
Wellesley Cottages, Toronto
The comely blue-trimmed, white-walled row-houses of Wellesley Cottages laneway emit vibes of a small Victorian village, hidden off the main path, both beautiful and undisturbed. Sometimes referred to as the worker’s or working man’s cottages, this style of properties dominates Amelia Street.
In Ontario, the worker’s cottage became the most common architectural style adopted for small homes following the Crystal Palace industrial exhibition in London of 1851. The presented there housing model, fitted with all of the “innovative” amenities of the day, such as running water, internal sanitation, drafty corridors, and segregated living space, influenced a good number of North American architects at the time.
Built in 1886-1887, each Wellesley property is an idealistic example of the worker’s home: one-storey, narrow lot characterized by a steeply pitched gable facing the street. As a touch of modern trend, the cottages are separated by suburban white picket fences, behind which are tiny front gardens, some in keeping with their Victorian heritage. The cottages were originally 400 square feet each, and were inhabited by employees of a nearby rendering plant, where horses from the neighbouring farms were turned into glue.
A renovation in the 1980s added some 2,400 square feet to the homes without touching their existing front façade, as the heritage laws disallowed such alterations. Thus, the Wellesley Cottage properties remain largely traditional and can be admired for their natural “worker’s” look, featuring original materials, such as wood and stone, and the true forms of the worker’s cottage style. Absolutely charming!!!
In Ontario, the worker’s cottage became the most common architectural style adopted for small homes following the Crystal Palace industrial exhibition in London of 1851. The presented there housing model, fitted with all of the “innovative” amenities of the day, such as running water, internal sanitation, drafty corridors, and segregated living space, influenced a good number of North American architects at the time.
Built in 1886-1887, each Wellesley property is an idealistic example of the worker’s home: one-storey, narrow lot characterized by a steeply pitched gable facing the street. As a touch of modern trend, the cottages are separated by suburban white picket fences, behind which are tiny front gardens, some in keeping with their Victorian heritage. The cottages were originally 400 square feet each, and were inhabited by employees of a nearby rendering plant, where horses from the neighbouring farms were turned into glue.
A renovation in the 1980s added some 2,400 square feet to the homes without touching their existing front façade, as the heritage laws disallowed such alterations. Thus, the Wellesley Cottage properties remain largely traditional and can be admired for their natural “worker’s” look, featuring original materials, such as wood and stone, and the true forms of the worker’s cottage style. Absolutely charming!!!
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Toronto. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from iTunes App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Wellesley Cottages on Map
Sight Name: Wellesley Cottages
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Toronto, Canada (See walking tours in Toronto)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Toronto, Canada
Create Your Own Walk in Toronto
Creating your own self-guided walk in Toronto is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Cabbagetown Walking Tour
Once a small community of Irish immigrants and one of the poorest neighborhoods in Toronto, Cabbagetown is also one of the city's oldest districts, established in 1840, east of downtown. In 2004, it was declared a historic district and presently claims to be "the largest continuous area of preserved Victorian housing in North America". Attesting to this claim is Amelia Street... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Toronto Introduction Walking Tour
Sprawling on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario, the capital of the Canadian province of Ontario, Toronto, is a major metropolis renowned for its dynamic pace and high-rising skyline, incorporating both ultra-modern skyscrapers and historic architecture.
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
The area of present-day Toronto has been inhabited for thousands of years. Its first known settlers – the Wyandot (or Huron) people –... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Toronto Islands Walking Tour
The Toronto Islands is a chain of islands located in Lake Ontario, comprising three major islands (namely: Center Island, Algonquin or Sunfish Island, and Olympic Island) and several smaller ones, which collectively represent a great recreation destination set in a peaceful and joyful environment. Other than a great panoramic view of Toronto, the islands offer a wealth of attractions. To acquaint... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Once an Anglo backwater, today's Toronto is the cultural and economic hub of English-speaking Canada. The city's architectural beauty is supplemented by its historical richness, with some of the buildings dating back as far as the late 18th century. This self-guided tour invites you to explore the most prominent of them, such as Gooderham, Daniel Brook Building, Massey Hall and others,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Toronto's Waterfront Walking Tour
Toronto is located on the shore of Lake Ontario and it is more than obvious that the locals, as well as visitors to the city, cherish and admire the alluring views of the lake. Toronto's waterfront is one of the most picturesque places for walking, but it is also a great destination for those in search of entertainment. This self-guided walking tour will reveal all the pearls strewn along the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Distillery District Walking Tour
The architectural treasure of Toronto's Distillery District dates back to 1859 as the site of the largest distillery in the British Empire. This former industrial complex is now a National Historic Site of Canada and represents a unique pocket of Victorian-era architecture, featuring the continent's best-preserved collection of cobblestone pathways and historic buildings housing... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.8 Km or 0.5 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Traveler's Guide to Toronto: 15 Authentic Canadian Products to Bring Home
Toronto may well not be the whole Canada, but no Canada is whole without Toronto! By far too many things, quintessentially Canadian, associate with this bustling city, from Niagara Falls to Ice Hockey to... to mention but a few. To mention them all, check out the list of some not-to-be-missed...
The Epic Toronto Pub Crawl
There is no better way to see Toronto’s many different neighborhoods and get a literal taste of the Distillery District, the Esplanade, downtown, the Entertainment District and Yorkville. Plus you’ll learn a little about the bar and get its highlights at your fingertips so you’ll be in the...