Beaconsfield is the grandest surviving Victorian house in Charlottetown. It stands at the corner of Kent and West Streets, a short walk from the downtown core, and was designed and built in 1877 by W.C. Harris for James and Edith Peake. James Peake was a wealthy shipbuilder and merchant, and the house reflects the money that came from the island's wooden-ship era. Today it is run by Museum and Heritage PEI as a historic house museum, with its Victorian-furnished rooms shown on guided tours and a view over Charlottetown Harbour. The house keeps many original features, and the grounds are free to walk around at any time.
What to do
The interior can be seen only on a guided tour, and each tour takes about 30 to 40 minutes. The guides take you through the principal rooms and explain the life of a wealthy family in the late 19th century, the architecture and how the house later served as an orphanage and a nurses' residence before becoming a museum.
Beyond the tour, you can walk the exterior grounds without paying, browse the gift shop and, on the right dates, attend a lecture or concert in the Carriage House, which hosts public events through the year. There is also a seasonal bog tour mentioned in the museum's September schedule, so ask what extras are running.
Hours and admission
This is one of the few heritage houses in the city that stays open outside summer. The museum says it is open year-round for tours, and for November 2026 it lists Monday to Friday from 11 am to 3 pm, with the last tour at 3 pm and Saturday and Sunday closed. In July and August the schedule is wider, Monday to Saturday, with tours every 30 minutes, and in September the house runs Tuesday to Saturday.
Admission from June 1 to October 31 is 12 dollars for adults, 10 for seniors, students, veterans and Indigenous peoples, and 36 for a family, with children 4 and under free. From November 1 to May 30 the prices drop to 10, 8 and 32 dollars. Confirm current hours before you go, since the museum's pages note that they change by season.
Fitting it in
A tour plus time on the grounds takes about an hour, which makes Beaconsfield an easy addition to a morning on foot. It is a few blocks from the Confederation Centre of the Arts and the historic district, so it pairs naturally with the walking tour, the gallery and lunch on Great George Street.
It is a good rainy-day or cold-day choice in the shoulder seasons when the north shore sights are closed. The site is described as partially accessible and bilingual service as limited, so contact the museum in advance if either matters to you.
Who it suits
History and architecture lovers, couples, adults and older children who can listen through a guided tour, and anyone who wants a view of how the island's merchant class lived. Younger children may find a 30 to 40 minute tour of fragile rooms a long time. If you have a Heritage Passport for Museum and Heritage PEI sites, Beaconsfield is one of the seven places it covers, which makes it better value if you also visit other museum sites in summer.
What to expect
The experience
A 30 to 40 minute guided tour of an 1877 Victorian mansion, plus free access to the exterior grounds.
Best time
Weekday late mornings in November, or the longer July and August schedule; check seasonal hours before you go.
How long
About an hour including the tour and a walk around the grounds.
Tips
Arrive before the last tour at 3 pm on weekdays in November, pay the lower November to May admission and combine it with the walking tour and the Confederation Centre.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History and architecture fans, and anyone who wants an indoor heritage stop that is open in the off-season.
- Families
- Fine for older children; the tour of preserved Victorian rooms may be long for very young ones.
- Couples
- A quiet weekday tour followed by a walk to the waterfront and dinner.
- Pair with
- The Charlottetown walking tour, the Confederation Centre of the Arts and the waterfront.
- Time needed
- About an hour on site.
Good questions
Is Beaconsfield open in November?+
Yes. The museum says the house is open year-round for tours and lists Monday to Friday from 11 am to 3 pm for November 2026, with the last tour at 3 pm and weekends closed.
How much does a tour cost?+
From November 1 to May 30, adults pay 10 dollars, seniors, students, veterans and Indigenous peoples 8 and a family 32. From June 1 to October 31 the prices are 12, 10 and 36 dollars. Children 4 and under are free.
How long is the tour?+
Tours take about 30 to 40 minutes and are the only way to see the interior. The grounds can be visited free at any time.
Who built Beaconsfield?+
It was designed and built in 1877 by W.C. Harris for James and Edith Peake. James Peake was a wealthy shipbuilder and merchant.
Is the house accessible?+
It is described as partially accessible, and bilingual service is limited. Contact the museum before you visit if you need specific details.
