Bridgetown Travel Guide

When the English arrived in Barbados in the 17th century to declare the island a British colony, they found an eerily abandoned settlement. At the centre, a bridge built by indigenous people known as the Arawaks spanned a swamp, and this bridge was to give the town its name. As the small group of English colonists settled, they laid Bridgetown out like a medieval European city, with narrow winding streets, alleyways and fine examples of British colonial architecture. The heavily protected harbour became a significant port for merchant ships trading across the Atlantic with cargoes of sugar and slaves.England wasn’t the only European power with interests in the Caribbean: for that reason, the early settlers made sure their city was well fortified against other armies and pirates. The brick-built Bridgetown Garrison, initially constructed in 1705 as part of the town’s defences, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, you can still see thoroughbred horses race on Saturdays at the Garrison Savannah.Walking through the twisting streets of Bridgetown, soak up the Creole, Caribbean culture and discover the military, commercial and social history. On your way, look out for St Mary’s and St Michael’s churches, Queen’s Park, the Jewish Synagogue, Heroes Square and the Parliament Building. Stop at George Washington House and learn about the American president’s visit here in 1751.You can literally drink in the history at Bridgetown. Barbados has been producing rum since 1703, and over 300 years later you can still enjoy the ‘oldest’ rum in the world at the Mount Gay Rum Factory. Rums created by one of the finest master blenders include world class Eclipse, Extra Old and the 1703 Cask Selection.On the south-west coast of Barbados, Bridgetown is the largest city on the island. Now a bustling home to nearly 100,000 people, it has all the transport links, shopping and facilities to make your stay in the city an easy one. With beaches, hotels, restaurants and historical attractions, Bridgetown is a great base for exploring this tropical paradise.