This spring, bring the whole family out to Paisley and choose your adventure!

The town of Paisley is strategically located at the convergence of the Teeswater and Saugeen Rivers, and is known to be one of Bruce County’s most picturesque towns. This spring, come to Paisley to enjoy heritage buildings, visit the local shoppes downtown, and experience the hiking, cycling, and paddling routes!

The Saugeen River is one of Ontario’s major waterways, and the access points at Paisley are a popular starting point for long-winded trips out to Lake Huron. In the spring the Saugeen River at Paisley lights up with kayaks and canoes galore!  A guide + map of the paddling access routes can be downloaded here. If you are interested in renting equipment for a Saugeen River adventure, there is Cowan Canoe and Kayak outfitters (519-353-5535) conveniently located within Paisley’s core.


Paisley is also a popular destination for mountain bikers, hikers, and even horseback riders! The Brant Tract at Paisley has 20 kilometers of single-track trails designed specifically for mountain biking and hiking, and an additional 10 kilometers of double-track trails, which are designed for multi-use. The trails are open for all four seasons, and are a great destination for family fun and movement! More information about the Brant Tract is located on our MTB the Bruce website.


For some less strenuous activity, a leisurely Heritage Walk is a fun way to experience Paisley’s progressive history. The walking tour includes stops that depict historic timelines, and are featured in a small brochure that can be downloaded here. Travel back in time to the 19th century while eating lunch at one of the current local hot spots, Back Eddie’s, an organic coffee roastery and café.


Another local favorite is the Paisley Treasure Chest Museum—a private collection that has been opened to the public. Norman and Ina Hagedorn spent a lifetime collecting pieces of local history—from blacksmith tools and farm equipment to delicate antique china. The collection is a must-see, and during the spring season it is open by appointment only. To schedule a group viewing, please contact the Treasure Chest Museum at 519-353-7176.


Another exciting event that happens every spring in Paisley is the Old-Tyme Maple Syrup Festival, which takes place on March 24-25 at the Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area. Don't miss this sweet Bruce County Festival!

From mountain biking, to paddling the Saugeen River, to historical discoveries, Paisley features fun for all levels of Bruce County adventurers!

Top Activities

• Paddling the Saugeen River
• the Heritage Walk
• Brant Tract Trail
• Treasure Chest Museum
• Maple Syrup Festival

Parking
Free parking is available at the following locations:

• downtown streets + side streets
• river access points #9A, #9b, and #10

We have a directory of Paisley Bed & Breakfasts which you can contact by phone or email for dates of availability.

History of Paisley

Long before European settlers brought their rafts of household goods downstream from Walkerton, the Saugeen had been a travel route from the interior of central Ontario to the waters of Lake Huron. In 1851, Simon Orchard and Samuel Rowe selected the meeting of two rivers as a choice site for a village, naming it Paisley after a town in Renfrewshire, Scotland.  As it grew into an industrial centre, the power of Paisley’s twin rivers ran seven mills producing everything from lumber to livestock feed.  

Today known as Bruce County’s Heritage Village, Paisley is packed with gracious homes, a century- and-a-half old. Visitors can stroll along the Heritage Walk, photograph the 1876 Town Hall and the unique firehose tower and then visit the five-storey Paisley City Mill, now restored as a fascinating shop. Each year, the area’s agricultural past comes alive with the Bruce County Steam and Antique Show and the annual fall fair.

Fun Fact

David Milne, one of Canada’s outstanding landscape artists, was born on a farm near Burgoyne in Saugeen Township and raised in Paisley.  Milne, who was an official Canadian war artist during the First World War, painted the Bruce County countryside.  Today, his paintings can be found in many of the nation’s major galleries.  

Location

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