A definite must activity in the island. This was our post lunch activity. What a beautiful property. We took the time to really check every nook and cranny of what once was a family home. Some of those rooms were super spacious. Our friend was nice enough to narrate the whole tour for our group by reading the leaflet provided at the entrance. Well done keeping the whole property looking pristine. read more

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We actually saw the outside of this mansion/castle 2 summers ago on a city tour excursion from our cruise ship. This summer, we were on a road trip and took the ferry across from Port Angeles to Victoria for a few hours. This was a perfect stop before lunch, and this time we did a self guided tour of the interior. Super friendly people work here. The ticket seller was very nice, the greeter inside the castle set us on our way, and even the souvenir shop lady was exceptionally nice. Maybe its just that they're Canadian? Or maybe they're just...nice. lol Be advised that there's a lot of stairs to tackle on this tour. This is a perfect place to see if you only have a few hours in Victoria. We took a cab from the ferry dock and back later. It was a short ride so not too expensive. Crowd wasn't tooo bad at the time we went in July. read more

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I was here for Upstairs Downstairs a production from a local improv theater company. It was lovely. A whole bunch of fun in a beautiful castle!! Wow! This place is cool! I recommend a visit here if you can swing it. So nice! Lots of history of course. When it was built, the tower was the highest place anyone could stand in Victoria. read more

Craigdarroch Castle - Tallest tower when built - Museums Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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What amazing experience we were out in Victoria and we came out to visit this castle. It's amazing how they keep this place up being as old as it is. loved all the different rooms that not only showed you but you could read the history of what was going on in that era great place to take pictures too. Definitely a good spot to visit if you're out in Victoria, British Columbia. read more

Craigdarroch Castle - Museums Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Well maintained and good history of 1890's till now and how the building served World War I time here and the Victoria college classes the scene changed.. spent $24.50 CAD for entry read more

Craigdarroch Castle - Museums Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Very cool castle right in the middle of town. Sits up high on a hill and was built by a coal merchant in Victoria. He never lived there, his family did after it was completed after he died. We were unable to go in due to not having enough time but for around z$10 you can go inside and have a look around read more

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I have been living on n British Columbia for over 15 years now. I have been to Victoria many times but this visit was special as I decided to be a tourist. Guess what I discovered this beautiful, gigantic and marvellous Craigdarroch Castle amid fully residential area in Victoria, Canada! This stunning 39-room Victorian-era castle boasts breathtaking architecture and intricate details. While its history is marked by untimely deaths and family conflicts, the castle's grandeur and beauty shine through. Explore the opulent interiors, admire the stunning views, and immerse yourself in the rich history. You would enjoy extra if you are a vintage person but unfortunately nothing is up for sale but to showcase only. Staff is very helpful which I believe are the volunteers . They will even rush you if it's closing time but in a nice way so better plan few hours for this visit especially because if you like to admire things longer. Lol. Few tips - Take a guided tour to uncover the castle's fascinating history and secrets along with a guided rickshaw wala person. As I was exploring on my own but I could hear to the stories being narrated by these gentlemen to other tourist. - Admire the beautifully maintained gardens and grounds right in front of the castle. - Don't miss the stunning views of Victoria from the castle's upper floors especially on a bright sunny day. Whether you're a history buff, architecture enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique experience, Craigdarroch Castle is a must-visit destination in Victoria. read more

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Such a beautiful castle! We enjoyed every minute of our visit. The billiards room was my favorite but there's so much to see! I didn't expect to find a castle in Victoria, Canada but I'm so happy we did! You should definitely go! read more

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Wonderful experience! If you're in Victoria this is a MUST DO! Very cool castle in the middle of town!

I'll be honest. I booked this as an excursion from our cruise ship not knowing much about this place and actually thought it was a castle in the traditional sense. I really should have known since when did you ever hear of medieval style castles in Canada? Once I got over this fact, and accepted the truth that this building is simply a rich guy's mansion that was built to look castle-like, it was an interesting peek inside the lives of the Dunsmuir family and how the house evolved into more than a residence. Note that you will need to be able to walk up stairs to tour the home, which means it doesn't appear to be ADA accessible and it's definitely not stroller friendly. Also not that there are no restrooms inside for public use. Restrooms are available in the visitor's center across the home though. read more

