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Welcome to the
DiscoverStratford.com Blog


Here you’ll find a collection of articles that celebrates the heart and soul of Stratford. From restaurants to galleries to boutiques to music and theatre, we provide an insider’s guide to our city. We hope that these short articles inspire you to visit Stratford and discover all it has to offer.

Artist Spotlight: Rich Baker Ironworks

By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 20, 2024

John and Amanda, your hosts at Avery House B&B, are admirers of sculptor Rich Baker, who breathes life into raw metal. Rich works intuitively, drawing inspiration from ideas and images. He starts with raw, cold metal, hammering and welding it into shape. Each piece is then meticulously ground, textured, and finally coated with lacquer for a lasting finish.

Explore the impressive range of Rich's work on his website's gallery. While Rich's inspiration often comes from nature, his portfolio show amazing variety in content and style.  Check out the Samurai Warrior he created for Avery House!

For those who crave a hands-on experience, Rich offers a unique opportunity. Roughly once a month, he hosts a weekend workshop at his private studio, just a 20-minute drive south of Stratford. Limited to four students, this 18-hour course delves into the fundamentals of metalworking. Rich explains, "I aim to guide beginners, helping them get comfortable with the tools and techniques. You'll be surprised by how quickly you can learn to weld and sculpt!" Plus, you get to take home your metal creation as a souvenir of your artistic journey.

Why not turn this into a memorable weekend escape? Learn from Rich during the day, then savor a delicious meal at one of Stratford's fantastic restaurants. DiscoverStratford.com can help you find the perfect overnight accommodation to match your tastes and budget.

 

  • Stratford Walking Tours
    Stratford Walking Tours

    Discover the rich history and architectural wonders of the City Stratford on a guided walking tour. Local historian Lauri Leduc leads these 75-minute journeys of about 2 km through the heart of the city, showcasing iconic landmarks and hidden gems.  She started her company, Stratford... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford - Published December 1, 2024

  • Restaurant Spotlight: Brch & Wyn
    Restaurant Spotlight: Brch & Wyn

    Jonny Kirwin, owner of Brch & Wyn, sums up his philosophy: "half my life is spent wondering if it's too late for coffee or too early for wine." He has brought this motto to life at his café: a coffee shop by day and a... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 21, 2024

  • Artist Spotlight: Rich Baker Ironworks
    Artist Spotlight: Rich Baker Ironworks

    John and Amanda, your hosts at Avery House B&B, are admirers of sculptor Rich Baker, who breathes life into raw metal. Rich works intuitively, drawing inspiration from ideas and images. He starts with raw, cold metal, hammering and welding it into shape. Each piece is... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 20, 2024

  • Member Property Spotlight: Perth County Inn And Edison’s Inn
    Member Property Spotlight: Perth County Inn And Edison’s Inn

    Bruce, who is your host at Perth County Inn and Edison’s Inn, has been a frequent contributor to our social media posts. In particular, his “Stratford Day-Tripping” ideas for excursions within an hour or two of Stratford have been really popular. Today we get to... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 5, 2024

  • Coming This February: The Stratford Winter Film Festival
    Coming This February: The Stratford Winter Film Festival

    The Stratford Winter Film Festival [SWFF] had its debut season in February, 2024 it was a modest success. The Festival will return in 2025, bigger and better, keeping the best aspects of its inaugural run, and adding a few enhancements. Save the dates: February 14-17,... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 4, 2024

  • Catherine’s Candy Tour: Part 1
    Catherine’s Candy Tour: Part 1

    Over the summer, we were treated to the ice cream reconnaissance that 8-year-old Catherine (and her parents) shared with us. We were able to entice Catherine out of retirement for a new assignment: Candy Store Reviews!We did a write-up on Rhéo Thompson Candies, its history,... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 3, 2024

  • Gunn's Hill Cheese
    Gunn's Hill Cheese

    About 30 minutes northwest of Stratford, you’ll find Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese. It is totally worth the trek. Meet the cheesemaker, owner, and operator, Shep Ysselstein. He’s been honing his skills for years, with training in the USA, BC, and most recently, in Switzerland (homeland... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 2, 2024

  • High Quality, Faster-food Options
    High Quality, Faster-food Options

    Visitors to Stratford are often astounded by the number and variety of high-quality fine dining restaurants here. What can sometimes get overlooked, however, is the abundance of high quality quicker-service establishments. These spots are great for lunch, grab and go, or a quick bite. We're... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published November 1, 2024

  • Did You Get Spooked (just A Little) At Fryfogel Tavern!
    Did You Get Spooked (just A Little) At Fryfogel Tavern!

    Hey there! Amanda, your host at Avery House B&B, just stumbled across something spooky - but in a fun way! Fryfogel Tavern & Arboretum brought back its annual Ghost Tours this week, and it was perfect for those of us who enjoy a bit of... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published October 30, 2024

  • Discover Castle Kilbride And Fall Events Near Stratford, Ontario
    Discover Castle Kilbride And Fall Events Near Stratford, Ontario

    If you're searching for a delightful autumn escape near Stratford, Ontario, look no further than Castle Kilbride, a breathtaking mansion nestled just 30 minutes east in the town of Wilmot.Built in 1877 and home to the Livingston family for three generations, Castle Kilbride is now a fascinating museum and the... [read more]

    By DiscoverStratford.com - Published October 22, 2024