Local Focus: Bradford West Gwillimbury & New Tecumseth

By NextHome Staff
January 31, 2018
by Gale Beeby

A slower pace of life, lots of countryside, quality produce and fresh air are the main attractions

HOUSING OPTIONSPrimarily an agriculture area with a rich history of grist and lumber mills, the area has seen a recent growth spurt, mainly because of the province's restrictions for building on the greenbelt. All the towns and villages have wonderful heritage homes, and the new offerings run the gamut from condos and townhouses to detached master-planned communities and large estate homes. To see a list of new homes for sale in these two communities please click on the links below.LEISURE PURSUITSOne of Bradford West Gwillimbury's most famous historical landmarks is the Village Inn Hotel, which opened in the 1900s. It was designed by E.J. Lennox, one of Toronto's foremost architects, who also built Toronto's Old City Hall, the West Wing of the Ontario Legislature and the King Edward Hotel.In New Tecumseth, the Museum on the Boyne features a 1914 Agricultural Fair building, an 1851 log cabin and a 1858 English barn. The Gibson Centre in Alliston offers a variety of live performances throughout the year. The restoration of the birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting (who co-won the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1928) at the 107-acre farm at what is now 5116 Sir Frederick Banting Road, has been undertaken by the town with private donations.EASY ACCESSThe area is serviced by many double-lane highways which connect to Highway 400 to the west and Highway 404 to the east. Public transit, however, is very limited. GO Transit runs bus and train service through the area, taking commuters north to Barrie and south to Toronto.PARKS & RECParks, waterways and recreational facilities abound in the region. The Scanlon Creek Conservation Area allows visitors to explore forests, marshlands and glacial erratics via its 10-kilometre trail system that winds its way through the 750-acre property. The region also boasts several golf courses, cycling trails, skiing, fishing and snowmobiling.In Bradford West Gwillimbury, there are 20 parks totalling 100 acres to enjoy with picnic areas, pathways, play areas, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, soccer pitches, tennis courts and ice skating facilities.New Tecumseth is closing the gap in the Trans Canada Trail between the Town of Innisfil and the Town of Caledon. The Tottenham Conservation Area boasts 41 acres of prime parkland, a magnificent pond with a large sandy beach, picnic areas and camping areas. While there you can fish, walk the nature trails, canoe or kayak, or play beach volleyball.RETAIL THERAPYOh the joy of a stroll through a historic Ontario town, where the stores offer unique crafts, interesting gourmet delights and amazing boutiques, restaurants and cafés, where quality rules over quantity. The farmers' markets in the Holland Marsh are the ultimate in fresh and flavourful. However, if it is a big mall, outlet shopping or big box stores you're after, you'll have to go to Newmarket or Barrie … or Toronto.

BY THE NUMBERS

Bradford West Gwillimbury population: 35,325New Tecumseth population: 34,250Bradford West Gwillimbury walk score: 37New Tecumseth walk score: 37TownOfBWG.comNewTecumseth.ca

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