Fanshawe Pioneer Village
Fanshawe Pioneer Village
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
223 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
78
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Kate
2 contributions
Aug 2019
I have loved visiting Pioneer Village since I was a child. It's a relaxing, fun day spent outside. You can wander the buildings as you wish and there are sometimes events and extra activities, as well as seasonal events. The staff is great and if you are interested, you can chat with them and learn so many things about history. It's a very good place to go to generate discussions with kids about historical life and show them examples in an accessible way. There are plenty of opportunities for photos of the houses, wildlife (mostly birds) and nature, farm animals, or taking portraits. I have taken my son since he was a toddler and he always enjoys it too. He is 6 and the last time we went, he didn't want to leave even after a few hours! It was not crowded at all (just steady) and very low key, which was great for a hot summer afternoon.
The little cafe has just the right number of choices (soups, sandwiches, ice cream, etc.) and the food is always good. The gift shop has so many lovely and fun items in a range of prices that are very fair. It feels like being outside of the city even though it's not far at all.
You can also go nearby to hiking trails, the campground, etc.
I think almost anyone could have a great time here whether they are interested in history or not!
The little cafe has just the right number of choices (soups, sandwiches, ice cream, etc.) and the food is always good. The gift shop has so many lovely and fun items in a range of prices that are very fair. It feels like being outside of the city even though it's not far at all.
You can also go nearby to hiking trails, the campground, etc.
I think almost anyone could have a great time here whether they are interested in history or not!
Written January 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explorer_IM
Cambridge, Canada561 contributions
Sept 2022
A walk down the history I would say. We had been to Black Creek Pioneer village and were intrugued to find out whats in here. It is comparitively smaller but well kept historical village that depicts the history of Middlesex London. We were super impressed by the vast knowledge of actors, one of them who gave us information about Peel House was just full of information.
A day well spent with family getting to know the history of Canada. If you are in the area, must plan a visit. There is a general store and clean washrooms avaialble. This village is inside Enter at Fanshawe Conservation Area and they will let you go once you tell them that you are going to Pioneer village. Small reception area is where you can buy your tickets and enjoy the day.
A day well spent with family getting to know the history of Canada. If you are in the area, must plan a visit. There is a general store and clean washrooms avaialble. This village is inside Enter at Fanshawe Conservation Area and they will let you go once you tell them that you are going to Pioneer village. Small reception area is where you can buy your tickets and enjoy the day.
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alicia M
Monticello, MN125 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
My family of 4 with 2 teens went here. It was educational and had many buildings to see. We ended up skipping some due to the heat but enjoyed ourselves. In particular an elderly gentleman who was by the free Manson building was so excited to tell us about being a mason in Canada which my husband loved hearing about. I would recommend visiting with children or just for fun if you’re in the area.
Written August 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B P
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Family
Always loved the haunted hayrides for the outdoor spooky experience and the interesting story telling. It has now been turned into a walk through several buildings with repetitive jump scared and lots of disturbing dismembered female bodies. I don't think this is something for families anymore and unfortunately it is also not taking into account the health of participants as there were two tight areas of complete darkness with cloths hanging in your face. Each person is going to be having contact and breathing all over these clothes that will then touch the next person's face. It was like sharing a face mask with hundreds of people. Unfortunately I don't think I would go again. Too bad as it has always been something that I enjoyed supporting.
Written October 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa K
Portage, IN44 contributions
Jun 2023
Traveling back to Michigan from Toronto, we passed by London, Ontario and stopped for a couple of hours at Fanshawe Pioneer Village. It was interesting to see the progression from pioneer homes of the 1800's to early 1900's Victorian style buildings. Great way to spend a few hours and learn about the history of the area. Staff were in costume and very knowledgeable.
Written June 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiina T
1 contribution
Jun 2014 • Couples
During recent wedding, our cars were broken into during the wedding ceremony at the picturesque old church in Fanshawe Pioneer village. Not only that wedding gifts, i-pad, and other personal items were stolen, during the wedding reception at the nearby barn, money collected for the young couples honeymoon was also stolen. The Fanshawe Pioneer Village provides no security whatsoever. Apparently this was not the first time, so be forewarned! Our wedding was completely ruined.
Written June 13, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Tiina,
We are so sorry to hear about the theft of your property during your recent visit to Fanshawe Conservation Area. Thank you for sharing this incident with us and a report has been filed with the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority Security. While the Conservation Area has 24 hour security, they have stepped up the frequency of their patrols of the parking areas and we have asked Masters of Ceremonies at all event to provide security reminders to their guests.
Kind Regards,
Fanshawe Pioneer Village staff
Written June 26, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Stephen C
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK204 contributions
We visited Fanshawe Pioneer Village on Friday 11th June 2010 with my extended family and 2 1/2 year old son. My wife had last visited this village in 1980 when she was only 18 months old!
The village is well signposted but it doesn't tell you to make the left turn into the park so it cam be easy to drive past (we did). You have to work your way through the park to get to the village.
The village is laid out from the earliest log cabins right up to the 1920's clapper board houses. Some houses have staff in period costume who will guide you round the houses and are very knowledgable.
You really need a nice day to do this as it's mostly outdoors. There were also a lot of school trips there while we were there but these can be avoided as they just move round in big groups.
All in all we spent about 3-4 hours in the village which included a picnic. Definately worth the visit.
