My visit to the City of Forest – London ( Ont )

Do you know ‘London’ is also a city in Canada  ?

Britishers have ruled the world in all the continents . Wherever Britishers  went they left their impressions in shape of governance , language , culture , architect  and civic sense .  When London city is being discussed , most of the people think of London of UK .  But there is also a city Called London 200km south-west to Toronto-Canada  with a population of 450,000.

The city is mostly inspired by the British setup in all forms and shapes including street names , river name , park name and other monuments. London-Ont is famous for prominent University & colleges and Major hospitals doing research in medical fields.

I made another visit to London to attend GRAD day ceremony of my Daughter at Western University. The Western University awarded degree to more than 1200 students on this particular morning function in a huge auditorium packed with parents and family member of students , and there was another Degree award functions in the afternoon too . Total of  more than 7,000 students were graduates and awarded degree during the week.  Western University have 40,000 students .

London – Ont  ( Forest City of Canada )

The city of London in Ontario, Canada, was named after London, England. London – ont is also called as forest city .  Here’s how London was established :

Background of the Naming:

• Founded: London, Ontario, was founded in 1826.
• Named by: John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada (now Ontario), is credited with choosing the name.
• Reason: Simcoe had ambitions to make the Canadian settlement a capital city for Upper Canada. He admired British cities and wanted to transplant some of their names, culture, and prestige to the new territory.

Other British Naming Influences:

• The Thames River that runs through London, Ontario, is also named after the River Thames in London, England.
• The entire area was designed to reflect British identity and heritage, which was common in colonial naming practices.

Prominent Places –

London, Ontario has several prominent spots worth noting, depending on your interest (historic, cultural, natural, etc.). Here are some of the most well-known:

Cultural & Historical Spots

1. Museum London
   • The city’s leading museum for art and history.
   • Located along the Thames River, near downtown.
   • Offers rotating exhibits of Canadian art and local history.
2. Banting House
   • Known as the “Birthplace of Insulin.”
   • This is where Sir Frederick Banting conceived the idea for insulin treatment for diabetes.
   • A national historic site of Canada.
3. Eldon House
   • London’s oldest residence, dating to 1834.
   • Now a museum showcasing Victorian life and the Harris family.

Parks & Natural Attractions

4. Victoria Park
   • A large urban park in the heart of downtown London.
   • Hosts festivals year-round (Sunfest, Ribfest, Christmas lights, etc.).
   • Great for walking, relaxing, and people-watching.
5. Springbank Park
   • The largest park in London.
   • Features trails, picnic areas, and scenic views of the Thames River.
   • Also home to Storybook Gardens, a family amusement park.
6. The Thames Valley Parkway
   • A 40+ km multi-use trail system following the Thames River.
   • Popular for biking, jogging, and scenic walks.

Entertainment & Events

7. Budweiser Gardens
   • London’s premier sports and entertainment venue.
   • Hosts concerts, sports games (home of the London Knights hockey team), and other live events.
8. The Grand Theatre
   • A historic performing arts venue offering professional theatre productions.
   • Over 100 years old and a cornerstone of London’s cultural scene.

 Western University-UWO

9. Western University (University of Western Ontario)
   • One of Canada’s top universities.
   • Known for its beautiful campus, strong research programs, and vibrant student life.
   • The campus and adjacent University College Hill are local landmarks.

London – a Hub of college Education  :

London, Ontario is home to two major post-secondary University / college

1. Western University ( UWO)

Western University (The University of Western Ontario – UWO ) is a major public research university in London, Ontario, Canada, and here’s the most recent data on its student enrolment:

• Founded: 1878
• Type: Public research university
• Reputation: One of Canada’s top-ranked universities, known globally for its academics and research.
• Programs: Offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including:
  • Business (Ivey Business School)
  • Law (Western Law)
  • Medicine (Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry)
  • Engineering, Science, Social Science, Arts, and more
• Campus: Beautiful, historic campus located near the Thames River.

