Hatley Castle, tucked away on Victoria Island, was a serene and picturesque stop on a crisp morning. Even though the air was chilly and the castle didn't open until 10 a.m., wandering the grounds beforehand felt like a moment out of a storybook. The expansive, beautifully kept gardens and coastal views made the stroll well worth it, offering a quiet and peaceful way to take in the surroundings. Paid parking is available, making it an easy stop to add to a morning itinerary. read more

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Cool to view but tours are closed in the winter, so we were able to wander the grounds only. Not the size expected for a castle, it's part of the university and classes are held in the winter which is why there weren't any tours available. read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Very scenic. We took tons of pictures in front and at the gardens. There's a lot of greenery, a bridge and a couple of ponds. We couldn't go inside. read more

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In 1906 BC Lieutenant Governor, James Dunsmuir, purchased the property. He and his wife Laura commissioned a well known Canadian architect Samuel Maclure to design and build a Tudor mansion with 40 rooms. The Dunsmuirs designed and planted beautiful gardens - still a key attraction, in my opinion. Intricate details of the masonry stone work outside and wood features on walls and floors, using Beech, Oak, Eucalyptus and other woods, is mind boggling to see. I recommend taking the 1 hour tour with a guide and learn all you need to know about the history, family and construction - and more Royal Roads University owns and uses the castle today, read more

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If you are traveling in the area vacation; be sure to check out when the garden tours are because that is the only way to access the interior of the castle. read more

Hatley Castle - Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

For you nerds like me, this is a must visit in Victoria! It's Professor X's "School for Gifted Youngsters" featured in all the Marvel X-Men movies! Unfortunately I was short of time, so I couldn't do the $24 1 hour interior tour. But it was free and fun to walk around the outside of the mini castle, its so well kept that it seems new? The surrounding grounds and gardens are well maintained and lovely. If you have a car its an easy fun way to spend 20-30 minutes, and I think parking was only $2. If you're not a nerdy fan of X-Men, then maybe this is more of a 4 Star experience. read more

COVID #44 Watch out for the peacocks and rabbits. What's a castle wthout wildlife. That said, there is no moat, no drawbridge and no knights in shining armour - sorry ladies, your dream didn't come true. Growing your hair long won't result in a Rapunzel ending. Hatley Castle is now part of the Royal Roads University campus. Unbeknownst to me, I didn't know this university existed. It was established in 1995 after the dissolution of the Royal Road Military College. Not terribly busy when I came. Paid parking for visitors. You can see the Esquimalt Lagoon nearby read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Updating this review with a "Cool parent alert" since our kids have discovered that this is one of the main film sets for the Descendants movies on Disney. It's free to explore the grounds. This proved to be worth every penny we didn't spend given the amount of joy the kids had recognizing how different scenes from the film were filmed. Magical for all involved. read more

Meh, castle is a strong word for this. You can't even go in the "castle" unless you're with the university. It was pretty to look at and I'm sure the gardens are nice in the spring/summer. I'm not entirely sure it's worth a drive out from Victoria. read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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We took a nice walk to here from the beach front to here. It was a beautiful walk to the castle. Bummer we couldn't go in the castle, but the castle was beautiful nonetheless! Worth a walk and a look! read more

The castle itself and the gardens around it is beautiful. I highly recommend coming here to walk around the campus (this castle is part of the Royal Roads University Campus). The gardens and the grounds are free. The reason I give this place one-star is because the castle tour itself is a complete waste of time and money. You only get to see four rooms on the first floor, and nowhere else inside the castle. The tour guide rambles on and on with historical facts just to fill in the time. DO NOT choose the tour as you will regret it. read more

Beautiful garden and grounds! Free to walk the garden during posted hours and as advertised on the historic site's website (during my visit hours were daily 10am - dusk). I visited in October 2022 and the castle interior was closed to the public (while open to RRU university staff and students). Those visiting May-September may tour the castle when guided tours are offered. read more

