Hatley Park National Historic Site

"Located in Colwood, just outside of Victoria, Hatley Park is a national historic site with formal gardens and another castle to explore! The formal gardens include a beautiful Italian Garden, a Japanese Garden and a Rose Garden. 📷: The Japanese Garden is my favourite, with its water features, bridges and stone lanterns. Surrounding these manicured areas are sprawling lawns and woodland trails where you can catch glimpses of wildlife. 📷: Peacocks roam freely on the grounds surrounding the castle. The grounds also feature hundreds of heritage trees, many of which are significant for their size, rarity and diversity. Among them are towering 250-year-old Douglas firs, some the largest in the region. The castle might look familiar to you, for it has been the set of many films and TV shows, including Deadpool and the X-Men. 📷: Take a photo lying on the castle's steps like Deadpool does in the movie. To fully appreciate the history and grandeur of this historic site, take a guided walking estate tour. While exploring the castle's interior and gardens, you'll hear fascinating stories about its past, from its time as a family home to its later use as a military college and its current use as a university. Hatley Park is a destination that offers something for everyone. It's a short drive from downtown Victoria and promises an experience you won't want to miss. "