Tours and Teas

Enjoy a tour of the historic house and gardens. Stay for a Victorian-style, English afternoon tea.

Reservations required for tea.  Email ellicehouse@gmail.com or phone 250-380-6506

Contact us for group bookings, weddings, birthday parties and other special events.

Find Us

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2616 Pleasant Street
Victoria, British Columbia
V8T 4V3
250-380-6506

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The Harbour Ferry also stops at Point Ellice House on the Gorge waterway.  "Hop on" the ferry at the Inner Harbour (or any other stop) and "hop off" at the Point Ellice House dock.

Hours       

Open from early May through September 3rd, and for special events during December.

House and grounds open from Thursday to Monday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)

Afternoon tea: 11:00 AM - 2:45PM

Tours: 11:00 AM - 3:30 PM

Admission Fees

Adults: $6.00+HST (Can)

Children (6-12): $3.00+HST (Can)

Children (6 and under): FREE

Admission includes entrance to the house and grounds, including the audio tour of the house.

Afternoon tea is $25.00+HST (which includes admission) for adults, and $13.00+HST for children.

Refreshments are available, such as tea and scone ($8.00+HST) or tea, scone and soup ($10.00+HST), but do not include admission.

Reservations are recommended for tea services.

Point Ellice House and the O'Reilly Family

Peter O'Reilly immigrated to Canada from Ireland, a letter of introduction to Sir James Douglas in hand, and became one of the first Gold Commissioners and judges in British Columbia. In 1863, he married Caroline Trutch, whose brother Joseph was the first lieutenant-governor of the province. The O'Reilly family was middle class and frequently received visitors for breakfast, lunch and English tea.

Peter and Caroline O'Reilly moved into the Point Ellice House in time for the birth of their daughter Kathleen December 31, 1867. The O'Reillys had four children: Frank, born in 1866, Kathleen, born in 1867, Mary Augusta, born in 1869, and Arthur (also known as Jack), born in 1873. The house was a gathering spot for Victoria’s social elite, and remained in their possession for 108 years.

Point Ellice House Today

In 1975, three generations later, O’Reilly’s grandson, John, and his wife, Inez, sold the house and all its contents to the Province of British Columbia. The family left behind everything – from armoires to tea services, a harp, clothing, writing desks, board games, kitchen utensils, and more  – giving us a rare opportunity to see one of North America’s largest collections of Victoriana in its original, privileged Victorian home.

This National Heritage Site, overlooking the waters of Victoria’s scenic Gorge Waterway, is both museum and refuge. Now surrounded by industry, it still exudes the peace of its former quiet setting.

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