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Nerdgasm level 29! This is a must visit place for geeks like me! Hatley Castle is Lex Luthor's mansion in Smallville / Xavier's School in Deadpool and X-Men: The Last Stand / Queen Family Mansion in Arrow. We took bus #75 from Butchart Gardens then transferred to bus #39 to get there. More than an hour trip because of the gajillion bus stops but is sooo worth it. (If you rent a car, should only take 25 minutes from downtown Victoria). Place is beautiful! I can now understand why so many couples like to get married here. Wedding photos would look so good. No photoshop skills required! Guided estate tours are offered from Monday - Friday for a fee. Check their website for rates. There is a complimentary garden access during shoulder season (through April 1). read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Can't go inside so that's kind of a bummer. The grounds are pretty but other than walk around there's not much to do. Lots of goose poop. There is a bathroom around the side of castle. Side door to basement area. Bad signage. If you want to say you've been to a castle and take some pictures this is a good spot. But Craigdarroch castle is soooo much better. Go there. Trust me. You won't be disappointed. read more

The castle has a lot of history and has been used in a number of movies including the X-Men movies, Deadpool, Disney's Descendants and more. I can see why it would make an interesting setting. It has an interesting history and is currently also being used for classrooms for the Royal Roads University-it is part of the university campus. There was a sign outside saying there was a private event and it was closed but we found out that they do offer tours at select times and we were able to get tickets in the gift shop. There is a tour of the garden first and then you are taken into the castle but only allowed to see the first floor. It's not a large castle but the rooms are quite nice-many different kinds of wood were used which were quite pretty. One room has a large pool table. The guided tour takes about an hour and price is $18.50 for adults, $16.00 for seniors, $10.90 for students 6-17 with kids under 5 free. Their site lists a self-guided tour but not sure how that works. The only parking we found was a pay lot and you have to walk up a small hill to get to the castle. Then entrance to the castle is opposite the parking lot. read more

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I live 400 meters away, and enjoy weekly walks through the estate, university and gardens. Every thing me is stunning and different, and one is never disappointed regardless of the weather. The gardens are superb, the Italian and Japanese being over 100 years old. And, a few weeks ago, the president of Royal Roads decreed that garden admissions be forever removed, the gardens open and free to all Colwood residents and visitors alike! Want to immeasurably improve your day and sense of well-being? Head over to the gardens at Hatley Castle! read more

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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. read more

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Calling all mutants! Report to mutant training! Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters from X-men is a Canadian National monument that you can tour for $18 on your visit to Vancouver Island. You can either buy a tour pass in the basement gift shop for $18, and go into this Edwardian-styled mansion, or pay $9 and stay out the exterior of the house and tour Hatley Castle's extensive gardens. Hatley Castle has changed hands several times. It started out as a coal baron's home and castle owned by the Dunsmuir Family, morphed into a Canadian naval academy when the family lost its figurehead and fortune, and most recently it has emerged as the private, progressive Royal Roads University, with the castle used as everything from a university meeting place, to a wedding locale, to the set for movies like X-men. The gardens alongside Hatley Castle are deceptively large and beautiful, stretching alongside the main house on one side out to the water. The house itself is impressive, but the downside is that much of the original furniture has been removed over the years, leaving only untouched and original tilework, woodcarvings,and stained glass, and some modern furniture. The original billiard table and score cupboard from London remains in the room used as Professor Xavier's office in X-men, and that is something to see. If you can hunker down for a one hour tour, ours was pretty informative and with the tragic family stories of the original owners, the house comes alive. Also cool to see the balcony that Wolverine jumped down from, if you are a X-men fan. The setting is pretty, the gardens lovely, and you can get your geek on. If you want to see a castle with original period furniture, and you are not an X-men fan, but a fan of history, the family also owned Craiggdarroch castle nearby. This Victorian home has its period furniture mostly intact, for some surreal time travel. read more

