Bilston Creek Farm

We’re feeling fortunate for all of the support from new and returning faces at our holiday markets. And we’re pretty sure our vendors have been feeling the same! Christmas shopping continues this weekend with a new round of local vendors to browse. Here’s a glimpse of what to expect. Joining this Friday, Saturday, Sunday: @bitsofblisssooke @bomb_n_baths @estherdrone @flameworkdesigns @forestetiquette @grandmasapothec @ingrainedandco @katswicreations @knotsandpotts @lise_lotte_design @partygreen_flowers @otterandemma @sparkleandshine.by.k @talltreescreative @talltreesleather @its.greenroom @tlcathome1 @wickandwave . . . . . #BilstonCreekFarm #VictoriaBC #YYJ #SookeBC #Sooke #RoyalBay #Metchosin #VancouverIsland #LavenderFarm #BCFarm #FarmLife #BetweenForestandSea #BeautifulBC #ExploreVictoria #ExploreVancouverIsland #ExperienceVancouverIsland #ExploreBC #ExploreCanada #HelloBC #ChristmasMarkets #YYJSupportLocal #HolidayMarket #YYJMarket #YYJChristmas #YYJShopLocal #YYJevents #YYJevent #comingup #ChristmasInCanada #ShopLocal

Fire Pits in the Orchard and Christmas Markets in the barn, overlooking our lavender fields, forests, and even glimpses of Witty’s Lagoon. I’m not sure we could ask for a better combination. 🎥 Created and reposted with permission by @avirtualvegan “The Yuletide Market @bilstoncreekfarm in Metchosin is just lovely!! Highly recommend the hot apple cider which we enjoyed by the fire. It really got me in the holiday spirit!”

Our Yuletide Market one is officially open and ready to shop! We have seen many people already through the barn today and look forward to more faces over the weekend. The farm is open 10am to 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The barn is filled with our Christmas market retail pop up shop. The farm store is open with Bilston products, our fire pits are lit and ready for s’mores to be made, and @wildwoodsaunas are on site to make the experience extra cozy and rejuvenating. This week’s market vendors include: @beeautifulplanet @bitsofblisssooke @bussardgrove @caitlynchapmanstudio @crowfootcollective @dot.naturals Driftwood Creations @elliexaltar @islandelixir @juliedelightschocolates @louisajones.co @manymoonssoapco Monica Balastik @playfordstudio @westcoastseaweedskin @westcoastersbc @wildandfreebouquet Hope to see you soon! . . . . . #BilstonCreekFarm #VictoriaBC #YYJ #SookeBC #Sooke #RoyalBay #Metchosin #VancouverIsland #LavenderFarm #BCFarm #FarmLife #BetweenForestandSea #BeautifulBC #ExploreVictoria #ExploreVancouverIsland #ExperienceVancouverIsland #ExploreBC #ExploreCanada #HelloBC #ChristmasMarkets #YYJSupportLocal #HolidayMarket #YYJMarket #YYJChristmas #YYJShopLocal #YYJevents #YYJevent #comingup #ChristmasInCanada #ShopLocal

Apple Harvest at Bilston Creek Farm

Apple & pear harvest season is officially underway at the farm. This video was captured a couple of years ago, but is still relevant to what is happening these days at Bilston. On Saturdays & Sundays throughout September, we are offering apple press demonstrations, using our restored 100 year old press. See how these fruits are processed and enjoy a hot apple cider, made with this year’s harvest. And now for the great debate… what do you reach for first? Apple or pear?

Can you guess what our most commonly asked question is over our social media channels right now? Pizza. With the loss of our beloved chef, we adapted and moved to the “bring your own picnic” format, as well as the promise of pizza on a few select special dates. Guess what? The time is here to announce those select dates! For TWO DAYS ONLY this summer, we will have pizza out of our wood-fired oven. Our friends from @glenrosafarm will be joining us to fire up some delicious pies on 🍕Sunday August 6 🍕Sunday September 3 Save these dates, turn on notifications, and as soon as pre-ordering is available, we will let you know! Tag someone that needs to hear this.

Private Boho Picnics and Patio Parties are only available to book in the summer months*. Therefore you have just 7 weeks left to enjoy yours! Can you imagine yourself in this unforgettable Vancouver Island setting? Join us for your next celebration and create memories between our lavender fields. *We do have other private party options for the cooler months, just reach out to ask about these!

We love sharing our knowledge of lavender and what we do to create our farm-to-bottle products. Twice a week during the Blooming Season, we are offering complimentary distillation demonstrations. Join us around our copper still, ask questions, and learn alongside us! To help you plan your visit, view our online calendar for scheduled distillation demonstrations. This week we’re making the switch from harvesting and distilling Lavandula Angustifolia (English Lavender) to Grosso (French Lavender). When distilling the English lavender, one run of the still produces approximately 200mL of essential oil. Can you guess approximately how many plants of harvested Lavandula Angustifolia we need for one run?

