Jacobean Mansions

Visitors should not miss seeing some of Barbados’s old great houses, many of them several centuries old. Two of only three genuine Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere are located here, St. Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall (the third is in Virginia). Both were built in the 1650s. Drax Hall was believed to have been built by two brothers who prospered in the sugar industry. St. Nicholas Abbey shows off such interesting architectural features as Dutch gables, cedar paneling, corner chimneys and a Chinese Chippendale staircase. The home is set amidst a lush forest of mahogany trees. Visitors will find a world of fine antiques, china and silverware at another grand house, Francia, which also has on display a map dating back to 1522.

Sam Lord’s Castle
If you want to see the lifestyle of an alleged pirate, Sam Lord’s Castle built in 1820 is also open to the public. Some of his original furnishings remain in the castle.

Farley Hill
There are also ruins such as Farley Hill, which was once the most magnificent home in the country. Today, the house gets attention because of its well-landscaped gardens which have plants the owner imported from all over the world.

Typically, prices for the great houses that are open to the public are about $10. Some of the island’s most historic and private homes can be visited from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, mid-January to mid-April, under the National Trust’s Open House Program. These range from the old plantation houses to opulent modern villas. A $15 entrance fee gives visitors access to the homes. Children 5 to 12 are charged half price, while those under 5 are free. (tel. 246-426-2421)