Mr. Hamilton and Miss Playfair
Welcome to the official website of Barkerville Historic Town. This website should provide you with all of the information you need to plan your visit to the largest historic site in British Columbia.
Each year, thousands of visitors from all over the world travel to the foothills of the Cariboo mountains to take in this one of a kind heritage attraction, much like miners and prospectors did during the original gold rushes.
Today, Barkerville is a historic site like no other...
Unlike many gold rush towns from this era - which have long disappeared - Barkerville remains a thriving place, rich in history and full of life. You can tour the town with one of the colourful characters from Barkerville’s past, watch the notorious Judge Begbie strike fear into the hearts of history’s criminals, witness authentic gold rush theatre, and see a real Cornish Waterwheel in action. Pan for gold with your family and friends, visit Barkerville’s well preserved Chinatown, and go back to school in the 1800s. Or, learn about the town at your own pace by visiting our historic buildings and beautiful displays. Our town's merchants, restaurants and accommodations will provide you with everything you need for a genuinely comfortable trip into the province's past. Come and see for yourself. In fact, there is so much to see and do at Barkerville that most people stay at least two days.
For a truly unique experience, stay overnight in Barkerville at one of our Bed and Breakfasts.
A wide variety of additional facilities are available in Wells and nearby Bowron Lake.
NO PETS, please. For the safety of our visitors and site animals, only service dogs are permitted within the townsite. For information about Barkerville's 2011 kennel services, please phone 1-888-994-3332.
Barkerville Historic Town wishes to acknowledge the generous support of our 2011 donors and sponsors:
Print Media:
School Programming:
Community Partners:
Dominion Day:
Mid-Autumn Festival:
Cowboy & Drover Jubilee:
For a complete listing of Barkerville's seasonal donors and sponsors, please visit our Get Involved page.
Spring Hours - May 17th to June 15th: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Most businesses and tours begin at 10:00 am; the Wake Up Jake Restaurant and Goldfield Bakery open earlier in the day for breakfast and coffee, and the Wake Up Jake and Lung Duck Tong Chinese Restaurant stay open later for dinner. For more information phone 1-888-994-3332.
Summer Hours - June 16th to September 3rd: 8:30 am to 8:00 pm Most businesses and tours begin at 10:00 am. For more information phone 1-888-994-3332.
Fall Hours - September 4th to September 30th: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Most businesses and tours begin at 10:00 am; the Wake Up Jake Restaurant and Goldfield Bakery open earlier in the day for breakfast and coffee, and the Wake Up Jake and Lung Duck Tong Chinese Restaurant stay open later for dinner. For more information phone 1-888-994-3332.