Ready to step into some of the province’s most haunting history? Hatley Park is an Edwardian castle on Vancouver Island that doubles as a national historic site, and it has a fascinating past and present.

The Castle

Completed in 1908 with the help of a Victorian architect, the 565-acre oceanfront castle was constructed by James Dunsmuir, who would come to reside in the estate with his wife and their twelve children, according to Hatley Park’s website.

What’s more, Dunsmuir spared no expense, spending tens of thousands of dollars on the most lavish materials, custom light fixtures, and teak floors. So it’s easy to see why the estate has appeared in over 30 films over the years!

This includes The Changeling, Generation X, Deadpool, Disney’s The Descendants, and Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters in the X-Men franchise, to name a few.

Built on the Esquimalt Lagoon, the castle now operates as a museum dedicated to the Dunsmuirs, and is said to be ‘haunted,’ according to Tourism Victoria.

Hatley Park

Situated just 25 minutes from downtown Victoria, Hatley Park is home to lush gardens, winding trails through ancient forest, and the scenic Esquimalt Lagoon.

Visitors can enjoy a beautiful stroll through the grounds and Japanese garden, a dip in the lagoon, and explore over 80 years of film history.

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Looking for scenic wedding locations? The castle at Hatley Park is now taking bookings for 2025 dates!

So there you have it, film and nature buffs! No matter what piques your interest most this incredible historic site, it’s worth checking out this summer!

Hatley Castle

Where: Colwood, BC

Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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