Victoria already punches above its weight for charm, but two honest-to-goodness castles put this city in a category of its own. One sits right in the middle of a residential neighbourhood a short ride from downtown; the other anchors a sprawling estate out in Colwood. Both are worth your time. Here's everything you need to know.
Craigdarroch Castle
The Story
Built in the 1880s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, Craigdarroch was meant to be the grandest home in British Columbia — and it delivered. Dunsmuir had made a fortune mining coal on Vancouver Island and wanted a mansion to match. Sadly, he died before the castle was finished. His wife Joan moved in with the family and lived there until 1908, after which the building changed hands several times — serving as a military hospital after World War One, a college, a music conservatory, and a school board office — before becoming the museum it is today.
That layered history is part of what makes it so interesting. This isn't a sanitised royal showcase; it's a Victorian-era family home with a complicated, very West Coast story behind it.
What to See
The castle has four floors to explore, all self-guided:
- Ornate interiors — original woodwork, stained glass windows, and period furnishings that show off what serious money looked like in 1890s Victoria
- The tower — climb to the top for a genuinely lovely view over the city
- Rotating exhibits — the museum does thoughtful displays on the Dunsmuir family and the era's social history
- The architecture itself — Richardsonian Romanesque style, which sounds technical but basically means: a lot of turrets and stonework that feels like it was airlifted from Scotland
Plan for about an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're a history nerd (no judgment — I always end up there longer than expected).
Getting There from Ocean Island
Craigdarroch is about a 15–20 minute walk uphill from downtown, or a very quick bus ride. BC Transit runs several routes heading up Fort Street toward the Rockland neighbourhood — check the trip planner on their site for the most current options. The castle sits in the Rockland area, and you'll spot its stone tower before you're even at the front gate. Check current admission rates and hours at tourismvictoria.com.
Hatley Castle
The Story
If Craigdarroch was Robert Dunsmuir's dream, Hatley Castle was his son James Dunsmuir going one better. Built between 1908 and 1910, Hatley is larger, newer, and set on a staggering 650-acre estate out in Colwood — about 20 minutes west of downtown. James was even wealthier than his father (he inherited the coal empire and became Premier, then Lieutenant Governor of BC), and the castle was built with the attitude that money was essentially not a concern.
The estate eventually passed to the federal government and is now home to Royal Roads University, which means the castle and gardens sit inside an active university campus. It's a pretty surreal combination.
Film buffs may also recognise Hatley from the screen — it's doubled as Professor X's mansion in the X-Men films and appeared in several other productions. The exterior is immediately recognisable if you've seen those movies.
What to See
- The castle exterior — Edwardian architecture on a grand scale, with manicured grounds that make it feel like you've stepped into another century
- The Italian, Japanese and Rose Gardens — beautifully maintained and open to visitors; the Japanese Garden in particular is a quiet, lovely spot
- Guided castle tours — the interior is accessible through scheduled tours (check availability and book ahead, as access depends on university scheduling)
- The grounds walk — even if you don't do a full tour, walking the estate is worth the trip out
Getting There from Ocean Island
Hatley is in Colwood, which means you'll need a bit more of a plan. BC Transit can get you there — the trip involves heading out toward the western communities, so use the BC Transit trip planner to map the most current route from downtown. A cab or rideshare is another easy option if you'd rather not figure out the buses. The drive is straightforward and the scenery along the way is pleasant.
For hours, tour schedules and current rates, check Royal Roads University's visitor page or tourismvictoria.com.
A Few Tips Before You Go
- Combine them in a day — Craigdarroch in the morning (walkable from downtown), lunch somewhere in Cook Street Village, then bus or rideshare out to Hatley in the afternoon
- Craigdarroch is open year-round; Hatley's interior tours are seasonal and dependent on university scheduling — always confirm before making the trip
- Both photograph beautifully — bring your camera, not just your phone
- Hatley's gardens are especially stunning in spring and early summer when the roses are in bloom
Victoria's two castles are genuinely one of the things that make this city feel unlike anywhere else in Canada — and I say that as someone who's now lived here long enough to take it for granted, which I'm trying to stop doing. They're both worth it.
If you have questions about getting to either castle, want to know about any current touring schedules, or just want local advice on how to fit them into your day, swing by the Ocean Island front desk — we're happy to help you sort it out.
