As the story goes, James Dunsmuir, son of Robert and Joan Dunsmuir (Craigdarroch Castle), built Hatley Castle and Gardens as a place of refuge. He had served as the Premier of BC and had been in the public eye long enough. He wished to spend his last years in a place of opulance, peace, and quiet.

“Money doesn’t matter,” he told his architect.  “Just build what I want.”

When James and Laura sat down with their architect to design their home, they each described totally different tastes. Therefore,

one side of the castle’s main floor was created for Laura, and the other side was created for James.  Laura enjoyed having parties and was very much a socialite.  Her needs are reflected in the domestic and public offerings seen on first floor.  James, on the other hand, needed his solitude and called for more private rooms.  The castle was completed in 1908.

Each room on the first floor is made from a different kind of imported wood, giving each its own particular appearance and 'flavour'.  The wood gets fancier and more luxurious as one proceeds.

Hatley is an Edwardian Home with a renaissance feel to it.  The Grand Hall, seen above, is the reception room. It's very similar to the one at Craigdarroch Castle, but with its own unique style.  The beautiful golden oak panels were imported from England.  In the centre of the Grand Hall is a massive sandstone fireplace, meant purely for show as the castle had central heating.   

James’ Study became the Commandant’s Office during the castle’s military college days and had been an extremely private area for about fifty years.  The study is the fulcrum of James’ particular interests. 

On the far right of the castle is James’ Private Entrance, where there's a built-in “escape route.” When James would arrive home from yachting, hunting, or fishing, he could go down the little hall to see if Laura was entertaining – and if she was, he could turn around and go right back out again.  The door handle is four inches higher than all others in the building as an indicator that no one else was allowed to use this door.    

James Dunsmuir died in 1920, Laura went on to live in the castle until her death in 1937.  After that, the building became the Royal Canadian Naval College, the Royal Canadian Air Force College, the Canadian Services College and finally, Royal Roads Military College.  It now serves as an administrative building to the University - and often as the ideal location for many film and television projects, including Smallville and XMEN III.  Hatley is slowly being restored to its former state and will one day become a full-fledged Heritage House Museum, just as its forerunner, Craigdarroch Castle. 

For more information, visit the Hatley Park Website