Barbados has myriad places of interest and things
for visitors to see and do. There are historic sites, scenic locations, nature trails and
gardens and all of these places of interest provide interesting things to see and do when
on a vacation. Below are some of the places to visit in Barbados.
Turner Hall Woods
This 50 acre nature reserve and park is part of the remnants of the once lush tropical
rainforest that covered Barbados when the first European settlers arrived. The Turner Hall
Woods is in the Parish of St Andrew and frequently used for hiking activities. Within the
woods you can see green monkeys, ferns, a variety of palms, lianas, white cedar trees and
lots more.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens
Nestled on a cliff overlooking the east coast on the outskirts of Bathsheba, Andromeda
Botanic Gardens is run by the Barbados National Trust. It is spread over six acres of
carefully landscaped grounds that are lavishly coloured with blooms, orchids, exotics and
shrubs. The garden contains thousands of plants from all over the world including many
rare plants and hubrids.
ST. JOHN'S PARISH CHURCH
Constructed in 1836, this Gothic style church has a magnificent interior with a
handcrafted staircase and pulpit. The pulpit is crafted from 6 different types of wood
(Ebony, Locust, Mahogany, Machineel, Oak and Pine). Although the church was built in 1836,
the churchyard has graves dating back to the 1600’s because there were previous
churches on this site that were destroyed by hurricanes. From the churchyard you also have
a spectacular view of the East Coast. You can learn more about this church
on our Other Barbados Attractions Page under
Barbados
Churches.
CODRINGTON COLLEGE The sweeping view of the east coast makes Codrington College one of the places
to visit in Barbados. This is a theological college built in the 1700’s and in
keeping with its mission it is a very tranquil setting that is soothing for the soul.
There is an extensive lily pond and nature path that is very relaxing to stroll along.
Very close to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve is the Farley Hill National Park. The
17 acres of rolling hills are covered with many shade trees making it an ideal picnic
location. At one end is a clif that sits 900 feet above sea level and has a commanding
view of the Scotland District.
This 17th century Jacobean mansion is one of the few such mansions to be
found in the Western hemisphere. It was built in 1657 by Colonel Benjamin Berringer, just
30 years after Barbados was settled by the British. A guided tour is provided that allows
you to see how the "rich" lived in those earlier centuries. St Nicholas Abbey
continues to operate as a sugar plantation with many of the original outer buildings
remaining and are part of the tour. While at St Nicholas Abbey you can purchase a special
hand bottled blend of St Nicholas Abbey Rum that is aged on site in barrels.
Click here for more info on
St Nicholas
Abbey
MORGAN LEWIS SUGAR MILL
This historic mill is located in the parish of St Andrew on the north-east of the
island, a short distance from St Nicholas Abbey. The Mill is listed on the World Monuments
Fund list of the 100 Most Endangered Sites.
BARBADOS WILDLIFE RESERVE
This wildlife reserve is located along the route to the east coast of Barbados in the
northern parish of St Peter. It is in a natural mahogany forest across the road from the Farley Hill National Park. Here the animals are in
the open in a natural environment, allowing you the opportunity to stroll through the
reserve and observe them in their natural habitat. The Reserve has
over 100 mammals, more than 10 different species of reptiles, and over 470 birds. The
opening hours for the reserve are 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily with the last
admission at 4:00 p.m. A refreshment bar is open daily and a restaurant/snack bar is open
Tuesday to Thursday. Your entrance fee to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve also gives you
admission to the adjoining Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station which are within walking
distance of the reserve. Click here for more info on the Barbados
Wildlife Reserve.
GRENADE HALL SIGNAL STATION
The Grenade Hall signal station was originally constructed in 1819 as one of a group of
signal stations used for communication across the island. These towers were constructed in
strategic locations around the island on high ground and that now provides amazing views
making them the perfect vantage points for appreciating the natural beauty of the island.
In addition to the view however the Grenade Hall signal station provides a brief history
of the military units that were stationed in Barbados. Click here for more info on Grenade
Hall
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.
FOURSQUARE RUM FACTORY & HERITAGE PARK
If you are looking for a place to visit that has multiple activities then the Foursquare
Rum Factory and Heritage Park would definitely be one of the places of interest. A guided
tour takes you through the process of producing rum and gives you glimpses of the old
sugar factory. In the Heritage Park there is an art foundry/gallery in a Still House that
was constructed in the 17th century. Throughout the grounds there are shops and
eating places.
THE BARBADOS MUSEUM
The Barbados Museum is housed in a compound that was built in 1818 and was formerly a
military prison. It is centered around a large airy courtyard with trees and flowering
shrubs. The museum houses a Natural History gallery, a History Gallery with sections
devoted to Amerindian artifacts, Colonial Years, Emancipation, the period leading to
Independence, two small but very interesting sections on Education and Religion,
Agriculture, Road making, Electricity and Bajan Architecture.
National Cannon Collection
Barbados has the largest cluster of 17th century English cannons.
