St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, Great House & Distillery

OVERVIEW

Become immersed in the intriguing history of St. Nicholas Abbey, its distillery and heritage railway, which you will ride through the countryside. Built in 1658, the Great House is one of just three Jacobean-style mansions in the Western Hemisphere. As you will see while touring the ground floor, the residence is furnished with period pieces. A short film in the museum will present more details about St. Nicholas Abbey, its past owners – one of them an alleged murderer – and plantation life through the centuries. You will also browse the restored distillery, the only one on Barbados that produces rum with sugar cane syrup rather than molasses. Chances are, you will spot some of the resident macaws, monkeys and guinea hens on the way to the property’s railway. During the relaxing and wonderfully scenic train ride to the Cherry Hill Station lookout, the locomotive engineer will regale you with stories.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Tour the rare 17th-century Jacobean-style mansion known as St. Nicholas Abbey.
• See how the property’s distillery makes rum from sugar cane rather than molasses.
• Watch a short film that depicts centuries of plantation life at St. Nicholas Abbey.
• Ride a restored vintage train to an elevated lookout that offers panoramic views.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.