Tucked away in the lush hills of St. Peter, St. Nicholas Abbey isn't just a heritage site, it is a living story. Built in 1658, this Jacobean mansion, on a working sugar plantation, is one of only three of its kind in the Western Hemisphere, and Barbados proudly claims two: St. Nicholas Abbey and Drax Hall.

It's a grand plantation home with curved Dutch gables, coral stone finials, and a Chinese Chippendale staircase that feels straight out of a period drama. Inside, you'll find antique furniture, fine china, and even a rare 1930s home movie that captures life on a sugar estate.

A collection of Amerindian artifacts reveals that these indigenous peoples of Barbados lived in the forests and gullies in the area.

🎟️ What to Expect on Your Visit

Start with a tour of the great house, where guides bring the architecture and history of the plantation to life. Then head outside to explore the beautifully landscaped grounds, where tropical blooms meet towering Mahogany and Silk Cotton trees and natural gullies.

In the courtyard marvel at the 400+ year old Sandbox Tree, and explore the old bathhouse and outhouse.

🍹 Rum, Steam, and Sweet Stories

The plantation's steam-powered mill and rum distillery are fully operational - and yes, you can sample and purchase the rum! The gift shop also stocks local sugar products and keepsakes that go beyond the usual souvenirs.

Sugar cane grown on the estate is ground on-site to produce cane syrup. The syrup in turn is fermented and then distilled by Annabelle (a combination pot still and distillation column) to produce a range of award-winning rums.

🚂 All Aboard the Heritage Railway

Don't miss the narrated train ride on the authentic Victorian steam railway that winds through the estate and up to Cherry Tree Hill. The views are stunning, the breeze is pure magic, and there's a charming market at the top where local vendors showcase handmade crafts and treats. Click here to view a lovely video of the Barbados Historic Railway Story.

💔 A Tale of Love, Loss, and Legacy

St. Nicholas Abbey has its share of drama. Legend has it Colonel Benjamin Berringer built the house, but his friend and business partner, John Yeamans, fell for Mrs. Berringer - and things turned deadly. A duel ended with Berringer's death, Yeamans married the widow, and claimed the estate. Eventually, the courts returned it to Berringer's children, and the property was named after Berringer's granddaughter, who married George Nicholas.

As for Yeamans and the widow? They left Barbados in 1669 and helped found the colony of South Carolina, where Yeamans became governor in 1672.

Tours To St. Nicholas Abbey