Where is Western | Ultimate University Guide

Written by Arry Pandher and Stephanie Pugh

Western University is located in London, Canada; a safe, vibrant and welcoming community of more than 383,000 people serving as a regional medical and industrial hub for southwestern Ontario.

Are you planning on attending Western, and would like to know more about the campus and how to get around? Well, keep on reading and we will tell you where Western is, and the best ways to explore the university!

Where is Western’s Campus?

Considered Canada’s most beautiful university, Western’s main campus spans 481.2 hectares of Gothic-style buildings mixed with modern, LEED-certified structures that provide an idyllic environment for the community of scholars.

The university is located in the heart of Southwestern Ontario, in the city of London. London is the region’s economic, entertainment and cultural hub. With a population of more than 383,000, London is Canada’s 11th largest city and an ideal environment to work, play and live.

The city is large enough for the ‘big city’ experience, but still far more affordable in comparison with many other Canadian cities. London boasts an extensive educational and health care community while providing the safe and clean atmosphere of a small community.

Cultural Vitality in London:

  • From Museum London to the main stage of The Grand Theatre, the arts thrive in nearly every corner of the city. London put down its creative roots early, over the years producing some great Canadian talent like actors Kate Nelligan, Ryan Gosling; Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Paul Haggis; dancer Evelyn Hart, and musician Guy Lombardo. Today, a new generation of musicians, artists and entertainers of all sorts fuel the city’s tradition of artistic excellence!

Places to go near Campus:

Looking for places to explore in London, around the campus? We’ve got you covered!

After-Hours Activities

  • Shopping. Movies. Theatre. Dancing. London always has something going on! Year-round, London has numerous festivals and cultural events, including Snowfest, Sunfest, Rock the Park, London Film Festival and World Beat and Jazz weekends.
  • Richmond Row, one of the city’s most interesting shopping districts, features more than 200 businesses catering to your every need. Richmond Row is also home to a lively nightlife scene, including nightclub entertainment, live theatre and jazz as well as casual and fine dining.

Sports and Concerts

  • Budweiser Gardens is a 10,000-seat, multi-purpose facility focused on major touring acts and sports. Headliners have included Kings of Leon, Sarah McLachlan, The Black Keys, and Kid Rock. It is also home to the London Knights, Ontario Hockey League and Memorial Cup champions.

Parks

  • London manages more than 200 parks. They range from major urban city-wide parks such as the 140-hectare Springbank Park to more intimate neighbourhood green spaces that may be just a small oasis of native species plantings. There are also specialty parks for skateboarding and dogs to go off-leash. Affectionately known as the Forest City, London sports numerous treed areas and public parks. There is an extensive trail system that runs along the Thames River, right onto Western’s campus, for walking, running, biking or inline skating!

Wayfinding:

So, how do you get to campus?

Travel to London is conveniently available by air, train and road:

  • By air: London International Airport is primarily serviced by Air Canada (provides daily flights to Toronto/Pearson International, Ottawa and Montreal), and WestJet (provides daily flights to Toronto/Pearson International, Calgary and Winnipeg).
  • By rail: London railway station is located in downtown London and is serviced by Via Rail that connects the city with Sarnia, Windsor and the major transportation hub represented by Toronto’s Union Station.
  • By road: situated approximately 200 km away from both Toronto and Detroit, London can be reached easily by means of 401 and 402 highways that pass the city by the south at around 10 km from Western University.
    • Bus service to downtown station is provided by Greyhound that has direct service from London to a number of cities in Ontario, Michigan and New York.
    • Alternate bus route options are provided by RobertQ Airbus that connects London primarily to Toronto/Pearson and Detroit/Metro airports.

Driving from the London Airport to Western University

Below are the directions to get to Western from the London Airport:

  • Drive West on Oxford Street (the main street exiting from the airport)
  • Turn right (north) on Wharncliffe Rd N
  • Park at Springett Lot (entrance on left, just after Lambton Rd intersection, near Huron College food court).
  • Huron Flats (entrance east of Western Road, near Essex Hall and Thompson Arena).

Travel in London is typically possible either by local public transit or taxi:

  • Western’s two main bus stops are Natural Science and Alumni Hall, which are serviced by the London Transit Commission.
  • A number of privately-own companies also provide taxi services within the city. While relatively accurate estimations of the fares can be obtained from here, it still is recommended to verify the cost of the trip before boarding the cab! Here is a chart to contact local London Taxi Companies if you are interested!

London is a great city to explore, and Western’s campus is stunning to visit; make sure to plan your travels ahead of time!

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