It is named after admiral horatio nelson, who lived in the royal navy dockyard from 1784 through 1787. We were given an upgrade to a suite which was nice and the staff were pleasant and helpful. History and culture exclusive tour through nelsons. Nelsons dock yard is an important cultural heritage site and marina, that is located in the natural harbor and settlement of english harbour, on the island of antigua, part of the twinisland country of antigua and barbuda. Nelson, who was based at english harbour from 1784 to 1787, was senior captain at only 27 years of age and became the temporary commanderinchief of the leeward islands for a short time. Dh and i have taken it twice with no problems, although the last time we waited a long time for the bus to arrive to take us back to the ship. Nelsons dockyard national park the history of antigua. Nelsons dockyard national park antigua and barbuda history. If you are thinking of taking the bus to nelson s dockyard, just be aware that a public bus in antigua is a minivan holding maybe eight or so passengers. The dockyard museum in the naval officers house interprets the story of english. A bus drops us off in a place called nelsons dockyard antigua, where we will.
Historic lord nelsons dockyard national park antigua. In the early days of the european colonization of the caribbean, the british navy was required to patrol and protect british economic interests. A dream of glory 1758 1797 is the first volume of what promises to be a two volume definitive biography on the life and career of vice admiral sir horatio nelson, the greatest admiral in the history of western civilization. Hotel copper and lumber store, english harbour town. Now, were on to nelson s dockyard, named after the victor of the battle of trafalgar, admiral lord nelson. Nelsons dockyard recommended as a world heritage site. Nelsons dockyard and the british heritage in antigua. Fully restored to its original splendor, the eighteenth and nineteenthcentury buildings of the dockyard house modern amenities such as shops, hotels, and marina businesses. Unesco world heritage site 2016, antigua naval dockyard and related archaeological sites, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, townplanning or landscape design, object illustrates significant stage in human history. Its one of the coolest historic sites in the caribbean.
There is a small entry fee money well spent in my opinion. Portsmouth naval base is part of the city of portsmouth. Dockyard heritage the history of antigua and barbuda in. Nelson managed the defensive harbour for a while and nelsons dock yard is what you can visit today to get a flavour of life in another time in antigua. With a maximum of only 12 people, you will enjoy more personalized visits to sites such as nelson s dockyard, dow. In addition to this museum, theres a museum at nelsons dockyard. It is part of nelsons dockyard national park, which also contains clarence house and shirley heights, and is the only unesco world heritage site of the country. Book your tickets online for nelsons dock yard, english harbour. Until the early 1970s, it was officially known as portsmouth. From the beginning of restoration in 1951, the yard became known as nelsons dockyard in honour of admiral horatio nelson who had served as a captain from 178487. Nelsons dockyard is the largest of antiguas national parks and is still used.
The 10 best restaurants near nelsons dockyard in english. Mo from charterguru goes for a walk around nelson s dockyard during the antigua yacht charter show. The dockyard museum in the naval officers house interprets the story of english harbour and of the people that toiled in this famous georgian royal naval yard. In 1671 the governor of the leeward islands wrote to the council for foreign plantations in. Book your tickets online for nelson s dockyard, english harbour. Fully restored to its original splendor, the eighteenth and nineteenthcentury buildings of nelson s dockyard house modern amenities such as shops, hotels and marina businesses.
When the restoration of the dockyard began in the 1950s, it was renamed nelson s dockyard in honour of. It is a circular walk which can start anywhere from pigeon beach to nelson s dockyard and in between. Enjoy this exclusive small group tour to antiguas beautiful and historic south coast. This is a beautifully preserved relic of the british empire and is well worth visiting. Museum dedicated to admiral horatio nelson and other officers and. With its elegant colonial buildings and whimsical charm, it is hard to. Today its restored buildings house restaurants, hotels and businesses, the most important of which is the dockyard museum, which features information on antiguas history, the dockyard and life at the forts.
Its probably the most important historical landmark in the country and the only site on the world heritage list. Located in the english harbour general area is the historic harbour bearing one of the most famous names in naval history. Nelson s dockyard is the largest of antigua s national parks and is still used today as a working dockyard for numerous yachts and ships. Her majestys naval base, portsmouth is one of three operating bases in the united kingdom for the royal navy. The antigua naval dockyard antigua and barbuda no 1499. Toms antigua st johns and barbuda cruise port guide. Nelsons dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina in english harbour, located in saint. Depart from the pier area and take a scenic and picturesque drive through villages as you pass beaches and eventually. The bbcs gemma handy explores the history of nelson s dockyard in antigua, a georgian dockyard which was recently declared a unesco world heritage site. The bbcs gemma handy explores the history of nelsons dockyard in.
He was a devout methodist and during his spare hours, he preached to slaves living in a row of thatched huts outside the dockyard gate called porter s row. He has written more than thirty books on maritime history including. During your visit youll stop by nelsons dockyard national park, a colonialera naval base and renowned yachting location, taking some time to browse the areas unique shops and art galleries, then stop by the picturesque blockhouse ruins and finish your day with. Share a candlelight dinner under the stars on the dockside. Built in the late 17th century, the dockyard carries the name of admiral horatio nelson, who lived in the area in the 1780s. Brian lavery is the guest curator of the exhibition victory 250 at chatham historic dockyard. Historic nelsons dockyard, english harbour, antigua. The freshly cooked breakfast muffins and local yoghurt were excellent. Admiral horatio nelson s headquarters from 1784 to 1787, and a strategic naval base for the british royal navy in colonial antigua, this historical complex lies 11 miles southeast of st.
