Craigdarroch castle in victoria

Step back in time with a visit to a true Victorian-era gem -- the Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia. The castle is a key piece of British Columbia history, and was built for BC's wealthiest man in the early 1900s. Explore the castle at your own pace and admire the Victorian furnishing, a large collection of stained and leaded glass windows and impressive woodwork. Only a short walk from downtown Victoria, this is a highlight that shouldn't be missed!

While in Victoria, make sure to visit the famous Craigdarroch Castle -- the premiere heritage and architectural attraction in Victoria, British Columbia. The castle was built as a lavish Victorian home for the wealthiest man in British Columbia in the early 1900s, Robert Dunsmuir, who owned coal mines, railroads and an entire fleet of ships! The mansion features exquisite woodwork, Victorian furnishings and one of the finest residential collections of stained and leaded glass windows in North America.

Tragically, Mr. Dunsmuir passed away before the home’s completion, and only his wife, Joan, and some of their children and grandchildren ever actually lived in the home. After Joan’s death in 1908, the entire contents of the Castle were sold at an auction and the property was subdivided. The castle subsequently served as a military hospital, a college, school board offices, a music school and finally as a historic museum. 

Explore the castle on a self-guided tour that takes approximately one hour.