Fort Langley National Historic Site of Canada

This place smelled SO BAD when I was there. From a quick look at the reviews it’s not a reliable instance so I’m giving it a three stars for the possibility it’s better on other days. The minute you get into the parking lot and going through the ticket centre and to the fort it is the most eye-​searing, sickening smell I have come across in a long time. It was never mentioned or acknowledged by the staff except once when I overheard one of them commenting it really «smelled like the fort today» so it wasn’t just a one-​off for that day. I don’t even have a sensitive gag reflex but I almost threw up once walking down the stairs of the look-​out and the smell was so concentrated. Worse yet — the smell clings to your clothes when you leave. I had to immediately wash everything I was wearing that day even my sneakers and hat because it was that strong.
It’s hard to give this a fair review of the quality of the fort for history, entertainment and family friendliness because the smell was so bad I had to leave quite quickly after arriving. It is small though, smaller than I was expecting with about a dozen little places you can walk in or otherwise interact with outside and that’s about it. There’s a scavenger hunt aspect for kids which means some more time as well it looks like you can rent the tents to sleep in overnight on the fort premises. An interesting premise if not for the stench.

this place tries to be historically accurate, and I suppose from the settlers’ POV it probably is:
The factor likely thinks that his prices are fair (have to be competitive with the North West traders down the river…) but from the perspective of the Natives, every day they sell their furs they get ripped off yet again…
This place remains a Living connection to our Laws to this day, beginning with the HBC Charter.
What does it mean to us, now that the HBC is bought out by a New York company?
Our Crown Lands, managed by Hudson’s Bay?
Do we still have Citizenship to a Nation? or are we merely Employees?

An amazing Canadian historical site. British Columbia was declared here. The trading post that started it all. An endless experience of the natural beginnings. Very knowledgeable people explaining the workings in 1800s. Who knew our salmon went to Hawaii? This is treasure to explore for the little ones.

SO awesome…
I didn’t realize how cool of a place this was until going.
It’s not fancy like Science World but the kids love it. A real blacksmith and fun stuff to look at and touch.

Visited here for Canada Celebrations which kicked off with a Citizenship Ceremony on the grounds. A perfect way and place to start the day, welcoming New Canadians at the place where British Columbia was born.
As always, the Fort was staff with many in traditional costumes; assuming the rolls of the people of the Fort.
The Governor was splendidly dressed in his waistcoat and top hat and was eagerly trying to recruit people into working for him, as a way of instructing on how life was back on those days. First he asked how one would go about getting a new blanket, should one be required. The one answer was either you could collect the materials and make one yourself — in about 5 years. The other option was to work for the Fort by trapping animals and collecting pelts. In this instance you’d be able to get a blanket for 3 beaver pelts. About 1 month of work, as opposed to 5 years.
Each of the buildings has some kind of displays. There is a café which serves coffee, tea, drinks, baked goods as well as meals.
A garden, small animal pens, blacksmith shop, old store. The list goes on. Was a lovely day at the Fort with lots of entertainment. Definitely worth a visit, any day.

Very small and not much to do; not worth stopping for. The Café on site does not sell food, just a small selection of baked goods. There is a small part to feed some goats and sheep, so worth it if you have kids.

It doesn’t have a lot of bling, but it’s accurate, educational, and the people who work there as part of the living history obviously love their jobs. We had a great time and all came away grateful for our experience. The beginning film as you start is hands down the best and funniest we’ve EVER seen at a National Historic site or park or anything!
The blacksmith made nifty souvenirs for our kids while explaining/​demonstrating everything.
There was a tv episode being filmed while we were there and because we couldn’t visit the one small building (the servant’s quarters), our entire admission was half off. Bonus! :) That was the clincher as I think the price was too much originally anyway, though much cheaper than most of BC attractions… major price gouging in this province!
More for kids? Probably, but my husband and I would have visited ourselves and still enjoyed it.

It’s ok, but the site is a little hokey. I like historic forts and history, but this one seems geared only to kids. If you don’t have kids, it’s a little annoying.

You probably wouldn’t trouble yourself with going to the Fort Langley National HIstoric site unless you were either on a school field trip or shepherding kids there. But it makes a nice adjunct to a trip to Langley, either for berry picking or to just hang out on Fort Langley’s quaint main drag.
The fort on the present site was built in 1840 as a Hudson’s Bay trading post, a depot for furs coming in from the Interior and for goods being shipped in for trade. Most of the buildings here are rebuilt, but there is one original from the 1850s (the whitewashed one near the entrance), which is now the oldest building in BC.
You can walk around and check out the exhibits in each building and museum staff in period dress demonstrate activities and talk about what life was like at the fort in an informal way. There’s also a small garden in one corner, and tres cute goats and sheep that seem to be pretty okay with being petted over the fence of their enclosure.
History comes alive! Not in a terribly exciting way, but it’s a pleasant place to amble around for an afternoon with the kiddies.