Tag: things to do in London Ontario

How London Became a Military Powerhouse

If you only know London by its quiet tree-lined streets and thriving food scene, you might never guess that this city once thundered with the boots of British regulars, the rumble of tank training, and the tearful goodbyes of tens of thousands of soldiers heading off to war.

For nearly 200 years, London was one of Canada’s most important military centres, not because of battles fought here, but because of battles launched from here.

Today, the military presence is quieter. But if you know where to look, from a bicycle saddle, no less, the evidence of London’s martial past is carved into its parks, barracks, and boulevards.

So let’s take a ride through time. Here’s how London grew from a British militia outpost into a national military heavyweight, and why that legacy is still worth celebrating today.

The Seed (1826–1837): A Town Built for Defence

Before London was a city, it was a strategic bet.

When London was founded in 1826, it was chosen for a reason. It wasn’t just picturesque; it was defensible. Situated inland, far from the threat of an American invasion, the original town plan featured unusually wide streets so that troops and artillery could manoeuvre. The Crown also set aside “King’s Reserves” – military land that would prove crucial later.

At this point, defence was strictly a British affair. There was no “Canadian military” yet. But London’s bones were already being built for one.

Early drawing of Dundas Street in 1842 with stumps showing. — Looking west along Dundas Street from Wellington Street in 1842. At the time, London was a frontier community of tree stumps and mainly wooden buildings.
(From a painting by Lady Eveline-Marie Mitchell Alexander, courtesy of the 1999 Orr Collection at Museum London).

The Wake-Up Call (1837–1838)

London’s first real military test didn’t come from a foreign country. Instead, discontent was more local.

In December 1837, just outside London, a local reformer named Dr. Charles Duncombe gathered nearly 400 armed farmers. Their goal: march on the capital of Upper Canada, in support of William Lyon Mackenzie’s rebellion in Toronto.

Illustration of the Battle of Montgomery's Tavern in Toronto, 1837. — The Battle of Montgomery’s Tavern was fought in Toronto on Dec 7, 1837.
(Illustration by an Unknown artist, Canadian Military Heritage, Department of Defence. via Wikipedia).

However, enthusiasm for the uprising fizzled after Duncombe heard of Mackenzie’s defeat in the capital. When government forces approached Duncombe and his group near Hamilton, the rebels scattered without a single shot being fired. Duncombe and others fled to the USA.

But the aftermath for London was profound. The British Army decided it needed a permanent garrison in the frontier town.

“London was so thickly beset with disaffected Americans during the rebellion, that it was deemed necessary…to station this force in the heart of the district…”

~ Sir Richard Henry Bonnycastle, Canada and the Canadians, 1849

For the next 15 years (1838–1853), British regulars were stationed where Victoria Park now stands.

Painting of the Barracks in London, 1842. — Barracks at London, Canada West, May 1842. The infusion of so many soldiers into the town gave London an economic boost and provided peace and security to the entire region.
(Painting by Henry Ainslie, Library and Archives Canada).

The Birth of Canada’s Own Military (1855)

When the Crimean War pulled British troops to Europe from 1853 until 1861, London’s garrison of soldiers disappeared. Rather than leaving Canada defenceless, the Province of Canada passed the Militia Act of 1855, the true birth certificate of the Canadian Army.

Local volunteers stepped up. By 1866, London had formed the 7th Battalion Infantry, the direct ancestor of today’s famed Royal Canadian Regiment (The RCR). For the first time, Londoners were defending Canadian soil under a Canadian command.

Between 1866 and 1871, the American-based Fenian Brotherhood hoped to secure Ireland’s independence from Britain by capturing Canada.

British and Canadian officials, monitoring Fenian activity, deployed military forces to Sarnia, Windsor, and the Niagara Peninsula to engage the Fenians.   

Members of the 7th Battalion Infantry on the parade grounds of what is now Victoria Park, 1866. — Members of the 7th Battalion Infantry, 1866.
(Photo credit: H.J. Cleeve/ Museum London).

Painting of the Battle of Ridgeway, between Fenian and Canadian Forces, 1866. — The Fenians defeated a small Canadian force at the Battle of Ridgeway (near Fort Erie across the Niagara River from Buffalo, New York) in June 1866. However, all subsequent Fenian raids failed.
(Source: Library and Archives Canada).

