5 Amazing Reasons to Visit Castle Kilbride: A Fun Day Trip from Stratford

Who can resist a castle? if you’re looking for fun day trips from Stratford, Ontario there’s a castle nearby. Thirty minutes east of Stratford is the majestic Castle Kilbride, in the small town of Baden. It’s not a traditional castle set on a hilltop in the English countryside with a moat and huge stone turrets. However, it has all the charm and history of a true castle.

In my guide to Castle Kilbride you’ll discover my top 5 reasons to visit. These range from learning about its interesting history to attending fun events. Plus, I’m sharing everything you need to know before you go!

So come with me as I take you inside the Castle that Livingstone built. Learn about its history, its secrets, and my top five reasons why you should visit Castle Kilbride.

Why is it called Castle Kilbride?

Many people ask, why is it called Castle Kilbride? James Livingstone immigrated to Ontario, Canada from East Kilbride, Scotland. Coming from poor beginnings, he created an empire in the flax industry.

So, when he built this grand home for him and his family he wanted to pay tribute to his birthplace. And a man’s home is his castle.

Disclaimer: I was a guest of Castle Kilbride, but my thoughts and opinions are my own. I was allowed to to take select photos but photography is not permitted.

5 Reasons to Visit Castle Kilbride

Step Back in Time

Castle Kilbride was built in 1877 for the Livingstone family. Three generations of the family called it home. After being put up for sale in the 1980’s, Wilmot Township purchased it and went to work restoring it to its original beauty.

It’s now a museum showcasing a slice of the Victorian era. Plus, it tells the story of the Livingstone family that lived under its roof for over 100 years.

One of the top reasons to visit Castle Kilbride is its history and the chance to step back in time. With four floors and 10,000 square feet to explore there is so much to see and learn.

Take a peek into the daily lives of the Livingstone family. With a large majority of the original pieces from the house adorning it, from toys to lamps, you’ll be wowed by how lavish they lived.

During my first visit, the main exhibit was The Roaring Twenties: Childhood Bliss. So, I was able to enjoy the elegance and extravagance of the 1920s. The exhibit was created to honour Laura Louise Livingstone’s 100th birthday.

The exhibit showcased how opulent a childhood Livingstone’s granddaughter had thanks to growing up in the 1920s. It included photographs of her in dance costumes, art deco pieces like a powder jar, and the sweet sounds of jazz playing in the drawing room.

Along with celebrating her childhood, the Dramatically Deco exhibit paid homage to her love of the arts, and particularly the Stratford Festival. To which she attended from the beginning in 1953. In partnership with the Stratford Festival Archives, a variety of stunning costumes from plays that were set in the 1920s were spread throughout the house.

The current exhibit is “Fabled” and includes both books of Laura Louise Livingston’s childhood and costumes from Stratford Festival productions. It runs from March 13, 2024 – January 4, 2025.

Looking for more fun places to visit in the area? Check out my guide to the best things to do in Stratford.

Meet the Livingstone’s

Another great reason to visit Baden’s Castle Kilbride is to meet the Livingstone’s. Learn about who they were, what their interests were, and see how they lived.

Peek into their lives while exploring the second-floor bedrooms. See Laura Louise Livingstone’s bedroom with her favourite doll and some of her many toys.

Laura Louise had one of the largest toy collections in Canada! Many can be found throughout the house. Some you may recognize as quite similar to ones you played with – like the viewfinder!

Check out the master bedroom where James and his wife Louise once shared, with its original silk curtains and bed. Another interesting room is what would have been James’s smoking room. Here you can get a taste of their love of travel with the beautiful Moorish table that Laura Louise and her mother bought while on a world trip in 1936.

In another part of the museum you can see their luggage and other incredible pieces they picked up on their travels. Like an Olympic bracelet from Germany in 1936 and scarab rings from a trip to Egypt.

Looking for more castles to visit in Ontario? Check out my guide to Casa Loma in Toronto

Hidden Treasures

Beyond the history, the 1920s drama, and meeting this incredible family, I have to say that the biggest surprise for me was the wealth of hidden treasures found throughout the house and on the grounds.

My curious mind loves playing those games like spot the difference or find the hidden image. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll love exploring Castle Kilbride.

Castle Kilbride is a National Historic Site of Canada. It’s considered “a National treasure of artist, historic and architectural significance.”

