Villas in Port St. Charles, Speightstown

Distillery / Brewery

There are quite a few Rum distilleries in Barbados, but the oldest in the world is Mount Gay, which has been producing rum since 1703. Full tours and demonstrations are on offer and of course you can sample the many different rums!

Cruises

Atlantis Submarines offer a great selection of Submarine tours. Submerge 100ft or 30m to see the vast array of brilliantly coloured tropical fish, coral reefs and even sunken shipwrecks - a great way to explore the ocean without getting wet!

Local sporting events

Barbados is home to a variety of sporting events, including Cricket, Golf, Polo, Horse Racing, Sailing, Motorsport, Water Sports and Track and Field. Events take part at various times throughout the year.

Natural areas of beauty

Harrison's Cave is one of the 'seven wonders of Barbados' and one of the islands most popular attractions. Stalactites hang from the roof and Stalagmites emerge from the ground, whilst crystal clear waters run through the cave creating stunning waterfalls and deep pools. Tour guides are there to give you all the information you need and guests are transported around on electrically operated trams.

Botanical gardens

The Andromeda Botanical Gardens are a six acre garden containing various types of orchids, hibiscus, heliconia, palms, ferns, begonias, bougainvillea and cacti. Located in the parish of St. Joseph, the gardens are named after Andromeda, the mythical Greek Goddess who was chained to a rock. Beautiful trees and flowers are complimented by a stream, which runs through the land forming pretty pools and breathtaking waterfalls.

Attraction parks

Barbados Wildlife Reserve is located in a natural mahogany wood, just across the road from the Farley Hill Ruins, in the northern Parish of St Peter. Stroll freely through the reserve and watch the animals in their own environment. See the Barbados Green Monkeys, Birds such as Flamingos, Parrots, Peacocks and Brown Pelicans, Snakes (in cages!), Iguanas, Turtles and Tortoises.

Water Parks

Unfortunately there are no Water Parks in Barbados, however there is a similar alternative:

Folkestone Marine Museum - This small museum houses lots of interesting marine artefacts, including bottles retrieved from shipwrecks and huge whale bones. Take a dip in the pools, enjoy a stroll along the boardwalk or have lunch in the tropical gardens. There is also a children’s play area.

Regions to visit

Visit Bathsheba with it's beautiful white sandy beaches that stretch along a stunning coastline with breathtaking rock formations. Soak in the shallow pools, which are carved out of the inshore coral reef. The Soup Bowl at Bathsheba is the site for many local and international surfing championships, due to the steady big rollers coming in across the Atlantic Ocean.

Other excursions

St Nicholas Abbey is not a church despite its name, it is in fact a beautiful sugar plantation. Complimentary guided tours are available and visitors can explore the boiling house and rum distillery, where St Nicholas Abbey Rum is produced.

The old town

Bridgetown is the capital city of Barbados and was first established in 1628 by English settlers. A busy and vibrant city, Bridgetown is filled with historical importance as well as a great selection of shops and restaurants. The city is also home to Deep Water Harbour, the major port of entry for cruise and cargo ships docking in Barbados. Definitely worth a visit!

Museums

Visit the Sir Frank Hutson Sugar Museum. Here you will learn about how sugar was produced in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, as well as the cultivation and production of sugar. This great museum is located in the yard of The Portvale Sugar Factory.

Churches / Cathedrals

The religious buildings of Barbados are spiritual retreats, filled with history and tradition. Some of the original churches are said to be haunted and they offer some of the most amazing views on the island. St Johns Parish contains the tomb of the descendant of an Ancient Roman Emperor. Other churches to visit are: St Patricks Cathedral, St James Parish Church, St Thomas Parish Church and St Peter Parish Church.

War memorials

National Heroes Square, formerly known as Trafalgar Square, is located in Bridgetown. Here you will find a bronze statue of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson and The Cenotaph, which is in memory of those who lost their lives in World War I and World War II. A Remembrance Day parade is held here once a year, where there is a two minutes silence and wreath laying ceremony.

National parks

Farley Hill National Park was once a beautiful and grand mansion, which now show a glimpse of the past. Set amongst a gorgeous mahogany forest and offering amazing views of the Atlantic Coast, this is a great spot for enjoying a picnic and some visitors even get married here. Farley Hill is often turned into a stage for musical and theatrical events, such as Gospel Fest, Reggae on the Hill and Soca on the Hill.

Castles

Sam Lord’s Castle is located in the Parish of St Philip, built in 1820 by Samuel Hall Lord. The Castle was run as a magnificent hotel for many years, but unfortunately was destroyed by a fire in 2010. The building is currently being reconstructed and is due to open in 2018 as a Wyndham Grand Resort.

Architecture

There are several examples of beautiful architecture throughout Barbados, such as Arlington House, Drax Hall, Glendairy Prison and St Nicholas Abbey.

Sports stadium tours

Kensington Oval in located in Bridgetown and was the site of the 2007 Cricket World Tour. It is a pre-eminent sporting facility and primarily used for cricket.

Other Places of interest

Barbados is home to two amazing baobab trees, the largest of which can be found in Queen's Park, Bridgetown. It is thought that a seed floated over the Atlantic Ocean from Guinea in West Africa and eventually grew into this breathtaking tree, which is thought to be over one thousand years old!