History and Inspiration for Castlebury,
a modern day Medieval Folly

In the 17th century follies were all the craze. These romantic and whimsical one room medieval castles were built for romance, contemplation, and fruitful melancholy. Castlebury is surely this!

At the turn of the century this structure (now Castlebury) originally served as a bunkhouse, housing a Japanese crew who worked under Mr. Kawbe a Japanese businessman who had a large contract at the mill. At one time it was joined by a bathhouse to the Kawbe family home which is now BIRD SONG COTTAGE BED AND BREAKFAST,

In the fall of 1999 , the then-owners began the reconstruction of the bunkhouse , turning it into a folly. Follies were all the craze in England during the 17^th century. For the most part they were romantic whimsies, built to create places for contemplation and ‘fruitful melancholy’. Most of the buildings that are called follies are a part of English garden and landscape design. A folly need not be part of a garden and many follies are constructed as tangible symbols for certain ideas or ideals. This "picturesque" vogue led to the creation of mock gothic ruins and ancient temples scattered with seeming random abandon about the landscape of many grand houses. In the artistic, theatre town of seaside Chemainus - it was the perfect island location to replicate these ideals.

Inside Castlebury , the walls are rough plastered and frescoed . Arches lead you from room to room . All the furnishings are done in purple and mauve velvet to further echo the French Medieval Castle theme. The complete perfection of design and ambience has guests from all corners of the continent, and of all ages, proclaiming this to be the most romantic island getaway!