Hatley Castle & Gardens

Hatley castle in early spring.

Hebe representing winter, one of the estate’s original statues.

The largest, intact Edwardian gardens in Canada are to be found on this historic, 565-acre estate now called home by Royal Roads University. Thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Hatley Park Society and the University the estate has now been named a National Historic Site.

Nestled in an old growth forest, the Hatley Castle is adjacent to the Esquimalt Lagoon and the Strait of Juan de Fuca with the Olympic Mountains of Washington State on the horizon. This majestic setting provides the perfect backdrop for a range of beautiful gardens including a four acre Japanese garden, designed by Isaburo Kishida, who also designed the original Butchart Japanese gardens, a formal, walled, Italian terrace garden featuring many of the original urns and statuary, a bog garden as well as an Edwardian roped and walled rose garden. Additionally, you will find expansive perennial borders.

Looking through original Japanese style gazebo onto the lake.	Edwardian Neptune fountain.	Original curved bridge in the Japanese garden, contrasted by moss covered rock.	Original Japanese stone bowl with gnarled trunk of old wisteria.
Rustic shelter interior - This style is consistent with the heritage trend featured at the Chelsea 2004 show.	Fatsia japonica - Standing under an old Fatsia japonica one sees why this plant has become popular as part of the tropical trend.	Original bronze cranes on island of 1,000 years.	Edwardian cherub statue.
Bark of ancient rhododendron leaning out over pond in Japanese garden.	Moss covered rocks leading up to ancient Japanese cut leaf maple in mid-winter.	Original moss covered Edwardian rill with fish ladders.	Another view of original moss covered Edwardian rill with fish ladders.