This is due in large part to having some of the best examples of Trompe l’oeil wall and ceiling murals in Canada. I’m sure you’re wondering, what is Trompe l’oeil? It’s French for ‘deceive the eye’.

Throughout the house you’ll see an array of spectacular art work and particular Trompe l’oeil. The best place to see this up close is in the grand hallway.

The walls and ceilings here are covered in this form of painting. With rich colours and crafty shadowing, the painting appears to be three dimensional.

On one wall you’ll find a painted vase full of a beautiful bouquet of flowers. But look deeper. Within those flowers there is a face peering out. And in the shadows there’s a gargoyle and a serpent! This artistry blows my mind and tugs at my curious cat within.

There are other hidden treasures throughout the house. I won’t share them all that would spoil the fun. You’ll just have to visit and find them for yourself!

However, another of my favourites is in what I think is the most incredible room of the castle, the Library. Here you’ll find the most ornate ceiling in the home. There are four different groups of paintings, of which date back to 1879.

Above the door and fireplace you’ll find images of Gods of Wars and Gods of Peace respectively. And in the corners, there are captivating images that represent the four seasons.

Along with being full of treasures, Castle Kilbride is one of the many Ontario hidden gems!

Prime Ministers Path

Another one of the cool things to do at Castle Kilbride is explore the Prime Ministers Path. This community project brings life-sized bronze statues of Canada’s Prime Ministers to the grounds of the Castle.

During my visit there were five statues, and in the end all 22 will stand in the parkland beside Castle Kilbride. These statues showcase the people behind leaders and hope it will start a conversation. A conversation about what each Prime Minister bought to Canada and more.

One of the statues is of a woman, Kim Campbell. Take about girl power standing among a crowd of men! Kim Campbell was elected in 1993 and was Canada’s first and only female Prime Minister. And to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her election they unveiled a statue in her honour.

Other Prime Ministers that you’ll find on the path are; Sir John A. MacDonald, Sir Robert Borden, Lester B. Pearson, and William Lyon Mackenzie King.

For those other hidden treasures I spoke of, you’ll have to look a little closer at these statues. Each statue has a multitude of hidden symbols scattered about them.

These hidden symbols represent the successes, challenges and events that go to the personal and professional lives of each of the leaders. Some are easy to find, like those on Pearson, while others are much more complex and harder to find and decipher.

Cool Events

On top of all of these reasons to visit, Castle Kilbride hosts some pretty incredible events all year long!

Some previous favourite events at Castle Kilbride include a Summer Concert Series and Christmas at the Castle. Current events include family tours for March Break and one that celebrate’s Wilmot’s heritage day.

Plus there’s something for those like me who love all things ghosts! Castle Kilbride is one of the many haunted houses in Ontario. So, you can take part in one of their ghost tours!

If you’re looking for more ghost tours in the area, check out the Ghosts of Stratford!

What to Know Before You Visit Castle Kilbride

Where is Castle Kilbride?

Castle Kilbride is located in Baden, Ontario, 30 minutes east of Stratford. The address is 60 Snyder’s Road West.

How much are Castle Kilbride tickets?

Admission is as follows:

• Adults $9.50
• Seniors (65+) $8.25
• Students $8.25 (13+ with valid school id.)
• Child $5.25 (ages 5-12)
• Family $26 (2 adults, up to 3 children)

Can you take photos inside?

No, there is no photography or videography permitted inside.

When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit is during the summer months when the exterior gardens are in bloom. Plus, this is when the museum is fully open. It’s only open during the winter months on specific dates.

My First Impressions of Castle Kilbride

It was in the heart of the summer when I set off to visit Castle Kilbride. I pulled into wee Baden, Ontario and except for the sign at the end of a drive, I would have missed it.

Castle Kilbride is now part of the Township of Wilmot town offices, through the back part of the home. But from the front, you would never know.

I wandered through the towering trees that adorn the front of the house – and nearly conceal it from the main street, to get my first glimpse of this grand Victorian mansion. Truth is, my heart melted.

At first glance, it was a simple Italianate design and looked like a small “castle”. But on closer inspection, there were ornate spirals on the front porch, delicately detailed pediments over the windows, and everything in perfect symmetry.

And as I would come to find out, this Castle held a lot of hidden treasures.

Frequently Asked Questions about Castle Kilbride

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