It's acceptable to be completely impartial. Given that I didn't even enter this place, I'm probably not the best person to review it. Since I was in Victoria, I thought it would be beneficial to have a visual representation of the place. It has a lovely Victorian look, which I thought was cool, but I've seen castles all over Europe, particularly Germany, that I find far more impressive so I wasn't completely blown away. However, if you've never seen a castle before, I believe it's a wonderful place to start. I particularly enjoy the older stone medieval-style structures found through Europe, but as I mentioned earlier, if this is your first time visiting a castle, I highly recommend checking it out. Besides, Victoria is such a nice experience! read more

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5 stars for its historical beauty and significance!! I was still grateful to experience it's magnificence from the outside. It has such rich history and beauty! The tour was closed and had limited hours. Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy coal baron, replicated this castle to resemble his country's castles of Scotland. Tragically he died before it was finished in the late 19th century and was left to his wife Joan and children. The castle later served as a military hospital, college, offices, and a music conservatory, before it was re-purposed into a historical museum in 1979. The museum is currently owned by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society, which is a private non-profit society. I will be back again so much to see in Victoria! It was so beautiful! read more

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The Craigdarroch Castle is full of beautiful architecture and has a rich history from the Dunsmuir family home, to a military hospital, college, music conservatory, and now a historical museum. We did the self guided tour and there is ample signage with a wealth of information in each room. I feel like the ticket pricy is a bit steep but they also have a lot of restoration plans discussed throughout the tour, so it is money well spent on a beautiful mansion. read more

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I loved my time here. I really wasn't expecting to but I figured why not. When will I ever be in Victoria again to see this castle? So I booked a tour last minute and I'm so glad I did. My tour guide, Emily, was lovely. She made the tour so fun and informative. The story behind this castle is so interesting and the tour gives you ample time to discover and explore each room. When you enter, you clean your shoes on this shoe cleaning machine that rotates bristles on your shoes and you come into the entrance with a lovely staircase and hallways. I was told during my visit that the 4th floor, which has the small tower and window area, was closed for renovation but I was lucky and they let us visit even though it wasn't completely done! The castle is big, 25000 square feet and 39 rooms. It's also been through so many different functions and it shows in certain rooms which I find fascinating. There's also a small salamander based on an old superstition that putting a salamander sculpture in your home would protect from fires. I could talk about this castle for quite a while but it's absolutely worth a visit!! read more

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If you like historic mansions (and I do) this is definitely a 5. It's fascinating to see the period rooms and furniture. I could have spent a lot more time here than I did- but my tour was only for 2 hours. I had purchased a guide book at my local 1/2 price books and familiarized myself with the house and story before I went- which greatly added to my enjoyment, because there are SO many rooms I did not have time to read the signage while in the house. Also, don't miss the adorable carved lizard hanging from the ceiling!!! And when you get to the very top, if you put your phone on the floor you can take a picture of the round ceiling in the topmost room!!! Also, make sure to take a picture from the top looking down the spiral of stairs- that's a fun picture. If you do not like architecture and old houses this is not the tour for you! We did find that the street outside is closed to buses, so you may have to walk up a steep hill (something I did not know)- and as I walk with a cane, this was an unpleasant surprise. So if you are booking a bus from a cruise you should know that a steep uphill walk will be a prelude to your tour. The stairs in the house are also daunting and I saw no sign of an elevator- so I do not know if there is any handicap accessibility- I saw no sign of that. read more

This is a beautiful Victorian-era mansion of over 25,000 square feet (including the basement). When our cruise ship was scheduled to stop in Victoria B.C., I had to visit Craigdarroch if only to take in its architecture and period furnishings. I am very happy that we took advantage of the opportunity. read more

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A surprising high point in our visit to Vancouver. Feels more like you're walking through someone's (very fancy) house than taking a tour. Could be cheaper for what you get, but still a lovely afternoon activity, especially if it's rainy. read more

