Quiet surroundings
Rolling hills, open countryside and beautiful evening sunsets give Millbrook a peaceful character that can be difficult to find in larger communities.
Get the monthly noteConsidering Millbrook · A local guide
Discover Millbrook.
Thinking about making Millbrook home?
Discover what it’s like to live here—from the historic downtown and growing neighbourhoods to the trails, schools, local services and connections to Peterborough and the GTA.
The short version
Small-community living.
Regional connections.
Millbrook offers a quieter, small-community lifestyle without feeling completely disconnected. You can live close to nature, recognize familiar faces around town and still reach Peterborough, Durham Region and the eastern GTA by car.
The community includes the historic village, established residential streets, growing neighbourhoods such as the Highlands of Millbrook and the surrounding countryside. Each offers a slightly different way of living, but they are all part of the same broader community.
MillbrookMinutes from Highway 115Peterboroughnorth-eastDurham Regionsouth-west1157A
Where is Millbrook?
Close to Peterborough, with a direct route toward Durham Region.
Millbrook is approximately 20 minutes southwest of Peterborough and only a few minutes from Highway 115. From there, you can travel south toward Clarington and Durham Region, with connections to Highways 407 and 401.
That makes Millbrook a realistic option for people who work in Peterborough, Durham Region or parts of the eastern GTA—particularly those with flexible or hybrid schedules.
See approximate drive times ↓What living here feels like
There isn’t just one version of Millbrook.
Historic village streets, newer neighbourhoods and rural properties sit close together. Your experience will depend on where you live and the lifestyle you are looking for.
Village life
A historic centre, independent shops and familiar faces give the community its own identity.
Nature close by
Valley trails, Medd’s Mountain, parks and rural roads make the landscape part of everyday life.
Downtown Millbrook
A historic downtown with its own character.
King Street and the surrounding blocks bring together heritage buildings, locally owned businesses, food, services, the library and community gathering places.
Many residents make a point of shopping locally. Millbrook has a grocery store, pharmacies, dentists, chiropractors, restaurants, independent shops and a growing range of everyday services.
Outdoors & community life
A trail can begin near town. Beautiful scenery is part of the everyday.
The Millbrook Valley Trails begin at Medd’s Mountain Conservation Area and loop around the village through the Oak Ridges Moraine. Parks, playgrounds, rolling hills and surrounding countryside offer plenty of room to get outside.
One of the quieter pleasures of living here is watching the evening sky settle over the hills and open countryside.
Families, schools & childcare
Start with the address, not just a school name.
Attendance boundaries, programs and transportation can change. Confirm the exact property address before making a decision based on a particular school.
Public, Catholic and French-language pathways
Millbrook-area families may access different publicly funded boards and schools depending on address, grade and program. STSCO provides official school lookup, boundary and transportation tools.
Check the official school tools ↗A new Highlands of Millbrook elementary school is in development.
Current plans include 481 elementary spaces and 73 licensed childcare spaces at Fallis Line and County Road 10. Grade structure, timing and boundaries should be confirmed through KPR and STSCO.
Follow KPR’s project updates ↗Shopping, healthcare & everyday essentials
More is available locally than you might expect.
Millbrook has its own grocery store, pharmacies, dentists, chiropractors, restaurants, independent shops and a variety of everyday services. Many residents make a point of shopping locally and supporting the people and businesses within the community.
In the villageGroceries, pharmacy, dental, chiropractic and selected health and professional servicesUse the Local Guide for current listings.
Nearby optionsPeterborough, Port Hope, Bowmanville and Durham Region provide larger shopping and specialized servicesPeterborough Regional Health Centre is the regional acute-care hospital.
Before you moveConfirm access to any specific healthcare or service your household relies onAvailability can change, particularly for primary care.
Open the Local Guide →Getting around
Connected to Durham Region and the GTA—with a little more breathing room.
Millbrook does not have the frequent local transit network of a larger urban centre, so most residents drive to work, appointments and activities. The Highway 115 and County Road 10 park-and-ride is served by GO Transit.
Peterborough20–25 minutes
Bowmanville30–40 minutes
Oshawa40–50 minutes
Whitby45–60 minutes
Pickering55–70 minutes
Markham60–75 minutes
Toronto is generally 75 minutes or longer, depending heavily on traffic and destination. These are rough estimates under typical conditions—not guaranteed commute times.
Winter in Millbrook
Winter is part of living here.
Snow and winter driving are normal parts of life in Millbrook and Cavan Monaghan. Rural roads and larger driveways can require more preparation than buyers from denser urban areas are used to.
For many residents, winter is entirely manageable with winter tires, appropriate driving habits and either a snowblower or dependable plowing arrangement.
Review official road information ↗Housing & ways of living here
Three settings. Different questions.
“Millbrook” can describe very different properties. Look beyond style and price to understand servicing, maintenance, surroundings and everyday travel.
The images below are representative examples, not actual property listings.
Character, walkability and older-home considerations
Historic and established properties may offer mature streets and easier access to downtown. Age, renovations, drainage, parking and property-specific systems deserve careful review.
Modern homes in a growing part of the village
Newer neighbourhoods can offer contemporary layouts and family-oriented streets. Construction phases, grading, landscaping, warranties and future development context matter.
More space—and more systems to understand
Rural properties may involve wells, septic systems, longer driveways, different internet options, agricultural activity and more hands-on property care.
Thinking about making Millbrook home?
From one neighbour to another, let’s find the setting that fits.
I can help you compare the established village, newer neighbourhoods and rural properties—and understand what to look for in each.
Matthew Fusco · Millbrook resident & REALTOR® · No pressure, just local guidance.Is Millbrook right for you?
A good fit depends on what you value and how you want to live.
The peace and quiet, rolling hills, evening sunsets, nearby trails, local events and the feeling of living in a recognizable community.
Driving farther for certain workplaces, specialized appointments, major shopping trips and some activities. For many residents, the quieter lifestyle makes that trade-off worthwhile.
School boundaries, childcare availability, healthcare access, internet, property servicing, commute times and future development around a specific property.
Frequently asked
Before you decide.
Helpful starting points—and the things worth confirming for your own household.
Is Millbrook part of Peterborough?
Millbrook is a village within the Township of Cavan Monaghan, which is part of Peterborough County. It is approximately 20 minutes southwest of the City of Peterborough, but it is not located within the city itself.
Can you commute from Millbrook to Durham Region or the GTA?
Yes. Many residents regularly travel to Clarington, Oshawa, Whitby, Pickering, Markham and other parts of the eastern GTA. Bowmanville is generally around 30–40 minutes away, while Oshawa and Whitby are often within approximately 40–60 minutes. Pickering, Markham and Toronto involve a longer drive, particularly during busy periods. The commute is real, but so is the quieter lifestyle you return home to.
Are there schools in Millbrook?
Yes. Local options depend on school board, property address, grade and program. A new KPR elementary school is also being developed in the Highlands of Millbrook. Confirm boundaries, transportation and timing through the board and STSCO.
Do rural homes have municipal water and sewer?
Not necessarily. Some homes are connected to municipal services, while rural properties may use a private well and septic system. Confirm the servicing for the exact property.
Is Millbrook walkable?
Parts of Millbrook are very walkable. Homes in and around the historic village may be close to shops, services, the library, parks and trails. Newer neighbourhoods and rural properties may require driving for most errands.
Explore more of Millbrook
Living in Millbrook combines verified local information with practical insight from someone who lives in the community. Information about schools, transportation, healthcare, servicing and future development can change; important decisions should be confirmed through the appropriate organization and property-specific due diligence.