Gardens of Barbados

After breakfast, our tour of Barbados begins at the George Washington House, also known as Bush Hill House, a historic plantation house where the young George Washington and his ailing brother Lawrence resided for two months in 1751. Barbados was the only country ever visited by the future “First Father” of his country and Bush Hill House the only house he ever lived in outside of the continental United States. 

Our next visit provides a most colourful and fragrant experience as we explore the Tropical Gardens, home to more than 20,000 orchids. A meandering path lined with orchids leads through a coral grotto to the five orchid houses. Keep your eyes on the trees for orchids such as Schomburgkia that bloom once a year with spectacular results. Species such as Vandas, Phalaenopsis, Calanthe, Cattleya, Ascocendas and Dendrobiums, to name but a few, can be found throughout, with some of the rainforest orchids appearing to hang in mid-air with their roots completely free of soil.

We begin today with a visit to the Andromeda Botanical Gardens, which play an important part in horticultural research and education. They were established by multi-award-winning Iris Bannochie (1914-1988), a Barbadian self-taught scientist, around her home in St Joseph. Her first husband, the equally gifted Dr Harry Bayley played a crucial role. Created as a private botanical space, Andromeda contains an unparalleled collection of different plants from many other tropical and sub-tropical locations, either collected by Iris Bannochie herself, as she travelled the world on plant-collecting expeditions or given to her as gifts. Iris planted scores of trees and some 400 species of plants bringing biodiversity to the 1950s monocultural landscape of sugar cane.

We conclude today at Hunte’s Garden, located in a gully in the centre of Barbados' rain forest. Thanks to such an interesting location, the garden offers a multidimensional experience, with vigorous plants densely growing on many levels, from sunny and open spaces, down to a mysterious, dark heart of real Caribbean jungle.

This morning we depart for a visit to Harrison’s Cave, a crystalline limestone cavern which lies in the centre of the island. Flowing streams, deep pools of crystal-clear water and towering columns characterise this living cave, which is adorned with stalactites and stalagmites of all colours and sizes. We will also take a leisurely walk along the nature trail that has been created here.

We continue with a visit to the Flower Forest, located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas of Barbados and built on a former sugar plantation. The views from the garden over the hills offer fantastic photo-opportunities - the forest towering and lush, the pathways lined with flowering plants, the tone quiet, peaceful and serene.

After breakfast we explore the St. Nicholas Abbey Plantation. Located in the hills of St Peter, St Nicholas Abbey encompasses over 400 acres of undulating sugar cane fields, lush tropical gullies, mahogany forests and formal gardens. We will also enjoy a scenic ride on the heritage railway that winds through the plantation fields and mahogany woods with expansive views of the east coast from Cherry Tree Hill.

Later we visit historic Speightstown, which dates to 1630 and has a pleasing blend of colonial and modern architecture along with excellent shopping and dining options.

Today is free to stroll along the beach, take a swim or perhaps venture further afield.

Alternatively, join our optional excursion, a cruise aboard a Catamaran yacht, ideally suited for sailing in these shallow, sheltered waters. Relax on board a catamaran and watch the beautiful coastline of Barbados slip by, then drop anchor in a quiet bay for a swim in the crystal-clear waters, followed by a sumptuous Barbados lunch.  

We explore the island’s capital Bridgetown today, which was founded by English settlers in 1628. Historic Old Bridgetown and its Garrison is now inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After our tour of the city there will be time to shop and sightsee at leisure.

After breakfast the morning is free for some last-minute shopping before we transfer to the airport in time to check in for our return flight to London.

On arrival in London the group will disperse or make onward connections.