|
Northeast | Southeast | East Central | Restaurants | Accommodations | Beaches CHALKY MOUNT After the east coast run, a little jaunt up the winding roads into Chalky Mount is almost a must. This scenic drive will give you several vistas from which to gaze upon the east coast's splendour. When you reach Chalky Mount proper, you will be in the heart of an old pottery tradition. It was here all the potters lived and worked. And while you will no longer see the hand (or animal-drawn) wheel, you will still find some interesting pottery treasures in the co-op shop where the potters bring their works.
Directions: West of Barclays Park (East Coast Rd) CHALKY MOUNT POTTERIES Here you can enjoy the fantastic view and see demonstrations as potters do their work while you make your purchase.
Directions: Chalky Mount. West of Barclays Park (East Coast Rd) TURNER'S HALL WOODS Turner's Hall Woods in Barbados is a 50 acre nature reserve & park used mainly for hiking and is the remains of a once lush tropical forest. Directions: Turner's Hall (West of Ermie Bourne Highway - East Coast Road) ANDROMEDA BOTANIC GARDENS Started as a private garden for a weekend retreat in the mid 1950s, this five acre haven perched on a cliff overlooking the east coast has grown to become one of the most acclaimed botanic gardens in the region. Now run by the Barbados National Trust, this property boasts a stunning orchid and exotica collection, as well as collections of flowering shrubs, ferns, and many other flowering plants and succulents.
Directions: Bathsheba. (off Ermy Bourne Highway) BATHSHEBA
This stretch of the Atlantic coast is just plain stunning. You will want to follow the little roads up and down the hills to get views of Bathsheba, the famous surfers' 'soup bowl' and then make your way up the East Coast Road past Barclay's Park. The rugged sea pounding the reefy shores coupled with the landside craggy hills, make for breathtaking beauty.
Directions: Bathsheba. (off Ermy Bourne Highway) ST. JOHN'S PARISH CHURCH This magnificent Gothic style church dates back to 1836 since earlier churches on this spot were all destroyed by hurricanes. The centuries-old churchyard is fascinating, with cryptic-reading tombstones dating back to the 1600s. A gorgeous interior with magnificently hand crafted wooden staircase and pulpit, along with the many graves built into the walls and floors of this church make it a worthy stop. It also has a spectacular view of the east coast.
Directions: Gall Hill CODRINGTON COLLEGE A theological college built in the 1700s, the property was first a private estate until Christopher Codrington died (1710) and left the property for the Anglican Church to manage as an educational institution for poor boys. While this never really materialised, it did become a theological prep school in 1745. The lovely extensive lily pond and the nature path, along with the breathtaking sweeping view of the east all enhance what is certainly one of the most tranquil settings on the island.
Directions: Coach Hill BATH East Coast area (Scenic) This is one of the few Atlantic coast stops where it is safe to have a leisurely swim. There is usually a life guard on duty and you are best off to stay a bit to the left where it is sandier and has less undertow. Public facilities are on the site and the beach is quite large and pleasant. It is one of the most popular beaches with the locals on weekends and public holidays for picnics and family outings, especially with the children's play area.
Directions: Bath
| |
| NORTH EAST | Back to top |
|
PICO TENERIFFE / GAY'S COVE / COVE BAY This is one of the most beautiful coves on the island with a nice cliff-edge area for picnics and photos, located on the breathtaking Atlantic side of the island. The sea below is not suitable for swimming, but there are some natural pools at low tide for soaking in. The surrounding area is lovely with all its Casuarinas trees and Palm trees. Directions: North of Cherry Tree Hill & Wildlife Reserve - South of River Bay JAH WORKS NATURE TOURS Join us at Jah Works Nature Tours, Stud & Riding Stable for a Riding Holiday in Barbados. Experience a real adventure by horseback or nature walks as you explore the beaches, mountains, cart roads, forest & countryside with their breathtaking views of the Atlantic's pounding surf on the rugged east coast. Directions: Holy Mount Zion, Farley Hill BARBADOS WILDLIFE RESERVE
Step inside the world of wildlife, as you amble along the meandering pathways, that lead you through this environmentally friendly reserve. Brocket deer, the Barbados Green monkey, land tortoises, peacocks, otters, pelicans, agouti and an aviary are among the many interesting resident animals.
