Hi all,

Our trip to Victoria/Vancouver starts next week. We have decided to have afternoon tea at Buchart Gardens rather than the Empress Hotel ($60 each). Would it be feasible/wise to have 'tea' as late as 5:00 p.m.? If we have it any earlier, we would need to spend a LOT of time at the gardens before it gets dark. I've been told that we must be at the gardens when it gets dark because of all the beautiful illumination. Please advise and thanks.

As far as the food goes it is certainly enough for dinner but I believe they stop serving tea at 3pm because the dinner menu starts at 5pm. If you are coming to the Island next week you can count on daylight until at least 9 pm. If you made a reservation for tea at the last time they have - hopefully 3pm and take your time with it you can certainly spend several hours in the gardens after that. As dusk falls it will still look very pretty. There are lots of nice spots to just sit and enjoy the surroundings. Hope it works out for you. You can also come for tea and get your hand stamped to return as long as it isn't on a Saturday for the fireworks. I believe they still allow that. Enjoy your visit.

Thanks so much. I changed it up a bit. We will now have tea at Point Ellice House then go to the gardens. We leave tomorrow. Right now it is 98 degrees (F) in Savannah, GA; I'm hoping it is MUCH cooler in Victoria.

It would be a rare day in Victoria that ever got to 98°. Enjoy your visit!

You will LOVE tea at Point Ellice House - the heritage garden is lovely and the whole experience is very pleasant. Enjoy!