Nelsons dockyard nelsons dockyard national park tours. Nelsons dockyard english harbour 2020 all you need to. History of nelsons dockyard nelsons dockyard is a cultural heritage site and marina located on the edge of english harbour in the southeast of antigua. Nelsons dockyard english harbour 2020 all you need to know. We chose the hotel for its location in nelson s dockyard and for the history. Great hikes are found in the english harbour and falmouth national parks the book nelsons dockyard national park guide to plants and historic sites gives all info on the nature trails and can an be found at the antigua museums in the nelsons dockyard and in st. From 1784 through 1787, the british hero of trafalgar, horatio nelson, served as the captain of the h. At night he apparently slept on a large table in the middle of a hut. Named after admiral horatio nelson, who lived in the dockyard during the late 1700s, nelsons dock yard houses the islands most magnificent watercraft. Historic nelsons dockyard, english harbour, antigua the travel. Transportation to nelsons dockyard, shirley heights.
Get the perfect introduction to the history and scenic beauty of antigua during this 3. Book your tickets online for nelsons docky ard, english harbour. The visitor experience onboard hms victory at portsmouth historic dockyard as nelsons famous flagship from the battle of trafalgar is now brought alive with a handheld audio guide for the first time in the ships history. When the restoration of the dockyard began in the 1950s, it was renamed nelson s dockyard in honour of the years he spent in antigua. Nelsons dock yard national park, english harbour town. S boreas, sent to antigua to enforce british laws in the colonies. A local taxi from where the cruise ships drop off can be used to get to nelsons dockyards from the cruise ships. The building is beautifully restored with polished wood floors and exposed brickwork. On this tour, you leave for the south of the island to nelsons dockyard, historical high place of the island, then shirleys heights, former english military fort, from where you can see guadeloupe and montserrat on a clear day. English harbour and nelsons dockyard also has a number of tourist facilities, including banks, restaurants.
Her majestys naval base, portsmouth hmnb portsmouth is one of three operating bases in the united kingdom for the royal navy the others being hmnb clyde and hmnb devonport. Visit nelsons dockyard on your trip to english harbour. Nelsons dockyard is also home to some of antiguas sailing and yachting events such as antigua saili. Nelsons dockyard english harbour all you need to know. Why nelsons dockyard is britains best colonial caribbean. Dating back to the georgian era, nelsons dock yard offers visitors numerous sightseeing opportunities, as well as restaurants, shops, and a museum. Historian and archaeologist, dr reginald murphy was chairman. Nelsons dockyard national park in antigua attraction. Nelsons dock yard marina is within the nelsons dock yard national park in antigua and is the only working georgian dockyard in the world.
The gift shop is a great place to purchase colour prints and etchings of 18th and 19th century antigua, local hand made pottery, handicrafts and books. We visited english harbour and nelsons dockyard as part of a minibus tour of antigua. Nelsons dock yard national park is a place to connect with the history of antigua and follow in the footsteps of the famed explorer admiral horatio nelson. Exhibits include geography, geology, and pastpresent material culture on antigua and barbuda. People visit from all over the world to pour into the nelson s dockyard for a night of delicious seafood in an atmosphere that has proven unmatched and veritably impossible to replicate. Book today as places go early as not many cruise liens offer this tour at this. Nelson s dockyard, the bustling, beautiful former stomping ground of admiral horatio nelson. Built at english harbor in the 1720s, the site was essential to the british navy and the sugar trade. Being part of nelsons dock yard national park, which also contains clarence house and shirley heights, it was named after admiral horatio nelson who lived in the dockyard. Base your start point on where you want to finish, for example sit at a bar in nelson s dockyard and watch the yachts go by, take a dip in the waters of pigeon beach and grab a rum and coke at bumpkins for sunset, or drink a seriously good. Nelsons dockyard a historical walk in english harbour. If you book or buy something through these links, we earn a small commission at no. Named after admiral horatio nelson, who lived in the dockyard during the late 1700s, nelson s dockyard houses the islands most magnificent watercraft.
Located in the heart of a world heritage site, the historic inn is a beautiful intimate boutique hotel where the laid back culture and charm of the caribbean melds with the. The nelsons dockyard has been recommended to be a world heritage site by the international council of monuments and sites icomos. This tour is a great way to see the history and sights and giving you time for free time. Why nelson s dockyard is britains best colonial caribbean legacy. Restaurants near nelsons dock yard, english harbour on tripadvisor. Built in the 1740s by antiguas plantation slaves out of stone and ship ballast, the. In terms of categories of cultural property set out in article. Nelson s dockyard, english harbour town, saint paul, antigua and barbuda. If youre interested in a bit of history, keep on reading. Welcome to the copper and lumber store historic inn.
566 1249 121 984 697 1475 59 276 1194 1253 59 553 543 520 710 1433 1490 1052 1069 604 616 659 1439 1401 934 1277 659 21 1247 308 644 555 873 378 801 1206 38 602 893 653 1256 572 621