Plan Your Visit
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Main hall
87 Stairs to the tower
The Library
One half of the Drawing room
The Blue Bedroom
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Panelling in the Main Hall and Stairwell is made of white oak and was manufactured by A.H. Andrews & Company, Chicago, Illinois. This stunning woodwork was shipped here and put together on site. The largest of the seventeen fireplaces has the quotation, Welcome ever smiles and farewell goes out sighing which is from Shakespeare's play, Troilus and Cressida.
Lavish Victorian era furnishings and decor, exquisite stained glass, and detailed woodwork carved by artisans of days gone by....these all combine to create a warm and expansive entertainment experience. Climb the 87 stairs for fabulous views of the city.
The woodwork in this room is Spanish mahogany. Note the unusual fireplace where the flue is bent to go around the window located above the firebox. The portraits on either side of the fireplace are Joan and Robert Dunsmuir. Robert died in 1889 before the Castle was completed leaving his estate to Joan who lived here until her death in 1908.
All of the stained glass windows in this room are original except for the window depicting a woman and a swan which is a reproduction of the original. The 1898 Steinway piano comes from Hatley Park, home of the Dunsmuir's eldest son James and is kept tuned for use during special events here.
Located on the servants side of the home this room was probably occupied by a younger family member, possibly Henrietta Maud Dunsmuir. You will notice a distinct difference in style on this side of the home when compared to the family side.
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Craigdarroch Castle historic house museum is located just off Fort Street at 1050 Joan Crescent in Victoria, British Columbia.
Open daily 10:00am - 4:30pm
Extended hours from June 15th to Labour day: 9:00am - 7:00pm
We are only a short drive or a leisurely walk from Victoria's inner harbour and any of our travel partners can assist you in getting to the Castle. You can also make your way here by taking the #11 or #14 city bus and getting off at Joan Crescent or by taking one of the many city tours that include Craigdarroch Castle in their packages.
Once at the Castle you enter through the coach entrance to pay your admission fee. One of the fun parts of a tour is our automatic shoe cleaner, which you will be asked to use before entering the main hall as it helps preserve the carpet and floors of this magnificent home. You are then provided with a floor map, family history and an introduction as to how to proceed through this historic attraction. We've also added a new audio tour that is accessed through your cell phone to compliment the floor map. Be sure to ask for it! To help make your visit more enjoyable we offer our floor maps in seven languages so please ask if you require something other than English. There is a complete list at the main entrance and on the self-guided tour page. As you experience the lifestyle of the very wealthy you are welcome to stop and rest on any of the numerous visitor's chairs throughout the Castle. On average, a tour of this National Historic Site takes 45 minutes to an hour and flash photography is allowed. There is a lot of information on the Dunsmuir Family saga so stay as long as you like. It's an easy climb up the 87 stairs, stopping on all four floors to enjoy the various rooms and then up to the Tower for a panoramic view of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the snow capped Olympic Mountains. Our friendly volunteers are stationed throughout the Castle to provide information and answer questions so ask someone with a badge and they will be happy to assist you. When you're finished take time to browse the Museum Gift Shop and relax in the Castle grounds before moving on to your next destination. If you need a taxi just ask, someone in the shop will be happy to call one for you.
Not wheelchair accessible
Please remember that as Craigdarroch Castle is a historic house museum so there are no ramps or elevators and it is not wheelchair accessible.
Tours of Craigdarroch Castle are self-guided, so you can spend as much time as you want enjoying Victoria's legendary landmark. On average, a tour of the Dunsmuir family home takes 45 minutes to an hour and there are volunteers throughout to assist you during your visit. Flash photography is allowed and we even have I-Spy tours of the Castle for children so they will enjoy the attraction as much as you! When you are finished take time to browse the Museum Gift Shop and relax in the Castle grounds before moving on to your next destination. If you need a taxi just ask, someone in the shop will be happy to call one for you. For further information on your visit please contact us. To see if there are any events on during your visit follow this link to Events and Programs
We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Interact and Traveller's cheques.
Admission rates as of January 2010
| Adults |
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$13.75 |
| Seniors |
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$12.75 |
| Students |
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$8.75 (13+ with Valid ID) |
| Children |
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$5.00 (6-12) |
Children 5 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Open daily 10:00am - 4:30pm
Extended hours from June 15th to Labour day: 9:00am - 7:00pm
Translations/Brochures
We are pleased to provide you with FREE tour maps in the following languages: English, French, Japanese, Mandarin, German, Spanish, and Korean.
Please click the links for a copy of the English Tour Map or the I-Spy map for kids.
If you would like to see a few of the artifacts that fill the rooms throughout the castle please follow this link to our artifact manual.
Not wheelchair accessible
As the Castle is a historic house museum, there are no ramps or elevators and it is not wheelchair accessible. It is an easy climb up the 87 stairs and there are chairs for your use on all four floors.