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TIPS... 1. DO visit this historic mansion if you enjoy Victorian era homes with twisted histories. 2. DO NOT buy a tour for this from your cruise line unless you want to be whisked through the mansion in 25-30 minutes including the walk from the tour bus a couple of blocks away. Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful Victorian mansion built at a cost of $500,000 in the late 1800s for the wealthy Dunsmuir family. Unfortunately, the patriarch, Robert Dunsmuir, died in 1889 seventeen months before the completion of construction. He left behind his wife Joan, two adults sons, and eight daughters. Their sons, James and Alexander, ran the family business and made sure that the construction was complete while their grieving mother travelled to Europe. The sons were verbally promised to inherit the family business holdings in the offices where they had worked their entire lives. Instead, everything was left to their mother Joan. Over the next decade, the family was embroiled in bitter legal battles that eventually gave the brothers access to own a few of the family businesses. This settlement allowed Alex to propose to a divorced woman that had been his live-in companion for twenty years. The wedding bliss only lasted for six weeks, as Alex died on his honeymoon in New York. This triggered another battle between Joan and her daughters against James. Another lawsuit ensued that went to the Privy Council in London. James and his mom did not speak for years after this legal battle and he almost decided not to attend her funeral. He did attend at the last minute where he reportedly wept over her loss. Subsequently, after Joan's death, the estate was sold by Joan's daughters to a land speculator for $38,000 who subdivided the land into parcels and "raffled" off the home to one individual who had purchased a parcel of land. That winner, Solomon Cameron, lived there until 1917. Unfortunately, he had mortgaged the home, invested in speculative endeavors which failed and left him broke and the home's ownership was transferred to the Bank of Montreal. For the next sixty years starting in 1919, the home functioned as a military hospital, Victoria College, a school board office and the Victoria Conservatory of Music. The home was eventually converted into a museum in 1979. The four story mansion is filled with beautiful stained glass windows, intricate woodwork and antiques from the 1890s. From bedrooms to billiard rooms, climb the wood staircase to view the treasures inside. Definitely go to the top of the castle for a beautiful view of Victoria from one of the highest Victorian viewpoints in the city, but don't go with a tour from your cruise line. read more

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This place is awesome. For a reasonable price (they offer discounts for students, seniors, etc.), you get to explore this castle on a self-guided tour. Plan for around 1 hour here. The castle is located about 10 minutes from downtown Victoria. There is free parking onsite. read more

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If you are in Victoria and you love history, do not miss visiting this house of "richest man of British Columbia " Each and every room is well preserved and beautiful telling the story of this rags to riches family. One of the rooms plays a documentary on the family which should not be missed at all. Make sure you go up the castle and come down using the other side of the stairs or else you will miss half of it!! Highly recommended . For 14.50$ a ticket this is surely a ride into history that makes you feel proud of you being a B.C. resident. Go for it! read more

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Craigdarroch Castle has been standing tall since construction completed in 1890. While it provided a lavish home for the Dunsmuir family, there is much more behind this now "designated national historic site". Before entering the front doors, one of the employees welcomed our tour group and provided some background information both on the Dunsmuirs and the life of the castle up to this point. Throughout the years, the castle has acted as a college, Victoria School Board office, and even a military hospital. After the short intro, the staff guided us to a shoe-cleaning contraption and handed each person a brochure with descriptions of each room to aid in our self-guided tour. As a quick note, if you bring a backpack, you must wear it on your front to avoid accidentally hitting artifacts from behind. The main rooms, such as the bedrooms, dining areas and living spaces were fully furnished and filled with historic antiques. You'll find plaques and posters in each room with plenty of background information and you can also watch a documentary video on the second floor. Although children are welcome, I could see little ones becoming bored quickly since there's so much reading material and it's not really an interactive experience. We made our way around each floor, all the way up to the observation tower to catch a view of the surrounding neighborhood and town. Then, via a second set of stairs we explored another side of the house which ultimately led to the exit. For the most part, walking around the castle is pretty relaxing, but I will mention that there are some slightly eerie rooms.... not in the haunted sense, but mainly just due to the age of the building. Considering all the steps in the home, it's unfortunately not wheelchair-accessible and those on crutches would have a difficult time navigating as well. For those who may need a quick break along the way, there are unmarked chairs that can be used to rest. If you're a history buff, I'd plan to stay at least a couple hours to fully enjoy the experience without having to rush. It definitely takes some time to absorb all that the castle has to offer, especially if you make your way through all the reading material. We only had about one hour to explore with this being just one stop during a Victoria city tour, however my family enjoyed our time here. Thank you to the wonderful staff for preserving this historic site and its artifacts for visitors to appreciate for years to come! read more

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I very much enjoyed the tour of the Craigdarroch Castle! Great artifacts, beautiful pictures and the castle was clean. A nice part of history! read more

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I have always loved history and castles and kings and queens. So this place is like a dream come true. It has all the personal belongings of the people who resided the castle and so many stories. It's beautiful from inside and also has one of the rooms preserved the way it was during Second World War as this was converted into a hospital at that time. The stages of this castle from castle to hospital to college and now a historic monument. You can see a glimpse of all the stages here and see how it evolved. A must see place for people who love history. read more

