Victoria has a reputation for being a little bit British, a little bit fancy, and honestly? The castles don't hurt that case. We have two of them within striking distance of downtown — one you can walk through room by room, and one that looks like it escaped from a fantasy novel. Both are genuinely worth the trip.
Craigdarroch Castle
The Story
Built in the late 1880s for Robert Dunsmuir — a Scottish coal baron who made an almost absurd fortune mining Vancouver Island — Craigdarroch is the kind of house you build when you want everyone to know you've made it. Dunsmuir never actually got to live in it; he died in 1889 before construction finished. His wife Joan moved in and stayed for years. The castle changed hands several times after that, serving at different points as a military hospital, a music conservatory, and a college. It was eventually restored and opened to the public, and today it's one of the best-preserved Victorian-era interiors in Canada.
What to See
Four storeys of original woodwork, stained glass, and period furnishings — the kind of detail that makes you genuinely wonder how long it all took. Highlights include:
- The stained glass windows — intricate and everywhere, letting light in at odd, beautiful angles
- The tower room — climb up and you get a surprisingly great view over the city
- The original interiors — the wallpapers, the fireplaces, the carved wood panelling all feel authentic rather than staged
- Rotating exhibits on the castle's history and the Dunsmuir family
Audio guides are available on-site if you want the stories behind each room, which I'd recommend — there's a lot to unpack.
Getting There from Ocean Island
Craigdarroch is about a 30-minute walk from the Inn, uphill through a quiet residential neighbourhood — it's a pleasant enough walk if the weather's behaving. Alternatively, BC Transit runs routes in that direction; check bctransit.com for the current best option, or ask at the front desk. The castle is in the Rockland neighbourhood — just east and uphill from downtown.
Check current opening hours and admission rates at craigdarrochcastle.com before you go.
Hatley Castle
The Story
If Craigdarroch is the coal baron's statement piece, Hatley Castle is the sequel — built by his own son, James Dunsmuir, who apparently felt the family needed to go bigger. Completed in 1908 on a sprawling estate in Colwood (about 20 km west of downtown Victoria), Hatley is a full-on Edwardian castle: grey stone turrets, formal gardens, the works. James spared nothing — the estate included Italian, Japanese and rose gardens, a working farm, and a private golf course.
The Dunsmuir family eventually sold the estate to the federal government in 1940, and it became Royal Roads Military College. Today it's the campus of Royal Roads University, which means the grounds are shared between students and visitors — a slightly surreal combination, but somehow it works.
You might recognise it too: Hatley has been used as a filming location for everything from *Arrow* to *The X-Files* and various Hallmark movies. It has serious on-screen energy.
What to See
- The castle exterior and grounds — you can explore the formal gardens and exterior for free on most days; check ahead as access can vary
- The Italian, Japanese and rose gardens — beautifully maintained and genuinely lovely in spring and summer
- Guided interior tours — these run seasonally and take you inside rooms that are otherwise closed to the public; check Royal Roads University's website for the current tour schedule
- The forested trails on the estate — peaceful and easy walking
Getting There from Ocean Island
Hatley is out in Colwood, so you're looking at a trip rather than a stroll. Options:
- BC Transit — buses run west from downtown toward Colwood and Langford; bctransit.com has the current routes and schedules
- Cycling — if you're up for it, the Galloping Goose Trail runs almost all the way there from downtown, mostly car-free. It's a solid half-day ride and a great way to see the western edge of the city
- Rideshare or taxi — the easier option if you want to just get there and focus on the castle
For gardens and grounds access, current tour times and any seasonal closures, check royalroads.ca/hatley-park.
Two Castles, Two Very Different Days
If I had to sum it up: Craigdarroch is your downtown, walkable, deep-dive into Victorian interiors and local history. Hatley is your half-day adventure out of the city — more grounds, more grandeur, and that slightly cinematic quality that makes you feel like something dramatic is about to happen.
Both are genuinely special, and honestly, Victoria wouldn't be Victoria without them.
Have questions about the best way to get to either castle, or want to know if there are any current tours or discounts? Swing by the Ocean Island front desk — we're happy to help you make the most of your visit.
