Remove Ads
3.9
163 votes

Hatley Park Castle

2005 Sooke Rd, British Columbia V9B5Y2 Canada

$
Budget
Closed Now
Opens Thu 10:30a
  • Independent
Add to Trip
Remove Ads

“Professor X's School for Mutants”

If this castle looks familiar, that might be because you know it better as Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Children. Hatley Park National Historic Site is located in Colwood, British Columbia in Greater Victoria. It is the site of Hatley Castle, a Classified Federal Heritage Building. Since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University. From the 1940s-1995, it was used for the Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility. The extensive grounds of the historic site have formal gardens, former farmland, and trails through mature stands of first and second-growth forest, including large Douglas fir and western red cedar. In 1906, B.C.'s Lieutenant Governor, James Dunsmuir, who was of Scottish descent, purchased the property. He and his wife Laura commissioned the renowned Canadian architect Samuel Maclure to build a 40-room mansion in the Scottish baronial style; the Tudor revival style was popular in the Edwardian period. The Dunsmuirs created many beautiful formal gardens using the services of renowned American garden designers Franklin Brett and George D. Hall of Boston, Massachusetts. The Dunsmuirs named their estate "Hatley Park," in the tradition of British and European private estates. The castle became a landmark and was occupied by descendants of the Dunsmuir family until the last years of the Great Depression. The family sold the property to the Government of Canada in 1939. The government sold off some of the land; during five days in June 1939, “Maynard & Sons” conducted a public auction of 927 lots. In 2008, the 100th anniversary of Hatley Castle was celebrated. A Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque reads: "Hatley Park. This superb example of an Edwardian park was laid out for James and Laura Dunsmuir in the early 20th century. At its centre stands a Tudor Revival mansion, whose picturesque design is enhanced by a rich array of decoration and fine craftmanship. The grounds, featuring a variety of native and exotic vegetation, unfold from formal gardens to recreational spaces, farmlands and forests. Acquired by the Canadian armed forces in 1940, Hatley Park evolved to meet the needs of Royal Roads Military College in a manner that has preserved its essential Edwardian character." Hatley Castle is shown in the Smallville television series as Luthor Mansion, the estate belonging to Lex Luthor. The castle is the setting of the X-Men film series (beginning in 2000) as Professor Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. It was first used for the School in the 1996 made-for-TV X-Men film Generation X.

Read More >
Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
Tatiana Danger

  • Road Warrior
  • 1,169 Reviews
  • 910 Helpful
August 31, 2014
Rated 4.0

Canada's Hatley Castle is one of the most beautiful and haunted places in all of Canada. The breathtaking Edwardian castle and gardens were built in 1908 by James Dunsmuir, former Premier and Lt. Governor of British Columbia. It was used as a family home, and named Hatley Park.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
lutzr

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
June 05, 2014
Rated

I had the wonderful opportunity to get married in the castle. Extremely nice people and a remarkable building overall.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
NagisaRiri

  • 1 Review
  • 0 Helpful
December 15, 2013
Rated

I have been there before( as i formally lived close to it) its a great place and its open for people to tour it(its best to ask for permission though)

1 person found this review helpful

Be the first to add a review to the Hatley Park Castle.

Hatley Park Castle

2005 Sooke Rd
British Columbia
V9B5Y2 Canada
Remove Ads

Hours

Closed Now
  • Mon - Fri: 10:30 am - 3:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Has RV parking changed? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Unavailable
    Parking
  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
  • Unknown
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Unknown
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Unknown
    Credit Cards Accepted
See More Details (1)
Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

British Columbia
Port Angeles, Washington
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Port Angeles, Washington
Remove Ads
Remove Ads
45348