SWEETFIELD MANOR
Perched on an escarpment on Brittons Hill, Sweetfield Manor was built in the early 1900s by Danish Virgin Islander, Waldemar Hanschell, founder of the shipping business now known as Hanschell Inniss. If this sounds familiar, it's because the house has an exact twin next door in Rudkip, which has previously been one of our open houses. Sweetfield Manor had fallen into disrepair until rescued with a refreshing and resourceful flair by new owners, George and Ann Clarke. Their renovations now complete, they kindly agreed to let us see this fascinating revival of a turn-of-the-century merchant's manor.

DIRECTIONS: Travel south on Bay Street out of Bridgetown. Take the first left after Harbour Lights (at the traffic lights) onto Beckles Road. Continue uphill about half a mile, turning right onto Brittons New Road, and follow the Open House signs.

GOLDEN GROVE PLANTATION HOUSE
This historic house and its outbuildings have recently undergone extensive renovation, and while it retains its Barbadian character, there's a whiff of Southern France too. With features that are purely for pleasure, and a dairy farm next door, the result is a holiday getaway that's a relaxed world of its own. Hard to imagine that the slave uprising of 1816 began virtually next door. The house and grounds are now completely restored.

DIRECTIONS: Golden Grove is near Thicket. From Six Cross Roads, St. Philip, take Highway 5 east. About 3 ½ km later, turn left toward the St. Philip District Hospital and Sanford. At the 'T ' junction, go right and follow this road for about 2 km. look for Golden Grove on the right.

FISHERPOND PLANTATION HOUSE
This 300-year-old mansion sat empty for years until John Chandler's magic touch transformed it to the jewel it is today. Built of rubble stone in Caribbean Georgian style, it was later extended with an enclosed gallery. It is now beautifully filled with antiques, paintings, and objets d'art. With a magnificent dining table that can seat 24, it is splendid for planter's lunches and private parties, for which the Chandlers are renowned hosts. Luckily, you can book one.

DIRECTIONS: Fisherpond Plantation House is off Highway 3 in St. Thomas, shortly before you get to Andrews Sugar Factory in St. Joseph. Look out for our signs.

LASCELLES HOUSE
Originally part of the Lascelles Plantation, this historic house dates back to at least 1789 when Lord Lascelles, the great grandfather of Queen Victoria, married the mysterious 'Janet of Barbados' and lived with her there. The house has recently undergone a renovation that underscores its historic character, and is gracefully furnished with antiques and a wonderful collection of paintings, sculptures as well as prints depicting naval history. Surrounded by nearly 3 acres of gardens, the total effect is spectacular.

DIRECTIONS: From Holetown, turn inland at St. James Methodist Church and look for Open House parking signs. The house is about 1/5 mile up this road in Lascelles Cul de Sac. You may either walk or take our shuttle. No parking is available at the house, but frail visitors may be dropped off there.

HOLDERS HOUSE
Once the plantation house of the vast Black Rock Estate, Holders is most famous today as the venue for the Holders Season - an annual festival of theatre, classical, and contemporary music in the natural amphitheatre of its garden. The house itself is a historic and very traditional plantation house, beautifully furnished in a combination of antique and modern styles.

DIRECTIONS: From Highway 1, turn inland up Holders Hill and pass the entrance to the polo pitch on your left. Holders entrance is next on the left.

ILARO COURT (TO BE CONFIRMED)
Our thanks to Prime Minister, the Hon. David Thompson and Mrs. Thompson for opening his official residence today. A tranquil oasis less than 2 miles from the heart of Bridgetown, Ilaro Court was designed amd built 81 years ago by Lady Gilbert Carter, an accomplished American artist whose husband was Governor of Barbados from 1904 to 1911. This gracious mansion successfully combines Edwardian, Italian, and Caribbean features into a distinctive and individualistic whole. It boasts the first swimming pool in Barbados and a park-like garden with gazebo, fishpond and orchid house.

DIRECTIONS: From Highway 2A, turn towards Bridgetown at the Emancipation Statue roundabout. Turn in at Sherbourne Conference Centre. Parking is at the right side of the building, and there is a walkway from there to Ilaro Court.

ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY
Built in the mid-17th century, and set in about 200 acres of cane, this is not a religious abbey but one of only three surviving Jacobean-style houses in the Western Hemisphere. This treasure has been bought by architect Larry Warren, who has lovingly restored the house and its steam-driven factory, where he bottles rum and other sugar cane products. With its antique furnishings, paintings, china and a rare 1930s documentary film on view, you'll be immersed in plantation life. NOTE: Special reduced admission fee to the property is $25.00 for Trust members and $30.00 for non members. This includes admission to the working syrup plant and a bottle of cane juice fresh from the crusher. Opening hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and worth every minute of it.

