Photo via Shutterstock
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.
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.
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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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!
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