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​As the oldest city of the West Coast, Victoria offers an ideal setting for the spookiest month of the year! From historic ghost tours to embracing the natural beauty of autumn, October is the perfect time for a fun getaway to Victoria B.C. And there is a bonus; you won't have to deal with large summer crowds! Here are our TOP 10 recommendations of things to do in Victoria this October 2022:

Victoria is home to many ghosts and sprits, from Chinatown’s Fan Tan Ally apparitions to the inmate ghosts of Bastion Square. “Discover The Past” offers daily ghost walking tours, including a Halloween Special, where our city’s dark secrets and mysteries are revealed in a spooktacular fashion!

​The Gardens at Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) will be hosting their annual Harvest Festival on October 29th.  A family friendly and educational event, the festival offers a variety of fun activities and exhibits to explore. They include a Pumpkin People display, learning about local bat habitats or Mason Bee seasonal maintenance, and plenty more! 

​Each year, thousands of salmon make their way back from the ocean to their place of birth at Goldstream Provincial Park. Once on site, they will spawn their eggs and ultimately die, allowing for a new generation of salmon to continue their species’ life cycle. One of Nature’s wonders not to be missed! 

​Galey Farms is home to one of Vancouver Island’s leading corn maze with over 6 acres of family fun. Located 15 minutes from downtown Victoria, the maze offers frights and laughs for the big and small. It includes a ghost train and a fully animated ghost town. For those seeking more scream, Galey Farm’s Festival of Fear is a signature event taking place only after dark, featuring the Cornfield of Horror, and the Carnevil Haunted House of Terror!  Click here for details.  

​Discover Vincent Van Gogh as you have never seen him before. Beyond Van Gogh is a rich and immersive multimedia experience, bringing to life over 300 iconic artworks of the artist, including his most famous "The Starry Night", "Sunflowers", and "Cafe Terrace at Night". A must-see exhibit, opening on October 14th in Victoria. Tickets need be purchased online.

​Victorian times are often associated with ghosts and the supernatural. Craigdarroch Castle is no exception, encompassing the enhance of that era, and giving visitors a glimpse of life in the 1890s. Legends has it, the castle is home to several ghosts and paranormal activity. Dare to explore alone, or with a group, you will not be disappointed!

​With the arrival of Fall, comes a stunning natural display of vibrant colours. Victoria and its beautiful surroundings offer the perfect setting to admire Nature’s colour palate. Beacon Hill Park, Hatley Castle Historic Park, or the Galloping Goose bike trail are just a few of the many sites to observe this spectacular change of season.  Biking being an excellent way to explore Victoria in the Fall, The Pedaler, located at the Huntingdon Manor Hotel, offers fun and exclusive bike tours. 

​Victoria has a very diverse food scene that can satisfy any palate. Many restaurants embrace the change of season to adapt their menu with seasonal harvest and traditional fall dishes. Stop by The Pendray Inn and Tea House, for a unique Victorian tradition, and experience our Winter Afternoon Tea tastefully crafted with seasonal flavours. 

​Join Passion and Performance Arts Inc. on October 29th for an immersive horror experience. One of the most sought-after events in Victoria, the Carnival of Terrors will kick off with a dance spectacle weaved with twisted tales of blood, gore and horror. A party will follow, including dancing, photo booth, carnival games, a peep show, incredible food and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance; click here for more details

​Join Stein and Diner for Victoria’s 6th Oktober Festival on Saturday October 15th.  Serving delicious traditional German specialties with a vast selection of BC craft beer, this event guarantees tasty food, great beers and good times! 

Local support to community members affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
Since COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, our community has been facing unprecedented times, with many of its members finding themselves in difficult situations and with uncertain futures. As a direct response to the pandemic and to support our community, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel, in partnership with the James Bay Neighbourhood Association (JBNA), will be providing free gardening space with a start-up kit to support the growth of a community food garden.  ​

Since the appearance of the novel coronavirus, the World entered unprecedented territory, with the pandemic changing our daily lives in a drastic manner.  Despite all the uncertainty, there is also a growing surge of hope and community support as people, businesses, and the government work together to flatten the curve and fight the virus. 

At the Huntingdon Manor Hotel, we are doing our part, and are adapting to these new times. As an essential service, we want to be here and support our community by accommodating people, who, for a variety of reasons, need a safe and welcoming place to stay.  The purpose of this blog post is to give you a virtual tour of the different preventative measures we have in place, including some unique services offered to our in-house guests, as customer service remains one of our top priorities.

A popular Easter tradition in North America, the Easter ham can be prepared in many ways, and is a perfect family dinner.  Our General Manager Erin Cassels, is happy to share her mom’s family recipe which is both simple and delicious! ​

We are certainly living some interesting times. Although social distancing and self-isolating can be challenging at times, it’s also an opportunity to reconnect with simpler things and spent quality time with family. 
Easter Weekend is fast approaching, and what better way to celebrate it with delicious food and family-fun activities. With this in mind, our staff at Huntingdon Manor and Pendray Inn and Tea House are excited to share with you their favourite Easter recipes!   Enjoy, and let us know how it went!  

On behalf of everyone at the Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Tea House, we give a big THANK YOU to all donors for our annual Victoria Women's Transition House Christmas Stockings fundraiser.  2019 was a year of records, and over 100 stockings as well as countless toys and gifts were collected from local businesses and individual donors.  These gifts will bring joy and happiness where it’s most needed, and generate hope and comfort for families going through some difficult times.  

​On November 21st, 2019, the Huntingdon Manor Hotel and Pendray Inn and Tea House was awarded the 2019 Ecostar Award for Greenest Lodging.  The Ecostar Awards recognizes every year businesses, non-profits, academia, and community leaders that accomplish outstanding environmental achievements and stewardship on Vancouver Island.  The Greenest Lodging Award acknowledges an hospitality business that has demonstrated initiatives to reduce waste, energy consumption, water usage, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in their daily operations. Sponsored by Destination Greater Victoria, previous winners include Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort, and Parkside Hotel in Victoria. ​

Being the oldest city on the West Coast, Victoria has plenty to offer for the spookiest month of the year. From historic ghost tours to enjoying the beautiful natural scenery of autumn, there is something for everyone to enjoy. Here are our 10 recommendations of things to do in Victoria in October 2019:

​The capital of British Columbia, and a popular tourist destination, Victoria BC is traditionally known for its afternoon teas, Butchart Gardens and the Empress Hotel. Yet, there is a lot more to this city that meets the eye.  Victoria’s rich history, amazing weather and West Coast lifestyle, make for a picturesque destination with many hidden gems to discover! Here are 10 fun and unusual facts about Victoria that will have you see this city under a new light!