Student Enrollment at Western University

According to official facts and figures updated in January 2025:

• Total enrolled worldwide: 36,205 full‑time students, including undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students 
• Undergraduate students: 29,358
• Master’s students: 4,370
• Doctoral students: 2,477 

 International Student Enrollment :

Total international students – 5,720 of the 42,148 total students from 126 countries

Western university rank 6th in Canada out of more than 200 Universities. Western University rank in top 2% of the world .

 2. Fanshawe College –

Fanshawe College is a public college located in London, Ontario, Canada. As of the most recent available data:

• Founded: 1967
• Type: Public college of applied arts and technology
• Programs: Over 200 programs in areas like:
  • Health, Business, IT, Trades, Media, Hospitality, Design, and Aviation
• Offers diplomas, degrees, apprenticeships, and graduate certificates.
• International Students: Attracts thousands from around the world.
• Campuses: Main campus in London, plus satellite campuses across southwestern Ontario.

Student Enrollment at Fanshawe College

Full-Time and Annual Total Enrollment

• Fanshawe serves approximately 43,000 students per year across all delivery formats—including full-time, part-time, continuing education, and apprenticeship programs
• At its main London campus (Oxford Street location), there are roughly 21,000 full‑time students enrolled

International Student Population

• Of the annual student body, over 13,000 are international students from more than 110 countries

These two institutions make London a vibrant student city, with a strong focus on education, innovation, and career development.

Tourist attractions in London, Ontario

Here are some top tourist attractions in London, Ontario, spanning history, nature, science, and local culture:

 1. Banting House National Historic Site-

Known as: The Birthplace of Insulin

• Dedicated to Sir Frederick Banting, who conceived the idea that led to insulin here in 1920.
• See his original bedroom, personal artifacts, and medical memorabilia.
• A must-visit for those interested in medical history.

 2. Springbank Park & Storybook Gardens-

• Springbank Park is London’s largest park, with scenic trails along the Thames River.
• Storybook Gardens is a family-friendly theme park with fairy tale-inspired attractions, animals, and splash pads.
• Great for kids and nature lovers.

3. The London Children’s Museum-

• Interactive exhibits focused on science, culture, and history.
• Very popular for families with young children.

4. Museum London-

• Art + history museum along the Thames River.
• Exhibits highlight regional Canadian art, Indigenous history, and local heritage.
• Free or low-cost admission.

 5. Western University & The Cronyn Observatory-

• Take a stroll through Western University’s beautiful campus.
• Visit the Hume Cronyn Memorial Observatory for free public astronomy nights during summer.

6. Grand Theatre-

• One of Canada’s oldest and most respected regional theatres.
• Hosts live plays, musicals, and performances year-round.

 7. Fanshawe Pioneer Village-

• A living history museum recreating 19th-century pioneer life in Southwestern Ontario.
• Costumed interpreters, historic buildings, and farm animals.

8. Thames River & Outdoor Trails-

• London is known as the “Forest City.”
• Walk, run, or bike on extensive trails along the Thames River, like the Thames Valley Parkway.

 9. Labatt Brewery Tour-

• London is home to Canada’s largest brewery.
• Take a guided tour (21+) and learn about Labatt’s brewing history.

10. Covent Garden Market & Budweiser Gardens-

• Local market with fresh produce, food stalls, artisans.
• Right next to Budweiser Gardens, the hub for concerts, sports (home of the London Knights), and events.

My every foreign visit is always memorial one , but this visit to London is close to my heart as it is linked to completion of my Daughter’s University education.  For me , it took 32 hours journey ( Road+ Air + Road ) from India to reach London , very tired and jet lagged , but the extent of happiness to join her on GRAD day degree’s award is unbound.

London ont , the town with scatteredly  spread beautiful houses , calm quite streets,  lush green parks ,  dense forest  and quite river is worth for family holidays .

->> Pl read my other blogs on NRI life at   nriblogbuster.com