What's in a Town?
The island of Barbados has four major towns, Bridgetown, Speightstown, Holetown and Oistins, each offering its own unique experiences. There is always somewhere to eat, to shop and to have fun in each of these towns. Most importantly, they all have their own unique and rich history. This article outlines the various activities and places of interest to visit within these four towns.
The City of Bridgetown
History
Bridgetown is the largest town in Barbados and is also the capital city of the island. Bridgetown, previously known as “Indian Bridge” and the “town of St. Michael” obtained the status as Barbados’ capital in 1838 after slavery was abolished and in June 2011 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Careenage in Bridgetown facilitated trading and commercial activity among vessels. Bridgetown is almost always active; the only days it is not bustling with activity are Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Food
There is no shortage of food places in Bridgetown as it houses most of the major fast food establishments on the island: Burger King, Chefette and KFC.
However, other restaurants serving local and international cuisine include, Ryannes Restaurant, The Balcony and Ideal restaurants in Cave Shepherd, The Waterfront Cafe opposite independence square and Tim’s Restaurant on Broad Street.
Shopping and Stores
· Broad Street – the largest department stores and malls for duty free shopping are located on Broad Street. These include the Colonade Mall, Mall 34 and Cave Shepherd.
· Cave shepherd – the leading department store in Barbados and over 100 years old. Offers the best from footwear, to electronics, clothing, books, children's clothes and toys and cosmetics, all at duty free prices
· Norman Centre Mall – houses popular international stores such as Converse and Payless.
· The Colonade Mall – formerly called Dacosta’s Mall, is the oldest mall in Barbados. Not only does it have a variety of shopping areas, but the food court also allows you a place to relax and unwind and take a bite to eat.
· Harrisons – Offers the best in cosmetics and high end shoes and bags at duty free prices.
· Pelican Village – located just on the outskirts of the town and offers the best in local arts and craft. Steel pan music is also played here at times.
Other stores and shops are located on the main streets in Bridgetown – Swan Street, James Street, Tudor Street and Roebuck Street. These streets house the smaller but popular retail stores such as NuLook Boutique, Dallas Discounts, Ouch! and Superstyle Shoe Store. Also, as you walk along these streets there will be no shortage of vendors selling a variety of items including purses, clothes and shoes.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· The Boatyard - located just on the outskirts of Bridgetown on Bay Street is the boatyard, providing the best in Watersport activities in Barbados.
· Jolly Roger Pirate cruises – offer party cruises at sea.
· Harbour Lights – open air beachfront nightclub on Bay Street that provides live entertainment for its patrons.
Also located on the outskirts of Bridgetown is Carlisle Bay, the beach which Bridgetown overlooks. Like the boatyard, it also provides water sports for its patrons but its calm and peaceful waters also make it ideal for swimming and sea bathing. Carlisle Bay Marine Park is a popular spot for scuba diving in this area. Bridgetown walking tours are available weekly on from the Jolly Roger Tavern but call for bookings.
Getting Around
Bridgetown is easily one of the most accessible places in Barbados. If you do not have your own transportation, there is almost always a van, bus or route taxi going to Bridgetown from any point in the island. Also, there is a taxi stand in the centre of the town with no shortage of drivers available.
The City Of Speightstown
History
Speightstown is the northern most town in the island and also the 2nd largest. Rooted in history, Speightstown houses many buildings dating back to the early settlement days. It also has a very historic feel; as you walk along the town you see many vendors selling fruits and vegetables as well as various handmade jewellery. Speightstown was one of the busiest ports in Barbados as it used to be an important cog in the island’s trading activities in the 17th century. Speightstown was settled by landowner William Speight in 1630 and was originally named Spykeses Bay before it was named after him. The town is over 350 years old and its main street, Queen Street, runs directly though the centre of the town.
Museums
· Frangipani Art Gallery – displays a collection of paintings and prints and useful to visit for those who wish to explore local art.
