Barbados Road Trip: Things to Do in the Parish of St Andrew
by Karen Rollins Apr 17, 2023
St Andrew is situated in the northeast of Barbados and is one of the most unspoilt areas of the country.
The parish is home to the beautiful Scotland district and Barbados’ highest point, Mount Hillaby, which demonstrates that the island is not as fl is not as flat as some people think!
St Andrew has many attractions – we’ve researched five of them.
The Scotland District
The Scotland District contains the hilly highlands of Barbados. It is lush, green, and jungle-like in parts, with thick vegetation and trees. Some rocks in this area are said to be about 30 to 50 million years old.
When you travel to the Scotland District on elevated, winding roads, it is impossible not to be fascinated by the amazing scenic views of the coast and the rough Atlantic Ocean. This part of the country is quite unlike the rest of the island which is relatively flat and largely deforested.
Mount Hillaby
Mount Hillaby is the highest point in Barbados. It stands at 340 metres or 1,115 feet above sea level. According to UNESCO, Mount Hillaby is “the summit of an elongated submarine mountain range that is several hundreds of kilometres long, extending from Trinidad to about Puerto Rico”.
You can trek to the peak of Mount Hillaby to enjoy a wonderful view from the top. The hike is suitable for moderately fit individuals and best completed early in the morning before the sun gets too hot.
Morgan Lewis Windmill is the largest and only complete sugar windmill still standing in the Caribbean.
The mill, which was built in the early 1700s and was operational until approximately 1947, was one of the longest running sugar mills in the region and, is now, also one of the best preserved.
The site is a popular tourist attraction with exhibits which provide information on the time when the sugar industry was solely run on wind power.
Grenade Hall Forest & Signal Station / Barbados Wildlife Reserve
Take in three attractions at one time when you visit Grenade Hall. One entry fee ($15 (US) for adults, $7.50 (US) for children) will give you access to a restored historic signal station, a natural forest, and the nearby wildlife reserve.
The forest can be explored using easily marked paths while benches provide plenty of opportunities to stop and listen to the birds singing or watch the monkeys traverse the trees. The signal station, which was originally constructed in 1819, offers amazing views of the island from every window.
Springvale Eco-Heritage Museum
Owned and operated by Newlands Greenidge, this museum offers a glimpse into the past and what life was like in Barbados when washing was done on a ‘juking board’ and coal fired up the stove.
Some of the artefacts on display include pots and pans, irons, and utensils. The 200-acre site also includes a library as well as an artist’s studio and gallery. Admission is $10 (BDS) for adults and $5 (BDS) for children. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 3pm (Sundays by appointment).
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You may also like: Things to do in the parish of St Lucy and Things to do in the parish of St Peter.
Look out for the rest of this series as we explore every parish in Barbados!