Directions: Farley Hill - (Opposite the Farley Hill Park) GRENADE HALL SIGNAL STATION A new addition to the Wildlife Reserve setting is the complete restoration and public opening of this old signal station which was once buried beneath years of foliage and undergrowth. Now, you can gain a sense of how the British communicated island-wide from the top of the signal station, as well as get some nice panoramas. There's a little display of artifacts and a nature trail, a three mile ambling path that leads you through a tropical woodland forest. Lots of amusing bits of information posted along the way keeps interest keen.
Directions: Farley Hill. - (Opposite the Farley Hill Park) FARLEY HILL NATIONAL PARK: A great picnic or rest stop, on seventeen acres of lovely rolling hills peppered with shady trees, leading to the cliff-like ledge where a stunning panorama awaits. This Government Park was the home of the island's most stately 19th Century "great house" until it burned down in the late 1950s. Its skeleton now blends into the park ambience.
Directions: Farley Hill. (Opposite the Wildlife Reserve) RIDE BARBADOS HORSEBACK TOURS At the Caribbean International Riding Centre we trail the original Rain Forest of Mahogany and Bearded Fig Trees. On our tours you will experience the most picturesque scenery in Barbados as you head east through cart roads, lined with coconut trees and inhabited by the Green Monkeys and hosting ponds, You will truly be mesmerized by the overpowering sense of peace and exhilaration. We also teach equestrian and show Jumping. Directions: Caribbean International Riding Centre, Cleland Plantation. Farley Hill. - Located just down the hill south of the Wildlife Reserve and Farley Hill Park. ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY This grand old home, built in the mid 1600s, is one of the few Jacobean style houses left in the Western Hemisphere. Furnished much as it was 300 years ago, this property is a prime example of the 'landed gentry' lifestyle of that era. It was also a working sugar plantation and many its working buildings remain. The tour takes you through the downstairs and around the grounds.
Directions: Cherry Tree Hill. Located up the hill from Morgan Lewis Mill MORGAN LEWIS MILL Among the lush hills of St. Andrew sits this historic mill once used to grind sugar cane into sweet cane juice.
Directions: Cherry Tree Hill. Located down the hill from the St Nicholas Abbey (Off Highway 2) CHERRY TREE HILL North-east Coast area (Scenic) Just beyond Nicholas Abbey is a lovely stretch of road heavily canopied by trees that opens out to a glorious vista of the east. This area is called Cherry Tree Hill.
