Hatley Park National Historic Site
Hatley Park National Historic Site
Hatley Park National Historic Site
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
An 800-acre park full of gently rolling lawns and lots of trees.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
137 reviews
Excellent
60
Very good
57
Average
13
Poor
6
Terrible
1
Ava051720
Surrey, Canada6 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Friends
Amazing view! So peaceful and relaxing! The castle is picturesque. Everything is perfect. ❤️ You just want to sit down and stay there for a while.
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jessica M
3 contributions
Sep. 2023 • Family
What a sight to see. We were a little bummed that we could not book a tour however the Japanese Tree Garden was stunning!
Written September 17, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Smadar F
1 contribution
Sep. 2023 • Couples
The castle was closed (it was hard to understand from the website that it is closed for the season). All the paths were full of poop
Written September 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara H
Woodland, WA68 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
We went for the gardens and they were lovely. Many varieties of flowers that I hope to identify and try in my gardens in Washington state. Unfortunately there was little information about the plants so I will have to do my own research. We missed the peak for the rose garden but some of the bedding plants around the roses were spectacular. Pretty limited signage throughout, which was very frustrating.
Written July 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amey F
1 contribution
Jun. 2023 • Couples
We took a tour of Hatley castle and throughly enjoyed it.
Wes was our tour guide and his enthusiasm was so refreshing. He gave us a great tour and was very knowledgeable.
The gardens were beautiful so take your time so you can enjoy it.
Wes was our tour guide and his enthusiasm was so refreshing. He gave us a great tour and was very knowledgeable.
The gardens were beautiful so take your time so you can enjoy it.
Written June 11, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lady G
New Brunswick, Canada134 contributions
Oct. 2022 • Couples
We enjoyed our visit to Hatley Park. There was a private event so we were unable to stay in the garden closest to the castle, but the property is quite large and there are plenty of trails and other gardens to see. We hoped to see fall colours, but it had been such a warm fall that we ended up being too early to see much of a dolour change (first weekend of October). However, the roses were still in bloom and everything was still lively and green. The Japanese Garden has very nice elements to it. I read that the same designer did this garden and the one at Butchart, but they are completely different - the garden here was well-maintained, but it was not manicured the same way as Butchart. Nor was Hatley crowded, and it's free (just pay for parking, which I believe was $1/hour). This was a really nice way to spend some time outdoors.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada13,817 contributions
Oct. 2022
Hatley Park was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1995 in recognition of its historical, cultural, political and social significance. While the crown jewel of the park is, undoubtedly, Hatley Castle (see my review on this site), the rest of the 800-acre park is nothing to shake a stick at. Of particular note is the Japanese Gardens (itself part of the larger “Hatley Gardens”). The stonework, layout and beautiful flora of this garden is enough to transport you into another time. Indeed, it’s serene and peaceful – especially during autumn when we visited. The bright colours contrasted beautifully against the darkening skies.
As we ambled about the park, I couldn’t help but notice – and appreciate – the peacocks strutting about. Such a fun bird! And since they typically symbolize power and strength, I felt they fit right in with Hatley Castle, itself an example of opulence and power (thank you, Mr. Dunsmuir).
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore the many trails in the park due to deteriorating weather. Charlie’s Trail, which leads into a beautiful forest, certainly looked promising based on the short jaunt that was taken.
In any event, if you happen to be in the area, I’d recommend taking some time to explore the grounds. The gardens and walking trails are enough to keep one busy for a while. I imagine Hatley Castle is pretty cool, too, but it was not open at the time of our visit – and apparently hasn’t been in some time.
As we ambled about the park, I couldn’t help but notice – and appreciate – the peacocks strutting about. Such a fun bird! And since they typically symbolize power and strength, I felt they fit right in with Hatley Castle, itself an example of opulence and power (thank you, Mr. Dunsmuir).
Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to explore the many trails in the park due to deteriorating weather. Charlie’s Trail, which leads into a beautiful forest, certainly looked promising based on the short jaunt that was taken.
In any event, if you happen to be in the area, I’d recommend taking some time to explore the grounds. The gardens and walking trails are enough to keep one busy for a while. I imagine Hatley Castle is pretty cool, too, but it was not open at the time of our visit – and apparently hasn’t been in some time.
Written December 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edwin f
Hong Kong, China690 contributions
Apr. 2022
The castle is back onto the sea, on a small hill, with the parking lot in between. It locates slightly away from the city and is part of a navy university. The castle is closed to visitors, but the gardens are free but the parking lot is not.
The castle is well maintained and quite magnificent, with beautiful stairs on both sides to go up to the back. The front has a beautiful pattern of shrubs. There is a set of long stairs to go up to the university building, which is a good viewing point or for taking group photos.
I went at the end of April and the flowers had not come out yet. Because not a lot of people at that time, I quite enjoyed the serenity. The small Italian garden is well featured with a shaded covering at the end. I love the Japanese garden, which is very natural and authentic, including stream, a pond, a bridge and a pavilion. The pavilion provides a good and relaxing viewing point.
The castle is well maintained and quite magnificent, with beautiful stairs on both sides to go up to the back. The front has a beautiful pattern of shrubs. There is a set of long stairs to go up to the university building, which is a good viewing point or for taking group photos.
I went at the end of April and the flowers had not come out yet. Because not a lot of people at that time, I quite enjoyed the serenity. The small Italian garden is well featured with a shaded covering at the end. I love the Japanese garden, which is very natural and authentic, including stream, a pond, a bridge and a pavilion. The pavilion provides a good and relaxing viewing point.
Written June 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Toni
Edmonton, Canada1,625 contributions
Apr. 2022 • Friends
Worth the trip to visit the grounds and area. So much history. We enjoyed walking around and seeing all we could. Lots to see.
Written April 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pudman43
Surrey, Canada465 contributions
Aug. 2021
Hatley Castle tours have been closed for some time (likely due to Covid), but the gardens are open to see. Free, large and really beautiful!!! Worth a stop. The parking (large lot, down the hill in front of castle) is a pay lot, though the day we were there, the machines were broken - free! LOL Allow at least an hour here, the gardens are really something to see. The main flower gardens around the castle, plus the Japanese garden to the side, a rose garden as well, and more.... Stop and smell the flowers!
Written August 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachel Lui
Los Angeles, CA454 contributions
When's the exact opening hours?
Tripadvisor said 10-5 everyday
google said 8:30 - 4 Monday to Friday
There is no info except the tour hour in the official website.
RobertMJThompson
Victoria, Canada742 contributions
The grounds of Hatley Park are always open, but some parts have different hours depending on what you want. Royal Roads University occupies part of Hatley Castle and has regular business hours. There is a trail system throughout the grounds. A restaurant/cafe on site has shorter hours. Parking is available as part of the University or you can park at the Galloping Goose Trail junction and walk into the Park.
Roberta l
Littleton, CO51 contributions
Hello,
Are there tours or a restaurant here? What is the cost and how do I get tickets?
How do we get there by public transportation from the cruise port?
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Claim your listingHATLEY PARK NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Hatley Park National Historic Site
- Hotels near Hatley Park National Historic Site:
- (1.25 km) Birds of a Feather Victoria Ocean Lagoon B&B
- (1.25 km) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Victoria - Colwood
- (6.52 km) Wits End Retreat
- (3.05 km) Home Away from Home
- (7.84 km) The Magnolia Hotel And Spa
- Restaurants near Hatley Park National Historic Site:
- (0.19 km) Habitat Cafe
- (0.74 km) Goodview Family Restaurant
- (0.83 km) Pilgrim
- (1.24 km) 328 Tap House
- (0.87 km) Asian Noodle House