VANCOUVER ISLAND - Discover Your Next Adventure:
A serene rockery landscape in Abkhazi Garden, featuring natural stone steps amid lush foliage with a large Gary Oak tree and variety of trees and shrubs in multiple shades of green, under a cloudy sky.

Abkhazi Garden

flower icon
Coffee Icon
icon directory shopping
Activity:
Garden
Difficulty:
Easy
Location:
Victoria
Time:
30-90min
Distance:
.5km

Activity:

flower icon
Coffee Icon
icon directory shopping

Accessibility:

Family access icon
wheelchair access icon

Highlights Include:

Info Map

The Secrets of Abkhazi Garden in Victoria

Where to this weekend, Vancouver Island: Abkhazi Garden - A Historic Victorian Garden

Located in Victoria, Abkhazi Gardens is a renowned garden and tea house providing a distinctive four-star experience. Guests can savour locally sourced delicacies at The Teahouse while relishing the stunning garden views. Additionally, visitors can admire the native Garry oaks, Japanese maples, and magnificent rhododendrons.

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. Enjoy wandering around the property while taking in the beautiful scenery.

September day viewing the gardens in VictoriaExplore 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 in January 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 serene spot in the garden.

Abkhazi Garden garden ponds a view from the east path and Georgian GardenThe 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.

Discover more Gardens on Vancouver Island.

 

Tips and Suggestions

Parking is limited to street-only options. The gardens are located in a beautiful residential neighbourhood, you may end up parking further out and walking to the gardens.

Reservations are recommended for the teahouse. To reserve call 778-265-6466

DISCOVER MORE
the best spots directly in your inbox

Unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

zodiac whale watching
Admire native marine wildlife in the waters of British Columbia on this 3-hour whale-watching adventure in Victoria. Hop aboa...
food tour Victoria
Highlights: Savor local haute cuisine from stunning award winning restaurants Experience a unique progressive four-course me...
Victoria Food Tour
Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this walking tour of the British Columbian city. Follow a guide to highlight...
Victoria Walking Tour
Explore the city with a friendly local who is passionate about his/her city and eager to share all the tips and tricks that w...
audio walking tour Victoria
Take in the city’s history, from its indigenous roots to the Victorian Era, with this immersive audio guide. Experience the m...
f8
This fascinating audio guided tour will show you the beautiful west coast city of Victoria. You'll learn about the region's h...
Malahat Skywalk Tickets
Highlights: Discover Vancouver Island in a new way with sweeping 360-degree views Head up the spiralled 10-story tower to 25...
Victoria Bike Tour
Get an inside scoop of Victoria while cruising through the city on the most comfortable bikes. This bike tour is the perfect ...
CA $99 per adult
62
Fly high above scenic Victoria BC and explore its beautiful scenery by seaplane. This thrill-a-minute tour will reveal a spec...
Magic of Christmas Butchart Gardens transportation
Reserve your spot and stay longer at Butchart Gardens with this guided transfer that includes admission to the botanic garden...

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 operation hours, High tea information and menus, visit 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.

Abkhazi is Vancouver Island's secret garden. It is an absolutely beautiful garden that boasts huge old rhododendrons that are artfully placed throughout. Granite outcroppings dictate the shape of the surrounding garden beds. It is the jewel of the island. An added bonus is the quaint tea shop that serves high tea in China cups. There's no entrance fee, but they appreciate donations.

f8
This fascinating audio guided tour will show you the beautiful west coast cit...
Victoria Photographer
Localgrapher is the largest network of professional photographers and videogr...
5 star whale tour
Go whale watching in Victoria on a 12-passenger boat that’s designed for seek...
3a
Explore quaint Victoria on this guided walking tour with a local historian. A...
dc
Get a comprehensive introduction to Vancouver Island with this two-day sights...
93
Vancouver Island is known for producing great wines in a beautiful environmen...
Magic of Christmas Butchart Gardens transportation
Reserve your spot and stay longer at Butchart Gardens with this guided transf...
41
Explore Vancouver Island's magnificent scenery on a full-day, private tour fr...
d4
Vancouver Island’s south west coastline is a landscape of great natural beaut...
62
Soak in a wood-fire heated hot tub while cruising through Victoria Harbour. T...

