Blog written for the Admiral Inn in Victoria, BC
You can imagine the women sitting in the gardens outside of the Hatley Castle in the early 20th century. They would have been wearing long trumpet bell skirts and embroidered blouses, heavily boned and draped in lace. The privileged drank their afternoon tea in the Victorian sunshine accessorized with pin brooches, a carefully knotted scarf or a floppy hat.
This would have been the scene at the Hatley Castle around 1910 if Laura Dunsmuir, wife of British Columbia’s then Lieutenant Governer, James Dunsmuir, was playing hostess on the grounds of their 40 room mansion in Colwood, just outside of Victoria.
You may recognize the castle and grounds from the X-Men film series as Professor Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. It was also Lex Luthor’s mansion in the television series Smallville, and has made many appearances in film and television over the last 45 years.
Construction of the castle began in 1906 and was completed in 1908. It was designed by Samuel Maclure, a Canadian architect, and built with local sandstone. The interior features oak and rosewood paneled rooms, grand fireplaces, teak floors and other lavish details. Surrounding the mansion, classic Edwardian landscaping welcomes sea views and includes formal gardens and recreational areas. The Dunsmuirs dubbed their home “Hatley Park”.
After the couple’s passing the family sold the property to the Government of Canada in 1940 and in a matter of months it became a training establishment for the Canadian Navy. Between 1940 and 1942 the Hatley Castle saw over 600 volunteer reserve officers undergo training before officially becoming the Royal Canadian Naval College at Royal Roads. It them transformed into a tri-service military college. It was the Royal Roads Military College until 1995. That same year the estate was leased to the Province of BC, designated a National Historic Site of Canada and opened as the Royal Roads University.
Come experience this historical treasure! Stroll through the beautiful gardens and grounds, tour the castle and walk through the surrounding old-growth forest on well manicured trails. Daily tours of the castle and grounds are available to visitors. Discover the Hatley Castel museum and take your time in the Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens while soaking in the ocean front setting.
Tours can be booked on-site at the Hatley Museum, located in the basement of the castle. Larger groups must make bookings ahead of time. For more information call (250) 391-2666 or visit the Explore Hatley Park Castle website.