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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Chelmsford & Greater Sudbury, Ontario
Lavender Rose Lane grows 5 acres of lavender in Chelmsford; pair it with Science North, the Big Nickel and sandy Windy Lake, all about 30 minutes away.
2 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Chelmsford is a town on the northwest side of Greater Sudbury, where farm fields meet Canadian Shield rock and lakes. Downtown Sudbury, about 30 minutes southeast, has the city's science centres and Ramsey Lake, while Highway 144 runs northwest to the sandy beaches of Windy Lake Provincial Park. Fairbank Provincial Park, to the west, sits on the edge of the Sudbury Basin, a meteorite crater formed more than a billion years ago.
Lavender Rose Lane, in Chelmsford, has five acres of lavender gardens and serves lavender iced tea, lemonade, ice cream and brownies, with a gift shop of homemade teas, sugars, lotions, candles and soaps. Growing lavender this far north is a challenge, so the farm posts opening updates on its social pages. Pair it with strawberry picking at Ruby Berry Farm a mile away and lunch at Café Oui in town.
The lavender farms
- Lavender Rose LaneLavender farm · Chelmsford
Summer visits to the lavender gardens and gift shop; check their social pages for open days.
Best time to visit
Summer is the season here. Ruby Berry Farm picks strawberries in early summer, and Lavender Rose Lane posts its opening news on its social pages, so check there before planning a lavender visit. Windy Lake and Fairbank provincial parks run day use from May 15 to September 20 in 2026, and the city's supervised beaches have lifeguards from mid-June to late August. Most city recreational trails, including the Rainbow Routes network, are maintained from May 1 to October 31. Science North is open through fall and winter, and Lake Laurentian's trails are used year-round for skiing and snowshoeing.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Windy Lake Provincial Park🌳 State park · Levack · about 16 mi, 30 min drive
Sandy beaches and good swimming on Windy Lake, a large day-use area with two playgrounds, a dog beach and a boat launch, plus yurts and cabins for overnight stays at 1 Old Cartier Road.
Day use May 15 to September 20, 2026; winter day use January 2 to March 22
Ontario Parks day-use fee; day-use reservations available online
- Fairbank Provincial Park🌳 State park · Worthington · about 19 mi, 30 min drive
Spring-fed, clear Fairbank Lake with a buoyed sandy swimming beach, canoe rentals and a dog beach, on the edge of the Sudbury Basin meteorite crater.
Day use May 15 to September 20, 2026
Ontario Parks day-use fee
- Dynamic Earth🏛️ Museum · Sudbury · about 14 mi, 25 min drive
Earth sciences centre at 122 Big Nickel Road and home of the Big Nickel, the giant coin replica that has become Sudbury's landmark.
- Science North🏛️ Museum · Sudbury · about 16 mi, 30 min drive
Hands-on science centre on Ramsey Lake at 100 Ramsey Lake Road with live animals, a planetarium, an IMAX with Laser theatre and the Beneath Sudbury experience seven storeys underground.
- Bell Park🏞️ Park · Sudbury · about 16 mi, 30 min drive
The city's large lakeside park on Ramsey Lake, used for festivals and concerts, with the Bell Park Pathway along the shore.
- Lake Laurentian Conservation Area🌲 Preserve · Sudbury · about 19 mi, 30 min drive
Canadian Shield and boreal forest trails with lookouts, lakes, wetlands and a bird-watching blind; used year-round for hiking, cycling, skiing and snowshoeing.
Year-round
Free parking at the main entrance, 2309 South Bay Road
- Anderson Farm Museum🏛️ Museum · Lively · about 14 mi, 25 min drive
City-run museum at 550 Regional Road 24 with guided tours of the Anderson family farmhouse, plus the barn, milkhouse, windmill, a Creighton log cabin and gardens; there are no animals on site.
Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (confirm before visiting)
- Rainbow Routes trail network🥾 Trail · Greater Sudbury · about 15 mi, 30 min drive
A community trail network across the city, including the Bell Park Pathway and trails in Capreol and along Junction Creek, with trails for all ability levels and free maps at libraries and service centres.
Most city trails maintained May 1 to October 31
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Café OuiCafé or coffee shop · Chelmsford
Family café in Chelmsford's restored Chrysler building, open daily, serving subs with house Oui sauce, local coffee and ice cream, with a dog-friendly patio.
- Ruby Berry FarmStrawberry farm · Chelmsford
Family strawberry farm on Joanette Road with pick-your-own and pre-picked berries; call the berry hotline for picking hours.
- Josephine's VegetablesFarm stand · Val Caron
Family vegetable stand beside the Dinosaur Valley mini golf, a fun stop with kids; call ahead for hours.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMLavender Rose Lane
Walk the lavender gardens and try lavender ice cream or lemonade; about 1 hour. Check their social pages for open days first.
- 11:10 AMRuby Berry Farm · about 5 min drive
Pick strawberries in early summer, after calling the hotline; about 45 minutes.
- 12:05 PMLunch at Café Oui · about 5 min drive
Subs, local coffee or ice cream in downtown Chelmsford; about 1 hour.
- 1:35 PMDynamic Earth and the Big Nickel · about 25 min drive
Photos at the Big Nickel and the earth sciences exhibits; about 1.5 hours.
- 3:15 PMScience North · about 10 min drive
Hands-on exhibits, live animals and the planetarium; about 1.5 hours.
- 5:00 PMBell Park · about 5 min drive
Evening walk along Ramsey Lake on the Bell Park Pathway; about 45 minutes.
Tips
- Ruby Berry Farm's picking hours change with weather and crop; call the hotline (705-855-9901) before driving out.
- Book Windy Lake day-use passes online in July and August; the park has a separate dog beach.
- City beaches are supervised daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from mid-June to late August; children should stay within arm's reach.
- Lake Laurentian's main entrance on South Bay Road has free parking; some other lots are pay-and-display.
- Café Oui is open until 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, handy after a long day out.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
Is there a lavender farm near Sudbury?
Yes. Lavender Rose Lane in Chelmsford has five acres of lavender gardens, lavender treats and a gift shop.
When are Windy Lake and Fairbank provincial parks open?
In 2026 both ran day use from May 15 to September 20; Windy Lake also had winter day use January 2 to March 22.
Where is the Big Nickel?
At Dynamic Earth, 122 Big Nickel Road in Sudbury, about 25 minutes from Chelmsford.
Can you pick strawberries in Chelmsford?
Ruby Berry Farm on Joanette Road offers pick-your-own and pre-picked strawberries in early summer; call its hotline for hours.
🪪 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.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
Add your listing for free so travelers find you, or become a Featured sponsor to sit at the top of this guide, on the Passport map and in the event calendars.
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