Directions: Boscobel. North-east of Bathsheba & East Coast (Off Highway 2)
| |
| SOUTH EAST | Back to top |
|
SKEETE'S BAY This is a beautiful bay located on the eastern coast line, occupied by a fish market in a quaint little fishing village. Directions: North of Ragged Point CULPEPPER ISLAND This uninhabited island is located on the eastern coastline in close proximity to Ragged Point and Skeete's Bay, just over 250 ft off Barbados. It is the only one left of the two islands located off Barbados. Directions: Between Ragged Point and Skeete's Bay EAST POINT LIGHTHOUSE / RAGGED POINT LIGHTHOUSE This Lighthouse has been in existence in Barbados since 1875 and is one of the three operational lighthouses in Barbados. It also has one of the most picturesque views. Directions: South of Skeete's Bay KING GEORGE V MEMORIAL PARK King George the fifth Park is one of the two national parks and popular picnic spots for most locals, located in the south-eastern parish of St Philip. Some of the features of the park would be the esplanade which is great for group outings, the spacious playing field, pavilion and hard court, the big children's playground equipped with swings, slides, see-saws, monkey bars and a tree-house. Also available are picnic benches and restroom facilities. Directions: Lucas Street, off Highway 6 THREE HOUSES NATIONAL PARK Three Houses Park is one of the two national parks and popular picnic spots for most locals, located in the south-eastern part of the island. Its features would be the breathtaking view of the island, the spacious kid's playground, with swings, slides, see-saws and monkey bars. Also available are picnic benches and restroom facilities. Located across from the park is a spring with a natural pool where locals swim and can sometimes be seen fishing. Directions: Thickets, off Highway 4 DAPHNE'S SEA SHELL STUDIO This is a worthwhile visit for any form of sea shell craft for the home or as gifts and souvenirs. You can choose from the wide range of pictures frames, shell mirrors, ceramics and ornaments as well as hand painted clothing & accessories Directions: Congo Road, Highway 6 KENDAL SPORTING CLAYS Kendal Sporting Club is one of the leading sports venues in Barbados and is considered the finest shooting facility in the Caribbean. It offers Sporting Clays, shotgun ranges, indoor and outdoor pistol ranges, Archery and Paint Ball, as well as other recreational games such as Darts, Dominoes, Table Tennis, Pool, Chess, Checkers, Cricket, Soccer, Fuse Ball and Cards. Other recreational facilities are the Sports Bar, Restaurant and Swimming Pool. This is the perfect location for visitors and locals alike to practice their sport whether you're a beginner or professional. Directions: Carrington, off Highway 6 SUNBURY PLANTATION HOUSE
This grand old 'great house' is more than 300 years old and is fully furnished and completely open to the public. The house has a long history of dramas over the centuries, from hurricanes to fires, the most recent being a fire that gutted the building in 1995. Directions: Off Highway 7 (northeast @ Six Roads Junction) FOURSQUARE RUM FACTORY & HERITAGE PARK
This is a veritable town of activity and worth some time to stop and visit. Once a plantation and sugar factory, Foursquare now houses the newest and most modern rum distillery in the region. A tour takes you through this modern facility yet gives you exciting glimpses of its bygone sugar factory days as well. Meanwhile, back out in the 'town', there are numerous shops, eateries and vendors peppered throughout the grounds, as well as an art foundry/gallery with visiting and permanent shows. The building housing the foundry is a 17th Century structure that was the 'Still House', a part of the rum production process. Directions: Foursquare, Highway 6 | |
| EAST-CENTRAL | Back to top |
|
THE FLOWER FOREST A dramatic landscape and an explosion of blooms, tropical plants and trees all set in a nature trail format with some lovely vistas of the breathtaking east coast along the way. Privately owned and operated the Flower Forest offers up some stunning flora in a natural setting.
Directions: Richmond - Off Highway 2 WELCHMAN HALL GULLY East Central area (Flora & Fauna, Scenic, Tour) Welchman Hall Tropical Forest Reserve is located in the heart of the island in Welchman Hall Gully. Here you can take a stroll through the roughly mile long, deep and densely wooded gully where monkeys chatter high in the trees and at every step there is another tree or shrub to observe. This was actually a cave that was part of the Harrison's Cave network until the roof collapsed. It has become Barbados' first organised natural sight.
