St Peter tourist information
St Peter Barbados
St. Nicholas Abbey is one of the oldest houses on the island, and one of three remaining styles of Jacobean-style architecture in the Americas. The house is believed to have been built in 1650 by Colonel Beringer. The second owner of the house, who acquired it and Colonel Beringer's wife, through foul play became the Governor of South Carolina in 1672. However, the name of the Plantation is derived from a later owner, George Nicholas. Nicholas married Berringer's grand daughter.
The house is still lived in, so only the ground floor is open to the public. The house is furnished with late 18th and early 19th century antiques. A film, forgotten in a drawer for 45 years, shows the present owner's father returning England in 1934. The film is shown every day at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm, and shows street scenes in Bridgetown as well as sugar plantations, and windmills turning.
Not far from St. Nicholas Abbey are Farley Hill Park and the Barbados Wildlife Reserve. The Wildlife Reserve houses various animals; it is not a zoo or a safari, but a large Mahogany wood where the various animals roam freely. There are several paths traversing the Reserve for visitors to follow. A few of the animals and birds are caged. The latter in a walk in aviary which shows off several tropical birds including toucans, cockatoos, and parrots. The animals however are not tame, and visitors should heed warning notices.
Adjacent to the Wildlife Reserve is Farley Hill Park. The park is a cool and shady place, ideal for picnics. A spectacular view of the East Coast and Atlantic ocean give the feeling of being on top of the island. Added to the interest are the ruins of the Farley Hill Great House. The house was destroyed in a fire around 1967. In 1965 the Government of Barbados purchased the property and declared it a national park. It was officially opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II the following year.
On the West Coast of St. Peter is Speightstown. An historic town named after William Speight it was sometimes called Little Bristol due to its trade links with Bristol in England. Speightstown has changed little over the years; there are still houses with overhanging galleries that represent the architecture of a bygone age. Still seen in Speightstown are the remains of the forts that once protected it from attack. Speightstown was once close to becoming a ghost town, but it has recently started to bustle with activity as many businesses have moved in.
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