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Great Places of Interest are all around us at Binners’ a Contemporary Oasis Each thumbnail (below) is a link to a photo essay about that place of interest Just click the photo or place name for more detail. Do enjoy your virtual wander in this Map & Guide Book we've prepared for you. |
Local Map
Getting Here
(Trains & Boats & Planes (even busses) to Victoria)
Binners’ ... In the Midst of it All |
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To locate any of the following places of Interest on our live Google map, simply click its associated map icon (Our own icon, in the midst of it all, is the yellow, 5-sided house.) Then take a moment to plan your visit to Binners’ ... a Contemporary Oasis.
ABKHAZI THE GARDEN THAT LOVE BUILT  |
This was once the private residence of the exiled Georgian Prince, Nicholas Abkhazi and his true love, Victoria native Marjorie Pemberton-Carter. They were reunited in 1946 after years of wartime separation and tragedy. |
| And for 40 years they lovingly toiled on this one acre property, creating an amazing series of ponds, paths and vignettes, drifting down over the rocky outcroppings, and through the native Garry oak meadow, to the shady woodland garden below. After their passing, ownership eventually went to their gardener of many years, who was finally compelled by financial difficulties to sell the property to land developers in the year 2000, who planned a condominium apartment complex |
photo by Binners |
photo by Binners
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photo by Binners
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But, saved at the 11th hour from the ‘wrecker’s ball’ by The Land Conservancy and donations from far and wide, the Abkhazis’ remarkable gardens were restored and are tended lovingly by their creative and dedicated volunteers of The Land Conservancy. And the original, modest house has been meticulously maintained. One of the rooms has a delightful seed and gift shop, and casual afternoon tea is served in the living room beside its picture window, and outside on the stone terrace, both with glorious views over the gardens. Open daily, March 15 to September 15.
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ART GALLERY OF GREATER VICTORIA  |
An exceptional wander anytime. Formerly the Spencer family mansion home, which they donated to the city for the arts. More space was added later. Current exhibits include “Warhol ... Larger than Life”, and “Majestic Colours: Ancient Chinese Textiles”. The AGGV also houses the largest collection of works by Emily Carr, who herself was a native of Victoria. One of Carr's most charming books, entitled, The Book of Small, is for sale at the original Emily Carr house, as well as at Munro’s Books, Victoria’s venerable and architecturally classic book store. |
photo by Binners
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BASTION SQUARE  |
| Bastion Square, site of the original 1843 Fort Victoria bastion (or fort), and the city’s original court building, is home each summer to the Bastion Square Festival of the Arts. Collected on its multi-levels, you’ll find a variety of jewellerymakers, painters, crafters in wood, clay, metal and glass, all showing their wares while musicians add to the festive air. Or just choose a table at one of the outdoor cafés and watch the world go by, with the glistening harbour as a splendid backdrop. |
photo by Binners
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BEACON HILL PARK  |
photo by Binners |
photo by Binners |
From the early spring’s floral delights, to the world’s tallest single tree totem pole, the stone bridge built in 1889 over Goodacre Lake, the herons’ and eagles’ nests, the picturesque vistas, playing fields, and children’s petting zoo and splash pond Beacon Hill’s 184 oceanside acres formal gardens, rocky meadows and beachside paths offer many pleasures. photos by Binners |
photo by Binners |
photo by Binners |
| The Children’s Petting Zoo where each spring the newly born ducks, lambs, goats, rabbits. peacocks, ponies and miniature potbellied pigs cavort with anyone who wants to play with them. |
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A weekend match in the Cricket Pitch at Beacon Hill Park. Lawn bowling, tennis, soccer and baseball fields can be found here too.
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The Butchart Gardens  |
World famous Butchart Gardens is open year round. In 1904, Jennie Butchart set about to transform a
depleted limestone quarry on their property (her husband’s Portland cement company had abandoned it)
into a garden. |
Eventually, Jennie and her staff of gardeners developed several other garden areas, covering almost half of the original 130 acre estate.
