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Dundurn Castle

History museums ·Hamilton ·Open now
4.73.2K
#7History museums in Canada
  • Visit: about 1 h
  • from CAD 16.75
  • Not step-free
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About

Dundurn Castle is Sir Allan Napier MacNab’s historic home in Hamilton, Ontario, where he served as Premier of the Province of Canada.

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Dundurn Castle

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Why go

  • Forty rooms restored to 1855, when MacNab was at the height of his career
  • Costumed interpreters portraying daily life in the 1850s
  • Hamilton Military Museum displays on wartime history and women’s military roles

Opening hours

Today12:00 – 16:00Show all
MondayClosed
Tuesday12:00 – 16:00
Wednesday12:00 – 16:00
Thursday12:00 – 16:00
Friday12:00 – 16:00
Saturday12:00 – 16:00
Sunday12:00 – 16:00

Don't miss

  • Wedding additionsLook for the columns and portico added for Sophia MacNab’s wedding preparations.Dundurn Castle exterior.
  • Military objectsLook for uniforms, medals, weapons and photographs.Hamilton Military Museum.
  • Working kitchen gardenExplore the Historic Kitchen Garden on a self-guided visit from mid-May to mid-October.Dundurn estate garden.
  • Dundurn ParkTake in the estate’s green spaces.Dundurn Park.

Know before you go

  • Admission and opening hours: Castle admission is by guided tour and includes the Hamilton Military Museum.
  • Open Tuesday–Sunday, 12:00–16:00.

What's inside

  • The home and historic kitchen introduce the life and times of Sir Allan Napier MacNab.
  • The Hamilton Military Museum covers the War of 1812, the 1837 rebellions, the Boer Wars and both world wars.

With kids

  • Birthday-party programmes include: Children ages 4–7 explore the castle with a costumed interpreter and play a game on each floor.
  • Children ages 7–12 can make and taste a traditional recipe in the historic kitchen or try chores once done by estate servants.
  • The summer birthday package includes interactive castle activities and a guided garden tour with hands-on activities.

Tips for your visit

  • For the latest departure, arrive before 15:30.
  • Access to the Hamilton Military Museum’s Canadian military history library is by appointment.

Tours and audio guides

Castle guided tours
First departure 12:10; then every 20–30 minutes; last departure 15:30
Year-round programme
Tours and activities throughout the year

Interesting facts4

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  1. The house had gas lighting and running water.

    Dundurn Castle - Wikipedia

  2. The kitchen garden supplies the house kitchen, with surplus produce donated to a local food bank.

    Château Dundurn - Wikipedia

  3. A strathspey for bagpipes was composed in the house’s honour.

    Château Dundurn - Wikipedia

  4. The estate once had an aviary, later moved to Westdale.

    Château Dundurn - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

After Richard Beasley faced financial difficulties, he sold land at Burlington Heights to Sir Allan Napier MacNab. The house was built on the foundations of Beasley’s brick home. MacNab served as Premier of the Province of Canada from 1854 to 1856, and the house hosted grand entertainments attended by Sir John A. Macdonald and King Edward VII. After MacNab’s death, the estate was used as an institution for deaf people.

  1. 1835The house was completed after three years of construction.
  2. 1855Columns and a portico were added for preparations for MacNab’s daughter Sophia’s wedding.
  3. 1872Donald McInnes bought the estate.
  4. 1899McInnes sold the castle to Hamilton.
  5. late 1960sThe house was restored as a Centennial project and designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
Show all
  1. 1970sThe Hamilton Military Museum building was moved to the estate when York Street was widened into York Boulevard.

How to get there

  • ParkingFind Dundurn Castle at 610 York Boulevard, Hamilton, Ontario. Free onsite parking is available.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair access Parts of Dundurn Castle and Hamilton Military Museum are wheelchair accessible.

Sources: Dundurn Castle - Wikipedia · Hamilton (Ontario) - Wikivoyage (see) · Dundurn Castle | National Historic Site in Hami… · Château Dundurn - Wikipedia · checked 30 Sep 2026

Where
610 York Boulevard, Hamilton Ontario

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

Was Dundurn Castle used as a filming location?

Yes. The house was used to film the 2025 Canadian series Heated Rivalry.

What is the Cockpit Theatre?

It is an open-air theatre on the estate that has hosted outdoor events and plays.

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