Are you looking to move outside of London, Ontario? If you are hoping to live outside of the city or to move a little closer to London from even further away, then consider Thorndale, Ontario as your ultimate destination. This page will serve as a helpful outline guide for anyone interested in learning a little more about the pleasant and rapidly growing town of Thorndale.
Where is Thorndale, Ontario?
At a manageable distance from London, Thorndale offers the comforts of a small, interconnected community alongside access to the conveniences of a larger city. But just how convenient? Thorndale is only 22 km from the core of London, about a 25 minute commute to and from the city. To the East, Thorndale is a 40 minute drive to Woodstock, Ontario.
Thorndale, Ontario is located North-East of London on the other side of where the Thames River becomes Fanshawe Lake. Thorndale itself is more of a village, never becoming formally incorporated as a town. Instead, it is a part of the Thames Centre Municipality alongside Dorchester, Mossley, Putnam, and many others. Thames Centre is made up of several rural communities to the East of London with a population totaling 13,191 people. The municipality makes up about 3% of the population of Middlesex County.
History of Thorndale
Thorndale gets its name from the estate of an early European settler. In 1837, Irish-born James Shanly and his family began to build his new Canadian home. He named the property “Thorndale”, a name that the expanding village would adopt years later. It was the introduction of the Grand Trunk Railroad and its station in Thorndale in 1858 that really got things moving for the little village. A railroad brought work and left connections to nearby markets when it was finished. This access made the transportation of goods and materials much easier than Shanly’s initial foray into the area. Even with the railroad, Thorndale was primarily an agricultural society. The village and the lands around it were known for fields of corn, potatoes, and wheat. Much of that farming has remained to this day in the surrounding rural areas and that agricultural legacy is celebrated by the Thorndale Agricultural Society and their annual Fall Fair.
Live here! - Homes for Sale in Thorndale?
Thorndale is growing! There are three developments in Thorndale offering beautiful, new houses in the area. The first is the Wye Creek subdivision, a 300-lot development a little bit west of the heart of Thorndale. The site plan offers a variety of lots to choose from as well as two-story, bungalow, and 2-3 bedroom condo offerings. Foxborough is another development with deep, country-style lots and natural green space. The first phase of building consisted of 21 lots, but several phases are planned for this development going forward. The newest subdivision, Rosewood by Sifton is currently taking registrations, offering single-family homes to be built by 2020. In addition to new build communities, Thorndale also includes other established subdivisions with resale homes available for purchase.
Thorndale may be small now, but its businesses service its residents well. There is a post office, pharmacy, banks, shopping, and restaurants all local. Anything not in town isn’t too far away either. The 150-store, two-story Masonville shopping mall in London is only 20 minutes away. Even closer at a 15-minute drive is the London International Airport which is quite far East of the city of London.
Living in Thorndale is a great choice for families too. Not only is there a fantastic, welcoming community of events and activities, but access to a good selection of schools:
Thames Valley District School Board
- West Nissouri Public School (JK to Grade 8) Thorndale, ON
- Lord Dorchester Secondary School (Grades 9-12) Dorchester, ON
- Princess Anne French Immersion Public School (SK-Grade 8)London, ON
- Louise Arbour French Immersion Public School (Grades 7-8) London, ON
- Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School (Grades 9-12) London, ON
- Montcalm Secondary School (Grades 9-12), London, ON
- B. Davison Secondary School (Grades 9-12) London, ON
London District Catholic School Board
- St. Pius X (JK to Grade 8) London, ON
- St. John French Immersion (K to Grade 8)London, ON
- John Paul II Secondary (Grades 9-12) London, ON
- Mother Teresa Secondary (Grades 9-12) London, ON
Community
From festivals, meetings, classes, and charity events, the activity in the Thorndale community never slows down. All residents are encouraged to visit and participate in events like Town-wide Yard Sales, Tea Times, Garden Tours, and special classes which decorate the town’s already extensive calendar of events. Seasonal recreation includes outdoor sports like skating, tug-of-war, soccer, and baseball, while indoor activities include yoga, tai chi, gymnastics, and zumba classes. With such a wide selection, there is bound to be something to interest everyone - or at least give you something new to try.
The Thorndale community is vibrant and welcoming from Day 1. With all of the new developments lately, community organizers, “I Love Thorndale” have established a thoughtful welcome program for new residents of the village. By signing up, new residents will receive community guides, calendars, and a coupon collection. They also offer a “Welcome Mob” and other opportunities to connect with the Thorndale community.
The largest event on Thorndale’s Calendar takes place in September as a celebration of Fall and the town’s agriculture heritage. Hosted by the Thorndale Agricultural Society, the Fall Fair has been a local tradition since 1857. As part of the festivities, Thorndale hosts competitions, performances, a midway, and even a Tractor Pull event. Visitors can enjoy the sights and showswhile learning about Thorndale’s present accomplishments alongside its farming heritage.
Things to Do In and Around Thorndale
Even though community events and recreation can keep you pretty busy, here are some sights worth taking the time to experience in and around the Thorndale area.
Fanshawe Pioneer Village
This first destination is located just on the Eastern outskirts of London, Ontario, a 20 minute drive from Thorndale. Fanshawe Pioneer Village is a heritage village, live museum, and gallery committed to the authentic experience of stepping back in time to early villages in Middlesex County. The site has log cabins, blacksmith workshops, an old schoolhouse, and a functioning General Store, all filled with artifacts and props accurate to the period. 2019 marks the village’s 60th anniversary, which they have commemorated with special programming running all season.
Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush
An outing to a sugar bush is probably one of the most Canadian things you can do. Period. It is an educational and delicious opportunity to see how maple syrup is made - and of course, you can eat it! The Kinsmen Fanshawe Sugar Bush is nearly 10 minutes outside of Thorndale, near Fanshawe Lake. During their open season, they offer guides, tours, samples, and a pancake house for guests to immerse themselves in the world of maple syrup.
Apple Land Station
This family farm opens to the public in the Fall. The farm is located 11 minutes away from Thorndale in the neighbouring community of Dorchester. At Apple Land Station you can enjoy apple picking, pumpkin picking, a replica train, and an animal barn for the enjoyment of guests of all ages. When the orchard closes for the season, the farm remains open for Christmas tree-picking and Santa's Cabin in the Winter, followed by a huge Easter Egg hunt in the Spring.
Thorndale, Ontario is a small town with a lively community at its heart. With new developments on the horizon, Thorndale’s growth and expansion is starting to pick up in a big way. It already has access to great excursions and activities, but as the town continues to grow, more opportunities will surely follow. So, if you’re looking to live outside London, be sure to pay Thorndale a visit to see what it can offer you.
