Old Cabbagetown · field guide
The Cabbagetown heritage walk
10 stops · about 3.5 km · roughly 45 minutes on foot, about two hours with stops · start: Allan Gardens, Carlton St at Sherbourne St · finish: St. James Cemetery, 635 Parliament St
- 1
Allan Gardens
Carlton St at Sherbourne St · just west
Begin at the domed Palm House, then head east along Carlton Street.
- 2
Parliament Street
Parliament St at Carlton St
Cross Parliament at Carlton and keep to the east sidewalk.
- 3
Carlton Street
Carlton St at Sackville St
Watch the gables: count how many carry carved trim at the peak.
- 4
Spruce Court
Spruce St at Sumach St
Look in through the courtyard gates on Spruce Street. The grounds themselves are private.
- 5
Riverdale Park West
Carlton St at the valley edge
Here the slope opens up, and on a clear day the view runs across the valley.
- 6
Riverdale Farm
201 Winchester St
Use the main gate on Winchester Street. Entry costs nothing.
- 7
Toronto Necropolis
200 Winchester St
Look for the Gothic gatehouse where Winchester Street ends.
- 8
Metcalfe Street
Metcalfe St, Carlton to Winchester
Walk the full two blocks slowly and watch the iron fences.
- 9
Wellesley Cottages
off Wellesley St E
Stay at the lane entrance, since the cottages are homes on a private street.
- 10
St. James Cemetery
635 Parliament St
End at the chapel just inside the Parliament Street gates.
Before you set out
- Every house on the route is a private home. Look from the sidewalk; Wellesley Cottages and Spruce Court are private grounds.
- Riverdale Farm is free to enter and has public washrooms; check the City of Toronto page for current hours.
- The route follows public sidewalks and park paths; the path down into Riverdale Park West is a slope.
- Online version with the full notes for every stop: www.oldcabbagetown.com/Heritage_walk_intro.htm
- Street plan drawn from OpenStreetMap data, © OpenStreetMap contributors.