Barbados St.Nicholas Abbey, located in St.Peter, is one of Barbados’ best-known historical sites. According to historical records, the plantation’s origin dates back to 1658 and has been the subject of murder and romance. The estate belonged to five different families during its existence. Historians believe the property’s current name was given by the Cave family, who owned the property for nearly two centuries. These days the plantation is the source of many activities. It has new owners and offers several things to do, which we will be looking at in this article. With that said, let us look and the historic St.Nicholas Abbey and its activities.
Barbados St. Nicholas Abbey Great House
The great house is considered a fine specimen of Jacobean architecture. According to historians, you can only find this home style in two other Western world places. The great house is a place of beauty and sits as one of the places you can visit. The house’s exterior features are extraordinarily fashionable, and the surrounding property gives an added touch of beauty to the site.
The Great House Continued
The interior of the house commands attention as well with its Georgian styled drawing-room. You will see various parts of the dining room area that belonged to the original house owners. The study is another place of interest with antique furniture that has a history. Throughout the house, you will find information about all that your eyes behold. The great house has three stories, so there is much to see.
Barbados St. Nicholas Abbey’s Grounds
When you visit St.Nicholas Abbey, you will notice that the grounds are full of lush, beautiful plants and shrubs. The entire property is about four hundred acres, but the great house surroundings are a small portion of that amount. The immediate area patronizes many events, including weddings and other types of functions.
Barbados St.Nicholas Abbey Estate
St.Nicholas Abbey’s complete estate comprises sugar cane fields, a courtyard, gardens, as mentioned earlier, and a distillery. The famous Cherry Tree Hill, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding areas, is part of the estate. Another estate property is Morre Hill House; you will come to this home before entering the estate’s main house entrance. On-site is the remains of huts that housed slaves of the plantation during the eighteen and nineteen hundreds.
Estate Continued
The estate is home to gullies, a Baobab Tree, Moluccan Cockatoos that interact with visitors, and the St.Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway. You will find some areas of the estate intriguing and challenging to walk because of the gully area. Persons should avoid some spots and tread the paths with caution. When interacting with the birds, persons are discouraged from feeding them. You will find a grinding mill on-site that grinds sugar cane extracting the natural juice.
Barbados St.Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway
The St.Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway is one of the newer features you will find on the property. The railway covers part of the property after machines carved a path for laying the tracks. The workers completed the project in December 2018 after work begun in February that same year. The railway’s length is one and a half kilometers, with plans to extend the railway’s distance.
Heritage Railway Continued
The current length of the train ride lasts between forty-five minutes to an hour. However, when the new tracks finish, you can expect a much longer experience. The railway company consists of two locomotives and several carriages. The train pulls three carriages that have a capacity of thirty-two persons each. If you live in the area, you will often see the smoke from the train puffing away as it chugs along.
More Information
The estate has a cafe where you can have a bite to eat if you become hungry or thirsty. There is no need to purchase tickets beforehand as you pay on-site if you intend to visit. The estate is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Children under twelve years pay $15 at the gate for all options on specific days. Adults pay $40 and $60 respectively, based on choices for particulars days.
Train rides are on weekends only, starting each ride at 10.00 am, 11.30 am, 2.00 pm, and 3.30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Sunday rides commence at 10.00 am, 11.30 am, 1.30 pm, 2.30 pm, and 3.30 pm. The operators of the train rides suggest people come forty minutes before start as afternoons are usually busy. This advice will ensure you have an opportunity to ride the train. For more information, you can visit their official site.
As you can see from what you have read about Barbados St.Nicholas Abbey and its extensive estate, there is much to do. Whether you are a local or visitor, all are welcome, be sure to add this place to your must-see and do areas of interest.
