The Home Almanac

Vol. I, MMXXVIThe Canadian home, in season655 stations, every province and territory

The Date Almanac

A Creemore day: lavender, beer, and a gorge

The rows at Purple Hill Lavender, a Creemore Springs tasting, and the Mad River gorge at Devil's Glen

A summer day around Creemore, about 30 minutes from Collingwood. Walk the rows at Purple Hill Lavender, which is open daily through the summer, wander Creemore's main street and taste at the Creemore Springs brewery, then finish at Devil's Glen for the lookout over the Mad River gorge. Three stops, all within about 20 minutes of each other.

3 stops Season: Summer Around: Creemore
Directions for the whole day
  1. 1

    Walk the lavender · creemore

    Purple Hill Lavender Farm

    A family lavender farm in the hills near Creemore, with rows you can walk at peak bloom and a shop of lavender products. Open daily through the summer, roughly late June into August, with a festival weekend at the start of the season.

    Landmark via OpenStreetMap Directions ›

  2. 2

    Taste and the village · Creemore

    Creemore Springs Brewery

    The brewery that put Creemore on the map, brewing in the old hardware store on Mill Street since 1987. The retail store pours and sells daily, and bookable tours walk you through the small-batch, preservative-free beer. The walkable village around it has a bakery and galleries.

    Creemore Springs Brewery Directions ›

  3. 3

    The gorge view

    Devil's Glen Provincial Park

    A free, foot-access provincial park on the Mad River gorge near Creemore, with a viewing platform over the valley and a Bruce Trail connection. No facilities and no fee; come for the lookout and a short walk in the woods.

    Official site · Landmark via OpenStreetMap Directions ›

Before you go

  • Purple Hill Lavender is open daily 10 to 5 through the summer; the bloom peaks late June into July, with a small admission on festival days.
  • Creemore Springs runs its retail store daily and books brewery tours online, so settle a driver before tasting.
  • Devil's Glen is a free, foot-access provincial park with a viewing platform over the gorge and no facilities.
  • Creemore's main street has the bakery, galleries, and the tiny 1892 jail if you want to stretch the day.
  • Bring bug spray for the lavender field and the gorge trail in summer.

A free day out from the Home Almanac. Every stop is a verified place; days change with the season, so print it the week you go. Data (c) OpenStreetMap contributors, openstreetmap.org/copyright.

Questions, answered plainly

Is the lavender actually blooming this week?

Yes. Purple Hill Lavender is open daily 10 to 5 from late June through early August, with the bloom peaking late June into July, so this week is a good window.

What does it cost?

Low to moderate. The lavender farm has a small admission on festival days, brewery tastings and tours run roughly $15 to $25, and Devil's Glen is free.

Is it good for a date?

Yes. The lavender rows, a small-town brewery patio, and a quiet gorge lookout make an easy, unhurried day for two.

Do we drive between stops?

Yes, but they are close, each within about 20 minutes. Creemore village itself is walkable once you park.

What else is in Creemore?

A good bakery, a couple of galleries on Mill Street, and the 1892 jail, one of the smallest in North America, free to see from the outside.

More day trips around Collingwood · All Ontario day trips