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I love history and if there is an opportunity to see a well preserved building that lends a peek into the lives during that time period, I'm open to seeing it! Walking up the hill to see the majestic castle was a marvelous sight to see. The Victorian architecture was a beauty to behold. I was on a tour so we were quickly ushered inside but regrettably one of the people on our tour was starting an argument with the tour guide! Thankfully, one of the other people on our tour butted in stating we had limited time and to please let it go. This place is highly frequented which takes away from the experience of fully enjoying the castle. Large lines of people followed the arrows on the floors as we were led from room to room (I kinda felt like a Lemming). They have a strict mask policy so you must wear your mask at all times during your visit. As you walk through the various rooms and hallways you realize how gigantic this place is! This castle is outfitted with four floors and a fifth set of stairs that leads to one room called the Tower, which has a breathtaking view of the city. I kept telling myself, what if you forget something on the fifth floor and you were in the first? That's a whole lot of stairs!!! There were many rooms that contained period furniture and dress pieces. I always marveled on how tiny the period dresses look like and with so much detail. The dresses were very well preserved and intricate. I can clearly see why this place was once a school and a hospital because of the various rooms available and at least two sets of stairs. We were surprised to see that the toilet had flushing capability, which attests to how wealthy Robert Dunsmuir was during his time to afford such luxury. Some of the rooms were empty but had informative historical information that you can easily flip through and peruse. I enjoyed walking through this historical landmark and taking in the beauty both inside and outside. read more

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Very fun place to visit on your trip to Victoria! Very educational. The self guided tour is very organized and easy to follow. The staff is friendly and gives unique tidbits. The castle has such a unique history and the preservation efforts are apparent! read more

Thankfully I visited Victoria, and this castle, long before going to Europe to see castles. It's definitely a cool place to visit, but is more modern and without the extensive history of castles that are hundreds of years old. That being said, I'd still recommend going to check it out. The exterior definitely has a castle look and feel to it. Inside the rooms are beautifully decorated and include lots of historical information. We were most impressed with the stained glass. That was for sure the highlight and truly beautiful. The staircases were also gorgeous. We had a pleasant time visiting and you can make this as long or short as you wish, just depends on how much detail you're trying to take in on each room. Glad we went and would recommend. read more

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Took my wife and 3 year old here this past weekend. Much cooler than I expected! Whoever came up with the Hidden Object game for kids (and some of us adults too) to play is a damn genius. I don't think we would have made it through the whole castle without a toddler breakdown if it wasn't for that game. He was REALLY into it. The castle itself was very interesting and I highly recommended if you have never seen a castle before like us. Warning: Your wife will want to have a castle of her own after this. So.. I have that goal to look forward to now. No biggy. I got this. read more

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Very well maintained: Craigdarroch castle was much more than I thought it would be. I bit on the pricy side, but definitely worth you taking some time out of your vacation to enjoy. The outside does absolutely zero justice to how big this place feels on the inside. There are staircases that lead you to opposite sides of the castle. Each room has history that you can read and understand what happened in each room. It's always amazing to read these types of things, in my opinion. I thought we would be in and out in about 30 mins, nope! With all that there is to see and experience, it took us almost two hours or so to get out. And time went by so quickly, I didn't even notice how long it had been. A must add to your vacation bucket list. read more

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My kids always hate whenever I want to visit museums or castles. But they love it here because they can do treasury hunt. I wish all museums and castles do that so my kids can enjoy the tour as much as the adults. We love the architecture and all the history at the castle. It's fascinating. read more

We weaved through the hundred-year-old house that was originally built by a coal industrialist,then used as a college and a hospital. We went up four flights of steps and down in the back out the back porch. There was beautiful woodwork and Stain-glass windows. It was a half an hour walk from the harbor and admission was $10. read more

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We had an absolutely lovely time visiting the castle. This place is so rich in history and the grounds are kept so well. All of the employees were so kind and welcoming. During the holidays it is decorated with Christmas trees and garland and there are fabulous carolers! This is definitely a must see for locals and tourists alike! read more

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Very lovely "castle" that is really a mansion. This is a great look at a moment in time when Victoria was getting established. It's a beautifully maintained and restored mansion with lots of restored and time period accurate items throughout. The guides throughout the house are very informative and helpful. We spent about 45-60 minutes through the house and that felt about like the right amount. There is free parking and a nice gift shop and snack bar as well. While I wouldn't make this the focus of your trip to Victoria, it is a great thing to see if you have time. read more

