Hatley Castle
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Museums Public Services & Government Landmarks & Historical Buildings Museums, Landmarks & Historical Buildings [Edit]
Victoria, BC(250) 391-2666
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
3 reviews for Hatley Castle
3 reviews in English
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Review from Alan A.
6/1/2010
Hatley Castle is a gem! I'm surprised that nobody has actually taken the time to write a review about this place. The manicured grounds of this historical site are a photographer's dream. The castle itself is spectacular. No words of mine can describe how beautiful this place is. Aside from the castle itself, there is also a botanical garden on the grounds. This castle was also a Dunsmuir family property. We had a guided tour which told of the history of this place. Rather than ramble on about the history of this place, I'm hoping that tourists to Victoria B.C. will take the time to find out about it for themselves. In addition to history, this place was also in the movie X-Men. The interior of this place is Xavior University. My only disappointment was that some of the rooms were converted into offices rather than being restored to their original state. Again, this place is a photographer and history buff's dream. Check it out. You won't be disappointed!
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Review from Ken L.
When I visited the site during the weekend, the castle was closed to public due to a private event. I was a ninja, snuck in and snapped up photos of the interior.
According to their website:
Hatley Castle Museum
The museum houses artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the site from the days when the property was a Coastal Salish Indian burial site to the present time when it is home to the campus of Royal Roads University. The museum has many original artifacts from the days when Laura and James Dunsmuir lived an elegant life here on this estate. For 55 years the site was also an military officer's training school and the museum highlights that era in a room named for one of the college's most supportive commandants, Rear-Admiral John Charles. The displays also relate the development and history of one of Canada's most innovative universities as Royal Road University evolves to meet the needs of learners in the global economy.
The muesum is dedicated to the preservation, restoration and heritage maintenance of Hatley Castle, together with the outbuildings and grounds and gardens, which were a part of the James and Laura Dunsmuir's Hatley Park Estate, Royal Roads Military College and Royal Roads University. The museum aims to help visitors understand the significance of the site and the role of Hatley Park in the development of Vancouver Island and in the education of effective leaders for Canada, both through Royal Roads Military College and Royal Roads University.
Hatley Park Museum is open every afternoon from 10:15 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is located in the basement of Hatley Park Castle, the administrative centre for Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Road, in Colwood on Vancouver Island.
Hatley Castle overlooks the Esquimalt Lagoon, the Straits of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains in Washington State. There is a parking lot at the base where it is $1 per hour.Listed in: Things to do in/near Victoria,…
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Review from Hilary G.
6/7/2011 3 photos
Hatley Castle is a great place to stop if you are driving west of Victoria to Sooke or onward. The gardens are spectacular and the outside of Hatley Castle is stunning. The location is now a university but was a military college for decades before that. The Dunsmuirs originally built Hatley Castle, as well as Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria. The only disappointing part is that the tours are offered infrequently so we toured the gardens for an hour before our tour. It's probably worth calling beforehand to see when the tour is .The guide was wonderful and told us a lot about the family and the gardens. We were only able to see the bottom half of Hatley Castle since class was in session. Queen Elizabeth has visited the place twice. Even though there are more historical items at Craigdarroch Castle, I found Hatley to be a better experience due to the grounds and tour guide.
