Harrison’s Cave
Harrison’s Cave is a tourist attraction in the country of Barbados, first mentioned in 1795. Tourists can access the subterranean environment on a tramway. The caves are naturally formed by water erosion through the limestone rock. The calcium-rich water that runs through the caves has formed the unusual stalactites and stalagmites formations. Travel through the caves is by tram, at certain points during the tour visitors are allowed to alight from the tram and get close up to the formations. One main area of the caves is a huge cavern, termed “The Great Hall”, measuring over 100 feet in height. After the Great Hall the tram stops at “The Village”. At The Village some of the formations have joined together to form columns after thousands of years. Harrison’s Cave is in the central uplands of Barbados. It is situated at 700ft above sea level. The three characterises of the central uplands are gullies, sinkholes and caverns.
Hours: 9am-4pm daily
Address: Caves of Barbados (Welchman Hall) St Thomas
Phone: 438 6640; 438 6641
Website: http://harrisonscave.com/
Wildlife Reserve
The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is located in the parish of Saint Peter, Barbados. It occupies four acres of mahogany forest near the top of Farley Hill, next to Grenade Hall Signal Station and Forest. It was established by Canadian primatologist Jean Baulk and his wife, Suzanne. They first founded the Barbados Primate Research Centre on the site in 1982, for the conservation and study of Green Monkeys, which were brought to Barbados in the 17th century and are now widespread on the island. It was expanded into a wildlife reserve in 1985, with funding from the Canadian International Development Agency. In addition to the Green Monkeys, which roam freely in and out of the fenced enclosure, the Wildlife Reserve also keeps a variety of other animals, many of which roam the Reserve freely without separation from visitors. These include Red Brockets, Red-footed Tortoises, Patagonian Maras, Cuban Rock Iguanas, and numerous caged tropical birds. The buildings in the Wildlife Reserve are all constructed from coral rock, excavated from nearby sugarcane fields. All of the bricks that form its paths were recycled from sugar factories.
Phone: 422-8826
Animal Flower Cave
The Animal Flower Cave is located on the barren cliff tops of the northernmost point, the site contains a large sea cave with several huge chambers filled with pools, beautiful rock formations and a few sea anemones and sea worms, which resemble jewel like flowers when they open their tentacles. There are several large openings to the unforgiving sea so it is sometimes closed due to inclement weather; however, when open the view of the breaking waves once inside is magnificent… An informal restaurant is located at the Animal Flower Cave which serves cold drinks and sandwiches. Guides are also available on site (they will walk you through the caves if you wish). The Cave has a coral floor which is estimated to be about 400,000 to 500,000 years old. Whereas the younger coral section above the main floor is about 126,000 years old. This dating was carried out by the German Geological Institute. The swimming pool, as the guides call it, is in a chamber all by itself. The totally transparent and absolutely still water does not reveal its depth but looks deceptively shallow. The smooth floor of the cave worn down by the water and the rubbing action of the coral rocks over time has an undulating formation and the light lends a magical quality to this chamber. At certain times of the year and in bad weather the caverns become filled with water and the entrance acts like a giant blowhole.
OPEN 9-4 (every day).
Address: North Point, St Lucy, Barbados.
Phone: 439-8797
Morgan Lewis Windmill
Morgan Lewis Windmill, St. Andrew, Barbados is the last sugar windmill to operate in Barbados. The mill stopped operating in 1947. In 1962 the mill was given to the Barbados National Trust by its owner Egbert L. Bannister for preservation as a museum. The site was listed in the 1996 World Monuments Watch by the World Monuments Fund. Restoration began by the Barbados National Trust during the following summer. In 1997, financial support was provided by American Express for emergency repairs. The mill was dismantled for restoration, and reopened in 1999. With all its original working parts having been preserved intact, the sails were able to turn again after the project was completed, and cane was ground again after more than half a century. It is a unique historic and architectural monument – it is one of the only two working sugar windmills in the world today. (Betty’s Hope, in Antigua, was refurbished and restored some years ago and is also functional.) During the ‘crop’ season, February through July, its sails are put in place and it operates one Sunday in each month, grinding cane and providing cane juice. Around the interior of the mill wall is a museum of sugar mill and plantation artefacts, and an exhibition of old photographs. Visitors can climb to the top of the mill.
Independence Arch
Independence Arch is in Bridgetown, the capital, and commemorates Barbados’ independence from England, which they gained in 1966. It is an interesting sight, worth looking out for as you enter Bridgetown.
Address: Bridgetown, St Michael.
Welchman Hall Gully
Welchman Hall Gully, located in the parish of St. Thomas, is a three-quarter mile long gully which is home to a number of tropical plants and trees, including nutmeg, bamboo, clove and palms.It is a mixture of tropical forest mixed with native and other exotic plants. What makes the gully even more spectacular is that it was formed by the collapsed roofs of caves, which is still evident. It is in fact still geologically connected to Harrison’s Cave. As you make your way through the gully, you will wonder if this was how the first settlers saw the island. Best time to visit is the mornings. Green Monkeys are fed daily in the gully. Gullies provide food, shelter, and gateways between other gullies for the monkeys. Call before you visit and check for time of feeding, Phone: 246-438-6671
Library
Built in 1905 with a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation, it’s an interesting place to see. It’s just a block or so away from the Old Synagogue.
Address: Corner of James and Cooleridge Streets
Cherry Tree Hill
Located on the north-east of the island, it is believed that the name “Cherry Tree Hill” originated from the large number of cherry trees which once existed at this location. Now it is an area where the road is heavily canopied and lined with mahogany trees, which were introduced into Barbados in 1763. The area offers great views over the ‘Scotland District’ which covers the parish of St Andrew and named after the Patron Saint of Scotland.
Address: St Andrew, Barbados
Parliament Buildings and Museum
Though the Queen is the official head of state and the island remains part of the Commonwealth, Barbados has a long history of self-government. It boasts the third oldest Parliament in the Commonwealth, dating back more than 350 years. The history of Parliament mirrors the island’s history and is beautifully explained in a self-guided tour. The tour also includes the National Heroes Gallery.
Address Bridgetown, St. Michael
Tel: 310-5400
Mount Gay Rum
It will be just rude not to try local rum, while you are in Barbados. Rum has been produced in Barbados for over 350 years and is recognised as one of the finest and strongest in the world today. The one phrase I would use to describe this experience would be “feeling nice”. The Mount Gay Rum tour takes you first back in time to how Mount Gay Rum originated. You then experience the process the inspector takes to test the molasses, and the alcohol. The little red star on the image of the island on Mount Gay Rum’s famous bottle label represents the capital of Barbados, Bridgetown, not the location of the distilleries, which are actually in the northern part of the island. Mount Gay maintains the Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre on the Spring Garden Highway in Brandons, Saint Michael