Directions: Off Highway 2 HARRISON'S CAVE
Managed by the government of Barbados, Harrison's Cave is a wonderland of stalactites and stalagmites, cascading pools and pristine streams. The hour-long tour takes you down into the caves by electric tram into what is considered one of the most spectacular caves in the entire region. There is also a little nature path outside the cave entrance as well as a visitor centre and refreshment stand. ORCHID WORLD A beautiful attraction with thousands of spectacular orchids in lush tropical gardens! This is one of the finest orchid gardens in the Caribbean making it a fantastic stop. The vivid colours are truly unbelievable and photos never do this garden justice. Directions: Highway 3B
| |
| RESTAURANTS IN THE EAST COAST AREA | Back to top |
|
Naniki Restaurant: | |
| RESTAURANTS IN THE SOUTH-EAST AREA | |
|
Sunbury Plantation House | |
| ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE EAST COAST AREA | Back to top |
|
Round House Inn Restaurant & Bar: | |
| ACCOMMODATIONS IN THE SOUTH-EAST AREA | |
| BEACHES IN THE EAST COAST AREA | Back to top |
|
BATHSHEBA / SOUP BOWL This stretch of the Atlantic coast is just plain stunning. You will want to follow the little roads up and down the hills to get views of Bathsheba, the famous surfers' 'soup bowl' and then make your way up the East Coast Road past Barclay's Park. The rugged sea pounding the reefy shores coupled with the landside craggy hills, make for breathtaking beauty.
Directions: Bathsheba (North of Martin's Bay / South of East Coast Rd. & Cattlewash) CATTLEWASH / EAST COAST ROAD / BARCLAY'S PARK This beach is by far the longest beach on the island, Cattlewash beach with all its rough and rugged splendour is a popular sightseeing and relaxing spot. It is several miles long, and chances are you won't see many others there. Be warned, however: The waves and undertow currents are very strong, so swimming is not recommended, but there are many natural pools to soak in. It is a perfect location for nature lovers & picnickers. The beautiful landscape of this area compliments the breathtaking seascape with its majestic hills and mountains moulded inland, forming the perfect photo opportunity. There is also the Park, a great place for family outings. Directions: Ermie Bourne Highway (East Coast Rd) (North of Bathsheba / South of Morgan Lewis Mill) MARTIN'S BAY This is another great beach for pictures. Located in a little fishing village on the eastern side facing the Atlantic Ocean, this area is only good for swimming when the tide is low. Directions: (North of Bath Beach / South of Bathsheba) BATH Bath is one of the few truly 'safe' swimming beaches along the entire east coast (Atlantic side). Medium waves and a slight undertow close to shore. Best bet is off to the left where it is calm and clear, is sandier and has fewer undertows. It is one of the most popular beaches with the locals on weekends and public holidays for picnics and family outings, especially with the children's play area.
Directions: (North of Conset Bay / South of Martin's Bay)
| |
| BEACHES IN THE SOUTH-EAST AREA | Back to top |
|
FOUL BAY BEACH
This beach is the largest beach on this coast, surrounded by cliffs it is ideal for picnics and is home to many fishing boats. Sea Grapes are also grown in this area. CRANE BEACH
If nothing else, this is a gorgeous beach fronting one of the more luxurious and oldest hotels on the island, The Crane Resort. Bigger waves make it good for body surfing, but in the cove on the left there is safe swimming close to shore. This beach was rated one of the top 10 beaches in the world by Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous. SAM LORD'S CASTLE / LONG BAY BEACH This beautiful beach is surrounded by cliffs with a back-drop of palm trees and has the historic Sam Lord's Castle towering above. This castle was once the home of Sam Lords the notorious pirate who used to wreck ships visiting the shores of the south-east coast. The Castle is now the Sam Lord's Castle Resort. Directions: Long Bay - Between Harrismith Beach & Crane Beach - East off Highway 7 (East of Oistins) HARRISMITH BEACH This beach is secluded with beautiful cliff-sides, caves, and a back-drop of palms overlooked by the ruins of the old Harrismith Great House, giving it the perfect atmosphere for picnicking. Directions: Between Sam Lord's Castle & Bottom Bay - East off Highway 7 (East of Oistins) BOTTOM BAY Located just north of the famed Sam Lord's Castle, this is yet another beautiful secluded beach positioned between cliffs with a back-drop of palm trees. Bottom Bay has a true Robinson Crusoe kind of feel to it. Directions: Between Harrismith Beach & Ragged Point - East off Highway 7 (East of Oistins) |