Check out Kevin's events calendar & shopping recommendations below....updated details will be published as we receive them.

Cash at parking meters is being phased out, download the HotSpot app or better still - walk!
EV's may charge at Electric Vehicle Charging Meters Veterens: Holders of valid Ontario Veteran's vehicle licence plates may park at any on-street meter or in any City-owned off-street parking lot free of charge.

Everything on this map is less than a 15 minute walk away from The Rectory and our suites. Get your sneakers on!
Restaurant interactive MAP. Remember we are 218 Ontario (at Nile) 

Here For Now Theatre. Their outdoor 2020, '21,  '22 & '23 and '24 seasons were fab. We very much enjoyed the 2025 season in their new indoor heritage blackbox theatre venue downtown. Intimate, exciting, great value and featuring many of the faces you know. Why wouldn't you go? The 2026 season and tickets are available now.
Sign up for their newsletter here

Black Swan brewing, Jobsite , Stratford Brewing Co along with nearby Shakespeare Brewing Co endeavour to keep us refreshed, yeah!

Distillery option: Junction 56   Home to the popular limited release 'Elbows Up Cran-ada Vodka'. Various flavoured Gins (we love the rhubarb infused) and Whiskeys.
Next door to Jobsite...so a two for one type of afternoon?

Stratford Chef School Summer Open Kitchen class – and a great meal – to your house! Winter dinner series announced. Click here to book.

The Little Prince Cine-Lounge a tiny cinematic inspired experience at 62 Wellington St downtown. World's smallest cinema.


Art in the Park, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, June to September - weather permitting. Features up to 50 artists and a wonderful selection of one of a kind pieces. Take a few minutes and meet these interesting folks. Lakeside Drive, Stratford. Look for Dave Humphrey and Edward Payne's art in the house!

Stratford Shakespeare Festival  Follow on @stratfest, Youtube,  facebook

Lights on Stratford runs Thursday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Dec. 12, 2025, to Jan. 18, 2026.

Shopping news soon to be considered an extreme sport in both the Winter and Summer Olympics....

We like to shop local right here in Stratford. Especially as all these stores are not more than 10 minutes from our door.

The Green Room Helen's eclectic The Green Room is a welcome escape from big box stores and a ‘must visit’ when in Stratford. Lovingly curated treasures ranging from a huge selection of brand name boots to sassy greeting cards, from a select range of lingerie to Pendelton plaid shirts.

Kinna Shona, Sartaj has some of the most beautiful textils/clothing you'll come across in SW. Ontario. One of a kind fabrics and we love her clothes -warm rich colours of museum quality fabrics as one has mentioned. Yes, we're usually wearing her garb at the B&B! She just celebrated 25 years in downtown Stratford.

Danielle O'Connor Jewellery. She has moved the store closer to the B&B, so now you've no excuses ;) 78 Ontario St.

Slow Food Stratford brings it's Sunday Market downtown every Sunday 10am-1pm. May-Oct

Note my recently purchased fine Harris Tweed vest from Macleods Scottish Shop is a nod to the past-it's hard to find quality product in bricks and morter stores anymore, thankfully not an issue here in Stratford. British chocolates there too including my favourites, marmite crisps, Irn Bru & curly wurly's! They are now stocking Guinness 'wear'. Sign up for their newsletter-very amusing.

Rhumba, 80 ontario St for wonderful ladies wear-so says Kim!

Jo at Resonance a wonderfully curated store , both in person and online. 23 Downie St.

Or you can wander to Balzac's, Revel or The Ashborne Cafe (formally Edisons) at 95 Ontario St) for a excellent coffee & snacks. Try Snapping Turtle for a coffee in St.Mary's when visiting that area and across the road is Troyer's Spices to jazz up your culinary game.

Erla at Gallery Indigena has curated much outstanding art of indigenous people. Maxine Noel who now lives in Stratford exibits much of her art here and may be purchased onsite.

Fanfares our singular independent bookstore (thank you Ella) is only 3 minutes walk down the street. Pre order and online pickup available.

The Milky Whey Cheese Lovely selection of properly aged and stored local and not so local cheeses. 118 Ontario St.

Rheo Thompson Candies for your sweet treats and the original mint smoothies-55 Albert St or try Chocolate Barr's at 55 George St West.

Flower arrangements-try Stratford Blooms. Owner operated (Amanda) and will deliver to the house. 519 814 5000 

Diversions

Cycling Downtown or Rural Routes. Click Cycling Routes

Golf - Stratford Country Club, Rebel Creek, Science Hill Golf Club & St.Mary's Golf Club.

St Mary's has the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
Also in St.Mary's stop at Lauren Whitney Lifestyles for gifting ideas.


The Stratford farmers market . 7am-noon every Saturday.

One last note; Please don't get disapointed, book your favourite event or dinner early. We are always happy to make reservations for you. (We especially recommend this option for those arriving on Friday evenings).
In any event, you can always call us for up to the minute advice, directions or even a chat!

We do appreciate and value your input on Google Reviews 
You can also go to the forums on Tripadvisor, (or even review B&B's!!) We sometimes use it ourselves when we travel, but always cross reference the information shown, just to be sure as sadly they accept paid sponsorship which does influence rankings. To post on their forum you will need to log in or register, it's very easy! We do appreciate your input either way - thank you.