A group tour of Craigdarroch Castle is a cost-efficient experience that your participants will always remember from their trip to the city of Victoria, British Columbia. With advance notice and minimum group size of 15 (10 for student groups), we provide a reduced admission rate. Group tours also receive an ENHANCED self-guided tour that allows everyone to take full advantage of all that the Castle has to offer at their own pace.
The tour begins outside the front door, under the Porte-Cochere, were your group will be given an over view of Craigdarroch Castle and the Dunsmuir family saga. Before entering they will also receive the floor map that guides them through this Victorian mansion. When your group is finished please take time to browse the Museum Gift Shop and relax in the Castle grounds before moving on to your next destination. We can accept groups as large as 150 and still provide an enjoyable tour which will meet even the most demanding time budgets. For the young children in your group we have an I-Spy tour to guide them while our English floor maps are available in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin and Spanish. For more information or to book your tour email groupinfo@thecastle.ca or phone 250.592.5323 extension 22.
This legendary landmark is owned and operated by a non-profit society. Restoration and maintenance of this National Historic Site is funded almost entirely by admission fees and donations. Your tour will contribute directly to the ongoing conservation of Craigdarroch and the surrounding grounds.
Not wheelchair accessible
As the Castle is a historic house museum, there are no ramps or elevators and it is not wheelchair accessible. It is an easy climb up the 87 stairs and there are chairs for your use on all four floors.
Open daily 10:00am - 4:30pm
Extended hours from June 15th to Labour day: 9:00am - 7:00pm
We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Interact and Traveller's cheques
Group Admission rates as of January 2010
| Group Adult/Senior |
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$10.65 |
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15 or more adults or seniors |
| Group Student |
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$5.00 |
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Over Grade 12 with valid card from an educational institution - 10 or more students accompanied by escorts |
| Group Child |
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$3.65 |
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Kindergarten to Grade 12, 10 or more Children accompanied by escorts |
| Child 5 and under |
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Free |
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10 or more children accompanied by escorts |
Please click the links for a copy of the English Tour Map or the I-Spy Map for kids.
If you would like to see a few of the artifacts that fill the rooms throughout the castle please follow this link to our artifact manual.
Craigdarroch Castle museum works closely with local travel partners. Listed below are companies who offer tours of the Castle or who have related information that will help you enjoy your visit to Victoria to the fullest.
If you would like to become a travel partner please contact us by email or phone 250.592.5323 ext 22
Tour Operators:
Gray Line West Victoria: Offering bus tours of Victoria and Craigdarroch.
Victoria Pedicab Company: Tour the neighborhoods and gardens on the way to the Castle.
CVS Cruise Victoria: Providing transportation services to all Cruise Lines arriving at the Port of Victoria.
Big Bus Victoria: Sightseeing in Victoria with stops near the Castle
Victoria Express: 2010 sailing season starts May 28th, kicking off the 20th Anniversary of providing fast, efficient passenger service between Port Angeles and Victoria, B.C.
Victoria Heritage Tourism Alliance A membership based group of local heritage and attractions, who work together to promote and celebrate the very best of Victoria's heritage sites and experiences.
Accommodation:
Abigail's Hotel: Abigail's offers premier boutique style accommodation, housed in a distinguished 1930's heritage Tudor Mansion, now an elegant small hotel.
Faimont Empress Hotel: With turn of the century architecture and timeless beauty, this luxury hotel showcases the spirit and energy of Vancouver Island in grand style.
Victoria Bed and Breakfasts: Choose a Victoria bed and breakfast from our member B&B accommodations on Vancouver Island in BC, Canada.
Travelodge Victoria: Excellent location, affordable rates and comfortable accommodations lets you relax and experience the best of Victoria.
Tourism Information:
Attractions Victoria
Tourism Victoria
Tourism Vancouver Island
Tourism BC
Vancouver Island Vacations
Craigdarroch Castle was built for entertaining and was the location for a number of parties and weddings put on by the Dunsmuir Family. Throughout the year we put on or host various events in this Victorian mansion and many, like Christmas at Craigdarroch, are included in the price of admission for your self-guided tour.
Rent the Castle for private functions.
When you rent Craigdarroch Castle, you rent the whole Castle, top to bottom. All the restored rooms are available for viewing, as they are during the day, with space for 200 people. Located in the heart of Victoria, Craigdarroch Castle is an ideal location to host an elegant cocktail reception or wedding.
For more information on facility rental please contact facilityrental@thecastle.ca or phone 250.592.5323 ext. 22
Click on a link to download information.
Cocktail Receptions Weddings
The Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society is a charitable organization dedicated to the conscientious restoration of an important part of British Columbia's history.
Please review the current job postings and follow the instructions for submitting your information.
Executive Director
This posting has closed.
Housekeeper (part time)
This position has been filled.
