Craigdarroch Castle: Where Victorian Opulence Meets Small-Town Charm

Craigdarroch Castle—nicknamed the “Oak Castle”—is a 19th-century masterpiece in Victoria, BC. The name? “Craigdarroch” means “oak and rock” in Gaelic 🌳🪨, paying homage to its lush surroundings. 🍀 History & Grandeur: Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, this 28-acre estate 🏡 once had 39 rooms, including: 1st Floor: Parlors, dining halls, and a Spanish mahogany library 📚📖 (hello, bougie vibes!). 2nd/3rd Floors: Bedrooms, sitting rooms, and a ballroom 💃 (because why not dance through life?). 4th Floor: A dance floor 🕺—because even 1890s royalty needed to boogie! 🌿 From Mansion to Museum: After the Dunsmuirs’ fortune crumbled, the castle became a military hospital 🏥, then Victoria College 🎓, before transforming into a museum in 1979. Talk about a glow-up! ✨ 🌻 Time-Travel Experience: Step inside, and you’re instantly a 19th-century elite! 👑🕰️ Every room is a Victorian time capsule: Stained glass windows 🖼️ Ornate woodcarvings 🪓 Plush furniture 🛋️ (so. much. velvet.) 🍃 Views for Days: Climb the castle’s turrets for panoramic vistas 🌅: Victoria’s skyline 🌆 Juan de Fuca Strait 🌊 Olympic Mountains 🏔️ (snow-capped perfection!). 🌸 Why You’ll Love It: Unlike stuffy castles, Craigdarroch feels lived-in 🏠—like your rich aunt’s mansion. Bonus: The Spanish mahogany library 📚💎 and dance floor 💃 = Instagram gold! #CanadaCastles #VictoriaBC #VictorianEra #TravelGoals