- 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5
Craigdarroch Castle
The historic Victorian-era Scottish Baronial mansion of Craigdarroch Castle is a National Historic Site of Canada. It is one of Victoria’s landmarks. The castle has a rich history and is a great place for a family outing. It is located at 1050 Joan Crescent, Victoria, BC V8S 3L5, just a short drive from downtown.
The castle is now open for the public, and attracts approximately 150,000 visitors a year. There is a self-guided tour, or enhanced group tours are available with advanced notice. Visitors will be given a map to help them explore the castle’s 39 rooms. It is important to remember that there are no elevators or ramps, so people with limited mobility may find it difficult to access the upper floors.
The Craigdarroch Castle is an impressive building. The coal baron Robert Dunsmuir had the house built as a symbol of his success. Sadly, he died before it was finished in 1890. The castle now serves as a historic house museum. It is an excellent example of a “bonanza castle,” which are huge houses built by wealthy entrepreneurs during the industrial age. Inside, visitors will find intricate woodwork, stained glass windows, and Victorian-era furnishings.
The Craigdarroch Castle is a popular attraction in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The Victorian-era mansion has 39 rooms and over twenty thousand square feet of space. It was built for wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the late 1800s. He died a few months later, but his sons finished the project. The architect who designed the castle, Warren Williams, was an American, but he died before completion. His replacement, Arthur L. Smith, finished the work.
A short walk away, visitors to Craigdarroch can visit Government House at 1401 Rockland Avenue, which is the residence of British Columbia’s Lieutenant Governor and Queen Elizabeth’s representative to the province. This stately heritage building is open for public viewing, but the tour is only available on select dates or at special times.
The history of Craigdarroch Castle is not entirely clear. Although Robert Dunsmuir died in 1889, his estate was valued at $15 to twenty million US Dollars. After the Castle was completed, Joan Dunsmuir’s daughter Joan moved into the castle. She lived there with her three daughters and two orphaned grandchildren. More
The story of Craigdarroch Castle is well-told in Terry Reksten’s Craigdarroch: The Story of Dunsmuir Castle. The castle was built by a coal baron and was intended to be an ostentatious allusion to Scottish heritage. Today, it is a cultural icon.
Since its construction in 1890, Craigdarroch Castle has served as a military hospital, a college, and a music school. It was then purchased by a non-profit society and converted into a museum. It has also been the setting for several movies, including Little Women (1994).
Getting ThereÂ
From South Island Mechanical Ltd. To Craigdarroch Castle
Driving Directions From the Craigdarroch Castle to Your Next Victoria BC POI:
Take Joan Crescent to Fort St. Follow Fort St, Stanley Ave and Pandora Ave to Fernwood Rd. Turn right onto Fernwood Rd. Take Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and Island Hwy/Old Island Hwy S to University Dr in Colwood. Continue on University Dr. Drive to College Dr.
From Craigdarroch Castle to Hatley Park National Historic Site
Head Over to Your Next Victoria BC POI: Hatley Park National Historic Site
