Banbury-Don Mills

Ravine-backed streets and generous lots in North York.

Banbury is the quieter, leafier side of Don Mills: big lots, ravine edges and some of North York's most serious custom homes. This page covers the streets west of Leslie Street around Banbury Road, roughly between York Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East, with Windfields Park and the Wilket Creek ravine on the west side and Edwards Gardens just across Lawrence.

Banbury at a glance

  • TRREB district: C13 (Banbury-Don Mills)

  • Main street: Banbury Road, between York Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East

  • Typical homes: Detached homes on large lots, from mid-century originals to big new custom builds

  • Getting downtown: Don Valley Parkway by car, or a bus to York Mills station on Line 1

A little history

This was farm and mill country along the Don until after the Second World War. Just to the northwest, E.P. Taylor ran his Windfields Farm thoroughbred stable from 1937, home to Kentucky Derby winner Northern Dancer, and later donated land that became Windfields Park. To the south, Rupert Edwards' private garden on Wilket Creek became the public Edwards Gardens in 1956. The suburban streets filled in around them as Don Mills grew next door.

Homes you'll find

Custom builds: Banbury is one of the main spots in North York for new custom homes. Wide frontages leave room for big floor plans and multi-car garages.

Originals: Mid-century bungalows, split-levels and two-storeys still sit between the new builds, often on lots worth more than the house.

Ravine lots: Streets backing onto Windfields Park and the Wilket Creek valley offer treed backyards and privacy, with the extra rules that come with ravine land.

What homes cost

Detached homes are the whole story here, and the range is wide: an original house on a good lot and a finished custom build are very different buys. Townhouses and condos along the edges, closer to Leslie and York Mills, are the lower-cost way into the area. For the latest TRREB numbers, see the nearby market data, or ask us for recent sales on the streets you're looking at.

What we love

It feels tucked away but it isn't. You get quiet crescents, mature trees and a ravine trail at the end of the street, and you're still minutes from the Shops at Don Mills, the 401 and the DVP. Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Garden make a pretty great backyard extension. This is our own backyard, so we know these streets well.

The honest take

  • Ravine rules. Lots near the Wilket Creek valley can fall under City ravine protection and TRCA regulation, which affects what you can build, cut or add. Check before you plan an addition or pool.

  • Construction is constant. With so many teardowns and rebuilds, expect building sites, trucks and noise on some streets.

  • Older originals. The mid-century homes often need major updates. Price the renovation before you fall for the lot.

  • You'll want a car. Buses run on the main roads, but the curving side streets are a walk from any stop, and there's no subway nearby.

Schools

Public schools in and around Banbury include Denlow Public School on Denlow Boulevard and Windfields Middle School on Banbury Road. St. Bonaventure Catholic School is on Leslie Street. York Mills Collegiate Institute on York Mills Road is the nearby public high school.

Boundaries change. Always confirm a specific address with the TDSB or TCDSB school locator before you buy.

Getting around

  • Subway: York Mills station on Line 1 is a bus ride west along York Mills Road.

  • Bus: Routes run on York Mills Road, Lawrence Avenue East and Leslie Street.

  • Driving: The 401 and the Don Valley Parkway are a few minutes away.

  • Biking: Ravine trails through Windfields Park and Edwards Gardens connect into the wider Don Valley network.

  • LRT: Line 5 Eglinton opened in February 2026, with Sunnybrook Park station at Leslie and Eglinton, south of the area.

Things to do

  • Edwards Gardens and the Toronto Botanical Garden

  • Windfields Park trails along Wilket Creek

  • Banbury Community Centre and the Banbury Tennis Club

  • Shops at Don Mills for coffee, dinner and errands

  • Longer rides and walks down the Don Valley ravine system

Buying in Banbury

Most buyers here are choosing between two paths: buy a finished custom home, or buy an original house and build. Both work, but they're different jobs. If you're building, get zoning, ravine and tree rules checked before you firm up. If you're buying new, look hard at the build quality, not just the finishes. We can help you compare lots and recent sales street by street.

Banbury FAQ

Where exactly is Banbury?

In North York, west of Leslie Street around Banbury Road, roughly between York Mills Road and Lawrence Avenue East. Windfields Park and the Wilket Creek ravine run along the west side. It's part of the larger Banbury-Don Mills area in TRREB district C13.

Are there ravine lots in Banbury?

Yes. Some streets back onto Windfields Park and the Wilket Creek valley. Those lots can come with City ravine and TRCA rules, so check them before you plan any changes.

How much is a house in Banbury?

It depends on the lot and whether the home is original or a new custom build, and the gap between the two is big. For the latest TRREB numbers, see the nearby market data, or ask us and we'll pull recent sales on the streets you're looking at.

Banbury or Don Mills?

They're neighbours and share a lot. Banbury, west of Leslie, has more ravine edges and more large custom homes. The original Don Mills plan, east of Leslie, has more mid-century originals and puts you closer to the Shops at Don Mills.

Thinking about Banbury?

We've been selling homes in Toronto since 2005. Book a call and we'll walk you through the streets, the prices and the trade-offs.