More Westshore
About the West Shore
The West Shore area is comprised of four cities/municipalities, The City of Langford, the City of Colwood, the District of Metchosin and the District of Highlands Learn more about each below.
Langford - Colwood - Highlands - Metchosin
About the City of Langford
Located on the southern end of Vancouver Island, the City of Langford is a young and growing community of 20,000 residents in 2002. It offers a variety of business opportunities, affordable housing and a wide range of services and amenities. Langford is within easy access of the rest of the Greater Victoria metropolitan area.
Although the City was recently incorporated on December 8th, 1992, Langford boasts a long history of European settlement dating back to 1851, when Captain Edward Langford established one of the four Hudson’s Bay Company farms in the Victoria area.
Langford is one of the municipalities of the West Shore in the Capital Regional District. Langford has an area of 4,146 hectares (10,245 acres). With its central location, Langford is becoming the commercial core of the West Shore. Langford is well served by highways, rail and bus to Victoria and the rest of Vancouver Island, and by ferries and air to Vancouver and the US. The Victoria International Airport, approximately 35 kilometers (21 miles) away, offers direct air transportation to destinations worldwide.
Langford’s climate is influenced by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, topography and latitude. Langford enjoys warm and dry summers, and mild, wet winters resulting in a frost-free season of approximately 202 days. Lying in the rain-shadow of the Olympic Mountains, Langford receives less precipitation, approximately 620 mm. per year, than Vancouver (annual average of 1070 mm.) and enjoys a high annual average of 2185 sunshine hours.
A high percentage of the population growth in the Capital Regional District (CRD) is from in-migration into the region. Due to the increasing demand for land in the CRD and the decreasing availability of land in the City of Victoria, District of Saanich, Township of Esquimalt and the District of Oak Bay, homebuyers are looking to the West Shore for affordable and diverse housing. This has resulted in substantial growth in the West Shore, especially in Langford which experienced a population increase of 7.6% from 1996 to 2001.
About the City of Colwood
The City of Colwood is a rapidly growing residential community with exceptional heritage landmarks. It is located l0 kilometres west of the City of Victoria in the dynamic and fast paced West Shore. The views out over the Straits of Juan de Fuca towards the Olympic mountains and Victoria are stunning.
Although only recently incorporated in 1985, Colwood has a rich heritage dating back to the 19th century and is proud of its many historic landmarks such as Hatley Castle and Fisgard Lighthouse. The coal mining Dunsmuir family built Hatley Castle, which later became a military academy and is now Royal Roads University.
Another notable landmark is St. John the Baptist Church, a beautifully restored Carpenter Gothic non-denominational heritage Church, sited adjacent to the Pioneer Cemetery, on Glencairn Lane in Colwood. The Anglican parish of St. John the Baptist was officially designated in 1912 and the builder, Mr. H.O. Miles, was paid $2,435.00 for the job.
From a noble beginning to a daring leap into the future, Colwood is becoming a preferred place to live in Southern Vancouver Island because of its many choices of housing types; its close proximity to commercial areas and large selection of retail shopping options. Currently there are numerous high quality subdivisions being built with more in the planning stage. In the newer areas, housing prices range from $450,000 to $1.1 million.
About the District of Highlands
The Highlands is a primarily residential community, rural in nature, and blessed with an exceptional abundance of scenic beauty, native plant and animal life, and public parkland. Those of us who live here place high value on the natural environment and our rural lifestyle. Highlanders are actively involved in the community, which fosters a spirit that is both self-reliant and cooperative.
A stunningly beautiful rural residential area, the Highlands is just northwest of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. More than one-third of the Highlands is protected as municipal, regional, and provincial parkland. We Highlanders take great pride in the stewardship of our environment by ensuring that new developments include conservation covenants limiting human encroachment. We're proud of our volunteers and community involvement. Visit us to take in breathtaking mountaintop views or experience our annual Highland Fling.
About the District of Metchosin
Metchosin is a rural paradise of fields, forests, mountains and rigged coastline. Incorporated since 1984, approximately 5000 Metchosin residents have ensured that their community stays rural. There are a large number of parks to explore as well as a number of golf courses. In keeping with the natural surroundings there are many artistic individuals in Metchosin including artists, authors, craftspeople, musicians and performers. A growing number of home-based businesses are appearing, including many involved in the high-tech sector.
Metchosin Road turns off Sooke Road and winds through a beautiful, pastoral countryside. The little church and museum at Metchosin Corner are worth a stop for camera buffs and historians. In spring the churchyard is filled with wild lilies. You are welcome to explore the grounds of Pearson College, one of the United World Colleges. This beautiful campus is the location of the Metchosin International Summer School of The Arts.
Enjoy numerous hiking trails, beachcombing, native petroglyphs and idyllic picnic spots in the many parks around or near Metchosin.
