 | Victoria Craigdarroch Castle Reviews | 1 - 10 of 25 |  |
Craigdarroch Castle is not exactly a castle, but actually a big mansion. It is located a little further from downtown, but you can walk the distance. It is a 40-45 minute walk from the Inner Harbour, up Fort Street.
Craigdarroch Castle was built in the 1890s by wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir to persuade his wife to leave Scotland and come to BC. The mansion has 4 floors and 39 (mostly furnished) rooms and a very impressive woodcarved hallway and stairs. From the top of the tower, on the fourth floor, you have a very nice view.
Especially the inside of Craigdarroch Castle has been used for many movies and series (e.g. Little Women). Leave a Comment
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Craigdarroch isn't really a castle; it's a funky old house. Again, I ended up walking to the castle from downtown. It's located in a residential neighborhood - it was a longer walk than I expected, but I made it. Craigdarroch has about 4 or 5 floors with many rooms furnished in a late 1800's to early 1900's kind of style. The tour is self-guided with a brochure and displays providing information. At the top of the castle, there's a nice view of Victoria and mountains. The entrance fee is $10 but I got a discount by showing my H.I. membership card. Don't miss it! Leave a Comment
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Craigdarroch Castle is a beautiful historic Victorian-era mansion, built in the 1890s by wealthy BC coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. Rising 87 stairs up through the 4 1/2 stories, there are 39 rooms, most of which are furnished lavishly in the 1890s–1900s period. With over 20,000 square feet of space, the house and gardens are being restored exactly as they were originally built, and you will find artisans working on restorations most days. Step back in time and experience the life and times of the very rich and famous. Leave a Comment Directions: It's an easy eight minute drive from the inner harbour, up Fort Street, right on Joan Cresent.
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Craigdarroch Castle was built between 1887 and 1890 for the family of Robert Dunsmuir, a wealthy citizen who had made his fortune in coal. Dunsmuir himself died before the mansion was completed but his widow, Joan, moved in and took over the family business. At the time of his death in 1889, Dunsmuir's estate was valued at US$15-20 million.
There are 39 rooms in this 4-floor Victorian mansion, most of which are open to the public and furnished with Victorian-style furniture that did not, for the most part, belong to the Dunsmuir family. After the family moved out, Craigdarroch Castle served as a hospital for war veterans, a college (students' graffitis can still be seen in the billiard room), a school board office and a conservatory of music before becoming a museum in 1979.
The tours are self-guided, though volunteers are usually around to give you some information. There are 87 steps to climb and the house is not wheelchair accessible. Admission rate is $11.75. Leave a Comment
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What a pleasant surprise Craigdarroch was. A very fun and interesting self guided tour. My 13 year old enjoyed it, which should say something. Entrance fee was acceptable. Even dropped some more money to assist the restoration effort. Considering what this home has been through, the restoration is proceeding along quite well. Can't wait to visit again and see what has improved. Hope the grounds get the proper treatment someday. Leave a Comment
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The castle was completed in 1890, and it was the highest place a person could stand in the city of Victoria. It was built by the wealthiest man of BC, Robert Dinsmuir.
R. Dinsmuir was born in Scotland in 1825. In 1851 he arrived in Nanaimo, Canada, to work for Hudson's Bay Company. 18 years later he discovered coal at Wellington near Nanaimo and he made a fortune. Leave a Comment
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Craigdarroch Castle is actually a giant mansion which was constructed in the 1890s as a residence for the family of wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir. The 4 1/2 story, 39-room Highland-style castle is topped with stone turrets and chimneys. The rooms are decorated with detailed woodwork, Persian carpets, beautiful stained-glass windows, paintings, and sculptures. It is a self guided tour but there are docents who are easily accessible to provide further information. Finally, climb up the 87 stairs to go to the Tower for a panoramic view of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the snow capped Olympic Mountains.
Admission is $10 with opening hours of 10 - 4:30. The hours are extended until 7pm in the summer. Leave a Comment Phone: 250-592-5323Directions: Take Fort St. out of downtown, just past Cook, and turn right on Joan Crescent.Website: www.craigdarrochcastle.com/
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If you have time, the Castle maybe a nice day to spend your last day in Victoria after you have taken the rest of the city in. There is a lot of history behind the castle. Leave a Comment
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I was there for a special event, the reception dedicated to the Castle’s illustrators' exhibition.
It was quite fascinating to see the art works of well known artists of Greater Victoria area.
Though anyone can come to see the inside of the castle. I advise to visit! Leave a Comment
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