Barbados Garrison
Barbados Garrison
4.5
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Former 17th century British military base, now open to the public.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
263 reviews
Excellent
136
Very good
91
Average
30
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3
Terrible
3
Fiona N
Edinburgh, UK26 contributions
Sept 2022
Worth a visit and self guided tour around the old military garrison with all its old buildings in various states of repair.
The Barbados history museum is in the old military prison
Tours of the Fort are available if the legion office is open to get a ticket which is not every day.
There is a race track in the middle ,the Savannah.
There is the well restored old house which predates the Georgian garrison in which George Washington lived as a young man.
Plaques on many of the buildings explain their original use
Now a world heritage site
We just got a taxi to drop us off then after exploring walked back down into Bridgetown having lunch at a beach bar on Carlisle bay
Entry fees for the museum and George Washington house but worth itv
The Barbados history museum is in the old military prison
Tours of the Fort are available if the legion office is open to get a ticket which is not every day.
There is a race track in the middle ,the Savannah.
There is the well restored old house which predates the Georgian garrison in which George Washington lived as a young man.
Plaques on many of the buildings explain their original use
Now a world heritage site
We just got a taxi to drop us off then after exploring walked back down into Bridgetown having lunch at a beach bar on Carlisle bay
Entry fees for the museum and George Washington house but worth itv
Written September 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
veryuniquetraveler
NEBRASKA581 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
You can easily spend half a day exploring the sites here. You can even spend a few minutes watching the race horses train. It is only a short walk if your are staying at Sugar Bay, the Hilton, or the Radisson.
The is a large selection of cannons to view. The Barbados Museum is very informative and we really enjoyed touring the George Washington House and learning the history of his visit. You also get to tour a section of the underground tunnels which was really cool. You can only view the exterior of the clock tower and St. Ann's fort, but you can get some great photos. It is disappointing that they still have not resumed the changing of the guard ceremony on Thursdays at noon. I was really looking forward to seeing that presentation. We had hoped to walk over to Charles Fort and the lighthouse, but were most disappointed to learn that they are only accessible to guests of the Hilton hotel. There is no access from the beach or street.
We tried and tried to get more info about the Garrison before our visit, but e-mails and facebook messages went unanswered. I am most displeased that the concierge at our hotel could not offer us any info about the site and simply said, " It will be fine, just go." Everyone we asked about the Charles Fort looked at us like we were crazy and couldn't imagine why we'd want to go there.
Apparently the Barbados Museum and the George Washington house are overseen by different organizations, so it is impossible to get a comprehensive tour that includes both sites. We didn't want to take a tour that ended at the museum and then have to walk all the way back to the beach.
The is a large selection of cannons to view. The Barbados Museum is very informative and we really enjoyed touring the George Washington House and learning the history of his visit. You also get to tour a section of the underground tunnels which was really cool. You can only view the exterior of the clock tower and St. Ann's fort, but you can get some great photos. It is disappointing that they still have not resumed the changing of the guard ceremony on Thursdays at noon. I was really looking forward to seeing that presentation. We had hoped to walk over to Charles Fort and the lighthouse, but were most disappointed to learn that they are only accessible to guests of the Hilton hotel. There is no access from the beach or street.
We tried and tried to get more info about the Garrison before our visit, but e-mails and facebook messages went unanswered. I am most displeased that the concierge at our hotel could not offer us any info about the site and simply said, " It will be fine, just go." Everyone we asked about the Charles Fort looked at us like we were crazy and couldn't imagine why we'd want to go there.
Apparently the Barbados Museum and the George Washington house are overseen by different organizations, so it is impossible to get a comprehensive tour that includes both sites. We didn't want to take a tour that ended at the museum and then have to walk all the way back to the beach.
Written March 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kathy b
Ashby de la Zouch, UK4,073 contributions
Mar 2022
Walking to Pebbles beach at 6am to see the race horses on their way to have their daily swim but i had to stop and listen. The sun was just coming out and the clock was chiming but it was playing "Morning has Broken" by Cat Stevens. Such a special moment.
