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Ladysmith is a tourist town of about 8,500 people (2016) on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. A heritage town, it boasts restored buildings and beautiful Transfer Beach. It is known for its annual Festival of Lights during the third week in November. It was voted one of the top ten towns in Canada by Harrowsmith Magazine.

Understand

Elliot Beach Park in Ladysmith

The local economy is based on forestry, tourism, and agriculture. A hillside location adjacent to a sheltered harbour forms the natural characteristics of the community.

In 2017 Ladysmith's historic First Avenue was named the best street in Canada by the Canadian Institute of Planners.

  • Visitor Centre, 33 Roberts Street, ☏ +1 250-245-2112. July & Aug: Daily 9:30AM – 5PM; Sep-May: M-F 9:30AM–4PM (closed over Christmas – New Year's); June: M-Sa 9:30AM–4PM. (updated May 2018)

History

James Dunsmuir founded Ladysmith about 1898, a year after he built shipping wharves for loading coal at Oyster Harbour (now Ladysmith Harbour) from the mine at Extension, nearer Nanaimo. Dunsmuir, owner of coal mines in the Nanaimo area, needed a location to house the families of his miners. He chose to build the community at what was then known as Oyster Harbour, some 32 km south of his Extension mines. Many buildings were moved from Extension and Wellington by rail and by oxen.

In 1900, Dunsmuir renamed the town in honour of the British lifting the siege of Ladysmith in South Africa (28 February 1900) during the Second Boer War. (The original town of Ladysmith in turn took its name from Juana María de los Dolores de León Smith, known as Lady Smith, the Spanish wife of Sir Harry Smith, the British Governor of the Cape Colony and high commissioner in South Africa from 1847 to 1852.)

Dunsmuir also chose to name the streets of the community after generals who fought victoriously in the Boer War. Included in this honour are Generals Buller, Kitchener, Baden-Powell, Methuen and Symonds. In addition, the town has left intact much of its original architecture, from the time of its founding. Surrounding features also bear the names of this era, such as Majuba Mountain.

Ladysmith has been notable in the history of the labour movement with significant unrest and violence during the major strikes of the 1913–1914 era. During this time militia were dispatched to put down unrest and protect property.

Get in

A common way to get here is to drive from nearby Nanaimo. Ladysmith is 26 km (16 miles) south of Nanaimo and 85 km (53 miles) north of Victoria on Highway #1.

Salt Spring Air flies to nearby Maple Bay from Vancouver harbour, from Vancouver International Airport in Richmond, or from any of the Gulf Islands.

Get around

See

  • The town's main street (1st Avenue) features vintage Edwardian buildings, many erected circa the town's founding in 1900 and now occupied by independent merchants: baker, butcher, restaurateurs, artisans, coffeeshop proprietors, shopkeepers, book dealers, and numerous antique and vintage shops.
  • Ladysmith Waterfront Arts Gallery,. Housed in a vintage railway machine shed on a plateau of land above the community marina. (updated May 2018)
  • Ladysmith Little Theatre, 4985 Christie Road, ☏ +1 250-924-0658. Box Office M W F 1-3PM. The Ladysmith Players Society presents dinner and lunchtime shows at the Ladysmith Little Theatre and performances at the Transfer Beach's waterfront amphitheatre and the Agricultural Hall. (updated May 2018)

Do

  • The annual Arts on the Avenue festival showcases works of the creative community in late August.
  • Pleasure cruising and kayaking are year-round options in Ladysmith's sheltered region of southeastern Vancouver Island. Rent a kayak or Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board from Sealegs Kayaking Adventures at Transfer Beach Park, and push off from the curving cement steps mere metres/feet from its beachfront eco-adventure centre. Join a tour, take lessons, upgrade skills, or purchase a kayak after taking it for a sea trial.
  • Hiking: The Holland Creek Trail offers beginner-intermediate hiking trails that run from the water's edge at the southeast end of Ladysmith to viewpoints high above town. Hikers can also venture beyond the trail for more advanced treks.
  • Birdwatching and wildlife viewing are excellent in the Holland Creek area and townsfolk are active players in the BC Purple Martin Stewardship and Recovery Program. (Learn more about this vital initiative at the entrance to the community marina.)
  • Golf: The nine-hole Ladysmith Golf Club (380 Davis Road) is a low-cost par-three course. More serious players can pick and choose between many fine courses in the region, such as Duncan Meadows, 20 minutes south of town off the Lake Cowichan turnoff, or the Cottonwood Golf Course 10 minutes north of town.
  • Bungy jump: WildPlay Elements Park (35 Nanaimo River Road, about 20 minutes north via the Trans Canada Highway). This Cedar-area amusement zone also offers a fun zipline ride across a river canyon, a high-speed "king swing" ride and a unique tree-top obstacle course suitable for various age groups and fitness levels.

Buy

  • The Antique Addict, 12 Roberts Street. Daily 10AM-5PM. Vintage collectables including glass, china, art, tools, lamps, mirrors and clocks, and a selection of new items including hooks, knobs, signs and chinaware. (updated May 2018)
  • Post Office Antique Mall, 340 Esplanade (Trans Canada Hwy). Daily 10AM-5:30PM. A heritage superstore: 3 floors of antiques and collectibles. (updated May 2018)
  • Coronation Mall, 341 Trans-Canada Hwy. 20 tenants anchored by Save on Foods, Rexall Drugs and BC Government Liquor Store. (updated May 2018)

Eat

  • Renee's Soup & Sandwich, 720 1st Ave, ☏ +1 250-245-4198. M-F 5AM-4PM; Sa 5AM-3PM. An old school local cafe on the main street. (updated May 2018)
  • Old Town Bakery, 510 1st Ave, ☏ +1 250-245-2531. M-Sa 7AM-5PM. Soups and sandwiches, but people rave about the cinnamon buns in a variety of flavours. (updated May 2018)
  • Wild Poppy Bistro, 541 First Avenue, ☏ +1 250-924-8696. Tu-Sa 8AM-5PM. Breakfasts, lunches and gluten-free choices. (updated May 2018)
  • Spice Hut Indian Cuisine, 510-A Esplanade Avenue, ☏ +1 250-924-8222. Daily 11AM-10PM. Canadianized Indian food. (updated May 2018)
  • Maya Norte, 18 Roberts Street, ☏ +1 250-924-1300. W-Sa 5PM-late. The best of Spanish and Mexican cuisine, especially tacos, tapas, and tequila. (updated May 2018)

Drink

  • Fox and Hounds, 11 High St., ☏ +1 250-924-1747. Daily 11:30AM-10PM. British comfort food and 16 imported and local beers on draft. (updated May 2018)

Sleep

Connect

Go next

Routes through Ladysmith
Vancouver / Campbell River via ← Nanaimo ←  N  S  → Chemainus → Victoria


This city travel guide to Ladysmith is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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