Photos and Text by Ariela Freed

After spending the last five years in London, England, I recently decided to return to Canada. Not to the city of my birth, but the city that I briefly called home before moving across the ocean. I always thought Toronto had a lot to offer (at least a lot more than many other Canadians gave it credit for) and I have now returned to this city to find out more about what that is. That's not to say I wasn't apprehensive. I mean, how could a young, modern city founded around 200 years ago compare with an urban history dating back to Roman times? What would I find that's original and daring here? And perhaps more importantly for this recent transplant - where would I be able to find little bits of the British motherland, my much missed home, in this colonial city?

This city may be a multicultural capital but there is no denying its European roots. From street names to animal-named pubs to the architecture, where this city comes from provides the backdrop to where we live today. England is famously home to many architectural styles that have been replicated the world over and Toronto is no exception. In fact, English styles almost look like the rule here; early Torontonians clearly incorporated a wide variety of these styles in an effort to look more "English" and perhaps, like me, were trying to alleviate some of their own homesickness for their native land.

Coming into "old" Toronto by train at Union Station, one could easily be confused into thinking that this is just another modern American city of glass and mirrors (the Royal York Hotel aside of course). But a 20-30 minute walk in almost any direction from the station brings our connection to the motherland to light. I've taken many walks though old Toronto, from Front Street to College and Spadina to the Don River and have yet to have a day go by when I don't think, "That looks English!"

Walking down Queen Street you get a sampling of the range of Georgian architecture that reigned supreme in England in the mid-eighteenth century, coinciding with the reign of King George I thru IV. From the simple Georgian houses with raised basements in terraces along Queen Street East, to the stunning and formal Georgian mansion known as Campbell House on Queen West at University (its was originally built in 1822 on Adelaide Street and moved in 1972 to its present location) . Most of these homes were built after their popularity in England waned, but that doesn't detract from their style.

Cabbagetown is a veritable architectural feast with Victorian terrace houses with lace gables as well homes with Gothic details like the Nichols House on Carlton Street. This cute neighboorhood deserves some deeper inspection.

Though relatively small for a cathedral, walking along King Street, it is hard to miss St. James' Cathedral. With details like untraceried windows in triplets against plain walls, reminiscent of Salisbury Cathedral, a highly decorative polygonal chancel (the space around the altar) which was derived from the Decorated Style, and a single tower with projected spire that is commonly associated with large, important churches in England, St. James' Cathedral still stands tall amongst Toronto's burgeoning skyline.

Even the Bay and Gable homes of the Annex (one of Toronto's first suburbs that was "annexed" to the city in 1887), which are a very local style, incorporate High Victorian details and Romanesque designs. For truer English flavour in the Annex though, look no further than the mansions on Madison Avenue where Romanesque Revival grandeur and arches and asymmetrical facades recall the architecture of 12th century England.

I could go on and on about all the various English styles I've seen since I've been back but I'll leave some of those for another time. Suffice it to say, I feel like I'm home again.