Museums, Theaters, Architecture, Bridgetown

This venue is somewhat magical, tucked away in the North of Barbados is St. Nicholas Abbey! This historical plantation boasts beautiful Jacobean architecture and lush surroundings. St. Nicholas Abbey’s great house, built by Benjamin Berringer in 1658, is one of just three Jacobean style mansions remaining in the Western Hemisphere, and one of the finest historic sites in Barbados. Its 350-year history is filled with colourful tales of murder, love and intrigue; its owners have played pivotal roles in both Barbadian and American history. Located in the hills of St. Peter, St. Nicholas Abbey encompasses over 400 acres of undulating sugar cane fields, lush tropical gullies, mahogany forests and formal gardens filled with hibiscus, roses, orchids and fruit trees. The St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, completed in late 2018, is the newest family attraction at St. Nicholas Abbey Great House Plantation and Distillery. Journey through the plantation’s grounds on our beautiful steam locomotive! Also you can take a guided tour of the Great House, circa 1650 and museum, viewing of a 1930s movie of life on the plantation, and complimentary beverage. Personal tour of the Factory, Steam Mill circa 1890 and Distillery “Annabelle” with Mr. Larry Warren, Owner and Distiller. https://www.stnicholasabbey.com/

Located in Barbados' UNESCO World Heritage Property, the Barbados Museum’s galleries are housed in 19th century military prison buildings and reveal the island’s rich history, culture and heritage. The Shilstone Memorial Library is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rare West Indian documents, photographs and hard-to-find books enable research of all types including family history research. The Museum Shop is the ideal place to shop in comfort for uniquely Barbadian souvenirs and gifts such as prints, 18th century maps, and books. https://www.visitbarbados.org/barbados-museum-historical-society

The young George Washington and his ailing brother Lawrence resided in this historic plantation house, also known as Bush Hill House, for two months in 1751. Barbados was the only country ever visited by the future “First Father” of his country and Bush Hill House the only house he ever lived in outside of the continental United States. Accessible only from George Washington House and Museum, these tunnels were re-discovered purely by chance in June 2011. Built sometime during the 1820s the system is soon to be 200 years old and includes at least 9 tunnels in the Savannah area with others. Originally constructed to provide drainage to the area (the first such system in Barbados), oral history has indicated that they were adopted for use as ‘escape routes’ for the Garrison troops, should the area have ever been invaded, and other clandestine uses. https://www.visitbarbados.org/george-washington-house-museum

Cherry Tree Hill is eight hundred and fifty (850) ft above sea level and is actually an intrinsic part of the formidable St. Nicholas Abbey of the same parish. Actually due to the size of the St. Nicholas Abbey property, Cherry Tree Hill actually borders, St. Peter and St. Andrew. Many, many years ago, the drive on either side to get to it was flanked by cherry trees, thus the reason for its name; however these were replaced with mahogany trees which line the road up to this day. The change was instigated by The Treaty of Paris in 1763. https://www.visitbarbados.org/cherry-tree-hill

Once the site of a beautiful mansion built by Sir Graham Briggs for the entertainment of royalty including King George V in 1879, today Farley Hill has been designated a national park by Barbadian Government. And though the mansion itself was destroyed by fire in 1965, the gutted remains still stand and provide an ideal setting for a picnic and a day of fun in the park, while offering stunning views of the island’s southern point. https://www.visitbarbados.org/farley-hill-national-park

Maintained by the Barbados National Trust, the mill includes an exhibit of the equipment used to produce sugar at the time when the industry was run by wind power generated from mills such as this one. This unique historic and architectural monument is the only working sugar windmill of its kind in the world today—or was, until 2007, when lightning struck. Currently, under repair, it is still a magnificent sight and a testament to the workmanship and ingenuity of its engineers. The mill consists of a tower, four giant arms, gears that transfer the turning of the sails to the turning of the rollers, housing on top, and a tail that connects the housing to the ground. By moving the tail, the whole apparatus can be rotated to face the direction of the prevailing wind. Though the interpretive center is not now open, visitors can still climb partway up into the mill and see the machine. https://www.visitbarbados.org/morgan-lewis-sugar-mill