Hespeler Village is Cool, Cute and Calling You 

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by Andréa Parisien | August 2024

“Small towns make up for their lack of people by having everyone be more interesting.” – Doris Haddock 

Happiness is a winding road that leads to a new main drag. A well-deserved break from the monotony of routine. A satisfying day trip that culminates in making lifelong memories. 

Domestic tourism is all the rage in Southwestern Ontario, thanks to the many flourishing villages, cities and hamlets you’ll find here. Staycations, road trips and “holistays” are trending as popular alternatives to exhausting foreign travel.  

Looking for your next cultural road trip destination? Be sure to check out Hespeler Village – one of the city of Cambridge’s four distinct neighbourhoods (along with Galt, Preston and Blair). An old spot with a vibrant new identity, it’s easy to pack a full day of adventure into a visit to Hespeler Village, thanks to the following undeniable advantages that make it unique.

A view of Hespeler Village in Cambridge from across the Mill Pond. There are many green trees and bushes across the pond: behind them you can see the buildings and a high church spire from Hespeler Village.
Hespeler Village, as seen from across the Hespeler Mill Pond.
  1. Location, Location, Location 

Nestled against the Speed River in Cambridge, minutes north of the 401, Hespeler Village has come to be known as “the coolest hidden village you won’t find on a map,” says Cory de Villiers, chair of the Hespeler BIA. “I often hear from newcomers, ‘Wow, we didn’t know this place existed!’ And we desperately want to change that.”   

The quaint village just beyond the highway is also an ideal gathering spot for friends and family, as it is equidistant from Toronto and Stratford. For road trip adventure seekers to those looking to expand their usual stomping grounds, Hespeler Village couldn’t be more accessible.    

View of Hespeler Village in the summer. There are beautifully kept gardens in the foreground: in the background you can see a banner hanging above the street that say #WalkQueen.
Queen Street in Hespeler Village
  1. Extreme Character Alert 

Limestone buildings turned into artisan shops. An eatery in the horse stable of an 1850s hotel. A decommissioned 1928 post office with original terrazzo floors now home to the Fashion History Museum. To say the village has character in spades is an understatement! The museum’s tagline describes it best: “Where History is Always in Fashion.”  

Bragworthy architectural assets are rivalled by the village’s natural surroundings. “It is uncommon to have a river so close to the downtown core,” says de Villiers. Speed River, Mill Pond Trail and Forbes Park offer the serenity often lacking from the usual hustle-bustle of city life.  

A woman walking her dog across a bridge over the Speed River in Hespeler Village in Cambridge and there is a restored, former limestone factory building in the background. It is summer: green vegetation is growing on either side of the river.
Some of the beautiful limestone architecture along the Speed River in Hespeler Village.

Commissioned street art has taught artists about graffiti etiquette, reducing instances of vandalism, thus contributing to a positive community image. The village has certainly forged a distinct identity: where old historic charm intersects with a youthful vibrant spirit. 

  1. Diverse Dining Scene 

Hespeler Village is earning its place as an international dining hotspot thanks to an influx of eclectic restaurateurs. The food and beverage offerings are as diverse, authentic and relevant as its multi-cultural population. Rather than adopting a competitive attitude, owners see the benefits from being part of a greater whole and stand united. “Restaurants, bars and cafés are extremely effective as clusters,” says Cory de Villiers. “They happily recommend one another, which is amazing.”  

Brazilian family recipes are served at Bossa Nova; ingredients indigenous to Laos can be found at Choun Kitchen; Currynama recreates the taste of Northern India; a little slice of Cyprus is Cyprianna’s Pizzeria’s specialty; tasty Caribbean cuisine is Di Patti Shop’s forté. A cherished institution since 1965, Ernie’s Roadhouse offers a sense of nostalgia, while Four Fathers Brewing Co. has a great pairing menu to peruse after a round of pickleball. Add in cafés, creameries and sandwich shops…every craving is covered within this walkable culinary hotspot! 

The dark grey exterior of Four Fathers Brewing in Hespeler Village. Large white stylized letters spell out Four Fathers on the building: several people can be seen walking into the taphouse.
Four Fathers Brewing in Hespeler Village.
  1. Lively Event Calendar  

From June through September, the #WalkQueen initiative closes a stretch of the downtown core to host dynamic community events and increase foot traffic. Live music, cultural celebrations and the Hespeler Village Farmer’s Market move to the forefront, facilitating end-of-week fun.  

Its most popular draw by far is a free bi-weekly street dancing party called Latin Music on Queen, now in its fourth year. Salsa, bachata and merengue await hundreds of dancers of all skill levels, making it one of the largest Latin-American street dancing festivals in the region! 

Street Jams, yoga, kid zones and extended patios encourage people to walk what is being coined as the Hespeler Mile. There are so many great shops, eateries, attractions and activities in such close proximity that a mile equates a full day of fun! 

  1. Rockstar Community   

Dating back to 1784, when land was acquired from the Six Nations of the Grand River, Hespeler Village was long known as an industrial/manufacturing hub. Now it’s characterized by food, fun and sociability. Taking advantage of the trails, parks, museums and shops “is what the locals do on the weekends. They go from one place to another. That’s how they spend their Saturdays,” says de Villiers. They support one another with unwavering loyalty.  

He credits the dedication of local businesses, landowners and self-starters who have put in the work to create a community to be proud of. “The amazing character of Hespeler has been paired with some incredibly gifted and dedicated entrepreneurs, as well as a community that is extremely loyal to Hespeler and to businesses here.”    

Where new faces meet familiar ones, the heart of Hespeler Village beats for bringing people together. From convenience and character to diverse cuisines and lively events, this is a community steeped in rich personali-tea.

Don’t sleep on adding Hespeler Village to your list of Road Trip destinations. Extend your stay by booking a night, a weekend or longer at any of these nearby Cambridge hotels. And, stay up-to-date on what’s happening in Hespeler Village by subscribing to the monthly e-newsletter and make the village a mainstay! 

*****

Hospitality & Communications specialist Andréa Parisien is a spirited champion of the Food & Beverage scene in Waterloo Region. A self-proclaimed ‘curvy vegan,’ she believes in supporting local businesses one delicious bite and bevvy at a time! She spends her days teaching Hospitality & Culinary Arts students the importance of building trust, being consistent and delivering a finessed level of customer service. Breaking bread with others is definitely this gal’s love language. 

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