Started by Royalty, the History of Abkhazi Garden

Marjorie (Peggy) Pemberton-Carter managed to make her way to San Francisco after being released from an internment camp during World War II with the help of a few traveller’s cheques hidden in a talcum powder container. Later, in late 1945, she received an invitation from her close friends to visit Victoria. By the following summer, Peggy had made the decision to purchase the large, treed and rocky lot, which would eventually become Abkhazi Gardens.

In 1946, Peggy received a letter from a friend she had lost touch with during the war, Nicolas Abkhazi, an exiled Georgian Prince who escaped his home country at a young age before his father was executed in 1923. He had lost everything and, similar to Peggy had spent time in a prisoner-of-war camp during World War II.

After exchanging letters and meeting in New York, Nicolas and Peggy got engaged and returned to Victoria to marry in the same year.

The Abkhazis had each led a privileged life before the war; now together, the garden became the focus of their artistic creativity.

Nicholas died in 1987, and Peggy remained in their home for the next year and a half.  After she died in 1994, at age 92, the Garden changed hands a few times.  It was purchased by TLC, The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, in February 2000, after a successful campaign to rescue it from becoming a high-density townhouse complex.

Much more information about Peggy and Nicholas Abkhazi and their life together can be found in two biographies – A Curious Cage, Peggy Abkhazi’s autobiography; and A Curious Life, by Katherine Gordon.

A peaceful patio area at Abkhazi Garden with slate stone flooring, outdoor seating under red umbrellas, and a visitor admiring the lush greenery and landscaping that surrounds the serene space.

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 TeaHouse 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.

Location and Hours

Address: 1964 Fairfield Rd, Victoria, BC V8S 1H2

Bus Stop: Foul Bay at Fairfield. Stop code 100436

Hours:
April 1 – Sept 30: 11am to 5pm. 7 days a week
October 1 – March 31: 11am to 4pm Wednesday – Sunday

Abkhazi Garden official website

DISCOVER MORE
the best spots directly in your inbox

Unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Our Experience at the Abkhazi Garden

Visitors enjoying the tranquil setting of Abkhazi Garden, in September, featuring a picturesque pond with water lilies, surrounded by lush vegetation and rock formations, with vibrant patio umbrellas in the distance.

In September, we went on a Victoria Garden Tour that started at the Gardens at HCP, continued to Government House Victoria, and ended 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.

Upon arrival at the main driveway gate, we approached a small booth where we made a donation for entry. In exchange, we were provided with a walking tour map containing helpful information about the garden.

Abkhazi Garden grounds map for Victoria BCThe 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 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 up this wonderful spot and the amount of work to maintain it.

There are numerous stunning gardens in Victoria, including the well-known Butchart Gardens and the free gardens at Hatley Castle. Abkhazi Garden is on the list of must-see gardens that is great for those with a green thumb and anyone who can appreciate the work that goes into creating a beautiful garden.

Discover more Gardens on Vancouver Island

Places to visit in the area:

Craigdarroch Castle – 5min
Gardens at Government House – 5min

 

FAQ:

Does it cost money to visit?
Admission by a suggested donation of $10 per person

Is Abkhazi Garden open all year round?
Yes, Abkhazi Garden is open all year round with limited hours in the winter months.
April 1 – Sept 30: 11am to 5pm. 7 days a week. October 1 – March 31: 11am to 4pm Wednesday – Sunday

Is it wheelchair accessible?
There is access along the driveway up to the Teahouse and Terrace. The rest of the garden has limited access.

