Hunte's Gardens & St Nicholas Abbey

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Nestled in the heart of Barbados, Hunte's Garden is a breathtaking tropical paradise where every winding path reveals a delightful surprise. Expertly designed with a series of enchanting mini gardens woven into the larger landscape, the garden showcases an extraordinary collection of rare and exotic plants, creating a vibrant tapestry of colors, textures, and natural beauty. Keep your camera close—you'll have plenty of opportunities to capture the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that frequently visit this tranquil oasis. As you explore, the gentle sounds of classical music drift through the air, enhancing the serene atmosphere and making your visit even more memorable. Renowned for its beauty and unique design, Hunte's Garden has been featured in numerous gardening magazines, books, and television programs, earning its reputation as one of Barbados' most magical and inspiring attractions. All visitors must complete a liability waiver before entering the garden.

   45 minAdmission included

2. Bathsheba, located on Barbados’ rugged east coast, is one of the island’s most scenic coastal villages, famous for its dramatic landscapes, powerful Atlantic waves, and distinctive coral rock formations. According to local tradition, the village was named after the biblical Bathsheba, whose legendary milk baths were said to resemble the white, foaming surf at the famous Soup Bowl. Today, Bathsheba is recognized internationally as one of Barbados’ top surfing destinations, attracting surfers from around the world with its strong Atlantic swells. The area is also popular with photographers, sightseers, and nature lovers who come to admire its breathtaking coastline and refreshing ocean breezes. Despite its popularity, Bathsheba has preserved the charm of a traditional Barbadian fishing village, with colorful seaside cottages and a peaceful atmosphere that showcases the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.

   15 min

3. Enjoy a delicious local lunch during your tour at Sand Dunes, featuring a selection of traditional Barbadian favorites. Savor authentic island flavors with dishes such as fried fish, baked chicken, beef stew, peas and rice, macaroni pie, and fresh salads. This relaxing dining experience offers the perfect opportunity to sample the tastes of Barbados while taking a break and enjoying the warm island hospitality. Please advise us of any food allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can best accommodate your needs.

   1 hAdmission included

4. Rising approximately 850 feet above sea level, Cherry Tree Hill offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Barbados. From this scenic vantage point, visitors can admire the rolling landscape of the Scotland District, a unique region that covers much of the parish of St. Andrew. The district is named after Scotland's patron saint because its rugged hills and valleys reminded early Scottish settlers of their homeland. It is believed that the name Cherry Tree Hill originated from the abundance of cherry trees that once grew in this area. Today, the road is lined with majestic West Indian mahogany trees, introduced to Barbados following the Treaty of Paris in 1763. As the journey descends upon the hill, the towering mahogany gradually gives way to expansive fields of swaying sugar cane, creating one of the island's most picturesque and memorable landscapes.

   15 min

5. Located in Saint Peter, Barbados, St. Nicholas Abbey is a historic plantation house, museum, and working rum distillery offering a glimpse into the island’s colonial heritage. Built in 1658 by Colonel Benjamin Berringer, it is one of only three authentic Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. The beautifully preserved great house reflects the elegance of early seventeenth-century English Jacobean architecture, a distinctive style that emerged during the reign of King James I. Visitors can explore its historic rooms, discover the estate’s rich sugar heritage, admire the surrounding landscape, and learn about the traditional craftsmanship behind Barbadian rum production. Today, St. Nicholas Abbey continues its legacy as an important heritage site while embracing a new chapter as a working rum distillery, producing internationally recognized, award-winning Barbadian rum using traditional methods.

   1 hAdmission included

6. Step back in time aboard the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, a unique Barbados experience that combines history, nature, and scenic beauty. Enjoy a relaxing ride on a beautifully restored steam locomotive through the historic plantation grounds, surrounded by lush tropical landscapes, mahogany trees, sugar cane fields, and stunning countryside views. The railway celebrates Barbados’ rich railway heritage, which began in the 19th century and played an important role in transporting passengers, sugar, and goods across the island. The journey also includes a scenic stop at Cherry Tree Hill, offering breathtaking views across the Scotland District and Atlantic coastline. Ideal for families, history enthusiasts and visitors interested in discovering more about Barbados, this heritage railway experience combines spectacular scenery, fascinating history and a taste of the island’s celebrated rum-making heritage.

   45 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 77 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Wonderful tour day!!

  Our experience was wonderful! Our driver, Chris, was friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. Ot was a full DAY!! She took us to Bathsheba Beach, then to St Nicholas Abbey where we got a tour of the house and rum distillery. Then we took the train to Cherry Tree Hill. From there we had lunch at Dina’s Cafe back at Bathsheba Beach- the food was delicious!! From there we went to the amazing Hunte’s Gardens. Chris gave us a history of the island and each place we visited. She was timely and gracious. We appreciated her hospitality and service. She gets a A+! Thank you Chris! You made and my daughter feel special!

  Carolyn_WJune 2026via Viator

• 5Very nice places to...

  Very nice places to visit. The driver was very fun and knowledgeable. The van ride was fun, like a thrill ride at times.

  Jennifer_KApril 2026via Viator

• 5Excellent service

  Both locations were superb. Staff friendly and helpful. Value for money with excellent facilities made even more special by wonderful Driver Winston Marshall, he was informative friendly and very caring with all members of the family

  andreatD9HPApril 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Definitely worth the trip

  Very nice day. Beautiful gardens, definitely worth the trip. Knowledgeable, personable guide. Delicious lunch

  O2849FBpatriciaaMarch 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Great day out

  Amazing day. The garden was so well out together we could of spent the entire day there. The rum distillery was very informative and interesting and our guids were full of flinteresting information. Great day out

  Paul HMarch 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5Thoroughly enjoyable day

  Excellent day out. Beautiful gardens and a look back into the past in Anthony Huntes house. Bathsheba coastline was stunning and the rum distilling process at St Nicholas Abbey seems to have changed little over the years. There was a choice of chicken or flying fish for lunch and our guide Omar really made the whole day enjoyable.

  Jon_OFebruary 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Diamond Valley

• Its from-price is close to the median of the 32 day trips we list in Diamond Valley.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 17 of 32.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Diamond Valley

Diamond Valley lies in the south-east of Barbados, the easternmost Caribbean island, a coral island of sugar-cane fields, gentle hills and beaches.

Diamond Valley sits in the parish of St Philip, on the south-east side of Barbados, a coral-limestone island roughly 34 kilometres long and the easternmost of the Caribbean islands. Crane Beach, a wide beach of pale sand backed by cliffs, lies on this coast. The land is gently rolling, with sugar-cane fields, gullies cut into the limestone, and villages of painted wooden chattel houses. Calm beaches face the Caribbean Sea along the west coast, while the Atlantic side to the east is rougher, with strong surf and rocky headlands.

See all 49 experiences in Diamond Valley