Victoria, British Columbia • May 30, 2015
About This Experience
This garden-based excursion combined structured touring and free time across five themed sections of The Butchart Gardens, followed by afternoon tea in the original Butchart family residence. Guests explored the Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, and Rose Garden at their own pace. Minimal walking difficulty; paved paths throughout.
🛳️ Setting Sail for a Garden Escape
Victoria was our final Canadian stop before returning to the U.S., and we wanted to close our visit with something beautiful, unhurried, and classically British Columbia. The “English Tea at Butchart Gardens” excursion—offered through our cruise line—seemed the perfect blend of horticulture and heritage. With promises of fragrant flowers, meandering garden paths, and a formal tea service in the original Butchart residence, we eagerly signed on.
Upon disembarkation, only a valid photo ID was required. We quickly located our tour group, boarded a comfortable motorcoach, and began the 30-minute drive to one of Canada’s most celebrated National Historic Sites.
🫖 Tea and Tranquility in British Columbia
Our group of about thirty settled in for the scenic ride through Vancouver Island’s forested roads. Our driver, cheerful and well-informed, shared a surprising fact: a significant portion of British Columbia’s workforce—over 20%—is employed in public sector roles.
Soon, we reached the entrance to Butchart Gardens, located in Brentwood Bay just outside of Victoria. Our guide distributed park maps and reminded us of the meeting time for tea service. From there, we were free to explore at our leisure.
🌸 Stop 1: Exploring Butchart Gardens
📍 Location: Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia
⏳ Time Spent: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes
🎠 Cultural Tip: Tucked near the edge of the property is the Rose Carousel, a restored hand-carved ride featuring 30 unique animals, offering guests a nostalgic and family-friendly interlude for just $2 per ride.
During our visit, Butchart Gardens was in full spring bloom. Paved stone walkways guided us through a series of distinct horticultural zones, each meticulously maintained and designed to highlight seasonal plantings, formal landscaping, and water features that reflect the garden’s century-old heritage.
Our route began at the Sunken Garden, the largest and most visually striking of the themed sections. This area occupies the site of a former limestone quarry that was actively used by the Portland Cement plant owned by the Butchart family in the early 20th century. After extraction operations ceased, Jennie Butchart initiated the transformation, turning the pit into a multi-level garden with sloped pathways, raised beds, ornamental trees, and seasonal flower displays arranged across natural terraces.
We continued into the Italian Garden, a compact, symmetrical space laid out in 1926 over what was once the Butchart family’s tennis court. It features classical design elements including clipped boxwood hedges, balanced floral arrangements, and a central lily pond lined with stonework. The perimeter of the garden is framed by the original Butchart residence, now repurposed as The Dining Room restaurant, its ivy-covered exterior contributing to the European atmosphere.
🎨 Artistic Tip: Near the Italian Garden, look for the mosaic-tiled birdbath—handcrafted from local materials and often overlooked by visitors rushing through the central path.
Our path led next to the Rose Garden, located near the center of the estate. Constructed in 1929 to replace the former kitchen vegetable garden, it contains over 2,500 rose bushes organized in a circular layout. Although not yet in peak bloom, the garden’s climbing roses, formal borders, and arched trellises showcased early blossoms, and a preview of the floral display expected in midsummer.
We then entered the Japanese Garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Isaburo Kishida in 1907. This garden emphasizes asymmetry, natural materials, and a progression of visual reveals. Shaded by mature trees and enclosed by bamboo groves, it includes winding stone paths, small wooden bridges, reflective pools, and stone lanterns placed among ferns and moss-covered slopes. The layout leads visitors gradually toward the waterfront, where it opens to a cove on Brentwood Bay.
Before concluding our walk, we passed the Concert Lawn, a broad expanse of striped turf and symmetrical flowerbeds often used for public performances. This open space contrasts with the rest of the gardens’ intimate layout and offers a peaceful place to pause and look out over the estate.
📸 Photography Note: Every turn revealed a postcard-worthy view, particularly in the Sunken and Japanese gardens. Morning light filtered perfectly through the foliage.
🎠 Cultural Tip: Tucked near the edge of the property is the Rose Carousel, a restored hand-carved ride featuring 30 unique animals, offering guests a nostalgic and family-friendly interlude for just $2 per ride.
🫖 Stop 2: English Tea at The Dining Room
📍 Location: The Dining Room at Butchart Gardens
⏳ Time Spent: Approximately 45 minutes
🧁 Dining Detail: The afternoon tea menu changes seasonally, with many ingredients—such as berries and herbs—sourced locally from Vancouver Island growers.
Following our garden exploration, we entered the historic Butchart family residence for afternoon tea. The interior featured white-linen tables, delicate china, and large windows overlooking the Private Garden, providing a refined and traditional setting for the meal.
🍰 Three-Tiered Tea Presentation
Each table was served the traditional afternoon tea towers. Ours included:
Bottom Tier – Savory Finger Sandwiches:
- Cucumber and cream cheese on white bread
- Egg salad with microgreens
- Smoked salmon with dill
- Chicken salad on soft wheat
Middle Tier – Scones and Spreads:
- Warm buttery scones
- Clotted cream
- Strawberry and raspberry preserves
- Lemon curd
Top Tier – Petite Pastries and Sweets:
- Fruit tartlets with glossy berries
- Macarons in vibrant hues
- Shortbread cookies
- Mini éclairs and chocolate mousse cups
🌸 A small fresh floral arrangement decorated each table, and takeaway boxes were discreetly offered near the end of the service.
🚌 Return to Port
With our visit complete, we reboarded the motorcoach and began the return drive to Victoria’s cruise terminal. The route retraced our morning path, passing residential areas and glimpses of the harbor before arriving at the pier. Our ship waited just steps away, marking the close of a peaceful and elegant morning.
💙 Our Favorite Moment:
Afternoon Tea: Served in the historic Butchart residence, the tea service was both beautifully presented and satisfying—an indulgent highlight of the day.
✅ Who Is This Tour Best For?
✅ Garden lovers
✅ Fans of elegant dining experiences
✅ Casual cruisers
✅ Romantic travelers
✅ Photography enthusiasts
📰 Tour Summary
🔖 Tour Name: English Tea at Butchart Gardens
🚢 Offered By: Princess Cruises
⏳ Total Duration: 4 hours
⛔ Main Stops: Butchart Gardens, The Dining Room for Tea Service
🚍 Drive-By Highlights: Vancouver Island countryside
Excursion Disclaimer:
Descriptions of shore excursions on OceansAfoot reflect individual travel experiences and are not official representations of the cruise lines or tour providers mentioned. All information is based on personal participation, publicly available facts, or traveler observation.
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