St. Marys calls itself the Stonetown, and the name fits: downtown and the Town Hall are built from local limestone. It sits between Stratford and London, just off Highway 7, which makes it an easy half-day trip from Stratford. The town's tourism page lists its main draws: the old limestone streets, the Museum and Archives in a hilltop heritage house in Cadzow Park built in 1854 and nicknamed the Castle in the Bush, the Grand Trunk Trail with two high trestle bridges, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and the St. Marys Station Gallery. In summer the old limestone quarry becomes a large freshwater swimming pool, billed as the largest outdoor pool of its kind in Canada. The quarry season runs through the summer, with a modest admission fee. Outside summer the pleasures are the architecture, the trail and the cafes.
What to do
Walk the downtown to see the limestone buildings and Town Hall, climb to Cadzow Park for the museum and its view, and walk or cycle part of the Grand Trunk Trail to the trestle bridges. Baseball fans should check the Hall of Fame and Museum, and anyone with a few spare hours can browse the shops and the station gallery. In summer, bring a swimsuit for the quarry.
Seasons and planning
The quarry is a summer attraction, open from late June to early September, so a visit outside summer is about the town itself. Check the town's events page for seasonal events before you drive over. Heavy rain closed quarry swimming in season, and the town said weather closures are not refunded, which matters in summer.
Fitting it in
St. Marys is a short drive from Stratford, and the town sits centrally between Stratford and London. Allow half a day with lunch. Some visitors combine it with a Stratford show by going over in the morning or the day after, and the town's own Stone Willow Inn is a place to stay if you want a quieter base. A car is by far the easiest way to get there.
What to expect
The experience
A half-day trip to a limestone town with a heritage museum, a rail trail and, in summer, a huge former quarry used for swimming.
Best time
Summer for the quarry; spring to autumn for the trail and town; November is quiet with the quarry closed.
How long
Allow half a day with lunch.
Tips
Drive over, check the tourism page for events, and bring a swimsuit only from late June to early September.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors with a car and a free half-day who like small towns, limestone architecture and trails.
- Families
- Children enjoy the quarry in summer and the trestle bridges on the Grand Trunk Trail.
- Couples
- Pick a sunny autumn day to walk the trail and have lunch in the town.
- Pair with
- A morning in St. Marys fits before a Stratford matinee, or the day after a show.
- Time needed
- About half a day, including the drive.
Good questions
Is St. Marys worth a day trip from Stratford?+
Yes, for limestone architecture, a heritage museum, a rail trail and, in summer, the quarry. It sits between Stratford and London just off Highway 7.
Is the St. Marys Quarry open in November?+
No. The quarry season runs from late June to early September, so it is closed outside summer. Check the town's page for the current dates.
What is there to see in St. Marys?+
The Stonetown's limestone buildings, the Museum and Archives in Cadzow Park, the Grand Trunk Trail and its trestle bridges, the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the station gallery.
How do I get there?+
By car, which is the easiest option, along Highway 7. The town is between Stratford and London.
How much is the quarry?+
General admission is modest. Check the town's site for the current price and hours.
