Speightstown, Barbados
Speightstown is one of the oldest ports and largest towns on the island of Barbados. Located along the Caribbean Sea on the island's northwest coast, Speightstown was settled in 1630, and was only later named for local landowner William Speight. Today, Speightstown is a busy, thriving town filled with activity and plenty of holidaymakers.
A Brief History of Speightstown
In the early days of Speightstown, it was the island's busiest port, shipping sugar and other products regularly to England – especially Bristol. Because of its commercial relationship with Bristol, the first name of Speightstown was Little Bristol.
In some parts of Barbados, such as Holetown, not many buildings remain from early colonial days due to several severe hurricanes in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. In Speightstown, however, there are still quite a few historic buildings remaining. As you walk through the town, you'll have a chance to get a flavour for colonial-era Barbadian architecture.
Not long ago, Speightstown was a port city that had fallen into disrepair. The last few years have brought a renaissance to the area, however, and it is now reclaiming some of its historic importance to Barbados.
Things to See and Do in Speightstown
If you've sampled the colonial feel of the town and want to know more, visit the Arlington House Museum. A three-story house originally built in the eighteenth century and later restored, the house offers both old-fashioned museum exhibits, along with high-tech audio and visual features. The museum is divided into three main sections: Speightstown Memories, Plantation Memories, and Wharf Memories. The Arlington House Museum is a great location for kids, too.
The St. Peter's Parish Church is another spot you'll want to visit if you're a history buff. The 1837 Anglican Church is one of the oldest in Barbados and is a great example of Georgian-style architecture.
Art lover? The Caribbean Gallery of Art in Speightstown offers an opportunity to view unique art from both local artists and artists around the Caribbean, including sculpture and photography.
The Beaches
Barbados boasts some of the most incredible beaches in the world, and the beaches near Speightstown are no exception. On the beach, you can lounge around or try something adventurous. Many local hotels can arrange jetskiing and other water sports for the whole family to enjoy.
The beaches near Barbados aren't known only to humans. Several of the nearby beaches are also nesting homes to the famous hawksbill sea turtle. The species is critically endangered, and Barbados is one of its last havens. If you schedule your visit between May and October, you might be able to see a few hawksbill turtles nesting on the beach. Besides the hawksbille, Speigtstown beaches also host nesting leatherback turtles. The leatherbacks are the largest sea turtle of all, and gain their name from its soft shell. Although leatherbacks are also losing habitat due to human activity, they are not quite as endangered as the hawksbill turtle.
Overall, Speigtstown boasts a laid-back, nearly bohemian atmosphere. A great place for a relaxing beach holiday, there's plenty in this small Barbadian town to keep the whole family entertained.