Written March 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert D
Brooklyn, New York4,337 contributions
May 2024 • Solo
The Barbados Museum is part of the Garrison complex, the largest British military area in the Western Hemisphere. The museum offers walking tours of the Garrison complex, which can be combined with admission to the museum. The one-hour tour of the Garrison complex was excellent. The guide took me in a circle from the museum to the barracks to the tower, around the officer's quarters, and back to the museum. She explained the history of the buildings and their current uses. The museum building was built in 1818 as a military prison and is now the Barbados Museum. It's a fascinating area and the guide's explanations helped me to understand it better.
Written June 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David H
Kingston-upon-Hull, UK7 contributions
May 2023
I visited here yesterday and found it very interesting, but about an hour was all that was needed. The staff were very polite, there was a nice café and very few things in the gift shop. But the staff did not seem very knowledgeable about their surroundings, especially as they are Barbadians. I did not want to return to my hotel just yet, so I asked the staff if there was anything else in the area that I could see. I am in a wheelchair, so could not travel far without getting a taxi. I was told the best thing was the local boardwalk near the sea!!!!!! When I returned to my hotel, I googled my next trip out, and discovered there was the Barbados museum, no more than about 1000 metres away! Surely as a resident, you know what there is to see, and where it is, especially as it is an “attached “ attraction. Don’t the managers train their staff as to what else there is, and about the connected buildings and attractions?
Written May 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris44372013
London, UK122 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
Well worth a visit if a meeting is on. We were really looking forward to the meeting which was scheduled for 21 /05/2022. U fortunately this was delayed a week for some reason till the following week but we were allowed to go in and walk around. Unfortunately this was our second trip to Barbados and the same happened the time before.
You can walk around the outside and get a good view of the course
You can walk around the outside and get a good view of the course
Written May 28, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnAir239630
San Diego, CA9 contributions
Nov 2022 • Solo
Barbados is absolutely beautiful, full of history and culture. There’s lots to do. I recommend the clear kayak tour of the shipwrecks, Garrison and Oistins. You have to experience Accra Beach and Carlisle Bay.
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kuala Lumpur
9 contributions
Jan 2020
If you like history, a must place to go adn walk around the area. Esserntial to walk a little further down the road, just past the Marriott, to the old hospital. Also, closer to the beach, the Miltary Cemetery. Surprising number of American tombs.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Northampton, UK74 contributions
you will find the best collection of 17th century Cannons in the world here in fact they even have a commonwealth cannon with the coat of arms of oliver cromwell, only one of two still around the other one being in the tower of London but normally kept under wraps, but plenty more to see and great to get a taste of what it was like in this well maintained garrison and very easy to find!
Written March 9, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael B
Bellflower, CA24,495 contributions
Mar 2022
Saint Ann's Garrison or as it is popularly known as the Barbados Garrison, is a large historical area about 2 miles south of Heroes Square from the capital-city Bridgetown. Consists of the Barbados Museum, Guardhouse and Clock Tower, Bush Hill House known as the George Washington House, the Garrison Savannah horse race track, and an assortment of other Military buildings.
The original buildings were built in 1705 to house British officers and men, and due to various hurricanes were built and rebuilt a couple of times. The sugar industry changed all that, the sailing ship's taking heavy cargoes of sugar to Britain, for their return needed cargo for ballast. The British military need for bricks to build more permanent buildings solved this problem. All the red brick buildings you see today are constructed with bricks made in Britain.
We would suggest you start your tour of the Garrison, at the Barbados Historical Societies Museum, located in the 19th-century military prison building. Established in 1933 it has an excellent display of colonial times under British rule with over 500,000 artifacts. It’s slightly old-fashioned as museums go but still worth a visit. The parking lot is large if you are driving.
Walking from the Museum to the race track, you will pass by The Royal York Rangers Memorial (37th Regiment of Foot). Constructed of Coral stone and freshly white-washed, it stands in the center of a small traffic island.
