Provincial funding supports launch of the “Oxford Handcrafted Trail”
Follow the Oxford Handcrafted Trail this fall to discover local artisans, handmade products, and creative experiences
The Oxford Handcrafted Trail connects visitors with Oxford County’s handcrafted products and celebrates the region’s diverse maker community. Visitors can meet artisans, explore studios and shops, and gain first-hand experience in the handmade arts.
The new tourism trail aims to build rural tourism with authentic inventory. The initiative is appealing to people who appreciate the handmade arts, those that are curious, and makers themselves who want to learn and connect with the community.
The Oxford Handcrafted Trail offers three unique ways to explore:
- Explore by medium: Follow themed routes for crafts like textiles, woodwork, and culinary arts.
- Explore by neighbourhood: Visit nearby handcrafted experiences.
- Handcraft your own adventure: Find hands-on stops at studios, shops, galleries, museums, and culinary destinations.
Handcrafted Routes advances recommendations in the 5-Year Tourism Plan by promoting environmental sustainability, supporting experiential tourism training, expanding shoulder-season tourism products and partnerships, and celebrating sustainable practices.
This project was funded in part by the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs. The Ontario government is providing $32,000 in Rural Ontario Development Program (ROD) funding to support Oxford Tourism’s launch of the Oxford Handcrafted Trail. The ROD Program offers cost-share funding for projects that help rural communities attract and retain businesses and jobs while strengthening regional partnerships. ROD funding covers half of the $64,000 Oxford Handcrafted Trail investment, with Oxford County and the Province of Ontario each contributing $32,000.
Quick facts
- Handcrafted arts include items made by hand or with tools and machinery that require creativity and artistic design, such as pottery, woodworking, metalwork, sewing, fibre arts, soapmaking, restoration, stonework, paper arts, culinary arts, floral design, and visual arts.
- Oxford’s Handcrafted Stories shares the stories of Oxford County's handcraft culture that is woven from generations of skill, creativity, and collaboration.
- Handcrafted events offers hands-on events, workshops and experiences hosted by Oxford makes and storytellers along the Oxford Handcrafted Trail.