London Becomes a Military Hub (1886–1918)

After Canada became a separate Dominion in 1867 and the Fenian threat was eliminated in 1871, the British military left Canada for good.

This is where London’s military reputation exploded.

Wolseley Barracks (1886) – Canada’s First Permanent Base

In 1886, the federal government built Wolseley Barracks on Oxford Street – one of Canada’s first permanent military installations. It was a game-changer. London was no longer just a militia town; it was a garrison town with full-time professional soldiers.

The RCR was born here in all but name, and Wolseley Barracks became the heartbeat of military life in Southwestern Ontario.

Wolseley Barracks in London, 1886. — Wolseley Barracks (built in 1886) was home to Canada’s first infantry regiment within the nation’s permanent forces.
(Photo credit: National Historic Sites of Canada).

In addition to the regular forces at the Wolseley Barracks, a healthy reserve force was also built up at the London Armoury on Dundas Street.

The London Armoury on Dundas Street. 1905. — The London Armoury on Dundas Street (built in 1905) served as the training centre for reservists.
(Photo credit: London Post Card Collection, Box #97, Album #1, p. 3, pocket 2, Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada).

When Great Britain went to war with the Boer Republic in South Africa, many English Canadians enlisted in the army, believing it was their duty to support the Mother Country. Many also hoped for adventure and an escape from humdrum lives.

On the home front, Londoners supported the troops, harnessed economic opportunities the war presented, and mourned their dead.

Soldiers leaving the London Train Station for the Boer War, 1899 in front of huge crowds of well-wishers. — On Oct 25, 1899, the train platform in London was packed from end to end as Canadian Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier addressed volunteer soldiers leaving to fight in Great Britain’s South African Boer War.
(Photo credit: Museum London).

World War I – Carling Heights Camp

During the Great War of 1914 to 1918, London was transformed into a giant training camp. Fields near the Western Fairgrounds and along Oxford Street became tent cities, where over 30,000 soldiers trained before shipping overseas. It’s hard to imagine today, but the area once echoed with drill sergeants and marching battalions.

London’s hospitals, Victoria and St. Joseph’s, became military wards. Local factories switched to war production. The entire city mobilized.

Recruits line up at the training camp at the Carling Heights Camp on Oxford Street, c. 1915.
(Photo credit: Hines Studio Collection, Archives and Special Collections, Western University, London, Ontario).

London Military at Its Peak (1939–1945)

World War II was London’s finest military hour, and its heaviest lift.

Over 100,000 soldiers were processed through No. 1 District Depot at Wolseley Barracks.
1st Hussars (London’s own armoured regiment) landed in Normandy just after D-Day. A London tank named the Holy Roller was the first Allied tank to enter Brussels.
The Royal Canadian Regiment fought through Sicily, Italy, and the Netherlands, earning 26 battle honours.
London’s factories were retooled for war. The city didn’t just support the war effort. It was the war effort in miniature.

Newspaper announces that Canada declares war on Germany, Sept 10, 1939. — Canada declares war on Germany, Sept 10, 1939.
(Photo credit: Archives and Special Collections, Western University).

Soldiers marching down Dundas Street in Old East Village in 1940.
(Photo credit: Archives and Special Collections, Western University).

Women working in a London factory that produced plates for depth charges. — In the 1940s, women flocked to London’s factories to produce war materials the Allies needed to fight. Like other factories in the city, McClary Manufacturing Company adapted their product lines to serve the war effort, in their case, switching from producing cast iron cooking stoves to stamping plates for depth charges.
(Photo credit: Gift of Helen Cox/ Museum London).

The Human Side

Nearly every family in London had someone in uniform. The city’s armouries and fairgrounds were packed with fresh recruits. And at the train stations, crowds gathered to wave goodbye, often for the last time.

Soldiers, families, and well-wishers saying their final goodbyes at a London train station, c. 1940. — Soldiers, families, and well-wishers saying their final goodbyes at a London train station.
(Photo credit: Ivey Family London Room, London Public Library, London, Ontario, Canada).

The Long Plateau (1945–1994)

After WWII, most Canadian cities saw their military presence shrink. In contrast, London’s military presence stayed big.

