I am always amazed when you can visit a city you have been to numerous times and still find something to see and do you have never experienced before. This was the case when we decided to explore Beacon Hill Park in Victoria for the very first time.
How we missed seeing this beautiful gem during one of our other visits to British Columbia’s capital is beyond bizarre to me. Especially considering the park is right in the hub of the city!?
Beacon Hill Park is a short walk up from the Royal BC Museum (which is another must-see while visiting Victoria). However, due to the size of this huge park (200 acres), if you have little ones in tow, you may want to drive to one of the many parking lots closer to the play park, gardens, or petting zoo. Yes, there is a petting zoo!
The park is meticulously landscaped with manicured gardens, a mixture of exotic and native trees, and ponds full of numerous ducks and other waterfowl. Peacocks roam freely throughout the park but tend to stay close to the ponds and petting zoo (most likely for easy access to food).
The blue-headed peacocks are male, and they are especially beautiful when they fan their feathers out, as they often do when flirting with a nearby female. It happened to be mating season during our visit to Beacon Hill Park, so not only were the males showing off their beautiful feathers quite frequently, they were also trying to attract female birds with their unusual (very loud) squawk. They have a distinct, almost cat-like call, but much louder than any house cat I have ever encountered!
The Children’s Farm at Beacon Hill Park
The main reason for our visit to Beacon Hill Park, however, was to see the animals at the Children’s Farm.
At the time of our visit, we were lucky enough to see recently born piglets (nine of them in total!) and baby goats. Although the piglets were absolutely adorable, the goats were the biggest hit with my children. With names like Toopy, Binoo, Hugs, Kisses, & Cuddles (a few of the more popular named goats), my children were thrilled to interact with these fuzzy little (truly snugly) kids.
I am sure any time is a great time to visit Beacon Hill Park; however, if you also want to ensure you see some recently born farm animals (as well as peacocks in their full display), I would suggest mid to late Spring as the best time to go. If in doubt, check out the Children’s Farm Facebook page for updates.
But maybe interacting with a gathering of domestic farm animals isn’t your thing?
I assure you there is a lot more to Beacon Hill Park!
If you are looking for a peaceful place to walk, a picnic site with beautiful surroundings, the perfect spot to bird watch, or an area to interact with farm animals, Beacon Hill Park in the heart of Victoria is the place to visit!
Have you been? Let me know your thoughts on Beacon Hill Park.
5 Comments
Well the pictures are beautiful unfortunately that is not the reality of the park . Lisa Helps and her wisdom was quick to destroy the only decent park we have .That’s a feather in her cap.
Yes, it’s a sad situation. Hopefully, one that will be rectified soon.
Keep in mind that the park is riddled with homeless people’s tents. Not all of the inhabitants are completely crazy, but some are. Take heed. Be extra aware of your surroundings. If you do go, go in the morning before noon, as it’s a lot more mellow, before the zombies awaken.. The washrooms were just renovated and painted, but 80% of the parks inhabitants will try to ruin it one way or another. Try and enjoy it while you can, as the mayor’s logic and her cronies will also try and wreck it further. By afternoon the zombies will come out of their tent’s and start fights with each other. It was really neat watching the old people’s reaction to the fights that were breaking out as they were walking through the park. Great times we are living through.
This article was written some time ago, and sadly a lot has changed over the years. It’s such a terrible situation. Why the mayor would allow a tent city in one of Victoria’s most beautiful locations is mind-boggling. And yet, it seems to be happening in most major cities across BC. I’m not sure what the answer is, but whatever is happening now is clearly not working. Thank you so much for providing this info.
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