Port Burwell is located on the north shore of Lake Erie apx one hour from London Ont and is well known for its restaurants serving freshly caught perch and pickerel dinners. With a population of just over 1000 residents Port Burwell is a quiet place to spend time in. However the beautiful sunny hot days of July and August attract sun worshippers, fishermen and boaters to its beautiful sandy beaches. Port Burwell derives it’s name from Lieutenant-Colonel Mahlon Burwell (1783-1846). Burwell, of Loyalist descent was a close associate of Col. Thomas Talbot and was commissioned by him to lay out the Talbot Road for settlement in 1809. He was granted 600 acres of land in Southwold Township where he settled in 1815. Burwell carried out extensive surveys in southwestern Upper Canada, and was instrumental in preparing the way for settlement. The community of Port Burwell was laid out by Burwell in 1830 and named after him. The Port Burwell Historic Lighthouse and Marine Museum was built in 1840 and overlooks Lake Erie. Port Burwell is one of the oldest wooden lighthouses in Canada. A climb to the top provides captivating views of the countryside, the lake and the village. The building opposite the lighthouse houses the marine museum with nautical artifacts and marine exhibits depicting early village life.