· Arlington House Museum – interactive 3 story museum that offers a unique experience. There are interactive audio-visual features in the museum and makes learning about Barbadian heritage fun and engaging.
Accommodation
· Schooner Bay Villas – luxurious apartments located at the southernmost end of Speightstown.
· Port St. Charles – luxury beachfront and waterfront villas.
· Port Ferdinand – currently under construction but will also consist of waterfront villas.
Food
· Various Well known fast food outlets such as KFC and Chefette.
· Fisherman’s pub – serves affordable local goods and is very popular among locals and tourists. Offers nice beachfront dining for lunch and dinner.
· Juma’s Restaurant – serves Classic French, Bajan and Thai cuisine. It offers a unique dining experience in Speighstown.
Other places you can enjoy a quick bite include, The Fish Pot , The Orange Street Grocer, The Garden of Eden health shop, Little Bristol for those with more of a sweet tooth and Suga Bowl Café.
Shopping and Stores
Speightstown has two malls that house various stores such as Up Beat and Fashion Nation. There are also various other stores in and around Speightstown selling clothes, shoes and jewellery. Courts Barbados located in the centre of the town, is the only place available to purchase various electronics.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· Speightstown Esplanade – a place near to the sea where persons can sit and relax. Usually hosts activities such as concerts including Speightstown Sizzlin' every month.
· Beaches – Speightstown has a few beaches for liming and sea-bathing including Godings Bay, Speightstown Bay and Heywood’s beach.
For those who desire more action oriented activities can seek out Reefers and Wreckers Dive Shop (for diving), Radical Watersports and Just Chillin Watersports (for water sports such as skiing).
Getting Around
Speightstown is also very accessible either by van, bus or route taxi. Speightstown, Mile and a Quarter, Boscobelle and Connell town buses all pass through Speightstown.
The Town of Holetown
History
Holetown was the first place of settlement in Barbados and is the third largest town on the is
land. Located in the parish of St. James, it was originally called Jamestown after King James the 1st of England. The town was later called "Holetown" because ships were off loaded and cleaned in a small channel/hole in the vicinity of the town. Every February, the town hosts the Holetown festival, a local festival that showcases crafts and music of the island. In Holetown, 1st and 2nd street house most of the restaurants in the area, provide a wide variety of dining experiences and are mostly frequented on weekends. These streets were so named as they were the first to be constructed in Barbados.
Accommodation
For places to stay in Holetown, visitors and locals can stay at Coral Reef Club, Mango Bay Hotel, Discovery Bay as well as the Tropical Beach Apartment Hotel. As implied by their names, all of these establishments are located near the seaside.
Food
Holetown also has a wide variety of places to eat, with over 37 different restaurants to dine in the area. Most of these are located on 1st and 2nd streets. These restaurants including Nishi Restaurant, offer fine dining experiences complete with local entertainment. Other food establishments in the area include The Tides Restaurant, Zaccios, The Beach House Restaurant and Bar, Just Grillin’ and Surfside Restaurant and Beach Bar.
Shopping and Stores
· Limegrove Shopping Mall – high end shopping centre and mall frequented by both locals and tourists.
· Cave Shepherd – offers duty free shopping and is one of the most popular stores in the island, with one also located in Bridgetown.
· West Coast Mall – has a collection of stores that offer duty free shopping.
· Sunset Crest Shopping Mall – also offers duty free shopping to fit any needs.
· Chattel Village – a collection of houses modeled after the historic chattel house. Sells local art, fashion, craft, souvenirs and many more.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· Holetown Beach is available for casual liming and swimming but also offers various watersport activities.
· Limegrove Cinemas – the only cinema in the area, this is located in the high end Limegrove shopping mall.
· Team Baywatch Watersports and Hightide Watersports – for those who are looking for a bit of adventure, water sport activities as well as short boat trips and snorkelling are offered by these two companies.
· Folkestone Marine Park and Visitor Centre – provides water activities as well such as diving, jet skiing and snorkelling.
