Hatley Castle and its gardens in Canada – history, description, photos

You don't have to travel to the ends of the earth to find yourself in paradise. Come to Hatley Park on Vancouver Island. And you will want to stay here. This garden is luxurious and modest at the same time. Even a camera or video camera is not able to convey this beauty. It must be seen and felt with your own senses.

Where is

If you are inspired and ready to come and see this beauty, then you need to know that this heavenly delight is located in Canada. The city of Colwood on Vancouver Island is the home of our target. This is where Hatley Park National Historic Site is located.

Story

Western Canada is home to plants such as the Menzies pseudo-hemlock and the Canadian Red Cedar. These plants formed dense forests in British Columbia in which the local population lived. The forest fed and clothed these people, from cedar they made their own shelter, clothes from the bark, and medicinal potions and decoctions from the fruits.

After the arrival of Europeans, these lands began to be cultivated for agricultural land, pastures, and estates. The fertile soil made it possible to grow various exotic plants that acclimatized well.

At the beginning of the last century, these lands were acquired by the governor of Scottish origin, James Dunsmyer. In European tradition, he planned to create a family nest with his wife Laura and named his estate “Hattley Park” and commissioned the famous Canadian architect Samuel Mackler to build a castle with 40 rooms. The construction of the castle ended in 1908.

The castle has become a kind of hallmark of this family, which has lived in it for over 30 years. In June 1939, the family sold it to the Canadian government on the condition that the park be open to the public. The estate was bought to create the royal residence of George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth in it to live away from the outbreak of World War II in Europe. However, it was subsequently decided that the absence of the royal family at a difficult time for the country would be a great blow to the people. Therefore, the royal family remained in London, and the castle was run by the government.

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The homestead was converted into a naval training center now called the Royal Military Highway University and rents Hattley Park for $1 a year. In 1995, the grounds of the castle and its gardens were designated a National Historic Site of Canada. The university has the responsibility and expenses for the maintenance of the castle and gardens, heritage conservation and restoration.

Castle architecture

It was decided to make the castle in the Scottish feudal style, fashionable in the Edwardian period, that is, during the reign of King Edward VII, who ruled the English Empire from 1901 to 1910.

They built the castle without thinking about the costs. The owner generously paid for his whims. The lamps in the castle are made by the master especially for this interior. Although the yard was already in the 20th century, the castle was conceived as the dwelling of a medieval baron. The house was built from sandstone of different structure, which gives the impression of completely different materials. Rare woods and, of course, the famous Canadian red cedar were used in the interior decoration. The romantic nature of the owner of the castle gravitated towards a style that was close to him in Scotland. A chic fireplace also became an adornment of the large hall.

luxury garden

The Edwardian period in history is marked by the fact that in Europe it became fashionable to care for your own garden. Perhaps that is why the governor decides to plant a luxurious garden on his estate, and in 1912 entrusts the design of the garden to American landscape architects Franklin Brett and George D. The garden was born between 1912 and 1914 and is being improved to this day.

After its creation, 100 gardeners and caretakers took care of the garden. Now Hatley Park has five gardeners, one arborist who treats and maintains trees, a caretaker and one dispatcher all year round. During the mass planting season, seven seasonal workers are involved in the work.

The estate is located on the coast and is surrounded by forests on three sides. The castle is in the center. The Hatley Park garden is divided into four landscape zones. In front of the main entrance, on a well-groomed emerald lawn, neatly trimmed boxwood borders flaunt, which are created according to all the canons of topiary art. The ivy-covered castle blends in well with the surrounding gardens. Thanks to the greenery, it does not seem gloomy and heavy, despite the gloomy architectural style. But this is a matter of taste.

Visitors come to see the Hattley Park Gardens, of which the most famous are the Japanese and Italian gardens. The chic rose garden is also popular. It's almost Versailles! It combines evergreens native to this region and exotic plants adapted to the conditions of existence in Canada.

Beautifully designed ponds and streams breathe freshness. There are many secluded places in the luxurious greenery where you can sit on a bench, dream, surrounded by exotic flowering plants. Thanks to this, you can wander around the garden endlessly. The birds living here give the garden a lived-in and at the same time fabulous look. Here a peacock walks importantly, or a flamingo stands, pensively looking into the clear water of the stream. Ducks splash on the lake. Everything lives and enjoys life.

Neatly trimmed parterre lawns, which cannot be walked on, so as not to damage the delicate structure, are decorated with neatly planted one-year-olds. And nearby, as if neglected thickets of cereals harmoniously fit in. For lovers of landscape art, there is something to see and learn. Someone will appreciate the architectural fantasies of the castle and its surrounding buildings, which, along with the main attraction, are recognized as the federal heritage of Canada.

This beautiful heritage of Canada draws filmmakers and artists here. Movies “X-Men”, “Out of Sight” and others were filmed here. Over the entire history of its existence, this interesting place has become the backdrop for 33 films.

I really want to be a gardener in this paradise!