And the family shared their glorious grounds with their friends and neighbours over the years.
It is now a garden paradise with a variety of fountains, lakes and streams, lawns and meadows, and exquisite theme gardens including a Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, Rose Garden, Begonia Bower.
And there’s even a concert lawn with rows of benches, where, on summer afternoons and evenings informal musical stage presentations take place.
Some of the more spectacular garden settings include the dancing Ross Fountain, the Star Pond, the Bark Cottage, the Sturgeon Fountain, the amazing holiday lighting and displays, and the fabulous Fireworks Pond.
Be sure to stop in for some delightful afternoon tea in the historic, original Butchart family mansion’s Dining Room. Or you can enjoy a snack or a meal in the lovely Blue Poppy Room restaurant, with its skylights, flagstone floor and plants and flowers in every nook and cranny.
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photo by Binners |
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photo courtesy of Craigdarroch Castle |
Craigdarroch Castle  |
Craigdarroch Castle, once the home of coal baron John Dunsmuir, is being beautifully restored and is open year round for tours, especially attractive at the Christmas season.
There is an amazing ballroom on the top floor with turrets and balconies where debutantes and their escorts would “take the evening air.The site has served as a school, as a hospital, as a music college, before being established as a historic site
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The Empress  |
photo by Binners
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The grand and venerable Empress Hotel 100 years old in 2008, with its commanding, historic presence in the Inner Harbour. Need us to reserve you for their famous Afternoon Tea? That’s just one of the many concierge
services we offer. |
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Did someone mention Golf?  |
Victoria Golf Club, 100 years old this year, can be found along the scenic marine drive, with amazing views out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca. It is Canada’s most photographed golf course. It is the city’s premier private golf and country club Largely for members or members of reciprocal clubs. Some exceptions.
(Click image for more information) |
photo by Binners |
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Gorge Vale Golf Course |
(private) |
18 hole par 72 |
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Cedar Hill Golf Course |
(private) |
18 hole par 72 |
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Olympic View Golf Course |
(private) |
18 hole par 72 |
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photo by Binners
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Government House
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Rockland District is home to many historic homes and castles including Government House, the Queen’s residence when she visits Victoria, capital of BC. It is the official residence of British Columbia’s Lieutenant- Governor and where he or she receives foreign diplomats.
In recent years, the beautiful gardens including long-forgotten terraces, and a splendid rose garden and pavilion have been brought back to their original grandeur.
An impressive wrought iron gazebo was built there for the Queen’s 1994 visit for the Commonwealth Games. |
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the Legislature and Inner Harbour  |
This view of our Legislative Assembly buildings (Victoria is British Columbia’s capital city) is from the causeway, the very heart of Victoria’s bustling Inner Harbour.
photo by Binners
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The Ledge offers interesting free tours of this
historic building, in British High Victorian Gothic, mid-nineteenth century Italianate and American Richardsonian Romanesque styles. And you can get the real story on the life and death of its infamous architect, Francis Rattenbury (he also designed the Empress Hotel).
The huge lawn at the Ledge is also a great picnic spot. You can pick up sandwiches and
coffee at Sam’s Deli (at the N.E. corner of
Government and Humboldt Streets).
Victoria’s Inner Harbour is the setting for some wonderful annual events, both local and
international, such as the Dragon Boat Festival, the Tall Ships, Symphony Splash and the Classic Boat Festival.
And there’s the ever-changing panorama of street performers and artisans, along with float planes, harbour taxis, kayaks, international yachts, and boats of many shapes and sizes.
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THE SCENIC MARINE DRIVE  (Look for the associated markers on our Google Map) |
The seaside views along the
jogging- and cycling-friendly scenic marine drive are always interesting, and always different.
Stunning homes perch above the
cliffs and beaches, there are great running and walking paths with lookout points and benches, a fabulous golf course, sail boats galore. And it’s a wind-surfing, para-gliding, kayaking paradise.
