Communities

Quality of life isn’t a phrase; it’s a choice you’ll make when you make the move to Wellington County.

Whether you prefer the rural landscapes with the small town appeal of Alma, Drayton, Arthur and Mount Forest, or favour the neighbourhoods near the rugged beauty the Grand River as it stretches from Belwood Lake into Fergus and Elora, or the reservoir and forest trails of Rockwood. Community is the heart of everything.

If you want the convenience and richness of city life, without losing that small town appeal, you’ll find this rare attribute in the city of Guelph; a truly unique urban centre.

Whatever your stage in life, this is a place where you can settle down, but you’ll never be idle. In every season, our community calendars offer something for everyone. We invest in community and senior centrescentres, offering everything from arts programming, to exercise classes and organized sports to encourage diverse, healthy lifestyles for all ages. Wellington County is recognized as a Safe Community, making it a great place for people of all ages.

Explore our region and you’ll find wide-open spaces where nature is nurtured, heritage is preserved, and where small-town values persist, but so do big-world views for a future with responsible growth. Surrounded by wide-open agricultural lands, all of our villages centre around a historic downtown, each with a charm and character all their own. This is a place where people still say ‘hello’ to passers-by on the street.

Enjoy a breath of fresh air here. Explore the expanse of nature trails through protected forests or journey along our expansive trail systems, such as the Elora Cataract Trailway. The Grand River Conservation Authority offers seasonal activities from canoeing, fishing, boating at Belwood Lake, the Elora Gorge and Rockwood.

We also have a thriving, inclusive arts scene and have earned international attention with our world-class cultural festivals.

Everything you’re looking for in a place to call home – you’ll find it here.

Location is everything: this is where you want to be.

Wellington County is uniquely situated within a two-hour drive from Toronto and Hamilton, and within three hours of Niagara. It is close to the tri-cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, as well as the city of Guelph.