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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of the Bruce Peninsula & Owen Sound, Ontario
Bluewater Lavender Farm opens for weekend tours June to August, minutes from Spirit Rock's escarpment stairs and Sauble Beach's 11 km of sand.
7 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Forty Hills Farm & Flowers · Georgian Hills Vineyards
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Wiarton sits at the head of Colpoy's Bay, where the Bruce Peninsula leaves the mainland, and it makes an easy base for this corner of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. The escarpment is right at the edge of town: sea caves, a spiral staircase down the bluff and lookouts over the bay are all within ten minutes of downtown. Sauble Beach's long Lake Huron shore is about 20 minutes west, and Owen Sound, with its art gallery, waterfall and big riverside park, is about half an hour south. Farther up the peninsula, Lion's Head and Cape Croker add cliffs, beaches and a First Nation–run park.
Bluewater Lavender Farm grows five varieties of English and French lavender and runs a shop at 572 Berford Street in downtown Wiarton. The farm itself opens for tours on Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August, 10 to 3. On the far side of Owen Sound, The Purple Hollow near Meaford is closed for 2026 and plans to reopen, along with the Meaford Lavender Festival, in summer 2027. A summer weekend lets you pair the lavender with an escarpment walk and an afternoon at the beach.
The lavender farms
- The Purple HollowLavender farm · Meaford
heavy bloom in late July and early August
Closed for 2026; summer visits by donation, festival, picnics and classes planned to return in 2027.
- Bluewater Lavender FarmLavender farm · Wiarton
late June to mid-August
Open to walk-in visitors Saturdays and Sundays June to August, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with farm tours; festival last weekend of July.
- Starry Sky AcresLavender farm · Miller Lake
Best time to visit
Seasons here follow the Northern Hemisphere. June through August is lavender time: Bluewater Lavender Farm opens for weekend tours 10 to 3 in those months, and The Purple Hollow distills its oil in late July and early August, when its fields peak (the farm is closed in 2026 and plans to return in summer 2027). Forty Hills Farm and Flowers sells bouquets at the Lion's Head farmers' market every week from the May long weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving in mid-October, and Cape Croker Park's camping season runs May 1 to Thanksgiving in 2026. Grandma Lambe's orchard near Meaford blossoms around the May long weekend and harvests apples from mid-to-late August through October. In fall, Grey Roots runs a Tuesday lecture series October 20 to November 10, 2026, followed by Moreston by Candlelight on November 28 and December 5, 2026. In winter, Wiarton celebrates Wiarton Willie, its groundhog, around Groundhog Day (February 2).
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Spirit Rock & McNeill Estate Conservation Area🌲 Preserve · Wiarton · about 1 mi, 4 min drive
A spiral staircase winds down the escarpment to the Colpoy's Bay shoreline, and the stone shell of the McNeill family's Corran mansion still stands near the overlook. More than 5 km of trails start here.
Day parking $10 plus HST, paid online by card (2026)
- Bruce's Caves Conservation Area🌲 Preserve · Georgian Bluffs (east of Wiarton) · about 4 mi, 10 min drive
Sea caves worn into the escarpment thousands of years ago, with signs telling the story of Robert Bruce, who once lived on the property.
Day parking $10 plus HST, paid online by card (2026)
- Sauble Beach🏖️ Beach · Sauble Beach · about 13 mi, 20 min drive
More than 11 km of golden sand on Lake Huron, with warm water, summer events on the beach, and shops, eateries and amusements along Main Street.
- Cape Croker Park🏞️ Park · Neyaashiinigmiing · about 22 mi, 35 min drive
Owned and run by the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, the park sits between limestone bluffs on Georgian Bay. It has a swimming beach, about 10 km of trails including the Snake Trail boardwalk on the Bruce Trail and the Rockfall Caves trail, and an interpretive center.
Camping and cabins May 1 to Thanksgiving (2026)
$15 daily vehicle permit; $10 off-season (2026)
- Lion's Head Beach🏖️ Beach · Lion's Head · about 25 mi, 35 min drive
A sandy municipal beach with a playground at the Lion's Head waterfront, a short walk from Main Street; the Bruce Trail, which the municipality calls Canada's oldest and longest footpath, runs through the area.
- Tom Thomson Art Gallery🏛️ Museum · Owen Sound · about 21 mi, 30 min drive
Owen Sound's public art gallery at 840 1st Ave. W., named for the painter; fall 2026 shows include Forecast and D'Andrea Bowie's cut a path through the weeds and call it a garden.
