When you think of castles near Toronto, Casa Loma usually comes to mind. But about an hour from the city, there’s another grand, historic estate with royal ties and the most charming secret-garden-like grounds.
Dundurn Castle is a 40-room Italianate-style villa perched on Burlington Heights in Hamilton, and while it may not get quite as much attention as Toronto’s most famous castle, it’s definitely worth adding to your summer travel bucket list!
The historic home was built in the 1830s and once belonged to Sir Allan Napier MacNab, a railway magnate and Premier of the United Canadas from 1854 to 1856. In case you needed an extra royal connection, Queen Camilla is the museum’s patron and MacNab’s great-great-great-granddaughter.
Today, the estate is maintained as a National Historic Site and museum, giving visitors the chance to step inside one of Ontario’s most impressive historic homes.
Admission to Dundurn is by guided tour only, with tours typically lasting about an hour. During the visit, you’ll explore the grand, stately rooms with costumed interpreters, naturally, and learn about both sides of life in the 19th-century household, from the wealthy MacNab family upstairs to the servants who kept everything running below.
Guests will also have access to the Hamilton Military Museum, which is located on the property and dives into the region’s military history. After the tour, you can stop by the Coach House museum shop or take a stroll through the grounds.
One of the prettiest parts of a visit is the restored two-acre Kitchen Garden, which served the MacNab family150 years ago! Costumed staff use tools and techniques from the 1850s to grow more than 200 heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers here. The garden is open from mid-May through mid-October for free self-guided tours, making it especially charming during the warmer months.
And if you’re already making the drive, there are many nearby stops to round out the day. Head to Bayfront Park to wander along the West Harbour waterfront trails before spending time at the Royal Botanical Gardens, which is Canada’s largest botanical garden, or explore Locke Street for cafés, shops and a neighbourhood stroll.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a Hamilton day trip without a waterfall stop. The city is home to more than 120 of them, so visitors can pair their castle visit with scenic spots like Tiffany Falls, Webster Falls, Tew Falls, Albion Falls or Devil’s Punchbowl before heading back to Toronto!
Dundurn Castle is located at 610 York Blvd. in Hamilton. Bonus: there’s free parking onsite, so it makes for a perfect day trip. For more warm-weather getaway inspo, check out these 35 essential summer day trips from Toronto.