An Introduction to Ancaster, ON with Stephen Gleave

As a small town in Ontario, Ancaster is often overlooked by tourists and locals alike. While it’s not a bustling city, this charming historic town has many interesting things to do and see.

Founded in 1793 by the British, Ancaster was an important early Upper Canada community. The town merged with the larger city of Hamilton in 2001, but it hasn’t lost its small town charm. Today, we’ll introduce you to a few great places to see in Ancaster, with the help of long-time resident Stephen Gleave.

Gleave has lived on his 100-acre farm with his family for many years now, and he describes the town as “simply a wonderful place”, with many amazing destinations and beautiful vistas. He loves it so much, he doesn’t even mind the commute to Toronto, where he works as an attorney. If you’ve ever experienced Toronto traffic, you know this takes commitment.

Gleave’s first suggestion is one that’s perfect for families—the Purple Pony ice cream shop. It is owned by a local family and offers a wide selection of Ontario ice creams with over 30 flavours!

“Children are encouraged to ride on the shop’s purple pony collection,” says Gleave. “It’s a big hit with the kids.” The Purple Pony is open 7 days a week, from 1:00 till 9:00.

For those with teenage kids, or any golf enthusiasts, the Mystic Golf Club is a great place to check out. This club boasts an 18-hole course, with each hole being unique in both distance and design. According to Gleave, the tenth hole is the best: a par-6 course with three deep ravines. Their website says that “people talk about this hole for weeks after playing it.”

JFVoll, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ancaster can be enjoyed in all seasons. In winter or early spring, nature lovers will find Tiffany Falls to be especially beautiful; spring’s snowmelt causes it to grow to roaring sizes, while in winter the frozen falls can be both viewed and climbed! In later spring, summer, and fall, Josmar Acres is a must-see. “It’s a family farm,” Gleave explains, “where you can pick strawberries, apples, and buy seasonal produce”. He adds that you can also buy beautiful, vibrant flowers at their garden centre. Both the farm’s market and garden centre are onsite.

You should always check out the food scene when visiting somewhere new, and Ancaster is no different. The Brassie Pub offers a classic English pub experience, and is a favourite among locals; it has 23 beers on tap, and serves “a wide variety of North American standards and English pub grub”, according to Stephen Gleave. If you’re looking for a more sophisticated outing, the Olive Board offers expert pairings of wines and charcuterie, with a selection of over 60 vintages of reds and whites, along with several sparkling wines and rosés. And if you’re still hungry, check out the Caniche French Bakery. “But don’t go too late in the day,” warns Gleave. “Their stock usually sells out by noon!”

Graeme MacKay from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Finally, if you’re looking for souvenirs or snacks for the road, check out the Black & Smith County General Store—specializing in handmade objects, like pottery and stationery—or Chocolate Sensations, which has been selling premium chocolate bars, dipped fruits, and coated pretzels for over 3 decades.

Though Ancaster may be small, it’s clear to see why locals like Stephen Gleave love it so much; there’s something for everybody to see and do, no matter their age or the season they visit. So, if you’re in the area, be sure to swing by and enjoy Ancaster’s charm!

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