Craigdarroch Castle - 1050 Joan Crescent

A five minute walk from Prior House. This sandstone Victorian-era mansion was built in the 1880's by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish immigrant who made his Vancouver Island fame through politics and coal mining. Rising 87 stairs up through the 4 1/2 stories, there are 39 rooms, most of which are furnished lavishly in the 1890's-1900's period. With over 20,000 square feet, the house and gardens are being restored exactly as they were originally built, and you will find artisans restoring the spectacular woodwork, stained glass and one-of-a-kind frescoes. Step back in time and experience the life and times of the very rich and famous of the Victorian era.

Government House - 1401 Rockland Avenue

Just around the corner from Prior House on Rockland Avenue, the property has served since 1865 as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and is the representative of Her Majesty The Queen of England. In 2002, Government House and its grounds were officially designated as a National Historic Site. The property is also home to the Cary Castle Mews, a collection of the oldest Canadian buildings of their type in Western Canada. The buildings were originally built in the 1870's and consisted of stables, a root cellar, a guardhouse, a small jail, a chicken coop, a wash house, and accommodations for staff.

Government House Gardens

A five minute walk from Prior House, Government House grounds embrace 14.6 hectares (36 acres) of formal gardens with spectacular rose gardens and English Garden style perennial beds. Prior House guests can enjoy the gardens and spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains in a very private park setting. Also found is a rare Garry oak ecosystem. In Canada, Garry oak ecosystems are found only on the southern tip of Vancouver Island and on the neighbouring southern Gulf Islands. Home to several thousand plant, animal and insect species, the Garry oak ecosystem on the Government House property remains one of the largest examples of an intact Garry oak ecosystem in an urban setting.

Butchart Gardens - 800 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood Bay

A 20 minute drive by automobile or tour bus from Prior House, this National Historic Site of Canada, owned by the Butchart family for over 100 years, offers 55 acres of world famous floral displays.

Abkhazi Garden - 1964 Fairfield Road

Only 10 minute walk from Prior House, The Abkhazi Garden features an exquisite heritage home and discreet garden that embraces a natural landscape with a spectacular overall design of impressive maturity.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria - 1040 Moss Street

A short walk from Prior House, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria has an extensive permanent collection of more than 17,000 works that reflect three main areas: 1. Asian art holdings include the most comprehensive collection of Japanese art in Canada; 2. historical collections (including Emily Carr's works) featuring Canadian and international works; 3) contemporary art collection featuring national and international artists, with a particular commitment to Canadian artists and those from British Columbia and local regions.

Ross Bay Cemetery - 1516 Fairfield Road

Just downhill on Saint Charles Street from Prior House, the Ross Bay Cemetery has the oldest surviving formal landscape design in British Columbia and is a superb example of a Victorian-era burial ground. Its profusion of unusual trees and plantings, winding carriageways, graves with intriguing marble, sandstone and granite monuments, all bear witness to the people buried here. Experience the charm of one of Victoria's most historic places and enjoy a quiet stroll along tree-lined avenues with ocean vistas. A visit to the Ross Bay Cemetery is reminiscent of an outdoor sculpture garden, a walking park and a page from history rolled into one.

Theatres in Victoria:

Langham Court - 805 Langham Court Road

A two block walk from Prior House, the original buildings of Langham Court were the carriage house and barn of the Laurels. The Victoria Theatre Guild & Dramatic School renamed the facility Langham Court Theatre. This remains a community theatre success story and is a popular delight for plays and musicals.

Belfry Theatre - 1291 Gladstone Avenue

Only a 15 minute walk from Prior House, the Belfry is Victoria's largest, contemporary theatre, producing up to 12 plays each year from August to May. The Belfry Theatre is located in a beautifully restored heritage church.

Royal Theatre - 805 Broughton

Within walking distance from Prior House, the Royal Theatre is home to the Victoria Symphony and Pacific Opera Victoria as well as being Vancouver Island's premiere venue for touring productions. It was designated a site of national historic significance in 1987 and the auditorium retains its original Rococo/Renaissance Revival style decor.

