Movie Tours available March 13-17, visit "Book Now" for full schedule.

FAQs

Movie Tours - Mar 13-17.

COVID UPDATE

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Admission & Operating Schedule

Operating Schedule

Winter Season – September 5 – May 31 (5 days/week Wed-Sun)

Auto Baron Tour – September 5 – May 31 (5 days/week Wed-Sun)
1pm, 2pm & 3pm

UPCOMING SPECIALTY TOUR(S) – Click “Book Now” to reserve your spot.

  • Movie Tours – March 13-17
  • Private Spaces – April 18-21 & April 25-28
  • Garden Tours – Wed & Fri (June-Aug.), Wed (Sept.)
  • Basement Tours – July 27-Aug. 5
  • Servant Tours – Oct. 17-20 & Oct. 24-27
  • WWII Tours – Nov. 6-10 & Nov. 13-17
  • Christmas Tours – Nov. 27-Dec. 29

Gift Shop – September 5 – May 31 (5 days/week Wed-Sun)
12:30pm – 5pm

11 Acre Garden – CLOSED
Reopening in the Spring.

Important Safety Note while you are enjoying your walks through the Parkwood grounds, please be aware that there are many different surfaces and transitions from one surface to another. (grass, gravel, flagstone, paved walkways)  We encourage you to choose appropriate footwear and be aware of the terrain and transitions.

Tea House Restaurant – CLOSED
Tea House Information and Booking Options

Onsite Parking:
Complimentary limited parking available for Parkwood Guests.

Guided Auto Baron Tour Admission (main floor)

  • Adults: $18.00

  • Seniors (55+): $15.00

  • Youth (7-14): $15.00

  • Children 6 and under are free

  • Family Rate (2 adults & 2 seniors or 2 youth): $50

  • Military, Veterans (with ID) are Free

  • National Trust Canada Members (with ID) are Free

  • All rates are subject to HST

  • It is recommended that tickets be purchased online, however they can also be purchased by calling or visiting our Gift Shop.

Book Online Now

About Our Tours

Parkwood National Historic Site is pleased to offer several tour options for you to choose from. Led by knowledgeable and friendly guides, you will experience the estate as guests of the McLaughlin Family once did as you wander through luxurious interiors and learn about the nationally significant architecture and original furnishings, artwork and artifacts. You will gain insight into the interesting life and lifestyle of Canadian auto baron R. S. McLaughlin. In addition to these tours, you are welcome to visit the 11 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens at no charge.

Guided Auto Baron Tourup to 90 minutes $18 + HST each

Available February – December, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or calling 905-433-4311.

Step back in time and experience life in 1917. For first-time visitors, this is the recommended tour that will provide you with an overview of the entertaining spaces (main floor) of the Estate and an introduction to the McLaughlin Family.

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Guided Private Spaces Tour – Take a Peek Behind the Curtains! – up to 90 minutes $22 + HST each

Available only for one week in April, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or calling 905-433-4311.

After being absent for three years, we are excited to bring back this reimaged specialty tour. Beginning in the Grand Foyer you will be introduced to the McLaughlin Family, after which you will make your way up the grand staircase for a guided tour of the private spaces (bedrooms, bathrooms, etc) that were used by the family and their guests.

Please be aware that stairs are required to access the second floor.

Guided Greenhouse Tour – up to 90 minutes $25 + HST

Available Fri – Sun. in February only, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or call 905-433-4311.

A stroll through the Parkwood grounds provides a reward at every turn. The Parkwood Gardens have references to the grand gardens of England and Europe but with a 20th-century spirit and much of the landscape design draws inspiration from the English Arts & Crafts gardening movement. This style called for a high degree of formality near the house, dissolving into a less formal presentation with distance from the home. A stroll through the grounds provides a reward at every turn. 

Guided Servants’ Life Experience Tour – up to 60 minutes $22 + HST each

Available for one week only in October, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or calling 905-433-4311.

The Servant’s Life Experience allows visitors to journey into the past to see spaces that include the servant’s dining hall, the butlers’ keep, the head housekeeper’s room, and the third-floor bedroom spaces occupied by many of the female household servants from 1917-1972.  Join us as we share with you the history of these spaces through the 55 years that the McLaughlin Family was in residence.  Stairs are required to access many of the spaces on this tour.

To book tickets please click the “Book now” button that can be found on any page of our website.

Currently unavailable – Parkwood Collects, The Art Collection Tour – Guided tour, up to 2 hours

This tour interprets the impressive art collection on both floors of the mansion.  This tour is currently unavailable due to ongoing conservation. Please check back with us in early 2023.

