Birds of a Feather Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast is located in Colwood, on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.

Colwood is one of 13 regional municipalities of Greater Victoria. While downtown is within view across the outer harbour - also known as Royal Roads Anchorage - the drive from Colwood is approximately 6 miles west. This area is generally known as the western communities of Victoria and more specifically known as the Westshore. 450 year old Douglas Firs, majestic Garry Oaks, rugged west coast beaches, parks, trails and birding are native to this southern tip of Vancouver Island. Parks and trails feature views of downtown Victoria and the Strait of Juan de Fuca as far as the U.S. coastline.

Colwood is rich with heritage sites such as Hatley Park, Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse and the 1913 St. John the Baptist Heritage Church.

The Galloping Goose hiking and bicycling trail runs right through Colwood connecting downtown Victoria to the east and Sooke to the west, and beyond Sooke where it ends at once thriving 1864 gold mining town. 4,000 miners once worked more than 1,000 mining claims in what was once known as Leechtown.

Golfing is always in season in the Westshore. There are 2 major world-renowned 18 hole golf courses in Colwood: Olympic View and Royal Colwood. Both golf course are literally within 5 minutes of Birds of a Feather B&B. (List of other southern Vancouver Island golf courses here)

The Colwood area also offers a variety of other recreational pursuits. The Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre located on a 108 acre park in Colwood is considered one of the most complete sport complexes in the province complete with a new Olympic size pool. Indoor facilities include a swimming pool, weight room, a curling rink, a skating rink, a variety of meeting rooms, banquet rooms complete with full catering services; a lounge overlooking the curling and skating areas; and a 55+ activity centre which includes an auditorium and stage. Outdoor facilities include a 9-hole golf course plus a Pro-Shop and Fieldhouse meeting/banquet room; four lawn bowling greens serviced by a Clubhouse with catering facilities; lacrosse box; a professional cycling velodrome; lighted outdoor playing fields; ball diamonds; tennis courts; BMX track; and a 1½ mile jogging trail. The grounds are landscaped, the connecting walkways and roadways are paved, and parking is close at hand for all indoor and outdoor facilities

The Esquimalt Lagoon located on the waterfront of Colwood is a federally protected Migratory Bird Sanctuary. This salt water lagoon is tidal and is naturally well protected from the open ocean which makes it ideal for canoeing and kayaking. Ocean Blvd. also known as the spit, is a 2 mile strip of road and beach which separates the lagoon from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. A bridge at one end allows smaller boats to enter and exit the lagoon. The Lagoon area offers a nature reserve and a beach for tanning, swimming, wind surfing, sailing or just walking.

aerial view of the Esquimalt Lagoon - dock bottom right is Birds of a Feather B&B

St. John the Baptist Church, a fine example of Carpenter Gothic, was completed in 1913. Mr. H.O. Miles was paid $2,435.00 for the job. The first recorded wedding was Dec 11, 1920 - Wm. Gray, 39 and Freda Knevitt, 28. Mrs. James (Laura) Dunsmuir of nearby Hatley Castle was a great supporter of St. John. Josiah Gosse, the last keeper at Fisgard Lighthouse, was an early Warden of the Church. Early Synod records note St. John's as 'one of the most desirable of the country parishes'. The City of Colwood gained responsibility for the historic site through negotiations with the Anglican Diocese.

 
Hatley Castle Historical Building on the grounds of Hatley Park at Royal Roads University