VANCOUVER ISLAND - Discover Your Next Adventure:
Symmetrical pathways leading to a central fountain in the well-maintained rose garden of British Columbia's Government House, surrounded by manicured hedges and a variety of rose bushes in bloom.

Government House Victoria Garden

flower icon
walk icon
Coffee Icon
Activity:
Garden
Difficulty:
Easy
Location:
Victoria
Time:
45min
Distance:
1km

Activity:

flower icon
walk icon
Coffee Icon

Accessibility:

Family access icon
All ages elderly Icon
wheelchair access icon

Highlights Include:

Info Map

Timeless beauty of the gardens at Government House in Victoria

Where to this weekend, Vancouver Island: The Government House Gardens

The Government House gardens is an excellent destination for any traveller looking to experience one of the best free gardens in Victoria.

Located on 36 acres, open daily from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and is free to visit. Visitors can explore the formal gardens and rare Garry oak ecosystem and visit the Cary Castle Mews, costume museum and tearoom.

From the Victorian and sunken rose gardens to the Bruce Pavilion and Rotary Garden of International Friendship, there is something for everyone to enjoy at the Government House Gardens.

Duck Pond

Duck pond government garden

The serene Duck Pond is located at the front of the property. Surrounded by bamboo and tall trees, the large pond includes sitting stones and fountains, providing a peaceful spot to unwind on a warm day.

English Country Garden

Located at the entrance gate of the Government House, the English Country Garden resembles the gardens found in British estates and castles. It features a spacious green lawn surrounded by three primary beds. Filled with contrasting leaf shapes and textures and boasts beautiful blooms from June to October. The garden also includes trees, shrubs, bulbs, and perennials that provide interest and fragrance throughout the year.

Waterfall at Pearkes Peak in the Government House Garden Victoria BC

Pearkes Peak

One of the largest gardens on the property is Pearkes Peak, located south of the duck pond. Named in honour of former Lieutenant Governor George Pearkes, the garden is divided into three rocky areas with grass and paths in between. The garden is home to various vegetation, including Garry oaks, ornamental shrubs, native plants, and bulbs.

Bruce Pavilion

Named after Lieutenant Governor Robert Randolph Bruce (1926-1931), this pavilion features open ironwork and a tile floor.

Victorian Rose Garden

English Rose Garden at the Government House

The Victorian Rose Garden was designed based on the plan of the Rose Garden at Warwick Castle in England. It features boxwood-edged beds that are filled with pink and white roses.

Iris and Lily Garden

The Iris Garden can be found on the east side of the property, along the path leading to the Nursery Garden. You’ll notice two iris borders lining the path, one showcasing blue and white iris. While some Iris blooms from February to September, the best time to enjoy them is during May and June.

Nursery Garden

The Nursery Garden is situated on the eastern side of the estate. It boasts a stunning view of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains. The garden has two sections; one grows flowers and foliage that volunteers utilize to create flower arrangements for Government House, while the other is a vegetable garden. Volunteers tend to the vegetable garden using organic methods and grow a variety of vegetables that the chef of Government House uses.

Sunken Rose Garden

Statue at Government house at sunken rose garden

Located on the west side of the property, the Sunken Rose Garden features a tiered fountain and a diverse selection of fragrant roses from both modern and old rose classes. This garden is in full bloom from June to October.

Herb Garden

Located beside the Sunken Rose Garden, the Herb Garden grows various herbs that are utilized in the Government House kitchen. Additionally, traditional herb garden trees like the medlar and quince can be found here. The main attraction of the Herb Garden is a sundial, featuring a carved orca by the talented Salish carver, Aubrey La Fortune.

Rhododendron Garden

You can find mature rhododendrons near the main entrance gate and on the east side of Government House. Southern Vancouver Island is a great place for rhododendrons to grow, and some of the rhodos on the property have grown as tall as three meters.

Government House Gardens property map in Victoria BC on Vancouver Island

Cut Flower Garden

The Cut Flower Garden boasts a splendid London plane tree that casts shade over hostas, hellebores, primulas, and other plants that thrive in shady conditions.

Rock & Alpine Garden

Located on the outcropping of rock below the swimming pool at the southwest corner of Government House, the Rock and Alpine Garden showcases exquisite plants from mountainous regions across the globe. The majority of the plants in this garden were grown from seeds and sourced from esteemed organizations from England, Scotland and more locally in Vancouver.

Terraces

The Terrace Gardens are situated in a prime location behind the Government House, providing visitors with a breathtaking view of the woodlands, Salish Sea, and Olympic Mountains. The gardens boast a variety of plants that can withstand drought and wind from Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and California.

Woodlands Trail

Path at government house garden trail

The Woodlands is a rare urban Garry oak ecosystem that boasts a variety of wildflowers such as camas, western buttercup, and white fawn lilies—intending to conserve and rehabilitate this natural habitat while allowing the public to learn and appreciate it. The Woodlands offers open access through a public pathway where visitors can view the beautiful native British Columbia area.

