Exploring Barbados: Gun Hill Signal Station
by Karen Rollins May 6, 2019
Gun Hill Signal Station in the parish of St George, is a must-see for locals or any visitor to the island.
The station’s strategic position on a hilltop offers spectacular, panoramic views of the country to the east, south and west and provides a bird’s eye view of the capital city Bridgetown, cruise ships in the harbour, and planes coming in or taking off from Grantley Adams International Airport.
Gun Hill has an incredible history as part of a series of six signal stations built on Barbados in 1818, two years after the island’s only slave revolt.
These stations were constructed to signal the approach of cargo or enemy ships and to help in the internal security of the country. If Barbados came under attack, the forts and soldiers could be quickly readied to defend it.
The grounds around the 19th Century signal station and tower are beautifully landscaped and feature a wide variety of tropical flowers, winding pathways, and several benches where you can stop and take in the view.
The rooms at the back of the signal tower house a collection of military memorabilia and there are also several cannons located on the site.
Gun Hill is maintained by the Barbados National Trust which restored the hexagonally shaped station in 1982 and opened it up to the public.
At the foot of the station there is an impressive white lion statue, which was carved out of a single piece of rock in 1868 by Captain Henry Wilkinson with the help of four military labourers.
Under the lion statute, there is an inscription with the sculptor’s name and a verse from the Vulgate Latin translation of the Bible, which reads in English: “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river, unto the ends of the earth”.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday: 9am -5pm
Sundays and Public Holidays – Closed
Admission fee:
Adults: $12.00 (BBD)
Children under 12: $6.00 (BBD)
Sources: Barbados National Trust / Barbados.org / Barbados Pocket Guide