Hatley Castle - $18 private tour includes admission to the house and gardens. Buy tickets at the gift shop. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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Oh, what a beautiful place to walk around. We made it one of our must see destinations while visiting Victoria. Easy enough to find and plenty of parking if you show up early. The walk from the parking lot up to the grounds is so peaceful and relaxing and makes for great photo ops, too. Unfortunately no inside tours the day we visited. It was interesting to see how vast the grounds are when standing from the house looking down. This place is beautiful and so rich in history. read more

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Beautiful castle and grounds! Located towards the back of the University grounds, Hatley Castle is a lovely day excursion not far from downtown Victoria. They offer several gardens that you can walk through (Italian, Japanese, English, ferns, etc) and feature beautiful dahlias at the end of summer all over the grounds. Each garden is gated in so local deer can't get in and eat the blooms, and each has a distinct style. Everything is well maintained and you can't help but smile as you take in the views of the water and flowers with the backdrop of the castle. There's a visitor parking lot (P3) below the castle grounds and currently the meter is broken so apparently parking is free. Enjoy an afternoon here - next time I'll do a guided tour. read more

Very disappointing. You can't go inside unless you are part of a pre-booked tour. You also can't get on a pre-booked tour unless you have a minimum of 10 people who want to go with you. I searched and searched for a tour company we could hop onto that included Hatley in those itinerary but found none. The website is so outdated the hours of operation sheet shows spring of 2018 so you don't know you can't get a tour until you drive out there. The gardens are pretty and if you brought a picnic lunch you might think it was worth it just to sit out there and enjoy it but if you want to see a castle you will be disappointed. Apparently it's only the lower floor that is the "museum" so even if you can get on a tour and see it, the experience is limited. Seems like a waste of national history to me to have it be admin offices for a college. I do t recommend driving out to see it unless you are good with seeing the exterior only. read more

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Hatley Castle is full of history in regards to Victoria and architecture quite amazing. To be honest what drew me to this location was the fact that X-Men the movie had been filmed here. I do appreciate good it architecture as well. Be aware that the castle is part of the University and is not always available for tours and not always accessible. Parking is not the easiest and it is not free. I was hoping that with the tour you would get full access to the castle but unfortunately only get the first floor. The tour last maybe an hour and has a lot of history including about the movies and shows have been filmed there. But I could leave a lot to be desired. Overall it wasn't bad but I can't say I wouldn't do it again. read more

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This place is gorgeous!!! Why isn't there more reviews about this place? What a gem. It's still used partly as a college, also, so some areas are off limits. But can you imagine being a student here? Of course, this castle was used in X-men movie as the X-men mutant school; as well as in Smallville TV series as Luthor Mansion, so that's another cool fact as well. The grounds are well manicured, and there are lots of benches for visitors. Parking is also plentiful, and also beautiful sight for sunsets! I really like the vines running up the castle, gives it a cool effect, though I hope it doesn't disintegrate the building. Inside of the building was a bit odd for me, I did not expect so much wood and stuffed animal heads. Otherwise there is a small tour section the you can walk around in. I personally loved walking on the outergrounds, taking pictures of the garden and enjoying the beautiful weather outside. You can have a cute picnic here, too, definitely a wonderful idea!! If not, just drop by this place when you're passing by and you will be amazed! read more

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Got here and saw this sign (posted) that says, 'Access to Hatley Castle is limited to invited guests and staff." The grounds are beautiful but we came specifically to tour this castle instead of the main one that is advertised everywhere. Total bust. read more

Hatley Castle - Rather annoyed that we drove all the way here and couldn't tour the castle. - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

Gorgeous grounds and interesting history. If you're lucky, you'll see a peacock! In Canada we may not have the rich history of Europe and 1000 year old castles BUT this is part of the little history we have to represent here in young Canada. Great place to come and walk around with your family, and see what life is like for Royal Roads University students read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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I'm just going to be honest here: save your money and go to Craigdarroch instead. What a let down this place is. Dull, impersonal and the tour guide had such a thick accent you could only catch half of what she said. For the cost of getting the tour I expected a LOT more. One floor of the house, an insipid "museum" (mostly photos) in the basement and a tour of the garden which you can do yourself anyway. read more