Are there restrooms?
Located in the house between the Teahouse and gift shop.

Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are allowed in the Garden provided they are on a leash and cleaned up after.

How long does it take to visit Abkhazi Garden?
The average visit time is 1.5 hours, but if you are just walking the garden without eating or tea. You can view the gardens and the gift shop in well under an hour.

Victoria Photographer
Localgrapher is the largest network of professional photographers and videographers with more than 600 destinations around th...
Sigh seeing victoria hop on hop off bus
Explore Victoria like never before with our open-top double-decker buses! The Hop-On Hop-Off Afternoon CitySights Tour lets y...
3a
Explore quaint Victoria on this guided walking tour with a local historian. Along the way, take in picturesque views of the c...
scavenger hunt and walking tour
Explore Victoria in a fun new way with an interactive smartphone app. Using your phone as your guide, walk through the city, ...

Photo Gallery:

Sand Beach in Oak Bay. Rocks and driftwood are in the foreground, with a group of people set up enjoying the sun and beach tent.
Beach Icon
swimming icon

Willows Beach

Victoria’s most popular beach, Willows Beach’s white sand and shallow and protected waters are perfect for children. Enjoy stunning views of Discovery Island and Mount Baker while swimming or paddling.
a totem pole and the Mungo Martin House a traditional big house with a large painted wall in Thunderbird Park Victoria
icon-totem-pole-first-nations
Museum icon

Thunderbird Park

Victoria’s cultural heritage at Thunderbird Park. From towering totem poles and the Mungo Martin House offering an enriching experience
surfing Sombrio Beach
Beach Icon
Hiking Icon
surfing icon
Waterfall icon

Sombrio Beach

Coldwater surfers, backpackers and families out for the day; a place you must visit
Royal-BC-Museum-2
Museum icon

Royal BC Museum

The Royal BC Museum is an experience the whole family will enjoy, located central Victoria BC just across the inner harbour.
A man with a backpack walks away on a dirt path surrounded by lush green rainforest and large old-growth trees. Located on Cedar Grove trail in Roche Cove Park, South Vancouver Island
Hiking Icon
big tree icon
bike icon

Roche Cove Park

Explore the old-growth in Cedar Grove, picturesque Matheson Creek, and historic Galloping Goose Trails at Roche Cove Regional Park
forest bathing
Highlights Discover the joy of forest bathing and nature mysticism Get out of your head and slow down, relax, and unwind in ...
c5
Delve into the colourful past of Canada’s oldest Chinatown in Victoria, British Columbia. This guided walking tour will lead ...
Victoria Hiking tour
Hike through Vancouver Island's towering rainforest on a private, guided hike from Victoria that explores a fascinating ecosy...
Victoria Bike Tour
Get an inside scoop of Victoria while cruising through the city on the most comfortable bikes. This bike tour is the perfect ...
CA $99 per adult

Did we miss something?
Have more to add?

Original Author:

Modified: November 22, 2023
Last Visit: September 1, 2022
Join Our Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Where to This Weekend?
Vancouver Island's Ultimate Experiences!
For the adventurous, curious and those who love Vancouver Island.
Includes lesser known hikes, stories, and more.

Unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy.

Pack Out:
We love Vancouver Island and want to keep the natural beauty. Please respect the places you visit and pack out what you pack in and leave the area better than when you arrived. We all know how much trash can spoil an experience and the environment, so please help us keep it clean!

Wildlife:
Vancouver Island is a land of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the usual precautions for personal and wildlife safety.
Black bears, cougars and even wolves are common on Vancouver Island for more on Wildlife Safety Click Here 

Tide and Seasonal Safety:
Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.

Land Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .

Disclaimer:
The information on this website should not be taken as accurate, complete or up-to-date. Please check and look into the information yourself. We do not assume any liabilities for the use of this information. It is unreasonable to rely solely upon the information from this website. 

Submit a change suggestion:

max of 4 images
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email