Guided Garden Tour – up to 90 minutes $20 + HST

Available June – August (Wednesday’s/Friday’s). Reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or call 905-433-4311.

A stroll through the Parkwood grounds provides a reward at every turn. The Parkwood Gardens have references to the grand gardens of England and Europe but with a 20th-century spirit and much of the landscape design draws inspiration from the English Arts & Crafts gardening movement. This style called for a high degree of formality near the house, dissolving into a less formal presentation with distance from the home. A stroll through the grounds provides a reward at every turn. 

Guided Basement Tours – up to 60 minutes $22 + HST each

Available for 10 days only from Sat. July 27-Mon. Aug. 5.  As one of our most popular tours, this sells out quickly so advanced reservations are suggested by clicking the “Book Now” button or calling 905-433-4311.

Just like most homes, the basement at Parkwood is used for storage and a place to work on repair projects for the estate. When the McLaughlin’s were in residence the basement was the industrial hub of the mansion including laundry facilities, the cannery, the boilers, the workings of the elevator, the wine cellar, and much more.

This annual 10-day tour interprets these fantastic areas of the house, along with information that Parkwood has collected over the years through our oral history collection program. A few stairs are required to access the basement areas of the estate. This tour is a must-do for inquisitive minds and is best suited for adults, and not as suitable for young children.

Guided Behind the Scenes Movie Tour – up to 90 minutes $35 + HST

Available only from Wed. March 13 – Sun. March 17, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or call 905-433-4311.

Have you ever wondered what happens when a film crew rolls into town and uses Parkwood as a location for a movie or television? Join us on this very popular, limited, once-a-year specialty tour and discover more about the process of filming, the hidden secrets of the film industry, and how we protect Parkwood during filming.

Parkwood is proud to partner with Film Durham.

Guided World War II and Parkwood Tour – up to 90 minutes $22 + HST

Available from Nov. 6 – Nov. 10 only, reserve your spot by clicking the “Book Now” button or call 905-433-4311.

Towards the end of the 1930’s, Sam and Adelaide McLaughlin were looking forward to retirement and the idea of life slowing down to a more comfortable pace.

When war was declared in September 1939, a shift occurred at Parkwood. The WAR EFFORT CALLED!

Join us for our brand new Parkwood and the Second World War Specialty Tour. On this tour, you will learn the surprising day-to-day home front activities and the role Parkwood and the McLaughlin’s played while Canada was at war, through interpretation, oral histories, and artifacts.

Guided Christmas Tour –  up to 90 minutes $22 + HST

Available beginning Nov. 27 – through to the end of Christmas, reserve your spot by clicking on the “Book Now” button or calling 905-433-4311.

What a great way to celebrate the holidays!

Using historic décor, the main floor of the mansion will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland!

Group Tours

Looking for somewhere new to take your group. Come visit Parkwood and immerse yourself in one of Canada’s premier estates. Whether you are a school group, a community organization or a bus tour we look forward to hosting you. For more information, group rates, or to make reservations for your group tour, please contact samantha.george@parkwoodestate.com or call 905.433.4311 ext. 34084. (typically we require three week’s notice)

View our Group Tour Registration and Cancellation Policy Form below:

download form

Parkwood Etiquette

In order to ensure that you and all other guests have the best possible experience at Parkwood please take a moment to review our rules and guidelines.

parkwood etiquette information

Accessibility

Due to the historical nature of period construction, some areas of the Estate and grounds have limited accessibility.  We are doing our best to improve accessibility whenever and wherever we can so that Parkwood is a place that can be enjoyed by everyone.  Here are some key things to note:

  • A wheelchair or walker is available for use upon request
  • There is an accessible push button door into the Carriage House/Gift Shop and the north entrance of the mansion
  • 2 designated accessible parking spaces, located near the entrance of the Carriage House.
  • While enjoying the grounds please be aware that there are many different surfaces and transitions from one surface to another. (grass, gravel, flagstone and paved walkways)
  • Light levels inside the mansion are low to protect artifacts and may prove a bit of a challenge for those with vision challenges.
  • Most areas of the main floor inside the mansion are accessible, with wooden ramps leading into the mansion
  • We have a wheelchair accessible bathroom located inside the Carriage House
  • The Gift Shop is accessible for wheelchairs and lighting

Service Animals

Certified service animals trained to carry out tasks for persons with disabilities are allowed on the grounds, in the Gift Shop and,  in the museum accompanied by their designated handler. Emotional support, companion, or therapy animals are not permitted in the mansion, but are allowed on the grounds.

Animals pose additional risks to the integrity of our museum and national historic site and its artifacts within.

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