CFB London

Wolseley Barracks was upgraded into Canadian Forces Base (CFB) London, a major training centre for infantry, small arms, and logistics. The 1st Battalion of The RCR was based here. Soldiers from across Canada came to London to learn how to fight.

For decades, London was one of the most important military towns in the country, second only to places like Petawawa or Halifax.

Peacekeeping and the Korean War

London soldiers served in Korea, Cyprus, the Golan Heights, and the former Yugoslavia. The city’s military wasn’t just training – it was actively keeping peace around the world.

The Slow Shift (1994–Present)

In 1994, defence cuts closed CFB London. The 1st Battalion, RCR moved to Petawawa. For the first time in over a century, London no longer had full-time regular force soldiers.

But that’s not the end of the story. It’s just a new chapter.

Today’s Military in London

London remains a proud reserve force hub:

4th Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (reserve infantry)
1st Hussars (reserve armoured reconnaissance)
31 Service Battalion (logistics and support)

These aren’t weekend hobbyists. London reservists have served in Afghanistan and Bosnia. They’ve also responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and domestic disasters like floods and forest fires.

The military presence is quieter, but it’s still deeply professional, and deeply London.

Canadian military reservists help flood victims with moving sandbags. — The military stepping in to help with disaster relief.
(Photo credit: John Woods/the Canadian Press).

Why This History Matters for a Visitor

Here’s the thing about London’s military story: it’s not about glorifying war. It’s about understanding how a quiet Canadian city became a quiet hero.

London has sent its sons and daughters to help others, over and over. The barracks, armouries, and parks aren’t battle monuments. They’re monuments to service.

And today, that service continues quietly. Reservists train on weekends. Cadet corps meet in the same drill halls their great-grandfathers did. The uniforms have changed, but the spirit hasn’t.

See It for Yourself – From a Bicycle Seat

You could read about London’s military history in a book. You could Google photos of Wolseley Barracks.

Or you could pedal it.

Here’s the best part for a curious traveller: almost all of London’s military history is visible from a bicycle seat. These sites are within easy cycling distance of each other. You don’t need a tank. All you need is a bicycle helmet and a little curiosity.

Site	What You’ll See	Era
Victoria Park	Former British garrison site; with monuments to London’s fallen soldiers	1838–1868
Wolseley Barracks	Historic stone buildings, still an active reserve base	1886–present
London Armouries	Former drill hall, now a 4-star hotel	1905–1976
Western Fair District	Grounds of “Camp London” (WWI & WWII training)	1914–1945

Entrance to Victoria Park, London, original site of the British Garrison. — Victoria Park today, the original site of the British Garrison in London.
(Photo credit: Lawrence Durham).

Heritage plaque at the north end of Victoria Park, explaining the British Garrison in London.. — Heritage plaque at the north end of Victoria Park.
(Photo credit: Lawrence Durham).

The Boer War Soldiers' Monument in Victoria Park. — The Boer War Soldiers’ Monument commemorates the local men from the London district who fought and died in the Second Boer War in South Africa between 1899 and 1902.
(Photo credit: Lawrence Durham).

The Holy Roller tank in Victoria Park. — The Holy Roller is one of only two Canadian Military Sherman tanks to have crossed the beaches in Normandy, France on D-Day (June 6, 1944) and survived until Victory in Europe Day, VE-Day (May 8, 1945).
(Photo credit: Lawrence Durham).

There’s something magical about riding past an 1880s stone barracks, feeling the breeze off the Thames, and realizing you’re in a place where Redcoats once marched, tank crews once trained, and a city once gave everything it had.

That’s the London I want to show you.

Author Lawrence Durham standing in front of the Holy Roller in Victoria Park.

I’m Lawrence, and I run London Bicycle Tours. I’m a storyteller with a bicycle, a love for this city, and a deep respect for the people who shaped it. If you’d like to see London’s military landmarks up close, plus London’s other hidden gems, come join me for a guided tour. Small groups, easy pace, and plenty of stories you won’t find on Wikipedia.

Click here to learn more. Your next adventure is just a pedal stroke away.

Credit for featured cover photo: Canadian Army Today.

2026-09-07

Airshow London Was Voted The Best Airshow in North America For Four Consecutive Years
When you think of London, Ontario, you might picture the meandering Thames River, the historic Blackfriars Bridge, or perhaps the Victorian architecture that lines our downtown streets. But here’s something that might surprise you: London is home to the best air show in North America.

