For ten seasons, Clark Kent grew up in “Smallville, Kansas” and worked in “Metropolis” – both of which are, in fact, Vancouver. The long-running Superman origin series shot almost entirely in British Columbia, turning Canadian farmland, campuses and a real castle into the American heartland.
Where was Smallville filmed?
Smallville was filmed in Vancouver and around British Columbia, Canada – Surrey, Cloverdale, the University of British Columbia, and a castle near Victoria standing in for the Luthor mansion.
Every Smallville location, explained
The Luthor mansion – Hatley Castle
Lex Luthor’s grand estate is Hatley Castle at Royal Roads near Victoria – a genuine Edwardian castle that has also played the X-Men’s school.
The Talon and downtown Smallville – Cloverdale
The Talon coffee house and Smallville’s main street were shot in Cloverdale, Surrey, a period-friendly BC town centre.
Campuses as Metropolis
The University of British Columbia in Vancouver supplied the Metropolis and college scenes.
The Kansas countryside – BC’s outdoors
Crater Lake, the Kent farm and rural chases used BC locations like Buntzen Lake and towns such as Merritt, whose city hall appears in the pilot’s parade.
Planning a visit
Vancouver and Victoria are the base: Hatley Castle at Royal Roads University is open to visitors and instantly recognisable, and Cloverdale’s old-town core is an easy day trip.