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The history of this 5 story Castle/mansion is just one big mess. Mr. Dunsmuir passed away before the construction was completed; this led to the inconsistent construction materials used in building the mansion. The Craigdarooch Castle passed through different ownerships throughout its existence, namely: Dunsmuir ownership 1890-1908, Military Hospital 1919-1921, Victoria College 1921-1946, Victoria School Board Office 1946-1968, Victoria Conservatory of Music 1969-1979 and presently as a Museum Site from 1979. I finished the tour in about an hour. You will walk up multiple floors staged with furniture from that era along with explanations of what the rooms were used for. When you reach the top, you actually go down a different staircase where you will end up exiting at the gift shop. If you are a student, be sure to bring your ID for a reduced rate to about $8-9. Only about 10 minutes from the Inner Harbor of Victoria. I enjoyed the self guided tour (see photos) and would recommend a visit here at least once if you are in Victoria. read more

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What a really cool historic home...it's a great blend between a castle and a mansion. Walking away I have to admit feeling completely charmed by all the stained glass windows and also feeling really sad about the Dunsmuir family. Inside you can learn all about Scottish influences in the home's architecture and also come to know the family as they emigrated to Canada and became rich. It's crazy how mental issues and alcoholism follow the footsteps of the wealthy. As you will see, some of the Craigdarroch survivors really thrived and others probably could write novels of their struggles. They do a great job explaining more about the family and other historical anecdotes in the 'pink' room near the resting area. (Handy if you have little ones or you just need a break from all the stairs). The castle is a bit like a maze and there's a lot of vertical climb. (It's not that bad, really). Some of the rooms are rather dark. Others shine brightly with stained glass windows dancing off the wood paneling. Very luxurious for the time! I'm sad that the school kids tore this place up a bit when it was converted years ago. But they've done a great job restoring things. All the attendants are knowledgeable and let you look around at your own pace depending if you want to stand and listen more or just want to walk around. Be sure to place your foot on the crazy cleaning machine at the entrance. I thought some sort of sole monster was going to reach out and snap at my feet or that I'd get eaten alive. But it's totally harmless. Promise. read more

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Another stumble upon find. I saw this marker on a map that says castle. I love old architecture so had to check this out. A four story large stone home built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir in the late 1890's. The gentleman had Irish ancestry so he modeled the home after some castles from Ireland. All stone exterior with incredible rich dark wood interior. You have to love how the old school millionaires had well built large estates that exude craftsmanship and luxury. The castle has been used as a military hospital and a music college. And is in the midst of renovations. The first floor is complete and looks fabulous. Other floors are still being worked on. I hate it when beautiful wood is destroyed by graffiti and misuse. But this is still a great spot to take a couple of hours and enjoy a leisurely self guided tour. It's a unique tour in that you always turn to your right and see the rooms in a counter clockwise pattern and then go up the stairs and do it again on all four floors. Now you have seen half of the house. Cross over at the top and stay on the right turn pattern and go down four different flights of stairs to see the other half of the castle. Ingenious because it kept the flow going and with a large tur group in front of us we were never crowded. Pay with US dollars you will get Canadian change. Use credit and pay the exact amount. read more

