Ghosts of Victoria

For a 'spirited' visit of Victoria

John Adams of Ghostly Walks

For a “spirited” visit to Victoria at any time of year, there are many attractions to see, but as Halloween approaches, the Ghosts of Victoria Festival provides even more spooky activities.

Bastion Square, home to public hangings during colonial days, is considered by many to be Victoria’s most haunted place. Dominating the square is the Maritime Museum, the favourite haunt of Sir Matthew Baillie Begbie, the “hanging judge.” The museum is open daily and has ghost tours at 7 and 8:30pm October 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and 30. Call 385-4222, ext. 106.

St. Ann’s Academy is a former convent school. The restored chapel is open daily 10am to 4pm until October 31. On October 20, 21, 27 and 28 at 5 and 8pm, tours through the chapel and grounds will explore life and death at this 148-year-old historic site. Call 953-8828 for information.

Craigdarroch Castle, open daily for visitors to see the splendour of its restored rooms, doesn’t offer ghost tours, but on selected evenings from October 19 to 31 it hosts the play I Might Be Edgar Allan Poe, set against the backdrop of the castle and grounds. Note there is no seating and 87 steps to climb, but tickets go quickly. Call 592-5323 for more details.

Ghostly Walks explore downtown’s haunted alleys and courtyards. Until September 10 these popular 90-minute walks run nightly at 7:30 and 9:30pm, and from then until October 21 on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and 9:30pm. These tours start at the Visitor Info centre, across the street from the Empress Hotel. Extra tours for Halloween are scheduled nightly from October 27 to 31 at 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30pm and start from the lobby of the Bedford Regency Hotel (1140 Government St.). No reservations are needed. Call 384-6698 or check www.discoverthepast.com for times and details.

Haunted Horsedrawn Trolley Tours take you down dark streets to hear about the scary events in the most haunted neighbourhoods on the west coast, and you just might see a ghost or two! The 45-minute tour is fully narrated and to make it even more chilling, every story is true! Tours depart from the corner of Menzies and Belleville streets.

The Royal London Wax Museum is open daily. Sure to create terror at any time is the infamous Chamber of Horrors with its macabre scenes. Call 388-4461.

Other possibilities:

• Ghost Bus-tours – two-hour-long haunted coach tours around Victoria during the last 10 days of October. Call 598-8870.

• History tours by the Old Cemeteries Society, Sundays at 2pm. The Annual Ghost Tour is October 29 from 1 to 3 pm. Call 598-8870.

• Chinatown has many supernatural stories. China-town Walks begin Saturdays at 10:30am at the corner of Government and Fisgard streets. The focus is history, but at Halloween a few ghost stories slip in. Call 384-6698.

For more details call Tourism Victoria at 953-2033 or stop by the Visitor Info Centre downtown.