Shirley Heights
The Lookout, located at the Southern tip of Antigua forms part of the once existing Shirley Heights Lookout military complex, which provides a beautiful view of the whole of English Harbour. Behind the catchment on the highest ground, 490ft (150m) above sea level, was the Signal Station from which a system of flags were used during the day and guns by night to convey messages to St, John’s by way of Great Fort George on Monk’s Hill.
The Shirley Heights Lookout was first used during the War of American Independence (1774-1783) as a signal station and lookout for ships approaching English Harbour. With Guadeloupe occupied by the French directly to the south, the area was well suited for keeping Antigua’s coastline safe. Foreign vessels were spotted, and an alarm was spread using flags during the day and firing signal guns at night. The signal system in Antigua was one of the best in the Caribbean, and the entire island could be on alert and know where to march within 10 minutes of the first signal.
As the garrison along the Ridge grew, barracks for soldiers, water cisterns, and gun platforms were added to Shirley Heights to keep the Dockyard below safe. The Shirley Heights Lookout military complex also included a guard house, magazine and kitchen, officers’ quarters, parade grounds, a 40-bed hospital, canteen, and a cemetery. There is an obelisk in the cemetery which commemorates the officers and men of the 54th Regiment (2nd Battalion Dorsets) who died in service in the West Indies between 1840 and 1851.
Info from: https://shirleyheightslookout.com/history/
You can view this link to find out information for tours of the Lookout https://www.nationalparksantigua.com/tours/shirley-heights/
Pictures from https://shirleyheightslookout.com/history/
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Fort Barrington
Fort Barrington was built in 1779 to protect the island from the French and is situated on Goat Hill, the westernmost entry point into St John’s Harbour. It was built on the strategic hilltop to control entry into both St John’s Harbour and neighbouring Deep Bay. As such it was an important part of the triad of forts built to protect the rapidly growing trading town of St John’s. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Photo Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=emSFY96__wU
Info from https://discoverantiguabarbuda.com/forts-of-antigua/
Fort James
Photo Source: https://www.antiguacruiseport.com/must-see/fort-james
Fort James sits at the entrance to St John’s Harbour and is one of the oldest forts on the island. Its origins date back as far as 1706. Named after King James II, it was built to defend the port of St John’s and was part of a network of forts that were built on the headlands and strategic coastal locations to defend the island from attack from the French in neighbouring Guadeloupe just South of the island. In the 18th century, the Fort was armed with 36 guns and had barracks that accommodated 75 men.
The Fort is located on a headland to the west of St John’s overlooking the Caribbean Sea. A powder magazine, several cannons, and the foundation of the fort’s wall can still be seen today. The main attraction today is the excellent view of the surrounding areas. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Info from https://discoverantiguabarbuda.com/forts-of-antigua/
Fort Berkeley
Photo Source: https://www.alluringworld.com/fort-berkeley/
Photo Source https://www.copperandlumberhotel.com/attractions/fort-berkeley/
Fort Berkeley is the oldest fort in English Harbour, dating far back as 1704 and was constructed by the colonial government and manned by gunners hired by the government. As the English Harbour became more important as a defence naval base against the French, the Dockyard began expanding in the 1700s which led to more fortifications being constructed to protect the naval installation. This included a dramatic expansion of Fort Berkeley to the size and scope it is today. Fort Berkeley was officially handed over to the Crown in 1784 after the end of the American Revolution, and the British military took the station over. The military added the gunpowder magazine in 1807. Today the fortification is accessible by a short nature trail which is often visited by many tourists exploring the history of the area. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Info from https://discoverantiguabarbuda.com/forts-of-antigua/
Dow’s Hill Interpretation Centre
Photo Source: https://boatingjourney.com/2016/01/28/antigua-land-tour/
Photo Source: https://www.nationalparksantigua.com/tours/dows-hill-interpretation-center/
Perched on a hilltop which affords panoramic views that stretch toward both mountain and ocean, Dows Interpretation Centre is a popular site for weddings. An on-site museum provides an in-depth look at Antigua’s history, from colonization and slavery to the present day, via a multimedia show called “Reflections of the Sun.” There is also a cafe and gift shop on the grounds where you can purchase souvenirs. There is also a “Rum in the Ruins,” a weekly historical and archaeological conversation held every Friday at 5 p.m. Led by park officials who specialize in heritage research, the presentation takes visitors through a history of human life on the island, as well as the integral role of sugar and rum in shaping the island’s economy and society. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Info from https://travel.usnews.com/Antigua/Things_To_Do/Dows_Hill_Interpretation_Centre_66621/
Clarence House
Photo Source: https://www.copperandlumberhotel.com/attractions/tour-clarence-house/
The Clarence House was built in the 19th century and was used by the British Navy officials, 20th century Caribbean Governor Generals and highly influential British Royalty. Inside, the house boasts expansive living and dining areas that offers breathtaking view of the Antigua Naval Dockyard. Although the view from Clarence house is priceless, the real gem is within the walls as you are taken back in time to the traditional practices of those who came before us. The aesthetic of the house has been restored to its earlier glory. As you move into the living quarters of the house, you are taken in the 18th century lifestyle of a gentleman and his lady. The colour palette within the house features the Georgian trends of that period, along with features of other trends which include the Edwardian and Victorian styles that exude regality.
