Abkhazi Garden is a one-acre heritage garden at 1964 Fairfield Road in Victoria, BC, managed by The Land Conservancy of BC and open year-round. The garden features Garry oaks over 150 years old, Japanese maples, and rhododendrons that bloom from late winter through June.
Admission is by donation ($10 suggested), and The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden serves afternoon tea and light lunches on-site.
- Best for: easy garden walk, tea, photography
- Time needed: 45–90 minutes
- Admission: by donation, last entry 4 pm, confirm seasonal hours
- Map & parking: 1964 Fairfield Rd, on-street parking, map
- Accessibility: mobility-friendly entry, some paths are sloped, details
- Good to know: dogs on leash in the garden, teahouse patio is service animals only, teahouse FAQ
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At first glance, this property may seem ordinary from the street. However, once you step through the gate, you will discover a beautifully curated one-acre plot of land that has been carefully tended to with love and artistic flair since 1946.
Take a self-guided walking tour through four garden sections, around water features, up the terrace, and into the tea house. Visitors can spend plenty of time wandering around the property, taking in the beautiful scenery.
Explore the Rhododendron Woodland Garden and discover the beauty of mature Garry Oak trees that are over 150 years old. These trees provide shade to a variety of flowers that bloom year-round. Among them are rhododendrons, which bloom as early as February and continue until June.
As you walk along the South Lawn, you’ll come across a memorial installation at the base of the rock in dedication to the memory of Peggy and Nicolas Abkhazi whose ashes were laid to rest in the garden. The lawn is surrounded by thick, lush greenery and flowers, making for a peaceful and picturesque spot in the garden.
The Yangtze River is a path lined with heather that separates the rolling green lawn from the rocky area. Peggy compares this location to the Yangtze River near her previous home in Shanghai.
The path gradually slopes and offers a stunning view of the property. There are also smaller paths branching off towards three ponds formed naturally in the rock, where turtles and other aquatic creatures reside.
As you walk along the East Path, you’ll see a beautiful view of the ponds below and as you are led up to the Georgian garden. In this garden, you’ll discover plants native to the Caucasus region, such as Molly and Witch peonies.
There is also a Kvevri, a wine-making vessel located next to the grapevines, showcasing the wine-making culture of the country. If you look out, you’ll see the garden in all its glory, with the Olympic Mountains in the background.
Looking for more beautiful places to explore? Check out our full guide to the best gardens in Victoria BC with a map, tips, and tour ideas.
The Teahouse & Gift Shop at Abkhazi Garden
The teahouse offers high-quality, four-star service, dining on fine china and white linen while indulging in high tea and light lunches. The teahouse is located in the former residence of Peggy and Nicolas Abkhazi, with a beautiful view of the well-manicured gardens.
The menu is simple yet elegant, using fresh local ingredients, some grown on-site.
Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 778-265-6466. For hours of operation, High Tea information, and menus, visit the Abkhazi Garden website.
Also located in the house is the gift shop, where you will find a showcase of unique, quality gifts created by artisans from across Vancouver Island.
Other great historic stops in the area
Craigdarroch Castle | Government House Garden | Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Abkhazi House
Built in 1947 during Victoria’s post-World War II building boom, the Abkhazi House is a charming bungalow surrounded by a stone terrace, offering stunning views of the gardens and surrounding vistas. Today, the house serves as a Tea House and gift shop.
In 2000, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia acquired Abkhazi Garden to protect the local treasure. The TLC is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia to preserve cultural, historical, and critical habitats.
Abkhazi Garden Location and Hours
Address: 1964 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8S 1H2
Bus Stop: Foul Bay at Fairfield. Stop code 100436
Our Visit to Abkhazi Garden
In September, we went on a Self-guided Victoria Garden Tour that started at the Gardens at HCP, continued to Government House Victoria, and ended here at Abkhazi Garden.
As the tourist season came to a close, the crowds dwindled, making it convenient to locate a parking space near the entrance.
We found a parking spot along the street and walked up to the main driveway gate. Approaching a small booth where we made a donation for entry. In exchange, we received a walking tour map with helpful information about the garden.
The trails in the Rhododendron woodland started from the driveway and twisted through abundant greenery that had grown all summer. Although there weren’t many blooming flowers in September, we still saw some colours along the way.
We worked our way past the south lawn up over the stone ridge and towards the back of the lot. The east path offers the best views, especially when you reach a higher point and look down at the ponds and gardens with the Olympic Mountains in the distance.
We didn’t make a reservation at the teahouse and noticed that it was pretty crowded. Instead, we decided to visit the charming gift shop and admire the locally made creations.
Overall, we had a great day visiting the Abkhazi Garden. It’s impressive that Peggy was able to fit all of this into a one-acre lot. The tour doesn’t take long to walk through the grounds, but it’s easy to appreciate the love and care that went into building this wonderful spot, and the amount of work that goes into maintaining it.
There are numerous stunning gardens in Victoria, including the well-known Butchart Gardens and free gardens at Hatley Castle and Government House. Abkhazi Garden is on the list of must-see gardens in the Victoria area that are great for those with a green thumb and anyone who can appreciate the work that goes into creating a beautiful garden.
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