West Coast: St James
The west coast of Barbados, in the parish of St James, once known as the 'Gold Coast' thanks to its lovely tranquil beaches, is now jokingly referred to as the 'Platinum Coast' due to the abundance of upmarket resorts. For hundreds of years the west coast has been a holiday destination for the rich and famous; it was as popular among the wealthy British during colonial times as it is now, as can be witnessed by the old villas that dot the coast amongst the resorts and the rich and famous who come to holiday here.
Situated on the Carribbean, the west coast has some of the calmest water on the island and is famed for its pristine beaches. Paynes Bay, a gorgeous stretch of fine white sandy beach, is one of the most popular beaches for swimming and snorkelling due to its beautifully clear turquoise waters.
The accommodation on this part of the island is among the most exclusive, with higher prices than other areas but with stunning service to match. However, there is a wide range of food and drink available, not just from high end restaurants but also from local beach shacks offering up tasty local fare.
St James has great historical significance as the site where British colonialists first landed in 1625, and Holetown, which was orignally named Jamestown after King James, was the first colony founded on the island. Nowadays the town has a great variety of places to eat, drink and shop, and also houses a monument to the first landing of the British and the St James Parish church, the oldest church on the island, which despite being rebuilt after several fires and hurricanes still stands today.
There is a festival held in Holetown every year in February making it a great time to visit, when the arrival of the English is celebrated with parades, street fairs, games and music.
Speightstown is another town on the West coast that combined old world colonial charm with a more genuine feel than many of the more upscale areas of the coast. Wandering the streets offers a great opportunity to immerse yourself in times gone by or to stop and chat to the locals, and the quiet traffic offers plenty of time to look up at the old wooden facades of the buildings.
