London
Around London
Photo: mattbuck (category) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Ontario · 543k people
London
“Forest City”
Where the Thames meets the forest
Western PurpleForest GreenRiver Blue
Welcome to the Forest City! Whether you're here for a Knights game, a stroll along the Thames, or a taste of our famous shawarma, you'll find a friendly community. Get out and enjoy the parks, the markets, and the local buzz.
Clubs for London
No clubs for London yet.
The room
One room for everyone around London. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around London. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Victoria Park Central downtown park with walking paths, a pond and bandshell.
- Springbank Park Large riverside park with trails, picnic areas and Storybook Gardens.
- Fanshawe Conservation Area Reservoir and forest with trails, camping and a pioneer village.
- Western University Historic campus with gothic architecture and the Mustangs sports teams.
- Budweiser Gardens Downtown arena hosting London Knights hockey and concerts.
- Labatt Park One of the oldest baseball parks in the world, home of the London Majors.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Thames Valley Parkway
- Outdoors Kayak or paddleboard on Fanshawe Lake
- With kids Storybook Gardens
- With kids London Children's Museum
- Evenings Catch a London Knights game
- Evenings Live music on Richmond Row
- Locals love Riverfront trails
- Locals love Farmers' markets
Through the year
- Western Fair September Agricultural fair with rides, exhibits and live music every September.
- London Ribfest July BBQ competition and food festival in Victoria Park each July.
- London Fringe Theatre Festival June Independent theatre performances across downtown venues in June.
- London Knights Playoffs Spring Hockey playoff games at Budweiser Gardens in spring.
- London International Film Festival November Screening of Canadian and international films each November.
London has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold and snowy, and spring and fall are mild but often rainy. Best: Late spring to early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Forest City”
- Nickname for London, referencing its many trees.
- “The 519”
- Area code for the region, used to refer to London and area.
- “The Bud”
- Short for Budweiser Gardens, the downtown arena.
- “Western”
- Refers to Western University.
Getaways
- Stratford Famous for the Stratford Festival theatre season.
- Ingersoll Small-town charm and the Cheese Festival in August.
- Woodstock Historic downtown and the Oxford County Fair.
- Tillsonburg Gateway to the tobacco belt and rural cycling routes.
Local flavour
Teams
- London Knights OHL
- London Lightning NBLC
- London Majors Intercounty Baseball League
- Western Mustangs U Sports
Eat and drink
- shawarma London is often called the 'Shawarma Capital of Canada' due to its high density of shawarma restaurants.
- poutine A Canadian staple, widely available across the city.
- London fog A tea latte named after the city, though its origin is debated.
Where people go
- Riverfront parks The Thames River runs through the city, with many parks and trails along its banks.
- Victorian architecture London is known for its well-preserved 19th-century buildings and tree-lined streets.
- Farmers' markets Local markets like Covent Garden Market are central to community life.
Heritage and traditions
London is proud of its nickname 'The Forest City' for its tree-lined streets, its rich history as the birthplace of insulin, and its vibrant cultural scene that blends small-town charm with big-city amenities.
Say it like a local: “Pop” — Soft drink or soda.
Festivals
- Sunfest July A free world music festival in July featuring international artists and food vendors.
- Home County Folk Festival July A long-running folk music festival in Victoria Park, held in July.
- London Pride August A vibrant LGBTQ+ celebration with a parade and community events in August.
- London Jazz Festival September A multi-day jazz festival in September featuring local and international musicians.
- London Greek Festival June A celebration of Greek heritage with food, dance, and music at the Hellenic Centre.
- London Santa Claus Parade November A beloved holiday parade through downtown in November.
Landmarks with a story
- Banting House National Historic Site Where Sir Frederick Banting conceived the idea for insulin in 1921; now a museum.
- Eldon House London's oldest surviving residence, built in 1834, offering a glimpse into Victorian life.
- St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica A stunning Gothic Revival cathedral and seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of London.
- St. Paul's Cathedral An Anglican cathedral known for its beautiful architecture and active congregation.
- Forks of the Thames The confluence of the North and South Thames rivers, a historic meeting place and scenic park.
- Canadian Medical Hall of Fame A museum honouring Canadian medical pioneers, fitting for the city where insulin was discovered.
Food traditions
- Beer at Labatt Park Watching a London Majors baseball game while enjoying a cold beer at the world's oldest operating ballpark, a nod to the city's brewing history.
- Perogies and cabbage rolls Eastern European communities brought these comfort foods, often served at church suppers and community events.
- Covent Garden Market Saturday ritual Locals have shopped for fresh produce and artisanal goods at this market since 1845, a Saturday morning tradition.
Music and arts
- Folk music scene Home County Folk Festival has nurtured a strong folk community since the 1970s.
- Jazz The London Jazz Festival and local clubs keep a vibrant jazz culture alive.
- Visual arts The London Artists' Studio Tour in September showcases local painters, sculptors, and crafters.
- Theatre The London Fringe Theatre Festival (already listed) and the Grand Theatre offer diverse performances.
A little history
- 1826 Founded as a military settlement
- 1855 Incorporated as a city
- 1878 Western University (then University of Western Ontario) founded
- 1921 Insulin discovered at Banting House
- 1800s Major railway hub in the 19th century, connecting Toronto and Detroit
Rivalries
- London Knights vs. Kitchener Rangers OHL hockey rivalry with passionate fan bases.
- Western Mustangs vs. Guelph Gryphons University football rivalry in the OUA.
- London Majors vs. Brantford Red Sox Intercounty Baseball League competition.
- London vs. Windsor General sports and civic rivalry between the two cities.
- Game day London Knights hockey
- Game day London Majors baseball at Labatt Park
- Outdoors Explore the Westminster Ponds
- Outdoors Play a round at Thames Valley Golf Course
- With kids London Knights games
- With kids Covent Garden Market
Londoners speak with a standard Canadian accent, featuring Canadian raising (e.g., 'about' sounds like 'a-boot'). Common local terms include 'pop' for soft drink, 'toque' for winter hat, and 'eh' as a conversational tag.
Only here
- Labatt Park is the oldest continuously operating baseball park in the world, dating back to 1877.
- The city is nicknamed 'The Forest City' due to its high tree canopy and many parks.
- Banting House is where insulin was discovered, a pivotal moment in medical history.
- The Forks of the Thames is a unique geographic meeting point of two river branches.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the winters: invest in a good coat, boots, and a toque. The city is beautiful in the snow.
- Get a library card—it's free and gives access to many community resources.
- Try shawarma from a local spot; it's a city staple.
- Use the 401 for quick trips to Toronto or Windsor, but watch for traffic during rush hours.
- Learn to say 'eh' and 'double-double'—you'll fit right in.
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Nearby
Every areaMiddlesex CountyOntarioRooted in the land, open to the sky.IngersollOntarioWhere the cheese trail meets friendly farms.Elgin CountyOntarioWhere farmland meets the lakeWoodstockOntarioFriendly dairy country, where neighbours wave helloTillsonburgOntarioA warm welcome in Ontario's tobacco heartlandHuron CountyOntarioWhere the lake meets the farmlandStratfordOntarioWhere culture and farmland flourishNorfolkOntarioWhere the land meets the lake and the sky opens wide.
London. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.