Not “one of the best.” THE BEST!

For four consecutive years, Airshow London has been voted the #1 air show in North America by the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. And it all happens here every August at the London International Airport.

So how did a mid-sized Canadian city, known more for its universities and forested parks than its aviation pedigree, end up hosting the continent’s most beloved air show?

The answer involves a global pandemic, a stroke of creative genius, and a community that refused to let the skies go quiet.

Precision flying and blue skies: a recipe for success.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

The view from inside the cockpit of an inverted jet aircraft.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

A Brief History of Flight in London

London’s connection to aviation runs deeper than many realize.

During the First World War, the area around what is now the London International Airport served as a training ground for pilots. The Royal Flying Corps operated training squadrons from nearby fields, preparing young men for the skies over Europe. After the war, the site continued to evolve, eventually becoming a municipal airport in 1941.

During the Second World War, the airport was expanded and used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a training base. Thousands of pilots, navigators, and aircrew passed through London, learning their craft before heading overseas.

RCAF airmen arrive by train for training in London, 1941.
(Courtesy: Tom Walsh).

That military aviation heritage set the stage for something extraordinary. By the 1980s, London had become a regular stop on the Canadian air show circuit, but it wasn’t until 2020 that the city truly made aviation history.

The Pandemic That Changed Everything

In the spring of 2020, the world ground to a halt. Large gatherings were cancelled across the globe, and the air show industry, which relies on tens of thousands of people gathering to watch aircraft perform, seemed doomed. Show after show was cancelled.

But a small team of aviation enthusiasts in London refused to give up.

They asked a bold question: what if people could watch the show from the safety of their own vehicles? What if the air show became a drive-in experience, much like the old drive-in movie theatres of the 1950s and 60s?

People enjoyed family-friendly tailgate parties while watching the air show.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

The concept was a logistical nightmare. Coordinating hundreds of vehicles on an active airport tarmac, ensuring safety protocols, broadcasting audio directly to car radios, and maintaining social distancing while still delivering a world-class aviation spectacle? It had never been done before.

But on August 25, 2020, Airshow London’s drive-in format, now known as SkyDrive, debuted.

Everyone got their own spot to camp out.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

A Gamble That Paid Off

The response was overwhelming. Thousands of vehicles filled the tarmac at London International Airport, spaced safely apart in designated parking spaces. Families set up lawn chairs beside their cars, unpacked picnic baskets, and tuned their radios to the dedicated broadcast frequency.

And then the skies came alive.

The roar of CF-18 Hornets, the graceful ballet of the Snowbirds, the thunderous power of vintage warbirds, all performed against the backdrop of a perfect Southwestern Ontario summer sky.

What emerged from the pandemic wasn’t just a temporary solution. It was a fundamentally better way to experience an air show.

The US Army Golden Knights put on parachute displays.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

View over the London airfield with Fanshawe Lake visible in the distance.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Why the Drive-In Format Works So Well

If you’ve ever been to a traditional air show, you know the drill: arrive hours early to find parking, hike across a massive field to find a decent viewing spot, fight for space among the crowd, and hope the person next to you doesn’t stand up at the wrong moment.

Airshow London’s drive-in format eliminates all of that.

Personal Tailgating Spaces:
- Guests park in designated 20×25-foot personal spaces. There’s room for your vehicle, lawn chairs, coolers, and even a small picnic setup.
Crystal-Clear Audio:
- No straining to hear announcements over the wind. Everything is broadcast directly to your car’s FM radio, so you hear every word of commentary and every engine roar in pristine clarity.
Unobstructed Views:
- Because vehicles are spaced out in designated zones, every space offers a clear line of sight to the action overhead.
Comfort and Flexibility:
- Rain? No problem. Stay in your vehicle. Need a break? The free hop-on, hop-off trolley system connects the main viewing area with static aircraft displays and food vendors. There’s even a dedicated food truck alley featuring some of London’s best mobile cuisine.
Airshow London 2026 Site Map.
(Source: Airshow London).

The Static Display: Up Close with Aviation History

Between aerial performances, visitors are encouraged to explore the tarmac. The static aircraft display is a highlight for aviation enthusiasts of all ages.

