We drove down a long winding tree-lined driveway that was forever extending, taking us up to the luscious grounds of St. Nicholas Abbey; allowing us to envisage the decadent lives that the plantation homeowners once had.

St. Nicholas Abbey is an impressive plantation house built in 1660, one of only three Jacobean mansions remaining in the Western Hemisphere, thus a significant historical building and a poignant representation of Barbados’ rich heritage. (Drax House is another, also available to visit in Barbados). We paid the guard on duty at the main gate our admission and she informed us about the activities and times for the steam locamotive which departs at 10.00am / 11.30am / 1.30pm / 2.30pm each day. Having just missed a train, we decided to amble across to the Great House.

As you approach St. Nicholas Abbey, you will be astounded by its beauty, it is an example of Jacobean architecture at its finest, with elegant multi-curved gables, Tudor arches, decorative cornerstone chimneys, casement windows and elaborate ornamental detail.

We were provided with a guided tour of the ground floor level of this impressive mansion by one of the owners Larry Warren. This included the drawing room, dining room and study which showcased antiques and artefacts spanning the property’s 350-year heritage. Larry, very passionately discussed how he came to possess St. Nicholas Abbey and his mission to restore the property to become a fully operational sugar plantation, to preserve and celebrate the Abbey as part of the islands precious heritage.

His wife Anna joined us shortly afterwards in the courtyard alongside a flock of resident Guinea Fowl birds and she showed us the bottle of Rum that they had specially inscribed for Captain Sir Tom Moore (a British Army Veteran who had famously raised £33m for NHS charities), as he had visited the plantation only a few days before.

We felt humbled to have had the opportunity to have spent time with the owners who were incredibly welcoming, down to earth and eager to engage us, despite what must be a heavy footfall through their home daily. We have visited several times since with friends and often see the couple pottering around the premises going about their daily chores, which authenticates the overall experience of it being a functioning sugar plantation and family home.

We followed the tour with an exploration of the luscious beautifully maintained surrounding gardens. There was an Avery with Moluccan (or Salmon Crested) Cockatoos named Lance and Baby, as well as a pair of Macaws parrots which we were convinced had spoken to us, so please engage these feathery friends in conversation to confirm our speculations!

We took a stroll to the steam mill (boiling house) and rum distillery which is now fully operational; all Abbey products such as rum, sugar and SNAHR memorabilia can be purchased at the gift shop. Simon, one of Larry’s sons was a hugely entertaining raconteur with many rum-fuelled anecdotes about their award-winning rum tour that they offer. He provided us with a couple of shots of the finest St. Nicholas Abbey rum to sample and explained the distillery process in detail.

Just past the shop there is a little room where you can watch a rare film about life on the sugar plantation which transports you back to the thirties and gives you a genuine feel for the times. It was a great historic account and just fascinating viewing – so not to be missed!

We had been so engrossed by all the history that we were unaware of a few hours having already past and yet there was still more fun to be had – it was time for us to embark on the steam locomotive adventure which Arlo was thrilled about, so we took a short brisk walk to the station to join the queue that was forming.

St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway is a fairly new addition to the attraction, completed in late 2018. We took our seats and were greeted by a finely dressed Conductor who provided an animated commentary about our journey – filled with historical facts and fiction. He guided us as we travelled past the Great House, journeyed through the plantation fields, past a beautiful lake, lush orchards, gullies and mahogany woodlands, spotting many native wildlife such as green monkeys and numerous species of birds as we went. The estate comprises of 400 immaculate acres – sustaining such standards must be a huge undertaking for the owners – one that we were thankful to have experienced.

The tour concludes at Cherry Tree Hill, which is positioned at an elevated part of the island offering magnificent views of the island’s tempestuous east coast.

We disembarked for ten minutes or so to take a leisurely stroll to enjoy the view and capture some infamous family selfies. There are many souvenir stalls positioned here as it is a popular tourist stop. When we returned to the steam engine we were permitted to go into the locomotive operators carriage and Arlo delighted in tugging the ropes to operate the resounding (incredibly loud!) bell – eeeek! We volunteered to help turn the train around on its turnstile, which we did with a big heave and a push, I could hear excited squeals from my son as it began to spin on its axis.

Once pointing in the correct direction, we re-boarded and enjoyed the scenery as it return us back to the Great House. The round trip tour took approximately one hour, so having worked up a hunger we headed to the Terrace Cafe for some freshly made juices and late lunch of delectable wraps, traditional Bajan fishcakes and delicious coconut cake.

The setting overlooking the tropical gullies was utter bliss, the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cheeky St. Nicholas Abbey rum punch, order of the management! Live steel pan music by their resident musician Adrian takes place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from noon and completes this wonderful island experience. So if you love history, rum, sugar, locomotives, magnificent views – this is the place for you, quite simply it has all the ingredients for a perfect family day out!

THE SPECIFICS

Opening Times: 9.30am to 3.30pm everyday. Closed Tuesday.

Daily Train Departures: 10.00am • 11.30am • 1.30pm • 2.30pm.

Entrance Fee:

All inclusive Combo rate includes the Heritage Railway, Great House and the Heritage & Rum Tour of the Abbey –  $80BBD per person 12 years and over. Children 3 – 11 years $20BBD.

Heritage Railway Only – $46BBD per person 12 years and over. Children 3 – 11 years $20BBD.

Great House Only – $46BBD per person 12 years and over. Children 3 – 11 years $20BBD.

Children aged 3 and under are free.

Cash and card payments in BBD and USD are accepted here.

Sustenance: The Terrace Café is available for food and drinks.

This is not a public restaurant; during high season it is reserved solely for general admission visitors. The café can be quite busy and does not accept reservations, so please plan accordingly. During the summer season (June through October), they do relax this policy and encourage diners to book by advance arrangement.

Gift Shop: There is a gift shop that stocks a selection of products produced at St. Nicholas Abbey, such as sugar and rum (bottles of rum can be inscribed), and SNAHR memorabilia.

Toilets: There are some clean washroom facilities available in the courtyard of the Great House and at the station.

Parking: Ample free parking in the designated car park area.

Location: St Nicholas Abbey, Cherry Tree Hill St. Peter, Barbados.