The Gardens & History of Barbados

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly to Bridgetown

  We fly to Bridgetown and transfer to 5* Deluxe Cobblers Cove, a boutique hotel on the west coast of Barbados where we stay for seven nights. A delicious dinner with wine is included each evening in the hotel’s Camelot Restaurant overlooking the sea.

• Day 2 - Gun Hill Signal Station, Codrington College & Clifton Hall

  After a relaxed breakfast we depart for the hills for a half day excursion to highlight the island's Old World charm. First stop is Gun Hill Signal Station, built in 1818 following the 1916 rebellion with views of 8 of the island’s 11 parishes. We proceed to the handsome Codrington College, endowed by Colonel Christopher Codrington (1668-1710) who succeeded his father as Governor General of the Leeward Islands. We then head to the beautiful St John's parish Church, and then on to the magnificent Caribbean Georgian mansion, Clifton Hall Great House, before heading back to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

• Day 3 - St Nicholas Abbey

  Today we make a short visit to St James Parish Church en route to the renowned and very stylish St Nicholas Abbey. Built in 1650, it is one of only three existing authentic Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere and was restored by Larry Warren. Our tour includes the house, the restored steam-powered sugar cane grinder and rum distillery. We then continue via the Morgan Lewis Windmill (restored by the Barbados National Trust) to meet the eccentric Anthony Hunte for a tour of his extraordinary tropical garden, Hunte’s Gardens.

• Day 4 - Andromeda Botanical Gardens

  We set off across country to Bathsheba for a visit to Andromeda Botanical Gardens which lie on the boundary of the parishes of St. John and St. Joseph about 300 yards from the Atlantic Ocean. Walk through the winding pathways to view the astonishing variety of tropical trees, some of which are unique to the Caribbean. Then we enjoy a scenic drive along East Coast Road with a brief stop at Farley Hill, before heading into the charming settlement at Speightstown. Formerly a thriving sugar port known as Little Bristol, we stop for an afternoon stroll and lunch before a short tour of the excellent Arlington House museum - heading back to the hotel for tea.

• Day 5 - At Leisure

  Explore the island independently or relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.

• Day 6 - Bridgetown, St George's Parish Church & Sunbury Plantation House

  Leave the hotel after breakfast to visit Barbados’ Capital, Bridgetown, including the Parliament Museum, the UNESCO Jewish Synagogue - dating back to the 17th century it is arguably the earliest consecrated temple in the Western Hemisphere - the Nidhe Israel Museum on Jewish settlement in Barbados, and Mikvah baths. We then travel to St George's Parish Church – a splendid Caribbean creole Georgian / Gothic church of 1784, with a magnificent altar painting The Resurrection, by Benjamin West. Then onto the 17th century Sunbury Plantation House, for a tour and lunch; the house was refurbished in 1995 after a fire and contains rare Caribbean artefacts and furnishings and a collection of horse-drawn carriages.

• Day 7 - Animal Flower Cave & Barbados Wildlife Reserve

  We start today in the north at Animal Flower Cave - discovered in 1750 by Welsh naturalist and author, Reverend Griffith Hughes, it is the island's only accessible sea cave. From there we head to visit a private Oliver Messel House (subject to reconfirmation), and on to the Barbados Wildlife Reserve where we shall see green monkeys roaming in and out of the enclosure, as well as a variety of other animals including red brockets, red-footed tortoises, Patagonian maras, rock iguanas, and tropical birds. We shall also call at Grenade Hall Signal Station which offers remarkable views of the island.

• Day 8 - Return flight

  Free time before leaving for the airport for the flight back to London.