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Welcome to Downton?! I'll be honest, visiting Craigdarroch Castle is probably as close to a Downton Abbey-esque setting as I'll ever get to. My brother recommended visiting CC while conducting a search on things to do while in Victoria. After doing my own research on the history of the Castle, and discovering its similarities to Downton Abbey/Highclere Castle, I instantly became excited to pay a visit during our recent vacation. Castle NOTES: 1. National Historic Site. 2. Former home of the prominent Dunsmuir family who's fortune was made in mining coal. 3. Craigdarroch Castle is comprised of four floors. 4. On site parking available or on the street since its located in a residential neighborhood. 5. Within walking distance of Government House. 6. Prices on the day of our visit (08.02.2016): Adults, $13.95, Seniors (65+), $12.95 7. Audio tour available for $5.00 8. Walking thru the Castle is via self-guided tour with pamphlet provided by the staff. 9. Allow at least one hour or longer to walk thru the home. 10. The gift shop is the last stop/room on the tour. After paying the entrance fee, we were part of a group of 10 that was instructed to wait at the foot of the staircase for further instructions. One of the staff informed of us of the house rules, some of which I have already forgotten except that picture taking was ok. As mentioned above, visitors take a self-guided tour of the house with the aid of pamphlet, which has maps and a room listing which is numbered. A brief description about the floors/rooms/areas of the castle is provided in the pamphlet as well. The self guided tour allows access to all floors of the house, and the majority of the rooms have been restored to their former or original splendor. After walking throughout the house, I'd have to say my favorite rooms/areas were the drawing room, dining room, billiards room, and the tower. I was particularly fond of the drawing room because there were many pieces of furniture, lamps, chairs, etc. on display. There was also clothing from the time period on display, namely a maid's uniform, a suit, and a dress. I also observed a tea service and tea cups on a table as well. The dining room had china and cutlery on display. And of course, the dining table was enormous and almost ran the entire length of the room. I liked the billiards room because of its size; it looked like a great place to entertain and just to relax honestly. The tower area/room is the highest point of the house, and one can glimpse clearly the surrounding area thru its many windows. Lastly, one aspect of the home I found very unique and beautiful were the stained glass windows found throughout the house. side NOTE: There were some Downton Abbey similarities: there were separate servants rooms/quarters, there was a back staircase, and the main rooms used at CC echo those used on Downton Abbey. BOTTOM LINE: A nice escape and view of the Victoria's past and history of the Dunsmuir family. read more

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This was part of a shore excursion that we paid for through our cruise line and it certainly was not worth it for the money we spent! It was $55.95 which included a tour of Victoria's expensive homes, overview of the city including driving by the Empress Hotel and a visit to the Craigdarroch Castle. The castle is not really a castle, more like an old mansion by the Dunsmuir Family (their son, built a house in Oakland, CA called the Dunsmuir House). Part of the reason we chose this excursion was because it was at night when our cruise ship arrived but in hindsight, I would have liked to visit other parts of the city. The castle has gone through many lives, from being the house of the Dunsmuirs, to becoming a military hospital, to becoming a college, school board, conservatory of music and then a museum. When you enter, they have you clean your shoes on a machine and have you wear your backpack and purses in front of you. There are no elevators so you must climb the many stairs to visit all the rooms and get to the top for a view. They do have restrooms for men and women. The place is very warm and stuffy so wear light clothing inside. read more

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The price is fine since I got the student discount and the volunteers were really helpful. They answered all my questions about the place and the history of the castle is astounding. The film was pretty informative and I got a good summary of the castle's history. The exhibits were pretty good and the little snapshots of each family member were cool. Parking can be tough since its such a small area but I hope the visitor center will clear it up. They're still building it and I can't wait until its finished. read more

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I've always wanted to visit Hatley Castle. But since I was coming off a cruise ship and had a limited amount of time, I figured we could check out Craigdarroch Castle instead. It's actually a ways out, but since we were strolling through Victoria, we decided to walk there. The castle itself is on the smaller side. If you're looking for a huge grandiose castle, I'd say skip Craigdarroch. This will seem very modest in size. Admission was around $14 each. Since the castle was so small, we decided to skip the tour inside. But we spent a good amount of time walking the grounds and taking pictures. On the way back from the castle, we decided to take the bus instead of a cab since we had a group of 5. The walk really is a little further than a leisurely stroll, so if you don't like walking, just take a cab here and back. read more

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It's not a European Castle - if that's what you were looking for, then you will be sorely disappointed. This home was built in 1890 by a coal baron named Robert Dunsmuir for him and his family. It originally sat on a 28 acre estate. He passed on before the home was built but his family lived there until 1908. It passed hands - along with it purpose - several times over the next century: Solomon Cameron, Military Hospital, Victoria College (predecessor of the University of Victoria), Victoria School Board, Victoria Conservatory of Music, and now a Historical House Museum. Currently, the historic society is attempting to put the kitchen area back to it's original condition when the home was first built. The tour I took was self guided with a pamphlet discussing all the different rooms. There are 4 floors, and it's stairs only - no wheelchair accessibility. You go through the home that the family lived and thrived it, and then go back down each floor to show you the different life the servants lived. 33 of the stain glass windows are the original windows. On of my favorite rooms was the Tower. The views from there overlook the town of Victoria, and even on a cloudy day, you can see much of the surrounding area. Another was the the view of the staircase from the main hall. I enjoyed all the wood panels in the home, the sitting area on the staircase, and the stone structure of the home. read more

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