Getting Around
Holetown is also easily accessible by bus via any transportation system going to Speightstown.
The Town of Oistins
History
Oistins is located on the south of the island. It is a major fishing community in Barbados and the site of the annual fish festival which honours and recognizes those whoo contribute to the local fishing industry. In 1639 there was a clash between the Royalists and Round head supporters over the bid for independence of Barbados from Cromwell’s England. Due to this clash, the Articles of Agreement were drafted in order for Barbados to form its own parliament – now the third oldest in the commonwealth. Oistins was originally called Austin’s Bay but was later named Oistins after Edward Oistine, a plantation owner who resided in the area.
Food
In addition to all the stalls where food can be bought daily (see more below), Cheffette and KFC are also located in Oistins.
Shopping and Stores
· Art and craft items are usually on sale in Oistins at various stalls including pottery, wood carvings, jewellery, clothing and straw craft.
· Southern Plaza Shopping Centre - the lone shopping mall in Oistins, this plaza has a variety of stores to meet a variety of needs whether it be shoes, jewellery or souvenirs. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
Oistins Fish Fry – every Friday and Saturday night, Oistins is bustling with activity as tourists and locals frequent the area for the weekly fish fry. It is one of the highest rated attractions in Barbados as it provides the opportunity to enjoy the best of local cuisine including a variety of fish and chicken. The ambiance is set with throwback music tunes and also calypso including new/recent Crop Over jams. During the week other activities occur including live music on Mondays, karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Steel Pan on Wednesdays.
Oistins Beach – ideal for a lime and also offers watersport activities.
Getting Around
An Oistins or Airport bus will take you to Oistins. Located right in the centre is a bus station with buses running regularly to take you to any destination you wish. There is also the Oistins taxi service, with many taxi drivers waiting to take you anywhere on the island that you want to go.
Therefore, in answer to the question "What's in a Town?", the answer is: everything you could possibly imagine...and more!
What's in a Town?
What’s in a Town?
The island of Barbados has four major towns, Bridgetown, Speightstown, Holetown and Oistins, each offering its own unique experiences. There is always somewhere to eat, to shop and to have fun in each of these towns. Most importantly, they all have their own unique and rich history. This article outlines the various activities and places of interest to visit within these four towns.
The City of Bridgetown
History
Bridgetown is the largest town in Barbados and is also the capital city of the island. Bridgetown, previously known as “Indian Bridge” and the “town of St. Michael” obtained the status as Barbados’ capital in 1838 after slavery was abolished and in June 2011 was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Careenage in Bridgetown facilitated trading and commercial activity among vessels. Bridgetown is almost always active; the only days it is not bustling with activity are Sundays and Bank Holidays.
Food
There is no shortage of food places in Bridgetown as it houses most of the major fast food establishments on the island: Burger King, Chefette and KFC.
However, other restaurants serving local and international cuisine include, Ryannes Restaurant, The Balcony and Ideal restaurants in Cave Shepherd, The Waterfront Cafe opposite independence square and Tim’s Restaurant on Broad Street.
Shopping and Stores
· Broad Street – the largest department stores and malls for duty free shopping are located on Broad Street. These include the Colonade Mall, Mall 34 and Cave Shepherd.
· Cave shepherd – the leading department store in Barbados and over 100 years old. Offers the best from footwear, to electronics, clothing, books, children's clothes and toys and cosmetics, all at duty free prices
· Norman Centre Mall – houses popular international stores such as Converse and Payless.
· The Colonade Mall – formerly called Dacosta’s Mall, is the oldest mall in Barbados. Not only does it have a variety of shopping areas, but the food court also allows you a place to relax and unwind and take a bite to eat.
· Harrisons – Offers the best in cosmetics and high end shoes and bags at duty free prices.
· Pelican Village – located just on the outskirts of the town and offers the best in local arts and craft. Steel pan music is also played here at times.