DIRECTIONS: From Highway 1 (the West Coast Road), turn onto Mullins Road at Mullins Beach car park. Go up the hill, through the rocks, and look for Open House signs. From Highway 2A, north of the Holetown and Carlton turnoffs, look for Mullins Road, just after the new Bakers Wood development. Turn left, and go down about 1 ½ miles. We'll be on the left.

CLUFFS PLANTATION HOUSE
Along with its outbuildings and gardens, this 18th century plantation house in the windswept wilds of St. Lucy has been lovingly restored. It contains furniture from the Far East. This venue is a treat for connoisseurs and garden-lovers alike and well worth the drive.

DIRECTIONS: Cluffs is at the northern tip of the island. Take Highway 2A to S. Lucy Church. Continue straight past it (keep to your left). Soon, you will pass St. Lucy Secondary School on your right. When you reach the 'T ' junction, turn right. Not quite 1 km after that, at Greenidge, is the left for Cluffs. Watch for our signs.

LANCASTER HOUSE
Built in the early 1700s, Lancaster House is fascinating both for its architecture and history. The house was actually used for a meeting of the Houses of Legislature in 1732 and was also owned by two acting Governors!  Lancaster House is now home to one of the most energizing art galleries in Barbados. A treat by any standards! Don’t expect lavish furnishings. Do be prepared for a relevant and provocative exhibition.

DIRECTIONS: Travel along Highway 2A and continue through the roundabout at St. Thomas' Parish Church. You will pass Portvale Sugar Factory on the left. Continue on, looking out for our Open House signs. Lancaster is on the left as you head north.

BUCHANAN
We are grateful to ace broadcaster Vic Fernandes and his wife Ferida for opening their home. Situated in the elegant, historic residential area of Pine Hill, Buchanan was built in the 1920s. The Fernandes have beautifully updated and expanded this comfortable home, which is filled with art and joie de vivre. Considering how close it is to Bridgetown, there's a surprisingly large garden to explore too.

DIRECTIONS: Buchanan is located on Philip Drive, Pine Gardens. Please park at People's Cathedral, Bishop's Court, and let us shuttle you over.

LAMBERTS PLANTATION HOUSE
Today you'll experience a remote discovery accompanied by the strangely plaintive hum of the wind in the casuarina trees. Built on the foundations of the original 1700s timber structure, this 1930s-vintage house had slipped into terrible disrepair by the time Ryan Brooker and his wife bought it. They've rescued it, and the results are beautiful. What's miraculous is that it took only 3 months! The historic millwall and one of the outbuildings have been redone, while others retain their ancient character. Lovely grounds complete the charm.

DIRECTIONS: Go north to Highway 2A. At St. Lucy's Church Roundabout, take the immediate right turn stay on that road for about 3 ½ kilometers. En route you'll pass Mt. Gay Rum refinery (another interesting place to visit while you're here.) You'll find Lamberts down a small road on the left. Watch carefully for our signs.

GEORGE WASHINGTON HOUSE
More than a beautifully restored 18th century plantation house this is the place where George and Lawrence Washington slept in 1751. It is more than the original 15 minute film "George Washington in Barbados" which was filmed right here in Barbados and the USA. The house is a museum showcasing 18th and 19th century Barbados displaying artifacts and recreations of Barbadian life of yesteryear. It sits in beautifully landscaped grounds which can be the ideal location for special events such as weddings, cocktail parties and the like.

DIRECTIONS: Located at the Garrison off Highway 7, the house can easily be found. On leaving Bridgetown, drive south along Bay Street and take the left turn up Bush Hill, opposite the Barbados Light & Power Ltd. Coming from the south it would be a right turn or you may turn right opposite the Drill Hall. Look for our Open House signs.

MULLINS MILL
Is it the charm of the main house's unique design, incorporating a 17th century sugar mill? Or is it the beauty of its site, magnificent views of the West Coast, or the personality evident in its décor? Whatever the main appeal, Mullins Mill has it, and is back on schedule by popular demand. Although the sprawling luxury property is often available to rent, it retains a personal and welcoming ambiance that will make it hard to leave. We thank the Realtors Ltd., for arranging this visit.

DIRECTIONS: From Highway 1 (the West Coast Road), turn onto Mullins Road at Mullins Beach car park. Go up the hill, through the rocks, and look for Open House signs. From Highway 2A, north of the Holetown and Carlton turnoffs, look for Mullins Road, just after the new Bakers Wood development. Turn left, and go down about 1 ½ miles. We'll be on the left.