Hatley Castle
- Ideal for a special occasion
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What's on here
Why go
- Japanese, Rose and Italian showcase gardens.
- Forest trails among large Douglas fir and western red cedar trees.
- The castle as Xavier’s school in X-Men, Luthor Mansion in Smallville and the Queen family manor in Arrow.
Opening hours
Today10:00 – 17:00Show all
Don't miss
- Olympic Mountains panoramaViews from the estate extend to the Olympic Mountains in the United States.The estate
- Surviving estate buildingsThe former model dairy and brick-and-concrete stables remain.The estate grounds
- Nine garden roomsThe landscape plan placed nine formal garden rooms near the castle.Near the castle
Know before you go
- Open daily, 10:00–17:00.
What's inside
- Interior features include oak and rosewood panelling, a baronial fireplace, teak floors and custom lighting.
Tips for your visit
- The castle is Royal Roads University’s administrative centre. It houses the university’s president, vice-president and support staff.
Interesting facts5
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565 acres
The estate covers 565 acres on southern Vancouver Island.
Hatley Park National Historic Site - Wikipedia -
200 feet
The castle is 200 feet long, 86 feet wide and has an 82-foot turret.
Hatley Castle | National Historic Site - Victoria BC -
Nine heritage buildings and one classified building are on the estate.
Hatley Park National Historic Site - Wikipedia -
The estate once had ten kilometres of roads.
Hatley Castle | National Historic Site - Victoria BC -
100 gardeners
About 100 gardeners and groundskeepers cared for the estate during the Dunsmuir era.
Hatley Park National Historic Site - Wikipedia
Shorts
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This castle and gardens near Victoria are FREE! 🤗📍Hatley Park, ColwoodFuel For The Sole
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Professor X's Mansion - Hatley CastleShittyMovieDeets
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Hatley Castle in Victoria BCFion | Travel & Lifestyle | YVR
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Hatley Castle, Victoria BCjamhalz Tv
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Hatley Castle Victoria BCMy West Coast Story
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Hatley Castle in Victoria, BC, served as the setting for the X-Men an…KCarlos
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At the Hatley CastleAround the globe
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Elegant Hatley Castle Wedding Film | Victoria BC Fairytale Wedding at…filmmehappy
History
Hall planned Hatley Park as an Edwardian landscape, with formal garden rooms near the castle and recreation areas, farmland, and forest beyond. From 1941 to 1943, the castle housed cadets and staff officers.
- 1906James Dunsmuir bought the property and commissioned a 40-room mansion.
- 1908The castle was completed, and the Dunsmuir family moved in.
- 1912Franklin Brett and George D. Hall planned Hatley Park as an Edwardian landscape with four zones.
- June 1939A five-day auction sold 927 lots of mansion contents.
- November 1940The Dominion Government bought the estate for $75,000 for a naval training establishment.
Show all
- 13 December 1940HMCS Royal Roads opened as an officer training establishment.
- 1941–1943The castle served as a dormitory and mess hall for cadets and staff officers.
- 1995The military college closed on 31 August, and its facilities transferred to Royal Roads University the next day. The estate became a National Historic Site of Canada.
Photo spots
- Hatley CastleThe castle stands at the centre of the estate, with gardens and grounds around it.Hatley Park grounds On the map
Tours and audio guides
- Guided tours
- Available
Sources: Hatley Park National Historic Site - Wikipedia · Hatley Castle | National Historic Site - Victor… · History - Hatley Castle · Museum - Hatley Castle · Lieu historique national du parc Hatley - Wikip… · checked 11 Oct 2026
- Website
- hatleycastle.com/
- Phone
- +1 250-391-2600
Questions and answers
Where is Hatley Castle?
2005 Sooke Road, Colwood, British Columbia.
Who was Hatley Castle built for?
James Dunsmuir, a businessman and lieutenant governor, and his wife Laura.
Why is the estate called Hatley Park?
The Dunsmuir family gave it that name.
When did Hatley Castle receive federal heritage designation?
In 1986.
Who manages Hatley Park?
Royal Roads University manages its operations, heritage preservation, restoration and public education.
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