Other stores and shops are located on the main streets in Bridgetown – Swan Street, James Street, Tudor Street and Roebuck Street. These streets house the smaller but popular retail stores such as NuLook Boutique, Dallas Discounts, Ouch! and Superstyle Shoe Store. Also, as you walk along these streets there will be no shortage of vendors selling a variety of items including purses, clothes and shoes.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· The Boatyard - located just on the outskirts of Bridgetown on Bay Street is the boatyard, providing the best in Watersport activities in Barbados.
· Jolly Roger Pirate cruises – offer party cruises at sea.
· Harbour Lights – open air beachfront nightclub on Bay Street that provides live entertainment for its patrons.
Also located on the outskirts of Bridgetown is Carlisle Bay, the beach which Bridgetown overlooks. Like the boatyard, it also provides water sports for its patrons but its calm and peaceful waters also make it ideal for swimming and sea bathing. Carlisle Bay Marine Park is a popular spot for scuba diving in this area. Bridgetown walking tours are available weekly on from the Jolly Roger Tavern but call for bookings.
Getting Around
Bridgetown is easily one of the most accessible places in Barbados. If you do not have your own transportation, there is almost always a van, bus or route taxi going to Bridgetown from any point in the island. Also, there is a taxi stand in the centre of the town with no shortage of drivers available.
The City Of Speightstown
History
Speightstown is the northern most town in the island and also the 2nd largest. Rooted in history, Speightstown houses many buildings dating back to the early settlement days. It also has a very historic feel; as you walk along the town you see many vendors selling fruits and vegetables as well as various handmade jewellery. Speightstown was one of the busiest ports in Barbados as it used to be an important cog in the island’s trading activities in the 17th century. Speightstown was settled by landowner William Speight in 1630 and was originally named Spykeses Bay before it was named after him. The town is over 350 years old and its main street, Queen Street, runs directly though the centre of the town.
Museums
· Frangipani Art Gallery – displays a collection of paintings and prints and useful to visit for those who wish to explore local art.
· Arlington House Museum – interactive 3 story museum that offers a unique experience. There are interactive audio-visual features in the museum and makes learning about Barbadian heritage fun and engaging.
Accommodation
· Schooner Bay Villas – luxurious apartments located at the southernmost end of Speightstown.
· Port St. Charles – luxury beachfront and waterfront villas.
· Port Ferdinand – currently under construction but will also consist of waterfront villas.
Food
· Various Well known fast food outlets such as KFC and Chefette.
· Fisherman’s pub – serves affordable local goods and is very popular among locals and tourists. Offers nice beachfront dining for lunch and dinner.
· Juma’s Restaurant – serves Classic French, Bajan and Thai cuisine. It offers a unique dining experience in Speighstown.
Other places you can enjoy a quick bite include, The Fish Pot , The Orange Street Grocer, The Garden of Eden health shop, Little Bristol for those with more of a sweet tooth and Suga Bowl Café.
Shopping and Stores
Speightstown has two malls that house various stores such as Up Beat and Fashion Nation. There are also various other stores in and around Speightstown selling clothes, shoes and jewellery. Courts Barbados located in the centre of the town, is the only place available to purchase various electronics.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· Speightstown Esplanade – a place near to the sea where persons can sit and relax. Usually hosts activities such as concerts including Speightstown Sizzlin' every month.
· Beaches – Speightstown has a few beaches for liming and sea-bathing including Godings Bay, Speightstown Bay and Heywood’s beach.
For those who desire more action oriented activities can seek out Reefers and Wreckers Dive Shop (for diving), Radical Watersports and Just Chillin Watersports (for water sports such as skiing).
Getting Around
Speightstown is also very accessible either by van, bus or route taxi. Speightstown, Mile and a Quarter, Boscobelle and Connell town buses all pass through Speightstown.