This historic building, newly restored to its former glory, is now the interpretive jewel in the National Parks’ crown, showcasing the lives of 19th and 20th centuries military and civilian elites. Set atop Clarence Hill, the details from the renovations are a master class in heritage preservation, while the antique furniture elides Caribbean gentility. Tours are offered to view this historic building on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30am or at 3pm. The cost is $20USD/$50XCD per person with a maximum 6 persons per tour. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
More information at https://discoverantiguabarbuda.com/clarence-house/
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Photo Source: https://thestjohnscathedral.com/
The St. John’s Cathedral also known as the St. John the Divine, the Cathedral Church of the Diocese of the Northeastern Caribbean and Aruba, is an Anglican church perched on a hilltop in St. John’s, the capital of Antigua. The present cathedral with its white twin towers was built on a fossilized reef, in 1845, and is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and in 1745 destroyed the previous structures. The iron gates on the south face of the church are flanked by pillars displaying lead Biblical figures of St John the Divine and St John the Baptist. They were taken by HMS Temple in 1756, from a French ship destined for Martinique.
Info from https://thestjohnscathedral.com/about-us/
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Fig Tree Drive
Photo Source: https://awayfromitallantigua.com/site-seeing.html
Fig Tree Drive is next to Signal Hill the second largest peak on the island which offers an amazing scenic view of the island. Fig Tree Drive has an approximate length of 8.37 kilometres. The road is lined with towering fig trees, providing a magical canopy that offers shade and serenity. As you navigate the twists and turns, you’ll encounter breathtaking views, vibrant flora, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of the diverse wildlife.
Betty’s Hope
Photo Source: https://astoldbyali.com/2020/03/09/discovering-antigua-bettys-hope-plantation/
Photo Source: https://www.viator.com/Antigua-attractions/Bettys-Hope-Historic-Sugar-Plantation/overview/d22046-a16238
Betty’s Hope was a sugarcane plantation in Antigua. It was established in 1650, shortly after the island became an English colony, and flourished as a successful agricultural industrial enterprise during the centuries of slavery. It was the first large-scale sugar plantation to operate in Antigua and belonged to the Codrington family from 1674 until 1944. Christopher Codrington, later Captain General of the Leeward Islands, acquired the property in 1674 and named it Betty’s Hope, after his daughter.
The Codringtons had 150 sugar mills in Antigua, of which Betty’s Hope was the first one where they had introduced technological innovations and for large scale cultivation, extraction and the manufacturing of sugar with 393 slaves working on the estate. However, from 1921, sugarcane was extracted at the Central Sugar Factory, even though the Betty’s Hope sugar mill was functional. After the Codrington family returned to England, the estate was managed by attorneys, until the early 1900s. It was sold in 1944 by the Codringtons to the Antigua Sugar Estates Ltd.
Windmill technology was eventually discarded due to the introduction steam for cane juice extraction. Consequent to this change, the machinery in the windmill was shifted to the boiling house complex and reinstalled next to the new steam engines. The buildings, however, became storerooms for scrap iron and other debris. As result, Betty’s Hope was no longer operational as the sugarcane industry decline and was replaced by tourism. Thus, Betty’s Hope Plantation was restored by the government of Antigua and Barbuda in 1990, under the OEC/ESDU Eco-Tourism Enhancement project, which consisted of the twin windmills, the Cistern Complex in serviceable condition, the Great House (Buff or Estate House) in ruins, the Boiling House where sixteen copper hoppers were used to boil cane juice to produce crystalline sugar, and the Still House, a distillery used for manufacturing rum (also seen in ruins without a roof but with elegant arches). Since 1995, the buildings have been developed as an open-air museum with a visitor centre and are managed by the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Devil’s Bridge
Photo Source: https://bigadventureswithlittlefeet.com/devils-bridge-antigua/
Located in the northeastern part of Antigua Island in Willkies is the Devil’s Bridge National Park. It was declared a national park in 1951, Devil’s Bridge is an impressive natural geological formation, an arch of stone carved by the Atlantic Ocean over thousands of years. The park is significant both for its cultural value and for its ecological diversity, being home to various endemic species.
