the hotels on this street. Although not as musical, its moniker refers to Allen’s fruit market, located along the street until 1942. Walking through this passageway, I imagine the rhythmic clip-clop of horse hooves, history echoing from the walls of time.
York Street in Stratford
From afar, York Lane looks like a movie set with its greenery, multi-colored brick wall backdrops, and iron staircases. It’s across from the Avon River and worth a closer look as it’s lined with unique shops and eateries.
In the summer, you can’t miss the lineup on this street for Jenn & Larry’s Ice Cream Shop. Before the pastries and baguettes are sold out, locals go early to the Painted Baker. Make sure you also cross Erie Street and continue along the back alley of York Lane behind the Pazzo Pizzeria entrance. You’ll find another CLAIRE mural there.
Shakespeare Gardens
Nature and literature intertwine in Shakespeare Gardens, and plants immortalize the bard’s spirit. I’d be hard-pressed not to highlight an area that pays homage to him. As you stroll along gardens and pathways, you’ll pass a tapestry of flowers, herbs, and trees that mirror the vibrant imagery of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets.
The carefully curated collection of plants includes stands of herbs such as fennel and rue, and flowers such as roses and lilies, referenced in his immortal works. I often pause at the gazebo or the benches scattered throughout the garden, thinking of how Shakespeare’s poems transcend time.
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