X-Men and Marvel universe aside Hatley Castle is a stand alone site. The sites and scenery are breathtaking and for a tourist locale the prices are reasonable enough for locals to participate. The tours are informative and fun. My only criticisms are the paid parking lot and the limited amount of access to the grounds. If you are booking an event here outside catering is not permitted. The food is great but be prepared to pay for the services provided. read more

My wife and I watch a few shows that use this castle as a location. We went at about 4pm, so there were no tours going, but we just walked the perimeter ourselves. Other reviewers have noted that the tour doesn't show you much on the inside because it's an active college. We found it to be a great thing to do for free (aside from parking which costs $1/hr at the time we went). It's easy to see why so many shows and movies use this as a location! read more

Hatley Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Victoria, British Columbia

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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. read more

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Cool castle and gardens .....would LOVE to be a student here! When on your guided tour in the castle you are only allowed on the 1st floor because the rest is a online type college! It is so historic and beautiful, what an honor I'm sure to attend here! The gardens are gorgeous!! The Japanese garden was under construction when we were there so did not really get to see that part. But that is ok, because the gardens are big! Alot to see and let your eyes take in all the beauty around you! Your tour guide will tell you the history of the castle but don't forget to check out the museum that is in the basement of the castle. We did this before our tour and glad we did so we had some knowledge walking around with our guide. Very interesting history, a must to see while in Victoria! read more

A must see while in Victoria. Make sure don't just walk the outside, pay for tour and garden access... if you're a vlogger, photographer or just want to enjoy peace you'll thank me. Inside castle tour is great and tour guide was awesome. I got to be in areas they filmed deadpool and xmen and cool to see it in person. Garden was amazing and beautiful. Want to impress your girl? Bring her here and get 10 get out of jail cards instantly! read more

This castle is awesome. Gorgeous, picturesque and the garden was quaint. A must visit when you're in Victoria. Besides who doesn't want to visit the X-men house?!?! read more

Beautiful castle, great tour, glorious gardens! A nicer visit than craigdarroch since the grounds and gardens are mostly kept up, not broken up into lots surrounding the castle. A nice little trip if you've been to craigdarroch and want to see something else. read more

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Pretty disappointing to show up and see there are no walking tours til April. There was nothing about this on their website. What a disappointment. Please make the information more clear on your website. read more

The castle wasn't as big as I expected but it's still cool to see. Unfortunately there was a private event going on so we didn't see the inside, we paid for the garden tour and it was ok, it wasn't as maintained as well as I would have expected. read more

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Classic and very cool place to see and walk around lots of movies are filmed here from dead pool x men and the Netflix tv show haunted Hill

This place is pretty cool to check out if you have time touring the island. It took about 45-60min each way from downtown Victoria via bus. Great scenery. However, the castle itself is not available for you to enter as a tourist except for bathroom. The garden was great and saw a lot of peacocks roaming around. You can also use free WiFi to plan out your trip towards Langford if you have time. Overall, a good place to explore if you are able to but 2-3hours out of your day. read more

Expensive compared to Craigdorrach Castle (at Hatley you only saw one floor while they are having meetings while at Craigdorrach you saw all 4 floors fire less money). Hatley is run by college students and it shows.... You pay premium price (they don't warm you of cheaper option of the family plan) and during your tour, kids rudely walk in front of you and take themselves in their own self guided exploration on all floors for free. They don't mention the movies filmed there like X-Men and Descendants. The gardens are amazing! It was beautiful just not professionally run. read more

Nice historic site to visit and take pictures of with the family. This place can get crowded at times with other tourist.

Beautiful place, love the history of the Dunsmuir family and the site itself, including potential location for royal family if Hitler invaded. What a place. Oh yeah, and X-Men helps too! read more