Exploring Antigua is not all about white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters! Why not rent a car or hire a taxi and discover the unique attractions of our island? From scenic drives through ancient rainforests to colourful markets and historic colonial plantations there really is something for everyone ...
Landmarks FIG TREE DRIVE
The best drive in Antigua! Fig is the Antiguan name for bananas, but the road is lined with lots of tropical fruit trees - guavas, mangoes, oranges and coconuts. Fig Tree Drive is the major road opposite the pink coral Catholic Church just outside the town of Liberta, north of Falmouth. This area of green rainforest is something like the Garden of Eden. Explore the forest from above with the popular Canopy Tour. Go slowly until you descend to Old Road and the Curtain Bluff area, passing the pineapple farm.
PARHAM
This was the earliest British settlement in Antigua. A road connects the little town with the main road traversing the island. Parham is notable for its spectacular church, St. Peter’s, which was described as “the finest church in the British West Indies”. It was built in the 1840s after the original wooden church had been burnt down. It is a beautiful and unusual octagonal shape designed by a famous architect of the time, Thomas Weekes.
PUBLIC MARKET
The market in St. John’s provides an extensive and attractive covered outlet for the abundance of Caribbean fruit and vegetables. Upstairs are delightful small boutique-style shops. The market is easily identified by the imposing sculpture of V.C. Bird, the Founder of the Nation, at the intersection of all roads leading to the market at the edge of St. John’s.
Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary The Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society provides shelter for more than 150 donkeys at its sanctuary in Delaps, Bethesda on the eastern side of Antigua about 30 minutes from St. John’s. It is the intention of the Humane Society to bring in all neglected roaming donkeys from the roads where they face danger from motor traffic. Sanctuary donkeys now have a safe haven where they receive food, water, shelter, quality medical care and lots of love. The Humane Society offers an ‘adopt a donkey’ programme which provides visitors with a photo of ‘their’ donkey and an official adoption certificate! We encourage you to take a trip to Antigua’s Donkey Sanctuary. Experience for yourself what so many have discovered - that there’s more to a donkey than you thought. Admission is free, though donations are greatly appreciated and fund the continued great work of the facility. Help save Antigua’s gentle donkeys! Tel: (268) 461-4957 Email: abhumane@candw.ag www.antiguaanimals.com
MUSEUM OF ANTIGUA & BARBUDA
The Museum, located in downtown St. John’s, provides an interesting background of the nation’s history from 10,000 years ago. Learn how the islands were formed and who lived here, and discover all about the effect the Arawaks and Caribs had on the island. An interesting hour or two can be spent at the museum. Admission is free but a minimum donation of US$2 is encouraged.
ST. JOHN’S CATHEDRAL
This imposing building, visible from all around St. John’s, was originally constructed in 1683, replaced in 1745 and completely rebuilt of stone in 1843 after an earthquake. The interior is completely cased in pitch-pine and there are interesting memorial stones. Restoration continues.
DEVIL’S BRIDGE
Situated at Indian Town, this is a natural bridge at the head of Indian Creek with blow-holes and spouting surf. Legend says that if you throw two eggs into the water to boil, the devil (who is said to be down there) would keep one and return the other!
SHIRLEY HEIGHTS
After visiting Nelson’s Dockyard, ramble around the extensive fortifications, barracks and powder magazines of Shirley Heights. As Mrs. Lanaghan said in 1844 while visiting the area, “Really, this marching and countermarching beneath a tropical sun is no slight matter ...” So relax with a couple of drinks at The Lookout and contemplate the panoramic views.
BETTY’S HOPE
Built in 1674 by Sir Christopher Codrington, this was the site of one of the first full-scale sugar plantations on Antigua. It remained in the Codrington Estate until the 1920s. Betty’s Hope is located just south of Pares Village.
SUGAR MILLS
These are dotted around the landscape, mostly in ruins but some with the solid outside structure still intact. By 1705 most of Antigua was planted with sugarcane and 170 mills for crushing cane were built. At that time, each factory could produce 55 tons of sugar a year.
DOW’S HILL INTERPRETATION CENTRE
Built among the ruins in the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, the Centre provides a historic overview of Antigua’s past. ‘Reflections of the Sun’, a multi-media presentation, is a ‘journey through the dreamy corridors of six periods of the island’s history’.
Fort Barrington courtesy Sarah Scott
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