Winter Garden

You can find the Winter Garden on the west side of the Trades driveway. The plants there bloom from November to March, with various winter and early spring flowers. You can admire the rare Chinese shrub Stachyurus praecox and many Hamamelis (Witch-Hazel) shrubs, Lonicera fragrantissima, and Cornus mas. The ground beneath the shrubs is covered with pretty Primulas and flowering bulbs.

Walking through English Rose Garden at the Government House

Garden History

The garden’s design was first created in 1911 by G.K Maclean, a landscape architect from Vancouver. In 1957, Robert Savery updated the design to reflect the traditional English garden style.
The gardens were at their prime when the 1960s and 1970s had up to 17 gardeners working on the property to maintain its beauty. In the 1980’s, the number of staff gardeners fell to one.

In 1991, the ‘Garden Volunteer Program’ was introduced to enhance the existing gardens, create new gardens, and improve the maintenance of the Government House grounds for public use.

Discover more Gardens on Vancouver Island.

 

Tips and Suggestions

Parking: Parking is free, locations are in front of Government House and a larger parking lot southeast of the main building. There is one Charging station.

Toilets: Located southeast of the main building.

Food: Tea Room is open four days a week during the summer.

Hours: The gardens are open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year.

Tours: Government House is only open to the public via limited guided tours. Visitors must register in advance.
Garden Tours: The Friends of Government House Garden Society offers Garden Tours. For more info, visit their website.

DISCOVER MORE
the best spots directly in your inbox

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

Victoria Food Tour
Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this walking tour of the British Columbian city. Follow a guide to highlight...
49
See Victoria by horse-drawn carriage on a private tour that explores the Inner Harbour, Downtown, Chinatown, and more. The tr...
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, ...
5b
Explore the rich history of downtown Victoria while indulging in delicious food on a walking tour. This tour will take you th...
Butchart gardens shuttle and tickets
Enjoy a pick-up service at your hotel and shuttled for the shuttle to the renowned Butchart Gardens. Includes shuttle and ent...
40
Shuttle service to the New Malahat skywalk from downtown Victoria. Malahat SkyWalk is an accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a ...
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...
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...
Victoria Photographer
Localgrapher is the largest network of professional photographers and videographers with more than 600 destinations around th...
41
Explore Vancouver Island's magnificent scenery on a full-day, private tour from Victoria to Englishman River Falls, Little Qu...

The Government House

Government House is the office and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Although the building is not open to visitors, limited free tours are offered, space is limited, and visitors must register in advance.

History

The Lieutenant Governor offers accommodation to distinguished visitors, including members of the Royal Family, international royalty, heads of state and other honoured guests of British Columbia.

Since 1865, there have been three Government Houses on this site. The first official residence, Cary Castle, was built in 1859. Six years later it was purchased as the residence of the Governor of Vancouver Island.

Government House in Victoria BC

When British Columbia entered Confederation in 1871 Cary Castle became Government House, the official office and residence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of British Columbia.

In May 1899, Cary Castle was destroyed by fire. Renowned architects Francis Rattenbury and Samuel Maclure were hired to design a new house on the same site.

The Rattenbury/Maclure-designed Government House officially opened in 1903. The House served British Columbia for 54 years until April 15, 1957, when it succumbed to fire. The only thing left standing was the porte cochère. Construction on the new Government House began in December 1957 and closely matched the design of the previous building. The current Government House officially opened on May 19, 1959.

The Conservatory was added in the 1960s as a gift from Lieutenant Governor George Pearkes and the family of Lieutenant Governor Walter Owens installed the swimming pool in 1978.

Historical information from ltgov.bc.ca

Places to visit in the area:

Craigdarroch Castle – 5min
Abkhazi Garden – 5min

An absolutely beautiful property and official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia. Situated on a high Rocky bluff, close to downtown Victoria and the inner harbour. An excellent place to visit when in Victoria.

Magic of Christmas Butchart Gardens transportation
Reserve your spot and stay longer at Butchart Gardens with this guided transf...
6b
Visit Vancouver Island, the largest island on the North American West Coast. ...
5b
Explore the rich history of downtown Victoria while indulging in delicious fo...
Vancouver to Victoria
Turn a quick trip into a memory you'll never forget with a transfer via float...
f8
This fascinating audio guided tour will show you the beautiful west coast cit...
Victoria Hiking tour
Hike through Vancouver Island's towering rainforest on a private, guided hike...
Victoria Photographer
Localgrapher is the largest network of professional photographers and videogr...
d4
Vancouver Island’s south west coastline is a landscape of great natural beaut...
40
Shuttle service to the New Malahat skywalk from downtown Victoria. Malahat Sk...
Victoria Food Tour
Explore Victoria's history and culinary scene on this walking tour of the Bri...