Our bees are working hard collecting nectar for Bilston’s honey yields. We are thankful for the bounty that these little friends provide us with 💜🐝 We are open 11am - 5pm. Visit the farm store and take home some of our sweet, raw honey, produced right here on the land. . . . #bilstoncreekfarm #victoriabc #explorevancouverisland #vancouverisland #lavenderfarm #placestoseebc

A name that has become synonymous with Bilston over the past 3+ years.... Sandi. She has been the creator of our pantry items, Bramble by Bilston, apple fritters, and so much more at the farm. Her food expertise has added to the memories others have created at the farm and she has been an integral part of Bilston. This post is not intended as a farewell, as Sandi will still be involved with events at Bilston (you'll hear more about that in the coming days and weeks), but it is adieu, good luck, and we love you. Sandi and Christían are departing our staff team to launch their own private catering business, @beaumontcatering. We know they will continue to create delicious meals for others around the Greater Victoria area (including us) and we wish them all the best. Please help us in wishing @sandiirvingcooks well and leave a comment about the food or experiences you've loved at the farm over the past 3 years. Did we say "WE LOVE YOU SANDI!" already? . . . . #bilstoncreekfarm #beaumontcatering #yyjfood #yyjfoodie #victoriabc #yyjcatering #victoriaeats #yyjeats #vancouverisland

Thank you to everyone that joined us for our Father's Day weekend this year! We love our family-focused events and appreciate the ongoing support from the local community who visit us time and time again. Special thank yous go to photographer @christineroulstonphotography for joining us for family mini sessions and @sandiirvingcooks @beaumontcatering for the delicious pizza (featuring @westcoast_mycology, @nootkarosemilling and @sonnleitenfarmmetchosin ingredients). If you're curious what's coming up at the farm, check out the "Farm Attractions" page on our website 💜

A glimpse at the farm as we approach summer. The lavender is on the cusp of blooming and soon we'll be awash in a striking sea of purple.

Can you guess what's coming for Father's Day?? Details for our special event are now live on our website. We don't want to give too much away, so head to https://bilston.ca/farm-attractions/fathers-day-weekend/ and pre-order your 🍕 now. We anticipate being sold out on June 18th, so don't wait too long to book!

Our Spring Market continues Saturday and Sunday! 10am - 5pm Daily. We have your Easter gifts and treats covered! Hop on over and join us! 🐰🐣

Our Spring Market Series continues today from 10am - 5pm. Join us to shop a variety of local artisans, delicious food, and book a private fire pit to relax and make s'mores with your family. #bilstoncreekfarm #bilstonpantry #lavenderfarm #shoplocal #springmarkets Sarah's Staples & Preserves Loops Jewellery Selina Jorgensen, Visual Artist Evercoast Handmade Frost Coast Creative Harum Kitchenetti Mudology Wendy Cardiff Creative Crowfoot Collective Julie's Delights Suribachi herbal

Just one more Sunday of this! Thank you everyone that has visited this summer and joined us for pizzas, cheese platters, tea parties, sodas, donuts, smiles, and memory moments with your friends and families. We hope you'll join us for one last afternoon in the orchard before autumn officially joins us. Our final pizza date is September 11th and you can pre-book on the website now: https://bilston.ca/collections/sunday-pizzas-at-bilston/products/wood-fired-pizza-pre-order-for-sunday-september-11th?variant=39964314140718

Wondering what activities you'll enjoy during our September wellness retreat? Watch this for a sneak peek. The retreat is limited to just 20 participants and spaces are filling up so don't delay much longer in booking! https://bilston.ca/pages/retreats

Golden Harvest Retreat

Escape to Bilston for our Golden Harvest retreat. This inspired 3 day reset will renew your body and mind with yoga, massage, sauna, meditation, plant medicine, and five star cuisine. Follow the link for full details: https://bilston.ca/pages/retreats Throughout this week you'll see a greater look into this special offering and a takeover from our retreat coordinator @emily.deslaurier . She'll be online Wednesday to answer questions and share more insight!

Our holiday markets have wrapped for 2021! Over the past 6 weeks, 45 vendors have filled our barn with their special wares. We are proud to provide the opportunity to connect these makers with the local community and look forward to continuing the tradition of these markets in future. Thank you to everyone that came through and shopped and thank you to the local, small business owners that made these markets what they were. Here is a full list of our vendors from this season: Apple D Farms / Art by Capri / Beeautiful Planet / BloomaBerry Creative / Sharon bussard grove pottery / Crowfoot Collective / Dorado / Feral Metal Designs / Fern & Tree / Forest Etiquette / Friends of Gashora / The Gentle Coast / @Han.Dyed Apparel / Hannington Millworks / Ingrained and Co / Louisa Jones / Knots & Potts / Lit Soy Candles / Loops Jewellery / LOVE MEDALS / Ludimex Bags / Makoha Farm / Margaux b. Pottery / Melanie Anne Designs - Wedding & Home Decor / Miller + Co. Wood Studio / mother.lifestyle / Peaches and Cream Lifestyle Box / Pixie Chicks / Quaint and Dainty Designs / Ro Farmer Studio / Rocky Point Candles / Rope and Ravel / Rose McGrath Creations / Sandi’s Plants / Snowdon House Gourmet & Gifts Victoria BC / Soul Connection / Storm Ceramics / Suribachi herbal / Tall Trees Creative / Teal Pansy Jewelry / Vanc_Island_Scrunch / Wicked Wanda Pottery / Woven Stone / You Floral / Zatta

Highlighting the Metchosin Foundation: The Metchosin Foundation is a local not-for-profit dedicated to protecting and sustaining vital ecosystems and natural habitats in our community. As an organization their initiatives acknowledge the importance of environmental health, and it’s interdependence with our own well-being. At Bilston Creek farm we uphold and stand by these values. We are delighted to have this opportunity to support The Metchosin Foundation in their efforts to defend these waters and lands on which we live, work, and play. By participating in our silent auction fundraiser ‘Oysters & Bubbles,’ you will be directly contributing to the admirable work of The Metchosin Foundation. On December 16th, come and enjoy a glass of sparkling and a plate of Vancouver Island Kusshi oysters, while browsing and bidding on some exciting donation items/experiences! This is a 19+ ticketed event. Early bird pricing ends this weekend and due to ordering deadlines, the last day to purchase tickets is (December 13th) Monday night! https://bilston.ca/collections/weekend-reservations/products/oysters-and-silent-auction