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Betty's Hope Sugar Plantation
Betty's Hope was the first large sugar plantation on
Antigua, and its success led to the island's rapid development of
large-scale sugar production. Although the only surviving structures are
two stone sugar mills and the remains of the stillhouse, the site's
importance in Antiguan history has prompted the
government to begin developing it as an open air museum. About a hundred
stone windmill towers dot the Antiguan landscape, and the two restored
examples at Betty's Hope provide a dramatic sense of the way these mills
must have dominated the island during the hundreds of years that sugar
production was the dominant industry. Betty's Hope was built by Sir
Christopher Codrington, who came to Antigua in 1674 from Barbados, and was
named for his daughter.
Indian Town National Park
Indian Town Point, on the eastern extremity of the
island, is thought to have been an Arawak campsite prior to the arrival of
European colonists. Devil's Bridge, a large, natural limestone arch on the
shoreline of Indian Town Point, offers one of the most spectacular sights
on the island. At high tide, the rougher waves of the Atlantic force
enormous geysers of water through boreholes in the rocks near the bridge.
Guided tours of the site are available.
Fort James
Built in the first half of the 18th century, this
picturesque bastion was intended to guard the harbour of St. John's. The
walls remain in excellent condition, and a few of the cannons are still
intact - but the main attraction today is the excellent view of the
surrounding harbour. Nearby is Heritage Quay, which comprises a hotel,
four duty-free shops, restaurants and a casino, all part of the newest
development in downtown St John's.
Fig Tree Drive
Antigua's most picturesque drive meanders from the
low central plain of the island up into the ancient volcanic hills of the
Parish of Saint Mary in the island's southwest quarter. The
none-too-smooth road passes through an area of lush vegetation and
rainforest and rises to the steep farmlands around Fig Tree Hill (figs are
what Antiguans call bananas) before descending to the coastline again.
Along the way are banana, mango, and coconut groves, as well as a number
of old sugar mills and pleasant little churches.
Although St. John's has long been Antigua's capital
city, the island's historic heart is across the island at English Harbour.
One of the finest natural harbours in the Caribbean, and located at a
highly strategic position, English Harbour was used by Admirals Nelson,
Rodney and Hood as a secure home for the British Navy during the
Napoleonic wars. Today, Nelson's Dockyard forms part of a designated
national park, complete with a museum. shops, hotels, restaurants and a
yacht haven. The park embraces the whole of English Harbour and Shirley
Heights.
Green Castle Hill
The 'megaliths' that initially drew curious visitors
to Green Castle Hill are almost certainly geologic features, but they are
no less impressive and picturesque for being natural features. Green
Castle Hill also provides an excellent view of the island's interior,
including both the southwestern volcanic mass (of which it is a part) and
the interior plain. (due south of St. John's, btw. Jennings and Emanuel).
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