You’ll find everything from modern military jets to vintage warbirds, civilian aircraft to helicopters. Military pilots and crew members are on hand to answer questions, share stories, and give visitors a glimpse into the world of professional aviation.

For kids and adults alike, there’s something magical about standing beside a machine capable of supersonic flight, touching the metal, and imagining the journeys it has taken.

Crowds on the tarmac walking towards static airplane displays.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

School buses shuttle people to the tarmac to see static aircraft displays.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Families exploring planes up close.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Pilots are on hand to talk to the crowds and sign autographs.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

World-Class Performers

Airshow London attracts some of the most talented aviation performers on the planet. In recent years, audiences have been treated to:
- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the iconic nine-jet formation team that has been thrilling audiences since 1971
- The CF-18 Hornet Demo Team, showcasing Canada’s frontline fighter jet
- The United States Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo Team, one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built
- The RCAF CH-146 Griffon Search and Rescue demonstrations
- Vintage warbirds including the CF-18, Spitfires, and more
The E-4B Nightwatch, famously known as the “Doomsday Plane,” serves as a survivable mobile command post for the US President, Secretary of Defense, and top military leaders during national emergencies or nuclear war
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Jet taking off in Friday Night’s “Hour of Power”.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Vintage aircraft flying overhead.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

The UK’s Royal Air Force Red Arrows trailing red, white, and blue smoke.
(Photo credit: Mosaic Mind Pictures).

Each year brings new surprises, and the 2026 edition promises to be the most spectacular yet.

An Award-Winning Reputation

When USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards named Airshow London the best air show in North America in 2022, the aviation world took notice. Then the show won again in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Four consecutive years as the continent’s best.

It’s not just the aerial performances that earned this recognition. It’s the entire experience: the thoughtful logistics, the family-friendly atmosphere, the accessibility, and the sheer joy of watching the world’s most impressive flying machines from the comfort of your own space.

Why This Matters for Visitors

Airshow London is more than just an annual event. It’s proof that London is a city that thinks differently, that finds creative solutions to challenges, and that delivers world-class experiences without the big-city crowds or prices.

For culture seekers, it’s a perfect example of the kind of authentic, unexpected experiences that make travel memorable. You’re not just watching planes fly. You’re participating in a community tradition born out of pandemic-era innovation, sustained by passionate volunteers, and celebrated with good food, great company, and breathtaking skies.

A City Worth Exploring

Airshow London brings tens of thousands of visitors to our city each August.

People come for the planes, but after the excitement at the air show, many are ready for a change of pace. Our tree-lined streets, friendly neighbourhoods, rich history, and vibrant arts and culinary scene provide exactly the change they’re looking for.

The author, standing in front of the main terminal building at London International Airport.
(Photo credit: Lawrence Durham).

Hi, I’m Lawrence, bicycle tour guide, storyteller, and proud Londoner who believes the best way to discover a city is at a gentle pace, with the wind in your hair and plenty of good stories along the way.

I’d love to show you the rest of our city: the hidden alleyways, the historic landmarks, the surprising stories that don’t show up in guidebooks.

If you’re visiting London for the air show or any other reason, consider adding a guided bicycle tour to your itinerary. Small groups, big laughs, and a city full of surprises await. Click here to learn more!

Credit for featured cover photo: Mosaic Mind Pictures.
2026-08-17
Why This 207-Year-Old Flour Mill North of London STILL Uses Antique Equipment … and People Love Them For It

Just a short pedal north of London, Ontario, time slows down. Nestled on the banks of Medway Creek in the village of Arva, a five-story wooden giant has been humming, almost nonstop, since 1819. That’s 207 years of continuous operation, making Arva Flour Mills not just Canada’s oldest continuously operating commercial flour mill, but the fifth oldest continuously operating business in the entire country. To put that in perspective, this mill was grinding flour 48 years before Canada even became a nation.

It’s a living piece of history. But what truly captivates visitors, and keeps customers coming back decade after decade, is that the mill stubbornly refuses to modernize in the ways that matter most. It still uses antique equipment, century-old leather belts, and traditional cold-roller methods to produce flour that people swear tastes more “alive” than anything from a massive industrial processor.

Here’s why this heritage landmark endures, and why it’s a must-visit destination for anyone seeking authentic experiences near London.

