Victoria, BC; Canada
Recommended visit time required: 1 hour
Parking: Free (on-site lot and 2-hour street parking)
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| Front facade |
Craigdarroch Castle, completed in 1890, was the dream home of wealthy Robert Dunsmuir who amassed his fortune in coal. Sadly, he died the year before its completion and never lived here. The castle was left for his wife, Joan, who lived here until her death in 1908. The castle was owned by one other individual after the Dunsmuir daughters sold it, but lost it to Bank of Montreal due to unpaid debts. After this, the castle has been used as: Craigdarroch Military Hospital; Victoria College; offices for the Victoria School Board, Victoria Conservatory of Music; and currently as Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum.
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| Side of the Castle |
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| Back of the Castle |
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| Back porch |
The interior of Craigdarroch Castle is very well furnished and staged to reflect the original use of the residence as accurately as possible. A brochure is provided with your entrance fee for a self-guided tour. An audioguide ($5) is available to rent, but I think the expense is unnecessary as there is a lot of information in the brochure as well as on the signposts in each of the rooms.
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| Don't forget to look up! |
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| The Library |
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| Drawing Room |
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| Drawing Room |
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| Dining Room |
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| Jessie's Bedroom |
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| Stair landing |
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| The Billiards Room |
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| Robert Harvey's Bedroom... the green paint is original! |
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| Effie's Bedroom |
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| Dance Hall |
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| Maud's Bedroom |
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| The Breakfast Room |
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| View of Mt Douglas from the tower |
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