L.M. Montgomery's house in Leaskdale and Uxbridge, Ontario

We started with a visit to Courtice Flea Market, where there is always something interesting to discover. This time we came back with a couple of tools for the kids, some toys and bags full of fresh Ontario produce.

When our friends also arrived and did a bit of exploring, we all went on to the main destination of our trip. We took some side roads, passed many farms with horses and cows, fields and very Hobbiton-like landscape with green hills.

After about 40 minutes drive, we arrived to Leaskdale, Ontario. We left our cars at the parking lot next to the Historic Leaskdale Church and went inside. After we bought our tickets (June 2018 price was $7.00 per adult / kids under 12 visit free), a young guide walked with us to the house, where Lucy Maud Montgomery lived after she had married Ewan Macdonald, the minister of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Leaskdale. The couple lived there from 1911 until 1925 and L.M. Montgomery wrote there most of her novels about Ann of Green Gables. The website of the Lucy Maud Montgomery Society of Ontario has a lot of interesting information about the author and her life at the house. They also offer various kinds of tours, host special events and, in general, promote knowledge of L.Maud's life in Ontario. 

L.M. Montogmery's house in Leaskdale, Ontario

Dining room, Lucy's least favourite place in the house

That's where Lucy used to do her sawing and where she waited for her sons to come back from school

After visiting the house, we went to see the Church. No longer operating as a Church, it still hosts some special events and concerts.

Historical Church

At the end, we visited the garden behind the Church, where we spend some time with L.Maud. The real-life size statue made of bronze, is the only one of that kind in Canada and in the world.

Although the kids were listening to the guide very patiently and spent some time running around the statue, we decided to do something more kid-friendly. We went to Elgin Park in Uxbridge, there is a pretty big playground surrounded by many old trees. The park also has clean washrooms, a water station and a shelter for picnics or rainy days. As it was getting late, we also decided to eat. After a short search, we found an inviting pub nearby, Hobby Horse Arms. Our instincts were right, the pub offers great food and beer. There is also kids menu with quite big portions. The kids got some games while waiting for food and everyone was happy.

From there, we drove straight home. It was a long day, we left the house after 9:00 am and came back after 9:00 pm. The kids were exhausted, but happy. We will certainly go back.