Niagara-On-The-Lake - British Refinement, Canadian Hospitality
- Work To Wonders
- May 30
- 2 min read
Everyone knows about Niagara Falls. Their mighty waters are not the only source of noise. Glitzy casinos, restaurants, themed venues and cliches galore make this one of the most garish places on the planet.
Around an hour and a half away by bus, however, is something completely different. Apparently styled on a village in the English Lake District from around a hundred years ago, and more quintessentially British than even the British, Niagara-On-The-Lake is a tea-supping, scone-munching, Agatha Christie-watching
delight. Horses and carts parade its streets, their top and tailed drivers smiling as they clip clop their way through polite traffic. The architecture makes you wonder if the lake nearby is Windemere and not Niagara. British treats are on sale from the shops. There are British pubs. The uber-polite locals spill out of theatres in their Sunday best any day of the week.
Yet this florally-flanked wonder is not at all in the UK. It's around four thousand miles away to the north-west in Canada, around two hours from Toronto.
So the next time you get sick of the fairground rides and the one-armed bandits and the poor quality Taylor Swift wax models, jump on a bus back to dear old Blighty, without leaving Canadian soil.
How to get there
There are multiple airlines that fly to Toronto Pearson airport. From there, there are buses which go directly to Niagara Falls. Take the Green Line South bus to the small bus station at the Floral Clock. From there take the hourly NOTL shuttle to Niagara-On-The-Lake, which stops around five minutes walk from the town at Fort George.
How we did it
Flights: We flew with Westjet from Vancouver to Toronto, and Toronto to Edinburgh
Hotel: Oakes Hotel Overlooking the Falls at Niagara Falls
Transport: As described above. Click here to see a Google Map showing the directions. Note that the bus pass for Niagara Falls does not extend to Niagara-on-the-Lake. You can buy a ticket for the NotL shuttle at the small bus station next to the Floral Clock.
Our Top Tips
Leave early and return as late as you can - this place is worth it.
Pay close attention to the timetable as this bus route finishes early.
Remember: this place is an idealised vision of what Britain once was. It isn't like that, it never was and it probably never will be. However, it is pretty and definitely worth a visit.
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