Rockcliffe Park Diplomatic Residences

Diplomatic Residences in the Village of Rockcliffe Park.

There are many traditional residences built from about 1900 to 1960, and then contemporary homes constructed during the 1980s–1990s. We'll discuss the architecture, settings, and history of the various homes, as well as their current uses. We are very grateful that many foreign countries have chosen to reside locally and maintain many of Ottawa's historic homes. Note that we will only be viewing the houses from the street.

From the Rockcliffe Library, we'll commence down Buena Vista, passing Elmwood School, the residences of the Russian Embassy, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark, and past some former summer cottages on MacKinnon Rd and the High Commission of Nigeria on Minto Place. We'll continue to Soper Crescent to see the renewal of the Birkenfels Stables, then the largest contemporary residence in the area, then walk on to Coltrin Road passing the High Commission of Pakistan.

Turning left to Manor Ave we pass the residence of the Embassy of Venezuela, the Embassy of Sweden, and one of the oldest sites in the area where a beautiful French provincial home is now the Residence of the Apostolic Nuncio. We'll come back to Coltrin Rd and view the German Embassy Residence, the Argentine and Japanese Embassy homes, look at the Rockeries and the view of the Gatineau Hills and then go south on Acacia past the Spanish, Austrian, South Korean, Indian residences, "Stornaway" (the residence of the Canadian leader of the opposition), and the Residence of the Embassy of Thailand. Turning left onto Crescent Road, we'll pass the residence of the Embassy of Turkey and then come back along Buena Vista, passing the High Commissioner's Residence of Trinidad and Tobago and the High Commission of Brunei.

If there is time we'll make a short visit to the Village Green where The Village of Rockcliffe Park will celebrate its designation as a 'National Historic Site' this summer.

Location

Route

This walk will be mostly on paved roads within the old village.

We'll meet in front of the Rockcliffe Library at 380 Springfield Rd. The route will make a meandering loop around the village, starting west along Buena Vista, around Birkenfels Rd and MacKinnon Rd to Minto Place, north along Minto to Soper Place and into the cul-de-sac/ Retracing our steps to Minto, we go further north to Coltrin Rd, turn left (north) on Manor Ave, then back to Coltrin over to Acacia and north on Acacia to the Rockeries. Going back to Acacia, we then go south along Acacia past Stornaway, turning east on Crescent Rd and following it south to Buena Vista, then back toward Springfield. If we have time, we may head south on Springfield to the Village Green before returning to the Rockcliffe Llibrary, where the walk will end.

There is parking behind the library, and the entry is from Buena Vista Road.

Note that, unfortunately, on Sundays there are no public washrooms available in the area.

About the walk leader

Liz Heatherington has lived in the Village of Rockcliffe Park since 1949 and has enjoyed walking in the area since then. She has a degree in Art History from Queen's University in Kingston, and later worked for Parks Canada as a material culture analyst (ceramics). Her husband was a foreign service officer and served in over ten countries abroad. She took advantage of working in each location and learned a lot about local culture. In retirement, she is a community volunteer and leads walks with schools and other organizations. She also teaches English as a Second Language and serves at her church supporting the Refugee Committee and as co-chair of the annual bazaar.

Guide:

Elizabeth Heatherington

When:

Date:	Sun May 4, 2025
Time:	1:00 PM
Duration:	1 hour 30 min
Language:	English

Where:

Start:	Rockcliffe Library, 380 Springfield Rd
End:	same
Area:	Village of Rockcliffe Park
Distance:	5.0 kms

Accessibility:

Some of the roads are poorly paved and have uneven surfaces.

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