Tuesday to Saturday 10–5; closed Sunday and Monday
- Harrison Park🏞️ Park · Owen Sound · about 22 mi, 30 min drive
The city's big park at 75 2nd Ave. E., with trails for all abilities, a heated outdoor pool, two accessible playgrounds, mini golf, canoe and paddleboat rentals, a restaurant and the Black History Cairn.
- Inglis Falls Conservation Area💧 Waterfall · Owen Sound · about 24 mi, 35 min drive
The Sydenham River drops 18 meters over the edge of the escarpment. There are 7.42 km of trails, a viewing platform, and the millstones and stone buildings left from Peter Inglis's 1800s mills; the base of the falls is off-limits.
Day parking $10 plus HST, paid online by card (2026)
- Grey Roots Museum & Archives🏛️ Museum · Owen Sound (Grey Road 18) · about 24 mi, 35 min drive
Grey County's museum and archives, with more than 15,000 items, the Moreston Heritage Village, and the photo exhibit Living Histories: Grey County on farm and town life.
Fall Lecture Series Tuesdays, Oct. 20–Nov. 10, 2026; Moreston by Candlelight Nov. 28 and Dec. 5, 2026, 4–8 pm
- Wiarton🏘️ Town · Wiarton
The harbor town on Colpoy's Bay is home to Wiarton Willie, the groundhog, and to Bluewater Park, a town-owned park and campground on the bay that makes a good stop after a Bruce Trail hike.
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- The Taste KitchenRestaurant · Lion's Head
Licensed all-day restaurant on Lion's Head's Main Street, open Wednesday to Monday 9 to 7, with breakfast, lunch and dinner menus.
- Forty Hills Farm & FlowersFlower farm · Lion's Head
Flower farm selling wrapped bouquets and flower watercolors at the Lion's Head farmers' market each week from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving.
- Grandma Lambe'sFarm stand · Meaford
Highway 26 country market near Meaford, open 362 days a year, with home baking and its own orchard apples from mid-August through October.
- Georgian Hills VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · The Blue Mountains
Cool-climate wines and Ardiel ciders east of Meaford, open daily 11 to 5 in summer, with Friday dinners in July and August.
- The Green Door CafeCafé or coffee shop · Wiarton
Main-street café in Wiarton open Tuesday to Saturday, 11 to 8, handy for dinner after a day up the peninsula.
A one-day plan
- 9:30 AMSpirit Rock & McNeill Estate Conservation Area
Take the spiral staircase down to the bay and see the mansion ruins; about 1 hour.
- 10:45 AMBluewater Lavender Farm · about 5 min drive
Visit the shop on Berford Street; on summer weekends (June–August, 10–3) the farm is open for tours. Allow about 1 hour.
- 12:00 PMBruce's Caves Conservation Area · about 10 min drive
Short walk to the sea caves; about 45 minutes.
- 1:30 PMThe Taste Kitchen · about 40 min drive
Lunch on Main Street in Lion's Head; about 1 hour.
- 2:45 PMLion's Head Beach · about 2 min drive
Walk the waterfront and beach; about 45 minutes.
- 4:00 PMCape Croker Park · about 35 min drive
Swim at the beach or walk the Snake Trail boardwalk; about 1.5 hours.
- 6:15 PMGreen Door Cafe · about 35 min drive
Dinner back in Wiarton (open until 8, Tuesday to Saturday).
Tips
- Grey Sauble's paid lots (Spirit Rock, Bruce's Caves, Inglis Falls) take payment online by debit or credit card only, at $10 plus HST a day in 2026; a non-resident annual membership is $80 plus HST.
- Paying for parking doesn't hold a spot; lots are first come, first served, so arrive early on summer weekends.
- Bluewater's farm opens only on weekends in June, July and August; on other days, visit the shop on Berford Street.
- At Cape Croker Park, keep dogs on a leash no longer than 2 meters and out of swimming areas.
- Stay on the viewing platform at Inglis Falls; the base of the falls is closed to visitors.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When can I visit Bluewater Lavender Farm?
The farm opens for tours on Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August, 10 am to 3 pm. Its shop is at 572 Berford St. in downtown Wiarton.
Is The Purple Hollow open in 2026?
No. The Meaford farm is closed for 2026 and plans to reopen, along with the Meaford Lavender Festival, in summer 2027.
Do I have to pay to park at the conservation areas?
Yes, at Spirit Rock, Bruce's Caves and Inglis Falls: $10 plus HST per day in 2026, paid online by card. Cash isn't accepted.
How far is Sauble Beach from Wiarton?
About 13 miles, roughly a 20-minute drive west.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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