More Westshore

Fast Facts

Cowood was originally one of four large farms established by the Hudson's Bay Company in the 1850's to supply the steadily increasing population of Fort Victoria
Fisgard Lighthouse, the first lighthouse on Canada's rocky west coast. Built in 1860 by the British when Vancouver Island was still a crown colony, Fisgard remains the oldest working lighthouse on the West Coast.
Hatley Park is Canada’s largest and most diverse National Historic site. At the centre of this authentic and beautifully preserved 565-acre Edwardian estate is a magnificent castle built in 1908 by former British Columbia Premier and coal baron, James Dunsmuir.
Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Park, overlooking Esquimalt Harbour, was a coastal artillery site from 1878 to 1956 built to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base.
Esquimalt Lagoon boasts Douglas fir trees that are among the top 10 biggest Douglas firs in British Columbia.
The Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, situated on 98 acres in Colwood, offers the sports enthusiast a variety of activities, including 9 holes of golf on a scenic course, skating, curling, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, lawn bowling, swimming, or jogging on two beautiful chip trails (1 km and 2.75 km).
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park in the Highlands. There are over 25 miles (40 km) of trails for those hikers who enjoy easygoing trails coupled with access to Tod Inlet's shoreline.
Captain Edward Edwards Langford arrived aboard the Hudson's Bay ship the Tory on May 14th, 1851. He was the bailiff of Esquimalt or Colwood Farm, and resided there until his return to his native England in 1861.
Goldstream Provincial Park, home to the world famous salmon run each fall.
Galloping Goose Regional Trail is the place to be. The 100km multi-use trail links the communities of View Royal, Colwood, Metchosin, and Sooke.
A rural community of wide open spaces, pastoral countryside and bountiful farmland, Metchosin was first inhabited by Coast Salish peoples.
Lester B. Pearson College of the Pacific, a unique learning facility dedicated to providing a practical demonstration that international education works, and that it can build bridges of understanding between people.
Metchosin School Museum, the first school in B.C. after the province joined the Confederation. It opened in 1872 and closed in 1949.
Population of the West Shore – 45,000 approx. -2006