If you are quiet, you can get really close.
At a Doors Open event, I first discovered London, Ontario’s Woodland Cemetery. This event is a provincially sponsored way of sharing our collective heritage and is always free and is a must-attend when there is one in the area. Places that usually charge admission are free on these Doors Open Days, and some places are not typically open to the public that will be offering tours.
On this day in London, we went to the largest cemetery in London. They were offering a tour of the grounds and a tour of the crematorium.
Yes, it sounds entirely morbid.
And sombre.
The tour took us to notable people in the cemetery. Political rivals that are buried near each other, criminals, tradespeople and many other people who had lived their lives. I like visiting cemeteries, and it is a way of remembering people that we will never meet. I feel that when I see a tombstone read the inscription, I am keeping the memory of that person alive a little longer.
Then there was the bonus of the deer.
Within this fenced-in area, there is a herd of almost-tame white-tailed deer. When we are in the area, we will pop in and drive around until we spot them. They can allow us to get as close as 20 feet before they pranced away. It’s a magical moment seeing these deer quietly being deer.
There are strict by-laws that say that feeding the deer is prohibited, but there is plenty of evidence that people leave food for them. The tour guide said they watch for this and immediately clean it up because often times, it is food that is inappropriate for wild deer. The cemetery does help maintain the health of these animals with clean water with salt and mineral licks.
The cemetery is open from dawn until dusk, although I suggest seeing the entry signage before driving in to confirm the times. There are few places in this world where you can have a quiet moment with these graceful creatures, especially in the centre of a busy city.
All the locations, including Woodland Cemetery, is listed on my FEATURED MAP. This map is free to download.
London Woodland Cemetery can also be found on my Google Maps Page along with other great trips!
To learn about Doors Open Ontario, visit their WEBSITE.
