If you told me before I moved here that a city on Canada's west coast had honest-to-goodness Victorian-era castles, I'd have assumed you were confusing it with Edinburgh. But here we are. Victoria really does have castles — plural — and they're two of the most fascinating things to do in the entire region. Let me walk you through both.
Craigdarroch Castle — The One Right in the City
The Story
Built in the late 1880s by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, Craigdarroch Castle was meant to be the grandest private home in British Columbia. The timing was bittersweet: Dunsmuir died in 1889, just before construction was finished, and never actually lived in it. His wife Joan moved in and called it home until her own death in 1908.
After that, the castle changed hands — and purposes — many times. It served as a military hospital after the First World War, then as Victoria College (an early home for what's now the University of Victoria), and later as a music conservatory. It became a National Historic Site in 1987, and the non-profit Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society has run it ever since.
What to See Inside
The castle has four floors packed with original Victorian furnishings, stained glass windows, ornate woodwork, and period-accurate rooms that genuinely transport you. Highlights include:
- The tower — climb to the top for a sweeping view over Victoria toward the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca
- The drawing rooms — dripping in velvet and carved oak, exactly as dramatic as you'd hope
- The stained glass — over 21 original windows throughout, many depicting Scottish landscapes and heraldic symbols
- Rotating exhibits — the museum often brings in contextual shows about Victorian-era BC history
Audio guides are available if you want the full story room by room. I'd recommend them — the anecdotes about the Dunsmuir family alone are worth it.
Getting There from Ocean Island
Craigdarroch is in the Rockland neighbourhood — about a 25–30 minute walk uphill from downtown, or a short bus ride on BC Transit. The castle sits at the top of a residential rise, so you'll get some great neighbourhood views on the way up. Ask at the Ocean Island front desk about the best bus route from the Inn — they'll point you to the right one.
Check thecastle.ca for current hours and admission rates before you go.
Hatley Castle — The Movie Star Castle
The Story
Built by James Dunsmuir — Robert's son, who also became Premier and then Lieutenant Governor of BC — Hatley Castle was completed in 1908. James reportedly told the architect to spare no expense, and the man apparently took that personally. The result is a 40-room Scottish Baronial castle sitting on over 500 acres of formal gardens and forest, out in Colwood on the Saanich Peninsula.
The Dunsmuir family lost the estate during the financial strain of the First World War, and the Canadian government purchased it in 1940. It became Royal Roads Military College and later Royal Roads University, which still operates there today.
Hatley is also — and this is always fun to mention — a working film and TV location. It's appeared as Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters in the *X-Men* films, and shows up in *Arrow*, *Smallville*, and a long list of other productions. The grounds look exactly like what a movie set designer would sketch if you said "gothic castle in misty Pacific Northwest" — because that's essentially what they've been.
What to See
- The castle exterior and grounds — the Italian Garden, Japanese Garden, and Rose Garden are genuinely spectacular, especially in spring and summer
- Castle tours — guided tours of the interior run seasonally; check Royal Roads University's website for the current tour schedule, since access to the inside depends on university operations
- Hatley Park National Historic Site — the grounds themselves are a national historic site, and the gardens alone justify the trip
- The forest trails — there are walking paths through the estate's old-growth forest that connect to the broader Colwood area
Getting There from Ocean Island
Hatley is about 25 kilometres west of downtown Victoria, out in Colwood. You have a few options:
- BC Transit — buses run out to the Colwood/Langford area; it's doable on transit but involves a transfer or two. Check bctransit.com for the current route options, or ask at the Ocean Island front desk.
- Cycling — if you're up for it, the Galloping Goose Regional Trail runs all the way out to Colwood from downtown Victoria. It's a beautiful ride through green corridors and suburb-edge trails, and Hatley is accessible from the trail. Factor in a few hours for a relaxed return trip.
- Car or rideshare — the most straightforward option if you're not cycling.
A Castle Double-Header?
If you're enthusiastic (or just really into the Dunsmuir family's complicated legacy), you can actually do both castles in one day. Hit Craigdarroch in the morning when you're fresh for the climb, then head out to Hatley in the afternoon to wander the gardens. It makes for a genuinely memorable Victoria day — the kind of itinerary you wouldn't expect from a city this size.
For seasonal hours, current admission info, and tour schedules, always check directly:
- Craigdarroch: thecastle.ca
- Hatley: royalroads.ca/hatley-park
- More Victoria inspiration: tourismvictoria.com
Stop by the Ocean Island front desk anytime — we're happy to help you figure out the best way to get to either castle, sort out transit routes, or point you toward whatever else is on in the city while you're here.