The village is well signposted but it doesn't tell you to make the left turn into the park so it cam be easy to drive past (we did). You have to work your way through the park to get to the village.
The village is laid out from the earliest log cabins right up to the 1920's clapper board houses. Some houses have staff in period costume who will guide you round the houses and are very knowledgable.
You really need a nice day to do this as it's mostly outdoors. There were also a lot of school trips there while we were there but these can be avoided as they just move round in big groups.
All in all we spent about 3-4 hours in the village which included a picnic. Definately worth the visit.
Written June 22, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mollnme
Sault Ste. Marie, Canada98 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
Had read several articles about Thanksgiving dinner here. So we decided to attend. Tickets must be purchased in advance at $22/adult.
Walk from parking to restaurant was a little too far.
Staff were not dressed in period outfits
Tables did have name tags but were not very well spaced out.
No water glasses or bread plates out
One line rolls and butter water/lemonade serve your self in plastic glasses
Buffet consisted of soup mashed potatoes stuffing white/dark meat turkey gravy a vegetable medley and cranberry sauce which than ran out of.
No salads no relish trays
Terrible coffee
Dessert was very bland pumpkin pie and apple pie no ice cream no name whipped cream offered no thanks
No staff to remove used plates
Got dirty looks for taking a small.piece of dark meat home. Had paid for four meals and only 3 of us attended.
Turkey didn't have a great flavour and was sliced way too thick.
No aur conditioning or fans
No fly swatters for the bugs including hornets flying around
A very over priced and disappointing experience
Won't be back can't recommend
Staff didn't even come around to see if we needed or wanted anything.
An looked forward to time that left a bad taste
Too bad
Walk from parking to restaurant was a little too far.
Staff were not dressed in period outfits
Tables did have name tags but were not very well spaced out.
No water glasses or bread plates out
One line rolls and butter water/lemonade serve your self in plastic glasses
Buffet consisted of soup mashed potatoes stuffing white/dark meat turkey gravy a vegetable medley and cranberry sauce which than ran out of.
No salads no relish trays
Terrible coffee
Dessert was very bland pumpkin pie and apple pie no ice cream no name whipped cream offered no thanks
No staff to remove used plates
Got dirty looks for taking a small.piece of dark meat home. Had paid for four meals and only 3 of us attended.
Turkey didn't have a great flavour and was sliced way too thick.
No aur conditioning or fans
No fly swatters for the bugs including hornets flying around
A very over priced and disappointing experience
Won't be back can't recommend
Staff didn't even come around to see if we needed or wanted anything.
An looked forward to time that left a bad taste
Too bad
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
livetotravel16
Toronto, Canada15 contributions
Jul 2013 • Friends
I had gone as a child, but going again recently was a great experience to learn more. It's wonderful to see local history being preserved like this. All buildings are authentic local places that have been moved to the site, as well many of the belongings inside are true artifacts. The staff are very knowledgable and are in character. The man in the woodshop is the grandson of the man who owned the shop, which was very interesting to speak to him. As well the blacksmith makes things for the village, so they are really using their resources well. This is a wonderful, magical step back in time. Deffinatly worth a visit to learn more about local pioneer history. It's amazing how fast things change.
Written August 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David W
London394 contributions
A nice secluded timeline village not disturbed by city life.
This timeline village has over 35 historic structures that cover life in south central Ontario from about 1820 until the early 20th century.
The buildings include a log cabin, print shop, blacksmith, 2 churches, 2 schools, barns, many homes, saw mill, period tavern, and a working store.
Many programs are put on weekends from May to October with the fall hosting an annual War of 1812 re-enactment weekend each year the weekend before the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend.
This timeline village has over 35 historic structures that cover life in south central Ontario from about 1820 until the early 20th century.
The buildings include a log cabin, print shop, blacksmith, 2 churches, 2 schools, barns, many homes, saw mill, period tavern, and a working store.
Many programs are put on weekends from May to October with the fall hosting an annual War of 1812 re-enactment weekend each year the weekend before the Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend.
Written January 14, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How can I get to the village by public transportation?
Written August 13, 2019
PioneerVillage
London, Canada
Hello Alain,
Unfortunately, there are no routes that currently go to the Village. The most direct way to get here by bus is to take the 21-- it comes to approximately Huron and Clarke Roads. You can then walk or bike into the conservation area and village though this is still a fair distance.
With the construction set to take place along Clarke Road our previous route has been put on hold.
All the best,
Alison
Written August 24, 2019
PioneerVillage
London, Canada
We are working to make the lower floors of buildings physically accessible. Most buildings lower floors are accessible, but there are a couple buildings where this is still being worked on.
Visitors can also access the Fanshawe 360 Experience on our website through the Explore at Fanshawe Pioneer Village section.
Written March 16, 2018
PioneerVillage
London, Canada
Hi all, for future users: we are open Tuesday-Sunday and Holiday Mondays, 10 a.m. - 4:30p.m.
Written March 16, 2018
PioneerVillage
London, Canada
Hi Jane T, thank you for your question. Fanshawe Pioneer Village will be on winter shut down during that time, but we will re-open in January.
Thank you!
Marianne
Marketing Coordinator
Written August 31, 2016
Yes, there is lots to see and some animals and games to play. Our 3 year old loved the park and kept up walking himself and we treated him with a little toy from the general store. We have 3 boys 10,6,3 and they all enjoyed the day!
Written May 23, 2016
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