Barbados Island Highlights Half-Day Tour

The journey, in full

Bridgetown: On the 5th of July 1628 that 64 settlers headed by Charles Wolverstone arrived. The location of Bridgetown was the most suitable place for a port. Its swampy lands however made it bad for the settlers’ health. The settlers named the town after a bridge that had been constructed by the early inhabitants of the island, the Amerindians. The Bridge of itself was called the Indian Bridge The principal streets in Bridgetown were laid out by John Swan and in keeping with tradition, Swan street was named after him. The main street Broad Street was named Broad Street as it is the broadest street in the town. In the early years the streets in town were ill-kept and in 1656 legislature passed an act where persons not keeping the space in front of their property clean could be fined 100 pounds of sugar for each day of noncompliance. Bridgetown's Swamp was filled in and replaced with a canal. The lower part of the Constitution is called the Careenage. It was named the Careenage because its ships were careened onto aside to be repaired Morgan Lewis: Morgan Lewis Windmill is located in the scenic hills of St. Andrew in Barbados and commands a most commanding view of the phenomenal east coast. Built-in 1727, this typical wind-driven mill once crushed sugarcane to produce juice during the 18th and 19th centuries. Morgan Lewis Windmill stopped its operation in 1947 and was subsequently handed over to the Barbados National Trust for preservation as a museum. Morgan Lewis Windmill is among the World Monuments Fund list of 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World. Cherry Tree Hill: Approximately 850 feet above sea level, this spot offers an excellent view of the "Scotland District" which covers the parish of St.Andrew and is named after the Patron Saint of Scotland. It is believed that the name "Cherry Tree Hill" originated from the large number of cherry trees which once existed at this location. Today the road is lined with mahogany trees, which were introduced into Barbados after the Treaty of Paris in 1763. As you descend the hill the mahogany trees give way to swaying sugar cane. Bathsheba: Legend has it that Bathsheba, wife of King David, bathed in milk to keep her skin beautiful and soft. Legend also says that the surf-covered white waters of Bathsheba, Barbados rich in minerals and life is said to resemble Bathsheba's bath in both appearance health-giving value. St Johns Chuch: Built-in 1846 to replace the church that was destroyed by the Great Hurricane of 1831, this classic Gothic church is solid and soaring. The church grounds are serene and the cliff-edge site commands a sweeping view of the picturesque east coast. A noteworthy statue and funerary plaques add to the interest, and a small guidebook gives you details. In the churchyard rests Ferdinando Paleologus, a descendant of Emperor Constantine the Great, whose family was driven from the throne in Constantinople by the Turks. Ferdinando died here in 1678, after being a resident for over 20 years. Though always English, Barbados has attracted multinationals for quite some time. Gun Hill: Gun Hill is the finest of a series of signal stations built-in 1818. These stations sighted ships approaching Barbados and signaled to each other, advising of the type of vessel and whether it was a friend or foe! In case of attack, the forts and soldiers could be quickly readied to defend the island. In the signal tower, a chart shows just what detailed information could be relayed with the use of a few flags. The signal stations were also used to warn of slave rebellions on the island. The Garrison: The location is the Historic Garrison Savannah, close to the capital, Bridgetown. The Garrison Savannah has been the home of horse racing in Barbados since 1845. The officers of the British Regiment, who were stationed in Barbados, used what was then the parade ground to match their horses in races and the wealthy merchants and planters later joined them.