Quick Facts

Capital: Bridgetown
Population: Approximately 254,000
Climate: Eight to nine hours of sunshine most days. Temperature between 75 F and 90 F year round. The biggest change in weather occurs during the rainy season when you can expect humidity and sudden, but brief downpours, although the thermometer still reaches the 80s.
Official Language: English with a broad dialect.
Currency: Barbados Dollar - US $1 = BDS $2 approx.

Stacking your Postcards

Farley Hill National Park
Farley Hill National Park is also located in the north of the island. This paradise consists of several beautiful acres of tropical trees and plants. The park and its great house sit on a cliff 900 feet above sea level and offer a commanding view of the entire Scotland District.

The mansion was built 200 years after St. Nicholas Abbey, on the grand scale of 19th Century plantation houses. During the late 1800s it was owned by Thomas Graham Briggs, who lived a high life. Farley Hill gained a reputation as the most lavish of the old Barbadian merchants' places. This mansion contained a library, oversized dining room and several reception rooms.

St. Nicholas Abbey
St. Nicholas Abbey is the most treasured attraction in northern Barbados. It is the oldest house on the island, and one of the three remaining examples of Jacobean-style architecture in the Amrericas. This stone and wooden structure offers a revealing view of aristocratic plantation life. The Abbey was built in 1650 by Colonel Benjamin Berringer, a landowner and member of an aristocratic family, which dominated the social and political life of the island at that time.

To the north of the Abbey are ruins of the sugar factory that once ground the canes produced on the estate. The factory was closed in 1947; however, the present owner, Stephen Cave, has some old film footage which shows various aspects of life at the Abbey early in the 20th Century, including workers in the factory. This intriguing footage is shown to visitors on request.

Tyrel Cot Mansion
This beautiful historic mansion was once the home of Sir Grantley Adams - the first premier of Barbados, the "Father of Democracy", the only Prime Minister of the West Indies Federation - as well as the birth place of his son J.M.G.M "Tom" Adams, the second Prime Minister of Barbados. Tyrol Cot is filled with antique furniture and memorabilia from the Adams' lifetime collection. The house itself dates back to 1854, and was constructed by a local builder, William Farnum. The Heritage Village is an inspired outdoor "living museum" composed of attractive Chattel Houses. Each house displays the work of a traditional craftsman or artist, who can be seen woking on the site. Traditional Bajan food and even more traditional Bajan drinks are served at the "Cockspur" Rum Shop. This is a must for any and all interested in Barbados' past.

Harrison Cave
Although historical references were made to Harrison's Cave from as early as the eighteenth century, no serious exploration of the cave was done until 1970, when speleologist, Ole Sorensen, was commissioned by the Barbados National Trust to make a survey and map the cave. Sorensen immediately recognised the potential of the cave and recommended that it be landscaped and developed. Four years later, work on the cave began, drawing on scientific, artistic, technological and geological resources. The work involved digging tunnels, improving lighting and diverting of underground streams.

A unique phenomenon of nature, Harrison's Cave is an amazing gallery of stalactites hanging from the roof of the cave, and stalagmites that emerge from the ground, with streams of crystal-clear running water that drop from breathtaking waterfalls to form deep emerald pools. The stalactites and stalagmites were formed over thousands of years and in some places the stalactites have reached down to the stalagmites and a spectacular pillar has been formed.

Famous Jewish Synagogue
There is currently one synagogue situated in Bridgetown. Built in the 17th century (1654) it was destroyed by hurricane in 1831, was rebuilt, fell into disrepair and was sold in 1929.

In 1983, it was bought back by the Jewish community and was restored to its present state with its beautiful Gothic arches, and is now a Barbados National Trust protected building and an active synagogue.
About 300 Jewish people of Recife, Brazil, persecuted by the Dutch, settled in Barbados in the 1660's. Skilled in the sugar industry, they quickly introduced the crop and passed on their skills in cultivation and production to the Barbados land owners.

Destination Guide

Bridgetown
Bridgetown is nestled in the beautiful Annapolis Valley. The town celebrated its 100th year of incorporation in 1997, and its rich history is still evident in the proud Victorian homes which line the streets.

Bridgetown (pop.1035) is located along the Annapolis River in Nova Scotia's Annapolis County. Once an important shipbuilding centre, Heritage Canada's Main Street Program has helped preserve many of Bridgetown's original buildings from the "Age of Sail". Today the town's residential streets are lined with elm trees and Victorian homes and the downtown district is alive with shops. Queen Street is often considered a perfect example of a small town business district - the sidewalks are wide, the shops are close together, and people stop to greet each other on every corner.

Holetown
The first settlement in Barbados, Holetown, was originally named Jamestown, after its benefactor, King James I of England. The Holetown Monument (in picture) commemorates the first English landing in Barbados in 1625.

It acquired the name "Holetown" because of the off loading and cleaning of ships in the very small channel located within the immediate vicinity of the town. Holetown is the site of the annual Holetown Festival, a colourful local festival of crafts, music, and historical parades.

Speightstown
Speightstown which is only a five minute drive away is the second largest town on Barbados and still retains a lot of the charm of days gone by.

Speightstown has all kinds of shopping, Jordans is a large supermarket where all of your grocery shopping can be done.All of the major banks can be found in Speightstown such as, The Royal Bank of Canada, Citibank, (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce , Barclays Bank,) recently merged and now are known as First Caribbean Bank Barbados.

Oistins
Oistins, in the parish of Christ Church, is a major fishing community in Barbados with a modern fishing market. At Oistins, the visitor can see Barbadian fishing boats (at right) and the weaving of fishing nets by local fisherman. Oistins is the site of the annual Fish Festival which honours those who contribute to the local fishing industry. Just around the corner from Oistins is Miami Beach, a great place to take a swim!

Worthing
Like the Victorian seaside resort in England for which it is named, the once elegant village of Worthing is now tatty and faded, but its relaxed feel and handful of decent, inexpensive guesthouses make it a popular target for budget travellers. There's a gleaming white beach, less crowded than Accra Beach further west but just as enjoyable, with a couple of laid-back bars and local guys offering boat-trips and waverunner rentals.

Bathsheba
Most visitors to Barbados stick with the beautiful beaches, nightlife and attractions of the west coast but whilst you are in Barbados make sure you take a trip to the east coast.

It is a complete contrast to the West which tends to be rather commercialised and could be anywhere in the Caribbean. The east coast is completely without all the commercial tourist trappings.

It is also very rugged and dramatic, with waves crashing onto the amazing rock formations on the beach at Bathsheba. There are a few little restaurants and cafes behind the beach but you will probably be their only clients. A great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the west coast and enjoy the natural beauty of this lovely island.