The Town of Holetown
History
Holetown was the first place of settlement in Barbados and is the third largest town on the island. Located in the parish of St. James, it was originally called Jamestown after King James the 1st of England. The town was later called "Holetown" because ships were off loaded and cleaned in a small channel/hole in the vicinity of the town. Every February, the town hosts the Holetown festival, a local festival that showcases crafts and music of the island. In Holetown, 1st and 2nd street house most of the restaurants in the area, provide a wide variety of dining experiences and are mostly frequented on weekends. These streets were so named as they were the first to be constructed in Barbados.
Accommodation
For places to stay in Holetown, visitors and locals can stay at Coral Reef Club, Mango Bay Hotel, Discovery Bay as well as the Tropical Beach Apartment Hotel. As implied by their names, all of these establishments are located near the seaside.
Food
Holetown also has a wide variety of places to eat, with over 37 different restaurants to dine in the area. Most of these are located on 1st and 2nd streets. These restaurants including Nishi Restaurant, offer fine dining experiences complete with local entertainment. Other food establishments in the area include The Tides Restaurant, Zaccios, The Beach House Restaurant and Bar, Just Grillin’ and Surfside Restaurant and Beach Bar.
Shopping and Stores
· Limegrove Shopping Mall – high end shopping centre and mall frequented by both locals and tourists.
· Cave Shepherd – offers duty free shopping and is one of the most popular stores in the island, with one also located in Bridgetown.
· West Coast Mall – has a collection of stores that offer duty free shopping.
· Sunset Crest Shopping Mall – also offers duty free shopping to fit any needs.
· Chattel Village – a collection of houses modeled after the historic chattel house. Sells local art, fashion, craft, souvenirs and many more.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
· Holetown Beach is available for casual liming and swimming but also offers various watersport activities.
· Limegrove Cinemas – the only cinema in the area, this is located in the high end Limegrove shopping mall.
· Team Baywatch Watersports and Hightide Watersports – for those who are looking for a bit of adventure, water sport activities as well as short boat trips and snorkelling are offered by these two companies.
· Folkestone Marine Park and Visitor Centre – provides water activities as well such as diving, jet skiing and snorkelling.
Getting Around
Holetown is also easily accessible by bus via any transportation system going to Speightstown.
The Town of Oistins
History
Oistins is located on the south of the island. It is a major fishing community in Barbados and the site of the annual fish festival which honours and recognizes those whoo contribute to the local fishing industry. In 1639 there was a clash between the Royalists and Round head supporters over the bid for independence of Barbados from Cromwell’s England. Due to this clash, the Articles of Agreement were drafted in order for Barbados to form its own parliament – now the third oldest in the commonwealth. Oistins was originally called Austin’s Bay but was later named Oistins after Edward Oistine, a plantation owner who resided in the area.
Food
In addition to all the stalls where food can be bought daily (see more below), Cheffette and KFC are also located in Oistins.
Shopping and Stores
· Art and craft items are usually on sale in Oistins at various stalls including pottery, wood carvings, jewellery, clothing and straw craft.
· Southern Plaza Shopping Centre - the lone shopping mall in Oistins, this plaza has a variety of stores to meet a variety of needs whether it be shoes, jewellery or souvenirs. Open Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm and on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm.
Attractions and Recreational Activities
Oistins Fish Fry – every Friday and Saturday night, Oistins is bustling with activity as tourists and locals frequent the area for the weekly fish fry. It is one of the highest rated attractions in Barbados as it provides the opportunity to enjoy the best of local cuisine including a variety of fish and chicken. The ambiance is set with throwback music tunes and also calypso including new/recent Crop Over jams. During the week other activities occur including live music on Mondays, karaoke on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Steel Pan on Wednesdays.
Oistins Beach – ideal for a lime and also offers watersport activities.
Getting Around
An Oistins or Airport bus will take you to Oistins. Located right in the centre is a bus station with buses running regularly to take you to any destination you wish. There is also the Oistins taxi service, with many taxi drivers waiting to take you anywhere on the island that you want to go.
Therefore, in answer to the question "What's in a Town?", the answer is: everything you could possibly imagine...and more!