Garrison Historic Area
Highway 7, Bridgetown, Saint Michael
Part of Bridgetown’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Garrison Historic Area was home to the British colonial command during the 18th and 19th centuries. Explore its well-preserved historical buildings and sights, which range from the cannon-fringed Garrison Savannah to the elegant George Washington House.
Highlights of Garrison Historic Area include the Barbados Museum set in an old barracks, the clocktower-topped Main Guard, the George Washington House–where he stayed in 1751–and the Garrison Tunnels. You can easily spend a day exploring here, but walking tours and shore excursions showcase the main sights in less time. Alternatively, book a private, custom tour of Barbados’ island-wide highlights: Most let you squeeze in a visit to the area.
The Garrison Historic Area is a must-visit for history and military enthusiasts.
The ground floors of the Barbados Museum and George Washington House are mostly wheelchair-accessible.
Wear lightweight clothing for the Barbados Museum: it has no air-conditioning.
The Barbados Museum and George Washington House have restrooms, and the latter has a café.
The Garrison Historic Area is at the south end of Bridgetown’s Carlyle Bay. Regular buses ferry you to Bay Street, near the George Washington House, from the city’s Fairchild Street terminal; the hourly number 33 bus from Princess Alice bus terminal also runs to the area. There’s usually ample parking outside the Barbados Museum and around the Savannah.
The best time to visit the Garrison Historic Area is during the dry season of December-April and in the morning, before Barbados’ afternoon heat kicks in. Many tourists also chime visits with regular local events such as the Changing of the Sentry at the Guard House every Thursday, and horse-racing fixtures at the Savannah track. The Barbados Museum and George Washington House typically open in the morning, although the museum usually closes on Sundays and bank holidays.
It’s worth planning your Garrison explorations to take in more than its historical buildings. Diarize the Changing of the Sentry at the Guard House: the ceremony starts at around 11:45am every Thursday and includes a marching military band. Or, snap up tickets for one of the regular Saturday horse race meets at Barbados Turf Club, which see racehorses thunder around the Savannah cheered on by crowds.
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