Things to do in Barbados: Charles Fort Cannon Walk at the Barbados Hilton
September 18, 2009 by Phil Stilton
Filed under Travel
Bridgetown, Barbados - Just south of Bridgetown in Barbados, you’ll find one of the nicest stretches of beaches in the Caribbean from Carlisle Bay to Needham Point. Mixed in these beautiful and picturesque beaches, you’ll find Charles Fort on the grounds of the Barbados Hilton.
The fort was built in 1650 by the British Navy to protect the capital of Bridgetown and Carlisle Bay from attack by Pirates, Spaniards and whoever else might have come by to take the Island away from the British.
After years of neglect, the fort has been restored into a historical eco park of sorts. A brick lined walkway was constructed that winds through the ramparts and overlooks of the fort, passing by 24 cannons that have been retrieved from the seas in one of the most picturesque settings you can find in the Caribbean.
Nearby you can also find Anns fort which was built in the early 1700’s to compliment Charlesfort. The fort lies next to the new Barbados Hilton. You can make an entire day out of Charles Fort and Anns Fort by adding a hotel day pass at the Hilton in which you can use their pools, spas and facilities while spending time at the fort.
Hint for parents: If you plan on visiting the forts of Caribbean, bring some pirate attire for the children. A bandana, eyepatch and plastic saber would do the trick and make it an enjoyable exeperience they’ll never forget. Otherwise, they’re just being forced to look at a bunch of old junk with mom and dad.
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The old fort is truly wonderful if you are interested in heritage tourism you’ll be trilled.
We took some photos during our wedding reception… this was before it was restored and even then it was wonderful.
Lovely photos and nice article.
Kudos to Barbados Hilton for integrating this important historic site as part of their tourism product.
Just a short stroll up the road is the historic Garrison Savannah, where you can see the the world’s rarest collection of 17th century English iron cannon!
George Washington House is right next door to the Garrison so you can stop in there for a quick look around. In fact George Washington spent quite a bit of time touring the island’s forts while in Barbados – it is said that this knowledge helped him greatly in his future endeavors!
Just visited Washington House in Bridgetown near the Garrison. It was wonderful! Most Americans don’t even realize this is the only place our first President ever visited outside of the 13 colonies. The smallpox he suffered while in Barbadoos probably saved his life (gave him immunity) when thousands of soldiers died from it during our Revolutionary War. What a wonderful and hospitable group of people we met at Washington House. Our group will visit them again on our next trip to Barbados. And we will also visit the above mentioned forts which G. Washington also visited! He learned a lot about forts and soldiering while there, as his diaries reveal.
Beautiful place with great historical landmarks. The fort is pretty much like the one we have in Zamboanga City. You may visit us at http://www.namipueblo.com.