On a sleepy Wednesday afternoon in September, we had the chance to visit the new agritourismo in Perth County: Transvaal Farm.
Owned and operated by Cindy and Scott Taylor, this picturesque 50-acre rural property is home to gardens, heritage apple trees, the most adorable flock of red hens and celebrated C’est Bon Cheese.
Staying at Transvaal Farm means booking their charming, 2 bedroom guest cottage. It boasts a big stone fire place, the coziest of reading nooks (pictured above), a full kitchen — stocked with fresh goats milk and Cindy’s award winning preserves — and access to the Taylor’s beautiful, bountiful gardens.
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Each day you stay, you can start your day off with a walk through the grounds to visit to chicken coop to collect your own farm fresh eggs. Make your way to the garden beds and pick and choose from tomatoes, greens, beets, potatoes, cucumbers, a plethora of hot peppers, onions and more. You can snip your own herbs or in the mid-summer months, catch yourself eats fruit straight from one of the cherry, pear, apple, and quince trees on the property.
When you make your way back to your cottage, some of Cindy’s baked goods will be waiting. Depending on the season, it might be warm challah bread or chevre and jalapeno scones. Relax your morning away in the gazebo or fireside in your guest cottage.
Transvaal Farm is nestled next to the sleepy town of St. Mary’s. Don’t be fooled by the charming store fronts and babbling brook — it’s quite a lively place! The town is home to the annual Stonetown Heritage Festival, Canada�s largest outdoor freshwater swimming pool � a former limestone quarry where Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau once dove off the high board, and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. There’s also a great little farmers’ market and main street to shop along.
Before you get on the road again, make sure to snag some of Cindy’s homemade treats and exclusive Transvaal Farm souvenirs including outstanding C’est Bon Cheeses, scrumptious preserves — her blackberry jam took 7th place at the Royal last year — and chocolate goat cheese truffles.
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Transvaal is a great home base to explore the edible wonders of Perth County. From here, it’s just a short drive the cheesemakers, brewers, distillers, bakeries and the hustle and bustle of downtown Stratford.
For more information on Perth County, check out Stratford Tourism — and be sure to #FeastOn along the way!