September 11, 2025
Downton Abbey’s the Grand Finale film is premiering this September, and Halton Region is joining in on the celebration. The Royal Botanical Gardens is hosting the Fleurs de Villes: Downton Abbey exhibit from September 12 to September 21. This two-day itinerary is the perfect accompaniment to the film and exhibit as it showcases Oakville’s historic and art and culture attractions. As Violet once famously said “what is a weekend?” In Oakville, a weekend is to be spent making memories, exploring unique sites, and tasting delicious food. Read through this itinerary to discover ways you can enjoy Downton Abbey themed experiences in Oakville.
Visit the stay page on Visit Oakville’s website to learn about Oakville’s accommodations and to book your hotel before you arrive.
DAY ONE:
Explore the Heart of Downtown Oakville
Start your morning with breakfast at Croissant Express in Downtown Oakville. Enjoy a sandwich and coffee while you plan your day. After you have had breakfast, walk the streets of downtown Oakville and window shop the many stores on Lakeshore Road as you head toward the Oakville Museum. The Oakville Museum is presenting their Glamour, Grace, and Oakville’s Past: A Guided Experience at Erchless Estate costume exhibit dated from the 1920s to mid 1930s to coincide with the theme of the Grande Finale. They have also created two signature events, Sip Style & Story: Afternoon Tea and Edwardian Elegance at Erchless Estate taking place on Friday September 12 and Oakville Museum Gardens: Over 150 Years in Bloom taking place on September 18.
After you have explored the exhibit at the Oakville Museum, walk to the British Grocer for lunch. The British Grocer offer authentic British delights including meat pies, Cornish pasties, sausage rolls, and scones. Pick up your lunch and head to Gairloch Gardens for a picnic.
Gairloch Gardens is a beautiful garden and is home to the Oakville Galleries. With views of Lake Ontario, rose gardens, artwork, and a pond with a fountain it’s the perfect place for a picnic. Gairloch Gardens is also currently showcasing their Ilya and Emilia Kabakov Between Heaven and Earth exhibit until September 20 which showcases Ship of Tolerance. This year is the twentieth anniversary of the exhibit and its first appearance in Canada. Over a thousand children helped create the ship’s sails which will be in the gardens until the end of the year.
After you have visited Gairloch Gardens, head to Film.ca to watch the Grand Finale on the big screen. This independent theatre is showing the Grand Finale throughout the month of September. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time or in person. Visit Film.ca on September 14th to take part in their Pinky’s Up Tea Party. The event includes tickets to see the Grand Finale, a small popcorn, access to an unlimited tea bar, photo ops, and entry into a costume contest to win a free movie pass.
End your day in Oakville at Ce Soir Brasserie and Bar for one last meal. With its exposed brick walls, paintings, and mirrors spread throughout the restaurant its atmosphere is the perfect blend of intimacy and elegance. They specialize in classic French cuisine that is sure to delight.
Alternatively, if you are in the mood for an authentic British pub dining experience, visit The Queen’s Head in Downtown Oakville. This pub is home to British staples such as fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and bangers and mash.
DAY TWO:
Historic Artifacts and Fine dining
Start your morning at the Howard Iron Works Museum. This Museum is home to one of the largest inventories of hand iron presses in the world with equipment dating from the 1830’s to 1950’s. The museum displays over two hundred machines and thousands of artifacts. Book a tour with the museum in advance to view their extensive collection. Admission is free and reservations need to be booked before you arrive. And if you’re here on September 27, visit during their Print Expo and Fair which will include tours, demos, hands-on printing experience, workshops.
After you have spent the morning touring the Howard Iron Works Museum, head to the Crepe Kitchen for lunch. This boutique restaurant in downtown Oakville won Visit Oakville’s Talk of the Town award for best brunch. This restaurant specializes in sweet and savoury crepes.
For your next stop, visit the Joshua Farm Gallery. Their current exhibit Halton and Peel Juried Exhibition is on until October 12. This exhibit showcases over thirty artists specializing in different mediums. Once you have viewed the exhibit enjoy the grounds of the gallery. The Joshua Fram Gallery sits on fourteen acres and is home to thirty-eight community vegetable plots.
After you have explored Joshua Farm Gallery, visit the Turner Chapel Antiques and Appraisers. This antique store is home to a wide variety of antique artwork, jewelry, furniture, décor, silverware and more. The Turner Chapel also rents their antiques to studios and production companies for movies, television, commercials, and theatre shows. Although we can’t confirm if their antiques were used during the filming of Downton Abbey, there have been items that have appeared on screen.
For dinner, treat yourself to a fine dining experience at Hexagon. Hexagon is Oakville’s first MICHELIN Star restaurant and is lead by Chef Rafael Covarrubias who was the winner of the 2024 MICHELIN Guide Toronto Young Chef Award. Much like a traditional dinner at the Crawley estate, Hexagon offers multi-course dining options. They currently have a three-course tasting menu or a la carte options.
British Car Day returns to Bronte Creek Provincial Park on September 21. If you’re in Oakville, do not miss this exciting event. The event showcases hundreds of vintage British cars and motorcycles and over 40 British-related vendors. The event starts at 9:00 a.m. with award ceremonies taking place at 2:00 p.m. Spend the morning looking at vintage cars, some of which are similar to the cars shown in Downton Abbey.
We hope that you have enjoyed Visit Oakville’s Downton Abbey inspired itinerary. If you are looking for more things to do in the area, visit the Heart of Ontario’s website where they detail different Downton Abbey attractions that you can see while you are visiting the Halton Region.
Enjoy reading this blog post? Sign up here to receive our monthly newsletter and get our blog post delivered to your inbox. Plus, get insider info, first looks and monthly information about the best attractions, events and businesses in Oakville.