A view of the mill from the roadway above.

A Foundation Built by Hand

In 1819, there were no sawmills or heavy equipment to move the massive logs needed to construct the mill. Everything was built by hand. The logs came from the immediate area and were shaped to size with axes and adzes, a testament to the grit and craftsmanship of early settlers in what was then Upper Canada (modern-day Ontario).

The original power source was the water from nearby Medway Creek. A dam was built, and a mill race directed a stream of water to the mill, where it fell 15 feet onto turbines in the basement. That falling water turned a series of pulleys and leather belts, powering all the grinding and milling machines on the upper floors. Today, the water still runs through the original water power generating station in the second basement.

For 100 years, falling water was the mill’s only power source. Then, part of the mill was converted to electricity. Another hundred years passed before the rest was fully electrified. It’s a slow, deliberate approach to change, and that philosophy extends to everything they do.

The dam across Medway Creek. The flour mill (and mill race) are hidden behind the trees to the right.

The mill race, leading to a 15-foot drop to the turbines below. You can see metal screens (indicated by the green arrow) that were designed to protect the turbine blades from any branches or river debris floating downriver.

The Antique Equipment: Deliberately Old-School

Walk inside the mill today, and you’re stepping into a machine shop from another era. The top three floors process the wheat, starting at the top and using gravity to feed the grain through multiple machines at various levels. In the two basements, the power-generating equipment operates, with long leather belts driving pulleys throughout the building.

Many of those leather belts you see are original equipment. They don’t make replacement parts for these machines anymore. In fact, some of the spare belts and parts stored in the basement are 150 years old. Nothing gets thrown away because when something breaks (and things this old do break), they have to hope something is in the spare parts bin, or make it themselves. That’s why the mill maintains its own woodworking and metalworking shops.

The core of the operation is the antique Goldie & McCullough cold roller mills, installed in 1901. These machines replaced the original stone grist millstones but preserved the artisanal spirit of the mill. Today, you would be hard-pressed to find some of their working flour milling machines anywhere else (except perhaps in museums).

In this close-up photo, you can see the original axe or adze marks on the supporting post (behind the belt). In the foreground is one of the extremely long leather belts that travels between floors and wraps around large pulleys.

Exterior shot of an antique milling machine, with safety cages (added later) to protect mill workers from moving belts.

Interior shot of the 1901 cold roller milling machine, where the grain is progressively reduced to a fine powder.

The first floor operation still looks largely as it has for 200 years.

Bran, a byproduct of white flour production, is sold to a local farmer for feed.

Safety in a Living Museum

With so many exposed leather belts and antique machinery, one might wonder about safety. Even though the equipment was built in an era before modern safety processes came into play, remarkably, there have been no major accidents in the mill’s 207-year history.

Flour mills elsewhere have often burned down because the fine flour dust creates a significant fire hazard. To combat these risks, Arva Mills has dust mitigation procedures, fire suppression equipment, and strict safety protocols in place. It’s a careful balance, preserving the past while protecting the people who keep it running.

The mill is operated by an operations manager and head miller with decades of experience operating this heritage mill, as well as experience working in more modern facilities. It takes that kind of deep knowledge to keep these antique machines running smoothly.

Left photo above: An ancient fire suppression flask. If a fire broke out, the worker would hurl the flask at the fire and run rapidly in the opposite direction. The resulting exploding chemical reaction would suppress the fire.

Right photo above: A modern fire extinguisher.

Why Old Ways Make Better Flour

So why continue using such ancient, temperamental equipment when newer technology is more efficient?

The answer lies in the flour itself. Modern high-speed milling generates significant heat, which can destroy beneficial bacteria, enzymes, and nutrients. Arva’s antique cold roller mills grind the grain at lower temperatures, preserving the natural goodness that makes their flour so unique.

Customers often describe the flour as more “lively” in taste, a difference you can actually feel when you bake with it. And because the mill adheres to traditional methods, their flours contain no preservatives, no bleach, and no chemicals. The wheat is non-GMO, sourced exclusively from nearby local farmers, and grown without glyphosate treatment.

