An aerial view of downtown Brantford

Situated on the picturesque Grand River in the heart of southwestern Ontario, Brantford has all the major amenities of a big city with the charming feel of a small town. Our community is proud to be the hometown of hockey legends and the official Tournament Capital of Ontario. Brantford also boasts 70km of trails, and the scenic Grand River, a designated heritage river, is a paddler’s delight for outdoor adventure enthusiasts.

We invite you to discover our rich heritage and burgeoning arts and culture community. It was here in 1874 that Alexander Graham Bell first conceived the idea for the telephone and executed the world’s first long-distance telephone call in 1876. Brantford is also the birthplace of Group of Seven founder, Lawren S. Harris.

Our growing culinary scene and locally-run boutiques keep our city bustling, and your entertainment options are endless. Whether you’re looking for cultural experiences, outdoor adventure, fantastic family fun, or culinary delights, you’ll find it all in Brantford.

 Facts about Brantford
  • Brantford is the home of legendary hockey player, Wayne Gretzky.
  • Wayne's dad, Walter Gretzky, lived in Brantford until he passed in March 2021. He was appointed as the Lord Mayor of the City of Brantford in 2006.
  • Brantford boasts 70km of natural trails to run, bike, or hike.
  • The beautiful Grand River, a designated Canadian Heritage River, runs through the City of Brantford.
  • Nicknamed “The Telephone City,” it was here in 1874 that Alexander Graham Bell discovered the principle of which his most famous invention, the telephone, would work.
  • The world's first long-distance telephone call was executed from here in 1876.
  • Brantford was officially declared “The Tournament Capital of Ontario” in 1998.
  • Brantford holds a Guinness World Record for the largest street hockey tournament (Walter Gretzky Street Hockey Tournament, 2010).
  • In 1869, Prince Arthur was inducted as an honorary Six Nations Chief when he visited Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks.
  • For 47 years, the Brantford International Villages Festival has showcased cultural food and entertainment from around the world.
  • Walk the streets where TV series The Handmaid's Tale, Murdoch Mysteries, and Schitt's Creek were filmed in Brantford, among many others.
  • Brantford, and our surrounding communities of Six Nations of the Grand River and the County of Brant, are home to some of the largest remaining blocks of Carolinian forest.
  • The late Phil Hartman was born in Brantford in 1948 and spent his formative years here before moving to the United States. Hartman went on to co-produce and work on The Pee-wee Herman Show and star on Saturday Night Live for eight seasons, which earned him an Emmy. Hartman was also the voice behind Lionel Hutz and Troy McClure on The Simpsons and starred on the NBC NewsRadio sitcom, along with many smaller supporting acting roles. In 2024, the City of Brantford unveiled a large mural on the east wall of the Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts called A star over Brantford: A tribute to Phil Hartman to honour his life and legacy.