Craigdarroch Castle
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What's on here
Why go
- 39 rooms, 17 fireplaces and a tower reached by 87 steps.
- More than 9,000 artefacts from the Victorian era.
- Original Victorian stained-glass windows made by Pacific Art Glass Works of San Francisco.
- The parlour ceiling fresco, uncovered beneath five layers of paint during restoration.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 16:00Show all
Don't miss
- Woman with a swan windowThe parlour’s stained-glass panel is a replica based on a painting by Sir Frederic Leighton.Parlour
- Steinway Model B grand pianoAlexander Dunsmuir commissioned this piano, which has a rosewood case with marquetry decoration.Inside the castle
Know before you go
- Certified guide and service dogs are allowed inside.
What's inside
- Restored rooms with Victorian-era furnishings evoke privileged life in the 1890s.
- Exhibits and panels explore the occupants’ connections to Canadian history, including World War I and education on Vancouver Island.
- The museum preserves more than 9,000 Victorian-era artefacts.
Tips for your visit
- Allow at least 45 minutes for a self-guided visit.
- Tickets can be bought online through the castle’s own website.
Interesting facts3
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About 10% of the collection belonged to the Dunsmuir family.
Château Craigdarroch - Wikipedia -
The parlour floor is Hawaiian koa, a wood also used to make guitars and ukuleles.
Château Craigdarroch - Wikipedia -
The castle was planned as a setting to introduce three unmarried Dunsmuir daughters to married life.
Meet the Dunsmuirs - Craigdarroch Castle
Shorts
History
- 1887Robert Dunsmuir commissioned a family home for himself and Joan.
- April 1889Robert died before construction was complete; his sons Alexander and James oversaw the work.
- 1890Joan moved in with three unmarried daughters and two orphaned grandchildren.
- 1908Joan died after 18 years in the house. Her heirs later sold the estate to Griffith Hughes for subdivision.
- After subdivisionThe house was raffled to a purchaser of a residential lot, and Solomon Cameron won it.
Show all
- 21–23 June 1909The Dunsmuir family’s personal belongings were sold at a public auction.
- 1919The Bank of Montreal took ownership after Cameron defaulted on his mortgage.
- 1979After use as a military hospital, college, school-board headquarters and music conservatory, the building became a museum.
- 1992The castle became a National Historic Site of Canada.
Tours and audio guides
- Guided tours
- The museum offers guided tours.
- Virtual tours
- Virtual tours can be explored remotely.
How to get there
- 25 minOn footWalk about 2 kilometres from downtown Victoria to 1050 Joan Crescent, Rockland.
- BusBuses 11 and 14 run along Fort Street toward the castle.
- BikeFort Street has dedicated bike lanes.
- ParkingFree parking is available on site.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessibility The castle has no ramps or elevators.
Sources: Craigdarroch Castle - Wikipedia · Victoria (British Columbia) - Wikivoyage (see) · Home page - Craigdarroch Castle · Plan - Craigdarroch Castle · Plan Your Visit - Craigdarroch Castle · Château Craigdarroch - Wikipedia · Meet the Dunsmuirs - Craigdarroch Castle · Gallery & Tours - Craigdarroch Castle · checked 28 Sep 2026
- Website
- thecastle.ca/
- Phone
- +12505925323
Questions and answers
Who owns the Craigdarroch Castle museum?
The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society, a private nonprofit society, owns it.
What does admission to Craigdarroch Castle support?
Admission proceeds support ongoing restoration and preservation.
Whose traditional territory is Craigdarroch Castle on?
It stands on the Traditional Territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
How many children did Robert and Joan Dunsmuir have?
They had two sons and eight daughters.
What role was Craigdarroch Castle intended to play in the Dunsmuir daughters’ lives?
It was planned as a setting to introduce three unmarried Dunsmuir daughters to married life.
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