Welcome To Thornbury
On the shoreline of Georgian Bay, nestled between the mouth of the Beaver River and the base to the Niagara Escarpment you’ll find the cute village of Thornbury, Ontario. Rocking serious “Main Street” vibes, you’ll think you’ve landed in a Hallmark made-for-TV movie. Thornbury’s downtown boasts independent shops and cafes where you’re likely to be greeted warmly by the owner and given a true one-of-a-kind experience! Thornbury residents and visitors alike take advantage of the area’s four season lifestyle. In the summer, enjoy waterfront parks, beaches, the Thornbury Yacht Club and Marina, and jumping off the Thornbury Pier (a local tradition!). In the winter, ski and snowboard at Blue Mountain Ski Resort or the many private ski clubs, cross-country ski at Scenic Caves Nature Adventures or skate the 1.1 km loop at Woodview Mountaintop Skating at Blue Mountain Resort. Championship golf is a short drive away at Lora Bay Golf Club and the Georgian Bay Club. And what’s the point of all that activity if not to work up an appetite? Thornbury’s restaurants and cafes are not to be missed, providing dining experiences that could rival any larger metropolis, in my humble opinion!
Thornbury &
The Town of the Blue Mountains
Thornbury is part of The Town of the Blue Mountains, an amalgamation which includes the communities of Banks, Camperdown, Castle Glen Estates, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Duncan, Gibraltar, Swiss Meadows, Heathcote, Kolapore, Little Germany, Lora Bay, Loree, Ravenna, Red Wing, Slabtown, and Victoria Corners. Each of these rural hamlets and villages boast their own distinct personality, community and vibe.
5 Must do activities in Thornbury, ontario
- Thornbury Village Cider & Brewery: A tasting flight of small batch lots brewed from locally sourced apples is a must-try and a great place to start your Thornbury tour.
- Thornbury Harbour and Pier: Stroll across the walking bridge at the mouth of Beaver River to the Thornbury Harbour and out onto the Thornbury Pier for an incredible Georgian Bay waterfront experience! Jumping off the Pier into the cool crisp (read: frigid) water is a local tradition!
- Pom Pom: Don’t you dare walk past Pom Pom’s – the cute little hole-in-the-wall ice cream hut that offers small-batch plant-based (and traditional) ice cream with all the toppings! No Thornbury adventure is complete without a selfie by the Pom Pom mural, ice cream in hand!
- The Georgian Artisan Shop: a carefully curated shop of local and Canadian artisans with displays that are a feast for the eyes! I can spend an afternoon just marvelling at the unique pieces on offer. Plus, the shop is owned by a fabulous mom, dad and daughter team!
- Good Grief Coffee: There’s something about the Good Grief cafe’s atmosphere that has my spirits up even before my first sip of their amazingly delicious coffee! Cool vibes, unique merchandise and really delicious caffeinated drinks – its a home run.
Local Beaches
- Little River Park: right beside the Thornbury Pier and Harbour, this Beach is a mix of sand and rounded stones. Shallow slope that deepens within about 5-6 feet, its great for swimming and great for little kids to get their feet wet too! The water is crystal clear and you can find some great fossils. There is also a kids jungle gym, washrooms and parking.
- Peasemarsh Nature Reserve: Quiet and off the beaten path, enjoy a little hike through woods to the water. The shore is rocky, so water shoes are recommended.
- Bayview Park: A small sandy alcove with gorgeous views across the water to the Niagara Escarpment, Bayview Park has a large picnic shelter for brown bag lunches and an old school playground for kids. A grassy area calls for games of catch and picnic blanket lounging!
Schools
Thornbury has one Elementary School with grades Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8: Beaver Valley Community School. Ranked in the top 10% of Ontario Public Elementary Schools according to the Fraser Institute.
The high school for Thornbury residents is a 15 minute bus ride away in the neighbouring town of Meaford: Georgian Bay Community School. See the Meaford page for more information.