The result is a truly authentic, wholesome product. Arva’s Daisy Unbleached Hard Flour, a brand name that has symbolized quality for over 150 years, is a versatile workhorse for everything from artisan breads to everyday recipes. Their whole wheat flour retains the entire kernel, including the bran and germ, making it rich in calcium, iron, and dietary fibre. And their specialty flours, like Organic Spelt and Einkorn, offer unique flavours and nutritional profiles that modern commodity flours simply can’t match.

Owner Mark Rinker looks on as bags of bran are about to be loaded onto the truck of a local farmer

More Than Just Flour: A Destination for Culture Seekers

The mill has a capacity to store 160 tons of wheat and can process up to 4 tons of flour per day, or 1,000 pounds per hour. The bran waste is sold locally to farmers, completing a beautiful farm-to-table loop.

But Arva Flour Mills is far more than a production facility. It’s a community hub and a cultural destination.

The Red River Cafe, located on site, showcases the products made from the mill’s flours, with a particular emphasis on their legendary scones. Visitors rave about their fresh, artisanal taste. This overwhelming popularity led to the creation of Scone Fest, an annual event held in late spring that aligns with International Scone Day. In its debut year, the festival sold over 2,500 scones. In 2026, the second annual Scone Fest aimed to sell more than 300 dozen, over 3,600 scones, with flavours like strawberry rhubarb and cheddar and chive . Everything is made with fresh-milled flour from the mill, and the dough for thousands of scones is mixed entirely by hand.

The Heritage Festival, held during the second weekend of October, attracts thousands of visitors with free guided tours of the mill, a local vendor market, family-friendly activities, and a BBQ fundraiser.

For those who want to learn the craft of breadmaking, the mill hosts sourdough classes. These classes are held at the Red River Cafe, fill up quickly, and have a huge waitlist.

The aroma of freshly baked goods from the Red River Cafe wafts across the parking lot, drawing eager customers inside to sample products made at the mill next door.

Rescuing a Canadian Icon: Red River Cereal

In 2022, Arva Flour Mills made a move that endeared them to Canadians from coast to coast. They acquired the beloved Red River Cereal brand from Smucker Foods of Canada Corp. This much-loved Canadian brand had suffered attrition under the previous owners, and since the public had been actively seeking it out, it cemented the decision for Arva Mills to take it on as a new product line.

Now, the cereal is made entirely on site at the historic mill. The original hot cereal blend- cracked wheat, cracked rye, and cracked and whole flax – is crafted the traditional way at Arva Mills. The mill has since expanded the lineup to include a 7 Grain Hot Cereal, Cream of Whole Wheat, and even 100th Anniversary apparel.

Inside the store that has served customers for over 200 years.

Value That Speaks for Itself

For the customer, Arva Flour Mills delivers exceptional value. They produce a natural, artisanal product with a price that is in line with what other national commercial brands sell for in stores. The customer gets superior quality, flour that’s more nutritious, more flavourful, and better for baking, without paying a premium.

A Living Link to Our Past

As operations manager and head miller Dustin Blackhall, who has worked at the mill for about 20 years, put it: “People often tell me they’ve been coming here for 40 or 50 years and buying the flour. It’s the flour their mom used, it’s the flour their grandma used, so it’s really neat to hear those stories, and it gives me a lot of pride in what I get to do here”.

Dustin Blackall, Operations Manager and Head Miller at the Arva Flour Mill.
(Photo credit: Andrew Brown/CBC)

Arva Flour Mills has proved to be a cornerstone for the community. It’s a place where history isn’t just preserved behind glass; it’s alive, grinding away, producing flour that connects us to generations past.

The rustic setting, located just north of London on Medway Creek, feels like stepping back into the 19th century.

Whether you’re a baker looking for superior flour, a history enthusiast eager to see living heritage in action, or a food lover chasing the perfect scone, Arva Flour Mills is a destination that delivers.

The creek and small dam next to the Red River Cafe offer serenity in an otherwise busy modern world.

The author, standing outside the Arva Mills store.

Hi. I’m Lawrence. Bicycle tour guide, storyteller, and lover of puns. I help curious folks like you discover the best parts of London, from a bicycle seat, of course. Arva Flour Mills is just one of the many hidden gems I’ve discovered while riding around on my bicycle. Let me help you experience the joy of discovering all these incredible places for yourself. Click here to learn more! Your next adventure awaits.

Photo credits: Unless otherwise indicated, all photos above were taken by the author.

2026-08-10