McPherson Playhouse - #3 Centennial Square

In the heart of downtown, the McPherson Playhouse is Vancouver Island's premiere venue for theatre productions.

Museums in Victoria:

Royal British Columbia Museum - 675 Belleville Street

In the heart of downtown Victoria, here is a wonderful opportunity to learn first hand the human and natural history of British Columbia Capturing the entire family's imagination and considered to be the best natural history museum on the west coast of North America. Adjacent to the Royal British Columbia Museum, the IMAX Theatre offers a spectacular and involving film experience on the enormous screen.

Maritime Museum of British Columbia - 28 Bastion Square

This historic building houses a deep and rich maritime heritage that spans the centuries from the first aboriginal cultures to European exploration, early settlements, fishing, whaling, shipbuilding and sailing canoes (Tilikum) that started in Victoria and sailed around the world.

Point Ellice House - 2616 Pleasant Street

Within Greater Victoria, just a short drive from Prior House, this fine historic landmark home was built in the 19^th century for Gold Rush Magistrate and Commissioner Peter O'Reilly. It offers Western Canada's finest collection of Victoriana in its original setting. The best way to arrive at Point Ellice House is by one of the Harbour Ferries that depart from the docks in front of the Empress Hotel. Luxuriant heritage gardens that accurately reflect the O'Reilly's gardens, surround the Italianate home at Point Ellice.

Walking Tours:

Rockland Walking Tours

Victoria Walking Tours with the famous John Adams

Empress Hotel - 721 Government Street

In the inner harbour of Victoria, just 10 blocks from Prior House, this stately hotel is still the best place to enjoy high tea and dinner in fin de siècle grandeur.

Parliament Buildings - Corner of Belleville & Government Street

The Parliament buildings and grounds in Victoria, British Columbia. are among the most beautiful in the world, even when compared to national capitals. Designed by architect Francis Rattenbury and built between 1893 and 1898, the Parliament Buildings (also called the Legislature) are an architectural gem. Tours of the architecture & parliamentary history are available at 4 pm daily.

Hatley Castle & Gardens

On the grounds of Hatley Park and Royal Roads University, next to the ocean, amidst the forest, this National Historic Site is one of the most beautiful and diverse properties in Canada. Located 25 minutes west of downtown Victoria, this 565-acre site features more than 15 kilometers of walking trails through a rare ecosystem that includes old growth forest, Garry Oak meadows, and a wildlife sanctuary. At the heart of this Edwardian estate are exquisite Japanese, Italian and Rose Gardens, a museum, and Hatley Castle which was built by renowned architect Samuel McClure for former Premier, Lieutenant Governor and coal baron James Dunsmuir. Tours are available daily.

Goldstream Park

Just 17 kilometers from Prior House, Goldstream Park includes an old-growth temperate rain forest, a world class salmon-spawning stream (October through December), and one of the largest concentrations of Bald Eagles anywhere in Canada feasting on the spawned-out salmon carcasses from December to February.

Witty's Lagoon Park

Eighteen km west of Prior House, this regional park contains a wonderful walking trails through immense Douglas firs, old pioneer farms, a fabulous lagoon for bird watching and photography, and a saltwater sandy beach. Contact Gordon O’Neill: www.vancouverislandbirding.com

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse Park

Now a National Historic Park, Fort Rodd Hill was a military base over 100 years ago where Edward Gawlor Prior (the original owner of Prior House) performed duties in the rank of Colonel. Visitors at Fort Rodd Hill can explore gun batteries and underground magazines built a century ago. Constructed in 1865, Fisgard Lighthouse is the first lighthouse on Canada's west coast and is still in operation! The waterfront vistas are spectacular for photography, especially with the scenic backdrop of the Olympic Mountains in the state of Washington.

Botanical Beach Park

Beyond Sooke, Botanical Beach near Port Renfrew is a 3 hour drive west of Prior House to a remote section of Vancouver Island. The most botanically diverse rocky shore in the Western Hemisphere is within easy reach. Visit China Beach and Frenchman's Beach on the way.