Britannia Beach Houses for Sale
Search all Britannia Beach houses for sale and real estate listings below. Britannia Beach is a waterfront neighbourhood near Squamish, BC. The small seaside community of Britannia Beach is a calm, laid-back village between Vancouver and Squamish that has a rich history in mining. The Britannia Mine Museum is a great place to visit whether you live here or elsewhere.
Homebuyers will not find high-rises in this community. Detached homes are the main real estate offering and range from charming ranchers with Britannia Beach ocean views and beautiful modern homes with sundecks to take in the ocean views. To request up-to-date information about properties for sale in Britannia Beach, or to arrange a private showing, contact your Squamish real estate experts today!
Newest Britannia Beach Real Estate Listings
Real Estate in Britannia Beach
As Britannia Beach was created to meet mining demands, the vast majority of real estate listings are residential with a few industrial and commercial options. Some residential property options include single-family suburban homes, ranchers, and mobile homes. Most homes are an older mid-century style, but some craftsman options are available. A few streets contain newer, modern craftsman-style homes and empty lots.
Commercial properties are minimal compared to the number of residential properties. Most listings include small cafes and museum-like spaces. The mining industry has also provided a mill and associated industrial buildings over the years. The shift from mining toward tourism has resulted in industrial buildings being preserved over the years and acting as a primary source of income for the economy.
About Britannia Beach
It belongs to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. Originally constructed for the nearby Britannia Mining and Smelting Company workers, this residential area has been outfitted with simple necessities. A playground, art gallery, museum, and a few restaurants and cafe options make up most non-residential buildings. Residents needing additional amenities usually travel to nearby Squamish, which is only a short fifteen-minute drive on most days. Britannia Beach is a picturesque community with a bold mining history, close proximity to Squamish, and enthusiastic, pleasant residents.
The mine was in business from 1904 to 1974. It employed a wide variety of workers that mined copper, silver, gold, zinc, and pyrite. In 1938, business was booming, with 1,324 employees associated with the mine. It saw its fair share of disasters, from floods to fires, but still maintained its core position of importance for the community. Despite its small size, the mine's rich history and workers have created a community of respected significance. The local mill and its history of mining ore are in the past. Still, the memory lives on through the village's architecture and museums.
This quaint community may be small, but it profoundly impacts local history and what it offers for modern industries. Today, Britannia Beach proudly presents its history to curious visitors and plays host as a filming location for television programs and films such as The X-Files and Insomnia.
Things to Do in Britannia Beach
Dive to Explore Sunken Ships
Britannia Beach has an underwater secret. There are sunken ships just waiting to be explored by divers, including a Canadian Coast Guard Ship sunk in 2011. The various depths make this dive appropriate for divers of all skill levels, beginners included. There are multiple dive sites along Howe Sound. Still, this one at Britannia Beach is distinctive due to having numerous wrecks to survey. Instead of admiring the ocean from the shore, go deeper with a dive and experience a once-in-a-lifetime west coast encounter.
Britannia Beach Trail
The community of Britannia Beach is perfect for an afternoon stroll. There is very little traffic on most roads, making visitors feel like they are somewhere special and out of the way. The cool ocean breeze gently drifts through the streets. Then as you gain elevation, it gets replaced by the earthy scents of the west coast rainforests and fresh mountain air. A short walk uphill, and you will be amazed at the quality of the view looking down upon Howe Sound. There is even a trail right along the shore, aptly named the Britannia Beach Trail, where you can experience your own secluded seaside walking path.
Learn Local History at the Britannia Mine Museum
Britannia Beach has a strong mining history. Thanks to the Britannia Mine Museum Society, the Britannia Mine Museum is full of educational resources, exhibits, and activities for visitors of all ages. Their guided underground tours are a unique experience on a small train. The museum also offers activities such as gold panning and a family play area, live-action entertainment, and plenty of mineral and science exhibits for the kids. Give the museum a visit to see what current exhibits and activities are available and learn a bit more about Canadian history.