The history of Devil’s Bridge is quite a tragedy as it has been said that this was the place where enslaved Africans would go to commit suicide in a final effort to escape the horrors of slavery. The arch got the name “Devil’s Bridge” because people at the time believed that the devil lives there. The Atlantic waters are rough, and it was a known fact that anyone who fell off the bridge would never make it out alive. Local scholars and historians have determined that another reason this area had so many suicides is because there is no land mass between the location of Devil’s Bridge and the West Coast of Africa. It is believed that the enslaved Africans knew which direction they came from and jumped from Devil’s Bridge in hopes that the raging current of the Atlantic would deliver their bodies back to Africa. Visits can be made to this scenic view through local tour groups, taxis or on your own. Be cautious if you attempt to cross the arch although it is not advisable as the limestone formation can be slippery because of the waves, geysers and blowholes.
Info from https://www.globalnationalparks.com/antigua-and-barbuda/devils-bridge/
Info from https://www.onegirl-oneworld.com/devils-bridge-antigua-barbuda/
Museum of Antigua and Barbuda
Photo Source: https://www.tripexpert.com/antigua-and-barbuda/attractions/museum-of-antigua-and-barbuda
The Museum of Antigua and Barbuda was founded in 1985 and resides in the former St. John’s Courthouse, built in 1750 which is believed to be the oldest building in St. John. The architect was Peter Harrison, well known for the many fine buildings in the United States and the West Indies, from Mansion House in New York City to the Spanish Town Statehouse in Jamaica. The Court of Justice was held on the ground floor, with meeting rooms for the Legislative Council and Assembly upstairs. The museum’s main floor houses exhibit relating to the history and culture of Antigua and Barbuda,
including the geological formation of the islands, the Amerindian peoples and their cultures who inhabited the island prior to European settlement, and recent Antiguan cultural practices. There is a library upstairs that has a large collection of pre-Colombian and historical artifacts, including ceramics, faunal remains, and metal objects, and an extensive collection of primary and secondary materials, including texts, maps, and photographs. Next time you are in St. John take a tour at the museum and view the history of Antigua and Barbuda.
The museum operates from:
- Monday-Thursday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm on cruise ship days. Closed at 3:30 pm on no cruise ship days.
- Fridays 8:30 am – 3:30 pm on cruise ship days. Closed at 3:00 pm on no cruise ship days.
- Saturdays 10:00 am – 2:00 pm on cruise ship days.
- Sundays 10:00 am -2:00 pm once there are tours from cruise ship.
- Closed Saturdays & Sundays on no cruise ship days.
More information on the museum’s official website: https://www.antiguamuseums.net/portfolios/about-the-museum/
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Nelson’s Dockyard
The naval history of English Harbour begins in 1725 when the sugar planters offered the harbour to the British Crown to be used by the ships of war and it would be paid for by the Antiguan public. The planters believed that the Navy would gratefully accept this gift, send more warships, invest in more buildings and infrastructure, thereby providing the island with a greater military presence. However, the Royal Navy was not interested and did not put any money into the harbour occasionally using it between 1725 and 1740. This led to its upkeep being solely on the government.
However, by the 1740s the French colonists in Guadeloupe and Martinique were attacking the British which led to the construction of more buildings and development of the Dockyard and the harbour. The construction of Dockyard and the harbour was due to the efforts of the enslaves African slaves. As wars between the French and the British continued the Antigua Naval Dockyard continued to grow and created jobs for many workers.
Historically, the naval facilities were referred to as “His Majesty’s Yard in English Harbour,” or “Antigua Naval Dockyard.” After its abandonment in 1899, it became known as “The Old Dockyard.” After the site was recognized as possible heritage site the name was changed to Nelson’s Dockyard after the most famous Royal Navy officer in British history. He served in Antigua between 1784 and 1787. Ironically, he hated the post, declaring English Harbour to be an “infernal hole.”
In 1984, Antigua and Barbuda passed the National Parks Act as a newly independent state from the Crown. This law created the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, a protected area encompassing nearly 16 square miles of historical and natural sites with the Dockyard at its core. This also led to the establishment of the National Parks Authority as the managing entity. For more than 35 years, the National Parks Authority has been protecting the natural and historical landscapes of the English and Falmouth Harbour areas. In 2016, Nelson Dockyard was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site: The Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites. You can book a tour with National Parks Antigua on their website https://www.nationalparksantigua.com/tours/nelsons-dockyard-national-park/
Nelson Dockyard
Photo Source: https://www.globalnationalparks.com/antigua-and-barbuda/nelsons-dockyard/#google_vignette
Nelson Dockyard Museum
Photo Source: https://www.visitantiguabarbuda.com/destinations/nelsons-dockyard/
In Nelson Dockyard, there is a museum which has artifacts and remnants of history from the Dockyard at the time of British Naval rule along with archaeological research. It was built 1855 and originally served as officers’ quarters in the Royal Navy Dockyard. The building was restored in 1970 and was used as offices for the National Parks before opening its doors as a museum in 1997. You can book a tour with one of our many tour companies to view this site.
Info from https://www.copperandlumberhotel.com/attractions/dockyard-museum/
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