You do not need to go to the ends of the world in order to find yourself in paradise. Come to Hatley Park on Vancouver Island. And you will want to stay here. This garden is luxurious and modest at the same time. Even a camera or camcorder is not able to convey this beauty. You need to see and feel it with your own senses.
Where is
If you are inspired and ready to come to see this beauty, then you need to know that this heavenly delight is located in Canada. The city of Colwood on Vancouver Island is the birthplace of our goal. This is where Hatley Park National Historic Site is located.
History
Western Canada is the historical homeland of such plants as Menzies' pseudo-slug and Red Canadian cedar. These plants formed dense forests in British Columbia, in which the local population lived. The forest fed and clothed these people, from the cedar they made their homes, clothes from the bark, and from the fruits, medicinal potions and decoctions.
After the arrival of Europeans, these lands began to be cultivated for agricultural land, pastures, and estates. The fertile soil made it possible to grow various exotic plants that were well acclimatized.
At the beginning of the last century, these lands were acquired by the Scottish-born Governor James Dunsmeier. In European tradition, he, together with his wife Laura, planned to create a family nest and named his estate "Hattley Park" and commissioned the famous Canadian architect Samuel Makler to build a castle with 40 rooms. The construction of the castle was completed in 1908.
The castle has become a kind of visiting card of this family, which has lived in it for over 30 years. In June 1939, the family sold it to the Canadian government on the condition that the park would be open to the public. The estate was purchased to create the royal residence of George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth in it to live away from the Second World War that broke out in Europe. However, later it was decided that the absence of the royal family in a difficult time for the country would be a big blow to the people. Therefore, the royal family remained in London, and the castle was run by the government.
We also recommend watching in Canada:
- Notre Dame Cathedral, Quebec, Canada
- Attractions Toronto, Canada
- Attractions Vancouver, Canada
- Lake Louise in Canada
- Niagara Falls in Canada
The homestead has been converted into a naval training center, now called the Royal Military Highway University, and rents Hattley Park for $ 1 a year. In 1995, the grounds of the castle and its gardens were designated a National Historic Landmark of Canada. The university has responsibilities and expenses for the maintenance of the castle and gardens, heritage preservation and restoration.
Castle architecture
It was decided to make the castle in the Scottish feudal style, fashionable in the Edwardian period, that is, during the reign of King Edward VII, who ruled the English Empire from 1901 to 1910.
We built a castle without thinking about costs. The owner paid generously for his whims. The fixtures in the castle were made by the master specially for this interior. Although the courtyard was already in the 20th century, the castle was conceived as the home of a medieval baron. The house was built from sandstone of different structure, which gives the impression of completely different materials. In the interior decoration, rare species of wood and, of course, the famous Canadian red cedar were used. The romantic nature of the owner of the castle gravitated towards a style that was close to him in Scotland. A chic fireplace has also become a decoration of the large hall.
Luxurious garden
The Edwardian period in history was marked by the fact that the care of one's own garden became fashionable in Europe. Perhaps that is why the governor decides to lay out a luxurious garden on his estate, and in 1912 entrusted the design of the garden to the American landscape architects Franklin Brett and George D. The garden was born between 1912 and 1914 and is being improved to this day.
Since its inception, the garden has been taken care of by 100 gardeners and caretakers. Hatley Park now has five gardeners throughout the year, one arborist who treats and maintains trees, a caretaker and one dispatcher. Seven seasonal workers are recruited during the mass planting season.
The estate is located on the coast and is surrounded by forests on three sides. Hatley Park's garden is divided into four landscape zones. In front of the main entrance, on a well-groomed emerald lawn, there are neatly trimmed boxwood borders, which are created according to all the canons of topiary art. The ivy-covered castle blends in well with the surrounding gardens. Thanks to the greenery, it does not seem gloomy and heavy, despite the gloomy architectural style. But this is a matter of taste.
Visitors come to see the Hattley Park Gardens, the most famous of which are Japanese and Italian gardens. The chic rose garden is also popular. It's almost Versailles! It combines evergreens and exotic plants native to this region, adapted to the conditions of existence in Canada.
Beautifully designed ponds and streams breathe freshness. In the lush greenery, there are many secluded places where you can sit on a bench, dream, surrounded by exotic flowering plants. Thanks to this, you can wander around the garden endlessly. The birds living here give the garden a habitable and at the same time fabulous look. A peacock walks importantly, or a flamingo stands pensively looking into the clear water of the stream. Ducks are splashing on the lake. Everything lives and enjoys life.
Neatly trimmed parterre lawns, which cannot be walked on, so as not to damage the delicate structure, are decorated with neatly planted one-year-olds. And next to it, seemingly neglected thickets of cereals harmoniously fit in. There is a lot to see and learn for landscape art lovers. Someone will appreciate the architectural fantasies of the castle and the surrounding buildings, which, along with the main attraction, are recognized as federal heritage of Canada.
This beautiful heritage of Canada attracts filmmakers and artists here. Films "X-Men", "Out of Sight" and others were filmed here. Throughout its history, this interesting place has become the backdrop for 33 films.
I'd love to be a gardener in this paradise!
Another interesting place in Canada is the Majestic Bay of Fundy.