Cary Castle Mews

The Mews are a group of wooden service buildings from the 19th century located on the southeast side of the Government House estate. These buildings have been used to support Government House since they were built in the 1870s. The Government House Foundation has restored some buildings, including Rudi’s Tea Room, The Costume Museum and the Heraldry Exhibit.

Rudi’s Tea Room

Cary Castle Mews in Victoria BC Rudis tea room costume museum

Come and enjoy lunch, sweets, and refreshments at Rudi’s Tea Room, where food is sourced from as close as the Government House vegetable gardens. 

You can find them in the charming Butterworth Cottage, located in the Cary Castle Mews, which adds to the historic ambiance.

The Tea Room features dine-in and take-out service. Seating is first come, first serve.

Opening: May – October

Hours: Tuesday- Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Costume Museum

The Costume Museum is located in the Carriage House and showcases a large variety of period pieces, as well as rotating special exhibits. From former Lieutenant Governors’ uniforms and Chatelaines’ dresses to an original butler’s uniform, the Museum takes visitors on a sartorial journey through the history of the Estate and Office of the Lieutenant Governor. These historical artifacts are from both the Government House collection and thanks to the generosity of several donors. Visitors to the Costume Museum will also see the historic Landau Carriage on display. In 1901, the Landau was used by the Duke and Duchess of York and Cornwall (later King George V and Queen Mary) on their tour of Victoria and Esquimalt.

Opening: May – October

Hours: Tuesday- Friday, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

DISCOVER MORE
the best spots directly in your inbox

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

Our Experience

Last September, we had the opportunity to go on a Victoria Garden Tour. The tour commenced at the Gardens at HCP, progressed to Government House, and concluded at Abkhazi Garden.

Sitting on bench surrounded by flowers at free garden in Victoria BCWe were pleasantly surprised by the size and variety of the gardens at Government House, as we didn’t know much about them beforehand. With multiple gardens, viewpoints, and paths, we had a great time exploring the property.

Parking is free, and the grounds are well-maintained and are only second to Hatley Castle regarding free-to-visit options in Victoria.

I’m sorry to say that the Tea Room and museums in Cary Castle Mews were closed during our visit, so I cannot provide any feedback on them. However, I highly recommend this Government House to anyone who enjoys nature and leisurely walks in beautifully maintained gardens.

Discover more Gardens on Vancouver Island.

 

FAQ:

When are the gardens open to visit?
From dawn to dusk, 365 days a year.

Is there an entrance fee?
No, visiting the Government House Garden is free.

Does it cost anything to park?
No, parking is free.

Are pets allowed?
Yes, but must stay on a leash.

Are there tours?
Government House is only open to the public via limited guided tours. Visitors must register in advance.
The Friends of Government House Garden Society offers Garden Tours. For more info, visit their website.

horse drawn carriage tours victoria
Delight in a private horse-drawn carriage tour to the crown jewel of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park. Highlights: Marvel at th...
40
Shuttle service to the New Malahat skywalk from downtown Victoria. Malahat SkyWalk is an accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a ...
beer tour
Highlights: Learn all about the brewery process with a behind-the-scenes craft brewery tour. Admire stunning and thought-prov...
6c
Explore the tropical marvels up close! Admire over 2000 butterflies, gorgeous gardens, and an array of tropical animals in a ...

Photo Gallery:

Fisgard Lighthouse from Fort Rodd Hill
lighthouse icon
Museum icon
walk icon

Fort Rodd Hill

Fort Rodd Hill was an artillery fortress on active duty from 1895 to 1956 with an operating lighthouse straight out of a Nancy Drew story
The View from the Loss Creek Suspension bridge high in the air looking out at the Juan de Fuca Strait
Hiking Icon
suspension-bridge-icon

Loss Creek Suspe...

Access to the Loss Creek Suspension Bridge taking you down through the forest along the Juan de Fuca Trail
East Sooke Sasquatch
10 min stop icon
icon directory food

Sasquatch Sighting

This 11 foot Sasquatch isn’t great at hiding and makes an easy stop on the way to East Sooke
Sherinham point lighthouse
lighthouse icon
walk icon

Sheringham Light...

This Iconic storybook lighthouse is easy-to-access, perched upon a rugged rocky cliff on South Vancouver Island
Victoria Observatory located at the top of the hill looking over Victoria BC the Plaskett Telescope finds it's home at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
observitory-space-icon
walk icon
View point icon

Observatory Vict...

Tour the 100 year old telescope at the Victoria Observatory and the Interpretive Centre at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory
Victoria Photographer
Localgrapher is the largest network of professional photographers and videographers with more than 600 destinations around th...
forged axe throwing
Drop in for an hour, let us introduce you to this great sport and guide you through the basics of throwing an axe and hitting...
62
Fly high above scenic Victoria BC and explore its beautiful scenery by seaplane. This thrill-a-minute tour will reveal a spec...
Christmas in victoria
Make this Christmas one to remember with this tour to Victoria and Butchart Gardens from downtown Victoria. Small group (up t...

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