British officers stationed in Barbados have used what was then the parade ground to race their horses against each other since 1845, and the wealthy merchants and planters would come and wager on the results. The six-furlong clockwise track today is the location for the annual Barbados Gold Cup race for Thoroughbreds. There is seating in the stands or you can stand outside the perimeter track fence and watch the racing from there for free.
Upon leaving the race track continue alongside it until you reach the white monument in the middle of the road dedicated to the soldiers and wives of the 36th regiment who died in the great hurricane of 1831. Turn left and walk by some of the oldest cannons found in the Caribbean, located in front of the Georgian-style Main Guardhouse and Redbrick Clock tower. Built-in 1803 by the British as a military courthouse, jail, and command post until they left the island in 1905. Over the Main guard room entrance pediment, is the coat of arms of King George III, constructed in ‘Coad’ stone (a type of pottery).
Due to the Garrison's high mortality rates caused by yellow fever and malaria of the European troops, and Britain's war with France, there was a shortage of troops. So, slaves were offered their freedom and equal pay to enlist. Two regiments of 1,000 men each were formed, and called ‘The West India Regiments”. They served in the British Army for over 120 years.
In 2011 to celebrate Tourism week the Barbados tourist board started its own version of Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and created the changing of The Sentry ceremony at the old Main Guard building. The guard and band are formed from retired Barbados Defence force personnel, they wear the same style of colorful Zouave uniform chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858.
If the event takes place, it’s at noon on Thursdays (check for covid delays) it takes approximately 15 minutes when the ceremony is over there is an opportunity to take photos with the sentries.
Now retrace your steps to the white monument, and cross the road to George Washington House.
This house was not correctly located until 1990, and during the 2007 re-modeling, it was not possible to eliminate the 1845 second story. So, the house does not look like it did when Washington was there, but it's more eye-pleasing as a two-story ochre colour 18th Century plantation Home.
Today the house is furnished with period furniture and set up as a tourist exhibit with a long thirty-seat table running from front to back of the house, separating the bedrooms of George and Lawrence. George Washington dinners are held, with actors dressed in period clothing, and a narrator sitting at the table head dressed up like George explaining the History. The food is prepared in the restored kitchen behind the main house, built separately so heat from the open fires would not affect the guests and it was a fire hazard.
The second story of the building is a museum. (With air conditioning) telling the story of George Washington in Barbados. There are also exhibits about the garrison's daily Caribbean life and slavery in Barbados.
While doing repair work in 2012 a network of 200 years ago drainage tunnels was found below the house and surrounding area, built by the British to rid the area of mosquitos. In 1719 a windmill was built to provide power to pump water to the bathhouse, and drinking water for the stables.
Upon finishing the tour of the house just walk out of the main gate turn right in two minutes you will be at the main coastal road.
TIP: For those of you who belong to yacht clubs take your club pennant across the main road and visit the Barbados Yacht Club (Shot Hall). In 1824 it was the quarters for the Officer Commanding the Royal Engineers. They are very friendly and have a great bar on the beach.
I would apricate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative. Thank you.
The original buildings were built in 1705 to house British officers and men, and due to various hurricanes were built and rebuilt a couple of times. The sugar industry changed all that, the sailing ship's taking heavy cargoes of sugar to Britain, for their return needed cargo for ballast. The British military need for bricks to build more permanent buildings solved this problem. All the red brick buildings you see today are constructed with bricks made in Britain.
We would suggest you start your tour of the Garrison, at the Barbados Historical Societies Museum, located in the 19th-century military prison building. Established in 1933 it has an excellent display of colonial times under British rule with over 500,000 artifacts. It’s slightly old-fashioned as museums go but still worth a visit. The parking lot is large if you are driving.
Walking from the Museum to the race track, you will pass by The Royal York Rangers Memorial (37th Regiment of Foot). Constructed of Coral stone and freshly white-washed, it stands in the center of a small traffic island.
