Fort Rodd Hill Victoria BC Canada

Built in the late 1890’s, Fort Rodd Hill was designed to defend both Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base. Visitors can step back in time as they view a furnished room of the period and through interpretive signs learn a great deal about the workings of this historic site such as its underground magazines, guardhouses, gun batteries, barracks and command posts. In keeping with the natural history of British Columbia, the area of Ford Rodd Hill is also home to an abundance of bird species, grey squirrels, raccoons and the Columbian blacktail deer.

Visitors can enjoy numerous, year-round activities as well as a host of learning opportunities. One can learn of the tremendous contribution made by the country’s women during the war and earn an appreciation of what it was like to live in a city that was on the edge of war. The Medieval Village is a re-creation of a Middle Ages camp complete with demonstrations of period crafts, dress and typical lifestyles and for the adventurous, the annual Lantern Tour offers and exciting and guided tour after-dark. Free Canada Day celebrations are a must for visitors to Vancouver Island and include many activities for children and the whole family along with superb military music. Antique car enthusiast travel each year from across North America and further afar to take in the Annual Old English Car Show located in the park.

Many visitors and locals alike take the unique opportunity of being able to view a wide array of the enormous cargo ships, a host of sailing ships both small and large that regularly pass through the Juan de Fuca strait. Due to the close proximity of Canada’s naval base, it is not uncommon to see military craft from a number of different nations.

No visit to Fort Rodd Hill is complete without visiting the Fisgard Lighthouse which was the west coasts first permanent lighthouse and as been in continuous operation since 1860. Although there hasn’t been a lighthouse keeper since 1929 when it was automated, thousands of visitors come to capture a glimpse of what it was like to keep ships and sailors safe. A few of the two floors of exhibits within the lighthouse include working equipment used a century ago and exhibits depicting shipwrecks and storms. For the past 10 years, this has also been the site of the Annual Luminara Festival showcasing select elements of other celebrations of light from around the world.

The well kept grounds make it an ideal situation for enjoying a family picnic after visiting the many sites and activities that can be found on Fort Rodd Hill. Whether you choose to relax on the grounds at a picnic table or at one of the beaches, it is definitely a wonderful and relaxing way to end a day of fun and learning. Parents will enjoy the splendor of nearby Washington’s snow capped Olympic Mountains while the children play and explore in one of the many tide pools. Both novice and seasoned photographers can take advantage of the many picture perfect scenes created by the breathtaking views of mountains, oceans and rock formations. Fort Rodd Hill is conveniently located in Victoria, BC on the tip of Vancouver Island.

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