5 Things to Do in Masonville, London, Ontario (A Local Family Guide)

Updated September 2026

Masonville is one of those London neighbourhoods everyone knows by name, mostly because of the mall. But if you are thinking about buying here, or you already live here and want some easy ideas for a Saturday, it helps to know what is actually in the neighbourhood itself.

This guide sticks to Masonville proper, the streets and businesses around Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street. I left out the many trails, museums, and conservation areas nearby on purpose, because there are so many and they deserve their own posts.

Masonville at a Glance

• The heart of the neighbourhood: Masonville Place, at Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street, which opened in 1985
• Getting around: Masonville Place is the London Transit Commission hub for the north end of the city
• Library: A London Public Library branch sits directly across from the mall
• Housing: The city describes the surrounding homes as mostly built up in the 1980s, with large single-family homes, townhomes, small apartment buildings, and some student housing
• Location: North London, close to Western University and University Hospital

1. Spend an Afternoon at Masonville Place

It is the neighbourhood's anchor for a reason. Masonville Place has well over 100 stores, a food court, and several restaurants, and it is where a lot of north London does its back-to-school shopping, gift buying, and errands. It is also handy for families because you can cover a lot of ground without moving the car.

Good for: Shopping, errands, a rainy day Worth knowing: Store lineups change, so check the mall's website for current stores and holiday hours.

2. Play at The Rec Room

The Rec Room is inside Masonville Place and combines an arcade, virtual reality, axe throwing, and a full restaurant and bar. It also runs live entertainment, including karaoke and trivia nights. It works for a family birthday outing and just as well for an adult night out once the kids are with a sitter.

Good for: Birthday outings, teens, date nights Worth knowing: Hours vary by day and start later on some weekdays. Gaming credits also add up quickly, so it helps to agree on a budget with the kids before you go in.

3. Catch a Movie at Cineplex

Cineplex has a theatre at Masonville Place, including IMAX screens, so a movie night can happen without a long drive. Pair it with dinner in the mall and you have an easy Friday plan that does not require much planning, which every parent understands.

Good for: Family movie nights, teens, rainy days Worth knowing: Showtimes and pricing change often, so check Cineplex directly.

4. Get Lost in the Masonville Library Branch

The Masonville branch of the London Public Library is directly across from the mall. Branches offer borrowing, programs, meeting space, and free WiFi, and you can borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the digital library whenever you like.

Good for: Toddlers and preschoolers, homework help, a quiet reset Worth knowing: London Public Library branches are closed on Mondays. Check the library website for current hours and programs before you go.

5. Let the Kids Run at Carriage Hill Park

Carriage Hill Park is the neighbourhood's local park, tucked at the end of a quiet court, with a play structure and walking paths. It is the kind of park you can walk to after dinner and be home again in half an hour.

Good for: Toddlers and younger kids, after-dinner walks Worth knowing: This is a small neighbourhood park, so plan for a short visit and bring water.

A Bit of Masonville History

The corner of Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road has an interesting past. Local history sources say the area started as a small village known as McMartin's Corner, and that it was later renamed after Robert Mason, a local postmaster and hotel owner. The intersection was also once nicknamed "Calamity Corners" after two serious accidents in its early years.

The land was mostly farmland until London annexed the area in 1961, and the residential streets around the mall were largely built up in the 1980s.

Two Easy Masonville Days

A rainy Saturday: Start at the library for a morning of books and programs, grab lunch at the food court, then head to The Rec Room for arcade games in the afternoon.

A low-key Friday night: Dinner at the mall, then a movie at Cineplex. Stroller-friendly, no driving between stops, and easy to bail on if someone melts down.

What It's Like to Live in Masonville

Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are considering a move here.

• Convenience: Groceries, shopping, restaurants, banking, and a library branch are all in one pocket of the city.
• Transit: With the mall serving as the north end's transit hub, getting around without a car is realistic for some households.
• Location: You are close to Western University and University Hospital, which matters if you or a partner work in education or health care.
• Neighbourhood feel: Mature neighbourhood with many larger homes on tree lined streets
• The trade-off: A neighbourhood built around a major shopping area is busier than a quiet suburban crescent, and the roads around Richmond Street and Fanshawe Park Road can be congested at rush hour. Some families love the convenience. Others want more quiet. Both are valid, and it is worth driving the streets at different times of day before you decide.

If you have kids, please confirm school boundaries directly with the school board. They can change, and I do not want you making a decision based on outdated information.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Masonville?

If you are a growing family looking to move up, or a first-time buyer trying to figure out where you can put down roots, I am happy to help you see how Masonville compares to other parts of London.

If you already own here and are wondering about a move, I can walk you through how buying and selling at the same time actually works, and how to sequence it so it does not turn into chaos for your family.

Send me a text or email and I can pull recent Masonville sales for you, so you are looking at real numbers instead of guesses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Masonville, London, Ontario

Where is Masonville in London, Ontario? Masonville is a neighbourhood in north London, centred on Masonville Place at Fanshawe Park Road and Richmond Street.

What is there to do in Masonville with kids? Masonville Place, The Rec Room, Cineplex, the Masonville library branch, and Carriage Hill Park & tons of other activities are in the surrounding area.

What is there to do in Masonville on a rainy day? The library, The Rec Room, the movie theatre, and the mall are all indoors and within a short distance of each other.

Is Masonville close to public transit? Yes. Masonville Place is the London Transit Commission hub for the north end of the city.

What kinds of homes are in Masonville? The area includes large single-family homes, townhomes, small apartment buildings, and student housing, largely developed in the 1980s.

Why is it called Masonville? Local history sources say the community was named after Robert Mason, a local postmaster and hotel owner. It was previously known as McMartin's Corner.