British officers stationed in Barbados have used what was then the parade ground to race their horses against each other since 1845, and the wealthy merchants and planters would come and wager on the results. The six-furlong clockwise track today is the location for the annual Barbados Gold Cup race for Thoroughbreds. There is seating in the stands or you can stand outside the perimeter track fence and watch the racing from there for free.
Upon leaving the race track continue alongside it until you reach the white monument in the middle of the road dedicated to the soldiers and wives of the 36th regiment who died in the great hurricane of 1831. Turn left and walk by some of the oldest cannons found in the Caribbean, located in front of the Georgian-style Main Guardhouse and Redbrick Clock tower. Built-in 1803 by the British as a military courthouse, jail, and command post until they left the island in 1905. Over the Main guard room entrance pediment, is the coat of arms of King George III, constructed in ‘Coad’ stone (a type of pottery).
Due to the Garrison's high mortality rates caused by yellow fever and malaria of the European troops, and Britain's war with France, there was a shortage of troops. So, slaves were offered their freedom and equal pay to enlist. Two regiments of 1,000 men each were formed, and called ‘The West India Regiments”. They served in the British Army for over 120 years.
In 2011 to celebrate Tourism week the Barbados tourist board started its own version of Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and created the changing of The Sentry ceremony at the old Main Guard building. The guard and band are formed from retired Barbados Defence force personnel, they wear the same style of colorful Zouave uniform chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858.
If the event takes place, it’s at noon on Thursdays (check for covid delays) it takes approximately 15 minutes when the ceremony is over there is an opportunity to take photos with the sentries.
Now retrace your steps to the white monument, and cross the road to George Washington House.
This house was not correctly located until 1990, and during the 2007 re-modeling, it was not possible to eliminate the 1845 second story. So, the house does not look like it did when Washington was there, but it's more eye-pleasing as a two-story ochre colour 18th Century plantation Home.
Today the house is furnished with period furniture and set up as a tourist exhibit with a long thirty-seat table running from front to back of the house, separating the bedrooms of George and Lawrence. George Washington dinners are held, with actors dressed in period clothing, and a narrator sitting at the table head dressed up like George explaining the History. The food is prepared in the restored kitchen behind the main house, built separately so heat from the open fires would not affect the guests and it was a fire hazard.
The second story of the building is a museum. (With air conditioning) telling the story of George Washington in Barbados. There are also exhibits about the garrison's daily Caribbean life and slavery in Barbados.
While doing repair work in 2012 a network of 200 years ago drainage tunnels was found below the house and surrounding area, built by the British to rid the area of mosquitos. In 1719 a windmill was built to provide power to pump water to the bathhouse, and drinking water for the stables.
Upon finishing the tour of the house just walk out of the main gate turn right in two minutes you will be at the main coastal road.
TIP: For those of you who belong to yacht clubs take your club pennant across the main road and visit the Barbados Yacht Club (Shot Hall). In 1824 it was the quarters for the Officer Commanding the Royal Engineers. They are very friendly and have a great bar on the beach.
I would apricate a thumbs up below if you found this review informative. Thank you.
Written May 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What time do the races start on Boxing Day ?
Written December 24, 2018
Hi,
It seems like the race starts at 12:40.
Checkout their Facebook page (Barbaodos Turf Club) and you should see a link to their race day PDF in a Dec 21 post.
Written December 25, 2018
What is the dress code for a day at the races?
Written January 2, 2017
Anything goes at thus race track
Written July 9, 2017
Hi, I have tried booking a tour for September 2016 but there seems to be no options available. Is this attraction closed in September?
Written July 31, 2016
I agree. Do a self guided tour. Check BARBADOS do-t orgs website and drop them a line perhaps. This won't let me post the link.
Written August 20, 2016
What is the time for changing of the guards?
Written January 15, 2015
The changing of the sentry is Thursday 11.30- 12.00
Written January 15, 2015
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