There are marinas, gardens and parks, delis, cafes (stop in for a coffee?), plus breathtaking views of the Olympic Mountains just across the Juan de Fuca Strait, in Washington State, USA. |
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photos by Binners |
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MILE ZERO AND THE TERRY FOX MEMORIAL  |
photo by Binners
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Canada’s national highway, the Trans Canada (Highway #1) links our east and west coasts. Here, at the end of Douglas Street, is a marker showing the spot where Highway #1 meets the Pacific Ocean. A few feet away stands the memorial to Terry Fox.
At the age of 21, Terry Fox became a beloved inspiration to all Canadians because of his determination and his complete sense of giving. Raised in British Columbia, he lost his leg to cancer at age 18. Terry decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
In April, 1980, he dipped his leg in the Atlantic Ocean in Newfoundland and
began running 26 miles a day. But sadly, Terry had to stop 5 months later, in Northern Ontario, having covered more than half the distance. His cancer had reappeared. He died the following year, in June of 1981, at the age of just 22.
Terry’s memorial is at Mile Zero, where his original Marathon of Hope was to end. His legacy is carried on annually as school children and people of all ages across Canada, and around the world, participate in The Terry Fox Run. |
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OGDEN POINT   |
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The mesmerizing views at sunrise of the breakwater at Ogden Point, are reachable by a beautiful ocean walkway from Binners’.
The wall extends 800 metres out into the ocean if one wishes to stretch one’s legs.
Occasionally you’ll see folks with their fishing rods, out doing their catch-some-dinner thing … line fishing is permitted.
The nearby dive shop has excursions for both experienced and novice divers.
Or, if you’re hankering for a latte or some munchies, the Ogden Point Café has great views over the break-water and across the water to the mountains in Washington State,and of the always interesting cruise ship docks. |
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| ROYAL BC MUSEUM |
Rated as one of the top 10 small
museums in North America, it is
open 7 days a week for your
wandering, viewing, and interactive
pleasure. Enjoy the reproduction of
a small town in the early 1900’s, the
Living Seas, the First Nation’s
exhibits and the cutaway (to scale)
model of Captain Cook’s boat. IMAX
Theatre is also on the premises and
has 3 films at all times. |
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THE THEATRE  |
Victoria has a vibrant cultural scene 3 major theatre houses, along with a smattering of small theatrical companies ,jazz society , other live music venues, along with various choral societies, and dance troupes.
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photo courtesy of Royal Theatre |
photo courtesy of MacPherson Theatre |
These eager performers will assemble wonderful live performances wherever there might be an available auditorium One of the best known theatres in Victoria is the Royal, a venue for concerts, dance and the opera. It is the home of the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Opera Company. Its sister facility is the MacPherson Playhouse, where the tradition of live presentations carries on.
Schedules for both theatres can be found at https://tickets.rmts.bc.ca/calendar/index.aspx. Slightly out of town is the Chemainus Theatre Festival, just an hour’s drive north of Victoria. It also has excellent theatrical productions. |
photo courtesy of JMV on Flickr
Click for current schedule of the Belfry Theatre.
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photo by Langham Court Theatre
Click for current schedule of the Langham Court Theatre.
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photo courtesy of the Chemainus
Theatre Festival
Click for current schedule of the Chemainus Theatre.
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WHALE WATCHING / MARINE ADVENTURES  |
Whale watching season runs from April through to October, though it is possible to see sea lions, graceful cormoramts and other marine life most months of the year.
Eagle Wing, a local company, provides a safe, eco-friendly, comfortable and fully guaranteed whale-watching adventure in large hard-hulled water craft., with informed professional staff including a marine bioloigits on board.
If you do not see whales on your trip, you can return at any future time to re-try. Just remember to keep your original ticket. |
photo by Binners |
photo courtesy Eagle Wing Tours
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Binners Bed and Breakfast, 58 Linden Avenue,
Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada,
V8V 4C8
Toll Free 1-888-409-5800 Telephone (250) 383-5442
hosts@binners.com
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