Charm and Celebrity Meet in Ladysmith
An hour's drive north of Victoria, and just 20 minutes south of Nanaimo, Ladysmith is truly geographically blessed. Hugging a gently rising, picturesque hillside aff ording magnificent views of Stuart Channel, this compact community of 7,200 is one of the most attractive destinations on Vancouver Island. So scenically stunning and impeccably conserved is Ladysmith, in fact, that Harrowsmith Country Life magazine named it in 2000 as one of the 10 prettiest towns in Canada.
The town's most famous daughter is Pamela Anderson
(Erika Von Poser)Considering the enviable location, gorgeous waterfront and beautifully restored historic buildings of First Avenue, it is easy to see how Ladysmith earned this acclamation. The pastel-shaded heritage buildings have garnered particular praise, summoning comparison with turn-of-the-century San Francisco. While Ladysmith’s visual appeal is undeniable, its welcoming inhabitants also guarantee that any time spent here is a rewarding experience. This vibrant community presents a busy calendar of year-round activity, attracting visitors from far and wide. Some are undoubtedly curious about the roots of actress and animal-rights campaigner Pamela Anderson, born here on July 1, 1967—Canada’s 100th birthday.
Founded initially as Oyster Harbour in 1899 by coal-mining heir and politician James Dunsmuir and renamed by him in 1900 after the site of a British Boer War victory, Ladysmith was created as a miners’ accommodation and recreation centre. Modern Ladysmith is a picturesque haven of small-town life and spectacular recreation, as well a growing place of residence for Island-to-Mainland commuters.
Charming heritage buildings on First Avenue in
downtown Ladysmith (K. Berger)Ladysmith offers something for everyone. For outdoor adventurers, the lovely surrounding countryside of mountains, lakes and woods provides ample opportunity for hiking, fishing and camping. Those fond of a scenic ramble will enjoy the 8-kilometre Holland Creek Trail System; this pretty trail follows both sides of the creek and is a section of the famous Trans- Canada Trail. Th e 6.4-kilometre hike from the bridge at the head of the trail to tranquil Heart Lake is a favourite of Vancouver Islanders, providing breathtaking views along the way.
The sparkling waters of Transfer Beach in Ladysmith Harbour offer ideal kayaking, canoeing and swimming. This popular area of the waterfront is often lively, particularly during the annual Vancouver Island Paddlefest & Kayaking Conference each May, where waterbound activities are available for the whole family, regardless of experience or ability. Transfer Beach Park is renowned for its unique 1,000- plus capacity, open-air amphitheatre, where a varied programme of musical and theatrical events runs during spring and summer. For golf enthusiasts, Ladysmith’s lush, 9-hole, par 27 golf course is always busy, yet offers a relaxed atmosphere matching that of the town.
Ladysmith harbour (Cindy Damphousse)The Ladysmith events calendar is a fun and varied one, with new festivities popping up on a regular basis. Most recently introduced was the Ladysmith Days: Heritage by the Sea celebration, where the rich history of the town, its people and the magnificence of the area are promoted with understandable pride. Th e contributions of local artists, artisans and entertainers are honoured each August, when downtown Ladysmith is gripped by Arts of the Avenue, a festival featuring live entertainment and opportunities to purchase a wide array of unique arts and crafts.
Perhaps the most famous of all Ladysmith celebrations, however—when scores flock daily for its entire six-week duration—is the truly spectacular Festival of Lights. Commencing late- November and running through Christmas, the town is transformed into a magical fairyland of over 100,000 twinkling lights, accompanied by dazzling fi rework displays to delight spectators of all ages.
It seems fitting that Anderson—Ladysmith’s most famous daughter—entered the world on such a significant date in Canadian history, guaranteeing to forever bring attention to this captivating, quintessentially Canadian destination. Yet even without such a spotlight, Ladysmith has enough natural magnetism that visitors are drawn to its charms anyway.