Within the Barbados National Cannon Collection is an Elizabethan cannon cast in 1600, the
only one known to exist. The Collection also contains one of only two cannons in existence
from 1652 with Oliver Cromwell's crest. Several of these cannons are located around the
Garrison Savannah. Click here for more info on
Barbados Cannons.
The coral geology of Barbados has left it with a vast array of caves. The best known and
most visited of these underground caverns is Harrison’s Cave that has a host of
stalactites and stalagmites, cascading pools and pristine streams. The one hour tour
through the cave network is done by electric tram.
WELCHMAN HALL GULLY
Welchman Hall Gully was a cave that was part of the Harrison's Cave network until the roof
collapsed; now you can stroll through a densely wooded gully where monkeys chatter high in
the trees. Click here for more info on
Welchman
Hall Gully.
HARRISON POINT LIGHT HOUSE
Situated on the North-west of the island, the Harrison Point Lighthouse
is a beautiful place to visit as it gives a magnificent view of the north coast.
ST LUCY’S CHURCH
For those who like historic places of interest, St Lucy’s Church is a place to see.
This is one of the original churches in Barbados having being built of wood in 1629. It
was rebuilt in 1741 and then rebuilt again in 1837 using sawn stone. You can
learn more about this church on our Other Barbados Attractions Page under
Barbados
Churches.
ANIMAL FLOWER CAVE
The Animal Flower Cave is named for the sea anemones found inside. It is a geological
place of interest in addition to being a scenic place to visit. The coral floor of the
cave is believed to be between 400,000 to 500,000 years old. Inside the underground cavern
well trained local guides show visitors the interesting rock formations and the sea
anemones. There is a natural pool inside the cavern, where visitors can take a swim.
There’s also a bar and restaurant offering snacks and some interesting history on the
property, as well as art & craft souvenirs on sale.
GEORGE WASHINGTON HOUSE & MUSEUM
In 1751, George Washington visited Barbados and the house where he stayed is now a
restored Plantation House. This mansion is on the Garrison Savannah and is also a museum
with artifacts from 18th and 19th century Barbados.
SPRINGVALE ECO-HERITAGE MUSEUM & TOUR
This is a museum that combines history with nature. In the museum you can see an exhibit
of historical Barbadian life. On the grounds there is a nature trail that leads to an old
mine or you can wander the grounds of this former sugar plantation. Click
here for more info on
Springvale Eco-Heritage Museum.
FOLKESTONE MARINE PARK
Located on the west coast of Barbados on the outskirts of Holetown, this marine
park provides a combination of activities making it one of the places to visit. There is a
beautiful beach, wonderful snorkelling on the fringe reef (snorkeling equipment can be
rented), a visitor’s centre and museum with marine and coastal environment displays,
exhibits of Barbados fishing industry and a salt water aquarium. There is also a
historic
church nearby.
MOUNT GAY VISITOR CENTRE
This is one of the world’s oldest distilleries and their tour allows you to
see the history and techniques of rum production.
THE JEWISH SYNAGOGUE
In the 1600’s Barbados received an influx of Jewish settlers who fled religious
persecution in Brazil. It is said that they were the individuals who truly led the
development of the sugar industry in Barbados. The first synagogue was built in 1651 and
when it was destroyed in a hurricane in 1831, it was rebuilt in 1833. The synagogue was
called Kahal Kadosh Nidhe Israel meaning The Dispersed Ones of Israel. In the cemetery
around the synagogue are approximately 400 graves dating back to the 1600’s, and some
are inscribed in Hebrew, English and Ladino, a blend of Spanish and Hebrew spoken in the
Sephardic community. Click here for more info on the
Barbados
Jewish Synagogue and Museum.
ST MICHAELS CATHEDRAL
St Michael’s Cathedral in Bridgetown is one of the many historical places of interest
found on Barbados. Constructed in 1665, this Anglican cathedral has a Georgian appearance
mixed with Gothic style. The original church was destroyed by a hurricane in 1780 and
rebuilt in 1789. You can learn more about this church on our Other Barbados
Attractions Page under
Barbados
Churches.
THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS
The Parliament buildings in Bridgetown are definitely a place to visit as Barbados has the
third oldest parliament in the British Commonwealth. The present buildings were erected in
the 1870’s.
LORD NELSON’S STATUE
Erected in 1813, this bronze statue of Admiral Lord Nelson in Bridgetown is older than the
Nelson Column in Trafalgar Square in London. It is located directly opposite the
Parliament Buildings.
BARBADOS CRICKET MUSEUM
Located at Herbert House, Fontabelle, St Michael, is the the home of the Cricket Legends of Barbados Inc and the
site of the Barbados Cricket Museum. The museum offers information to cricket fans and visitors alike who are
interested in the history and heritage of Barbados cricket. You can
learn more about this museum on our Other Barbados Attractions Page under
Barbados Cricket Museum.
To learn more about Barbados visit our other Barbados Pages:
