Two Castle Tours in Victoria BC

While in Victoria, we toured two Castles.  This is the Craigdarroch Castle, which dates back to the 1880's.  This castle has been preserved in its original architecture, with magnificent stained glass windows and woodwork.  I could not take too many pictures because they were coming out too dark....

The Craigdarrochs had this castle built and before it was completed, Mr. Craigdarroch passed away.  Mrs. Craigdarroch continued the construction and moved in 18 months later with her 10 children.   There was very interesting history here....

Looking up the 4 flights from the entry to the Castle....The entryway.

During the depression, after both Mr. & Mrs. Craigdarrouch died, the children lost the home.  The children sold some of the property around the home and now homes are built right next to the Castle.   They left a couple of acres but the homes are so close to it now..It was purchased by the Department of Defense where they had the military hospital for a few years.

This home is in the backyard and is now a B&B.   

This home is in front of the Castle and there are many very small homes right next to it, too.

This is the view of Victoria from the 4th floor balcony....

The following day, we visited the Hatley Castle which is now home to the Royal Roads University.   They rent the castle for the administration office.

This is the front of the Castle.  I could barely squeeze it into the picture frame.

This is the side....it is so beautiful.

This Castle belonged to the son of the Craigdarrochs.   He had 5 children.  He also died at a very young age, 28, I think.

The architecture was pretty much like the Craigdarroch Castle.   This is our tour guide.

This is looking to the backyard from the 3rd floor master bedroom.

This is looking towards the Pacific from the 3rd floor dining room.

A view from the 4th floor.  They hold many weddings in the courtyard and the castle.

The beautiful gardens....

The backyards. 

The fruit....

Their first car in 1890 was a Phaeton Carriage.   Maybe this is where the name of our Phaeton RV came from.

The Phaeton has come a long way.

The Ocean from the backyard is just awesome.

We had a wonderful day in Victoria....