Glamorgan Farm was first established in 1870 by Richard John. John had come from Glamorganshire, Wales with his large family in search of gold but soon decided to farm in North Saanich instead where he bought over seven hundred acres from Sir James Douglas. John grew grain and raised cattle and built the great log barns which still stand today. There are eleven structures including the workers’ cabin and the outhouse.

The largest barn on Glamorgan Farm is architecturally unique in that it is built in a cruciform pattern, and is hung from the ceiling like a suspension bridge. The huge loft with its great red cedar beams resembles a Viking ship turned upside down as it was built by the farm’s Scandinavian crew.

Mr. Sam Matson, a wealthy, colourful character from Victoria, and owner of what is now the Times Colonist, owned the farm in the 1920's. Sam also built the Royal Theatre and started the local B.C. ferry and bus systems, but his true love was Glamorgan Farm where he kept a herd of prize winning Jersey cows which he exhibited at the Saanich Fair, Western Canada’s oldest running fall fair.

Over time, the seven hundred acres of Glamorgan Farm was subdivided. First it was divided up amongst John’s sons, then expropriated to make room for the Victoria airport.

The Sandown Racetrack bought the property in the 1950s.The great old log barns on the hill and the old orchards across the road behind the race track stables were used to house racehorses and grooms for years. The original elegant John family home which sat where the crumbling yellow grandstand is today, burnt down.

Today Glamorgan Farm is a community and heritage landmark. It is eight and a half acres and thanks to Sandown, each historic barn has a new red metal roof to preserve the structures.

As well as being a private residence, it hosts many community activities. The farm is home to the Healthy Harvest Co-operative, a group of adult challenged gardeners who grow organic fruit, produce and flowers, much from heirloom seeds.

It is also home to many rare, heritage livestock including the Russian woolly Bashkir Horse, the Naked Neck Hen, the Indian Runner Duck and the Gloucester Old Spot and Berkshire Pig.