Take a Visit to the Platinum Coast of Barbados
We Gatherin’ Barbados 2020 focused on St. Peter for the month of February. This parish is one of two which touches both the west and east coasts of the island with their differing characters and landscapes. The mighty power of the Atlantic can be seen from the East Coast and the calm waters of the longer West Coast is just a short drive away in your rental car. This part of the West Coast is commonly referred to as the Platinum coast because of its abundance of extravagant villas and hotels along with the island’s only two marinas at Port St. Charles and Port Ferdinand.
Speightstown is the major town located in this parish and is one of the four main towns on the island. Speightstown was the first major port and commercial centre on the island, established in the 17th century to connect Barbados to England. It is sometimes still referred to as Little Bristol because of this connection. This quiet town is great for historic tours, including the Arlington Museum and also for great food, from authentic Bajan fare to fine dining.
As you point your hired car further down the coast, you also can enjoy fine beach experiences at places like Mullins Beach, with all its watersports, or relaxing beach club vibes at Sea Shed. There are many hidden gems along this coast with small beach accesses opening up to stunningly quiet bays and white sandy stretches.
A turn inland will take you to Barbados’ national park at Farley Hill and her forest of majestic mahogany trees and stunning vistas of the island’s east coast. While you’re in the area you can visit other attractions like the Barbados Wildlife Reserve & Grenade Hall Signal Station; or explore a bit further in your rental car to visit the Jacobean mansion at St. Nicholas Abbey and the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, with its steam-powered locomotive tours. Don’t miss the rum tour as well for premium rum made the way it always was. Take in the view from Cherry Tree Hill while you’re there for more picture-taking opportunities like none other.
St. Peter is also home to the par 72 Robert Trent Jones Jr. designed golf course at Royal Westmoreland. If you love golf, you’ll want to play here. Just across the road, you can also find a world-class tennis centre with four floodlit courts at The Sugar Hill Estate. If you’re looking for something a little more local in flavour, stop by the Six Men’s Bay fish market and village and enjoy fresh-caught fish and get lost in a bygone era of the fishing culture in Barbados.
There’s so much to see on your island vacation, but it is only possible to truly enjoy it if you have a hired car to allow you the freedom to explore at your own pace. So, your first step is to rent a car and take a drive around for yourself. Next month we’ll be going on a tour to the centre of the island as we discover the beauty of St. Thomas, Barbados, and all that she has to offer.