Avery House B&B

06/05/2026

What were guests raving about last week? Pork Belly Tacos at Keystone Alley; a seafood entree that is served in a coconut 🥥 shell at Stratford Thai cuisine; and we heard all about the steaks, seared salmon, and twice baked potatoes at Foster's Inn. Here at Avery House we will make sure you start your day well fueled and we love hearing about the other good eats you experience during your visit!

06/02/2026

Yesterday Minnie and Amanda went out to Mike Schout Wetlands in the Township of Wilmot a 20 minute drive from Stratford. It’s a 55 acre preserve with a 1.6 km raised boardwalk. The biophony! I would have been happy to just sit and listen. Plenty of birds were visible but the one that caught my eye was a tree swallow as we don’t have any in our yard. And the frogs… I couldn’t see them but I could hear the distinctive gunk sound of male Green Frogs. If you head out that way, stop in The Garden Stand for delicious picnic treats!

05/27/2026

This is exciting! We've raved about Slings & Arrows for years. The writing team behind the show has put together a "prequel play" called The Amateurs. It's getting its debut in a reading this summer. It's a one-night-only gig, Sun Jul 26, 7:30pm at the Stratford Festival's Meighan Forum.

Chris Abraham will direct, in collaboration with Crow's Theatre where he is AD. Like us, many of our guests are fans of his. He's helmed numerous productions here at Stratford over the years, including a 2013 Othello at the Avon that made a profound impression on us.

The announcement is a bit cryptic in saying that "Festival company members" will be performing. That being said, it would be quite a coincidence if the star of the TV show happened to be in Stratford this season in a major production, like, say, Waiting For Godot.

Fun! Definitely worth checking out.

05/27/2026

Stratford has no shortage of good eats! Here’s what guests were raving about last week:

The Common, the Dates & Manchego app and the Black Cod entree

Braai House, the Lamb!

Rene's, Beef Tenderloin with the added note, save room for the pecan pudding cake!

05/26/2026

The Perth County Courthouse is an iconic landmark: it's the dominant building where Ontario, Erie and Huron Streets converge. Right next to the courthouse you’ll find a lovely little green space: The Shakespearean Gardens.

Originally the location of the Dufton Wollen Mill, which was built in 1874 and burned in 1919, leaving only the 20-meter chimney. In mid-1920s, after lobbying from R.T. Orr, a fierce champion of setting aside parkland in town, the City purchased the property. The decision was made to retain the chimney; a unique conical roof, purple martin birdhouse, and weather vane were added at the peak. Landscaping and other features gradually added over the following decades, including a bust of Shakespeare by artist Cleeve Horne in 1949. In the 1960s, the park was expanded to the west with the purchase of additional land; the gazebo was added at this time.

Around 2017, a local group, the “Friends of The Shakespearean Gardens” launched a significant revitalization of the garden. Over 50 rose bushes were added, and the Peony Society of Canada donated 100 peony plants. Many volunteers continue to be actively involved, including well-known local singer/song-writer Loreena McKennitt.

Today, the Gardens are a lovely spot for a brief stroll and a few minutes of quiet appreciation of the natural beauty. Check out the oldest double-arch stone bridge in Ontario; admire the collection of flowers, herbs, and shrubs, many of which are mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays; the gazebo is a perfect spot for photos. There are efforts currently underway to issue a heritage designation for this historic garden.

In town this Thursday? The Friends of the Shakespearean Garden invite you to join them on May 28th at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Stratford Historical Garden. A wonderful milestone in Canadian Public Gardens!

Photo Credits. Chimney Tower at Night Chris Arthurs. Other images: Sweet Touch of Nature - Studio & Print Shop.

05/22/2026

The crabapple tree in front of Avery House decides to bloom every two or three years. It is usually a lovely show, although short-lived.

This year's flowers are a real spectacle, covering the branches from tip to trunk, blinding-white in the sunlight. That's our "Narnia lantern" keeping the crabapple company. Out-of-town guests: what's blooming in your neigbourhood?

05/13/2026

The Return of Keystone Alley

For those who have visited us in Stratford over the years, the name Keystone Alley likely holds fond memories. Tucked away on Brunswick Street right behind the Avon Theatre, it was a local staple for decades. We are thrilled by the prospect that the original name, and the classic spirit, are returning to Stratford this season. Keystone Alley

The space has a sleek and chic feel, with a polished cocktail bar vibe rather than the cafe aesthetic of the "OG" Keystone. Running the show is Jessie Votary, Stratford’s own high-powered gamine restaurateur. She brings a vibrant presence and professionalism to the room, and one of the sharpest minds in the business.

We recently stopped by for dinner and the experience was lovely. The menu feels familiar and approachable, offering a compelling balance of quality and value. We shared the Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, the Steak & Chips (the Bavette was excellent), and the pork belly tacos. The portions were generous and the flavors were spot on. Jessie also shared some exciting plans for their non-alcoholic offerings, including some really snazzy botanicals that will lead the way on their beverage menu.

While the menu is still evolving, we are so excited to see the resurrection of the Keystone name and tradition. It is wonderful to see this historic Stratford spot revitalized just in time for the season.

Planning a visit to Stratford this season? We invite you to stay with us here at Avery House and explore all the wonderful dining our downtown has to offer. Link in comments.

05/05/2026

Perfect timing, Thames River Melons. We'll be doing the annual freezer-loading with the 'gus. See you at the market this Saturday!

Come and get it! 💚 Asparagus season has officially arrived. We’ll be stocked up daily at our Farm Shop (open 9-5 Monday through Saturday), you’ll find some in our first round of home deliveries, and we’ll be heading out to some farmers’ markets beginning this Thursday. We’re so excited for the first taste of the season. How will you cook it up first? Drop a comment below and share!👇

04/23/2026

🚗🧀 Did you know that just southeast of Stratford you’ll find Oxford County—regarded as the "Dairy Capital of Canada"? 🥛🐮

It’s an easy road 🚗 trip through the rolling countryside🌽🚜 from Avery House to Gunn's Hill Artisan Cheese 🧀. This beautiful spot is home to a multi-Grand Prix-winning cheesemaker, and it is well worth the short drive to see why. 🏆

The owner/cheesemakeer, Shep Ysselstein, trained in the USA 🇺🇸, BC 🇨🇦, and most recently in the Swiss 🇨🇭 Alps 🏔️. Shep says you can really taste that Swiss influence in his cheeses. Since his milk comes from the family dairy farm right next door, the quality is truly farm-to-table. 🐄✨

They offer a workshop and tour that is a lot of fun if you'd like to see the process. Or, stop by the shop and snag an assortment of their wares. 🛍️

The Best Part: Pick up a bottle of wine 🍷en route, and grab a fresh baguette🥖 from Downie Street Bakehouse or Vann's Fine Bakery on your way back to Stratford and Avery House. You’ll have all the fixings for a lovely afternoon on your patio or a midnight snack after the theatre. 🎭🌙

We hope to see you here at Avery House this season. We'll put our link in the comments below. 🏡✨