In this post you’ll find information about some of the many sights and attractions in and around Victoria, along with photos and descriptions, from our personal experience here in Victoria BC, and surroundings. Abkhazi Garden, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Beacon Hill Park, Craigdarroch Castle, the Empress, Government House, the Inner Harbour, Royal BC Museum, Scenic Marine Drive, Terry Fox Memorial at Mile Zero. Binners’ Bed & Breakfast is the perfect central “base of operations” to see and [...]
The seaside views along the jogging- and cycling-friendly scenic marine drive are always interesting, and always different. Stunning homes perch above the
Rated as one of the top 10 small museums in North America, the Royal BC Museum is definitely a must-see. It is open [... more]
Canada’s national highway, the Trans Canada (Highway #1) links our east and west coasts. Here, at the end of Douglas Street, is the Mile Zero marker showing the spot where Highway #1 meets the Pacific Ocean. A few feet away stands the memorial to Terry Fox. At the age of 21, Terry Fox became a beloved inspiration to all Canadians because of his determination and his complete sense of giving. A native British Columbian, Terry lost his leg to cancer [...]
The Legislative Assembly (background) or “The Ledge” as it is referred to locally, offers interesting free tours of this historic building, designed in British High Victorian Gothic, mid-nineteenth century Italianate and American Richardsonian Romanesque styles. On the tour, you will find out the real story on the life and death of its infamous architect, Francis Rattenbury (who also designed the Empress Hotel). The huge lawn at the Ledge is also a great picnic spot. You can pick up sandwiches and [...]
The Rockland District is home to many historic homes and castles including Government House which is the Queen’s residence when she visits Victoria, capital of BC. It is the official residence of British Columbia’s Lieutenant- Governor and where he or she receives foreign diplomats. In recent years, the beautiful gardens including long-forgotten terraces, and a splendid rose garden and pavilion have been brought back to their original grandeur. An impressive wrought iron gazebo was built there for the Queen’s 1994 [...]
The renowned Empress Hotel, near Binners’ Bed and Breakfast Victoria. The grand and venerable Empress Hotel, 100 years old in 2008, with its commanding, historic presence in the Inner Harbour. Need us to reserve you for their Afternoon Tea? That’s just one of the many concierge services we offer at Binners’ Bed and Breakfast. photo by Binners
Craigdarroch Castle was once the exquisite mansion of coal baron John Dunsmuir. Since becoming a National Historic Site, it has been undergoing a beautiful transformation to its original glory. It is open year round for tours and is especially attractive when decorated in the Victorian manner, for the Christmas season. Craigdarroch has one of North America’s finest collections of Victorian residential stained and leaded glass windows, along with the many varieties of carved woods, local and exotic, that were [...]
World famous, The Butchart Gardens is open year round. In 1904, Jennie Butchart set about to transform a depleted limestone quarry on their property into a garden. (Her husband’s Portland cement company had abandoned it.) Eventually, Jennie and her staff of gardeners developed several other garden areas, covering almost half of the original 130 acre estate. And the family shared their glorious grounds with their friends and neighbours over the years. It is now a garden paradise with a variety [...]
photo by Binners photo by Binners From the early spring’s floral delights, to the world’s tallest single tree totem pole, the stone bridge built in 1889 over Goodacre Lake, the herons’ and eagles’ nests, the picturesque vistas, playing fields, and children’s petting zoo and splash pond Beacon Hill’s 184 oceanside acres formal gardens, rocky meadows and beachside paths offer many pleasures. photos by Binners photo by Binners photo by Binners The Children’s Petting Zoo where each [...]
