A visit to Andromeda Botanical Gardens

There are several botanical gardens on the island that are often recommended as must-sees if you have the time. We mentioned Codrington College in a previous article. Today, we’re taking you to Andromeda Garden, known locally as Andromeda Botanic Gardens.

We knew there were several gardens to visit. Of the top three, this was our second choice, and it was not too far from where we were staying. When we arrived on the island, this was the first garden we explored.

Of course, it often depends on what you have already seen, where you live, and so on. As residents of Guadeloupe, we have two beautiful botanical gardens spread over several acres. Obviously, Barbados does not really compete on that level. But it is definitely one of the must-sees during your stay if you are just passing through and have decided to spend some relaxed family time on the island.

Let’s have a look at this garden!

In the meantime, check out our article on things to do in Barbados.

We arrived when it opened at 10 am, which, let’s be honest, is quite late for the islands. Although we were not expecting anything extraordinary compared with what we already knew, the reviews of the garden were quite positive. The garden covers an area of 3.2 hectares. It was created in 1954 by Iris Bannochie, a well-known figure on the island.

The welcome when we arrived was excellent, and we were the first ones in. The person who greeted us explained how to use the app dedicated to the garden. It allowed us to scan barcodes during the visit and learn more about the plants and wildlife in the garden.

Early in the morning, after crossing a small bridge, we entered the garden. The kids were eager to go for a walk, so off we went! I must say that Mélanie and I were pleasantly surprised because the garden is really well laid out. It is actually pretty nice! There are some impressive trees in the first part of the garden, and it is also full of flowers. You can learn a lot by following the app along the way.

In the end, we discovered quite a few trees that we did not even know existed in the gardens back home in Guadeloupe. So it was genuinely interesting. You also do not have to worry too much about walking around, as the whole area is very well paved.

There are some really lovely little passages. One of them takes you under huge vines! The kids loved it! Again, it depends on what you like. But for those of us who enjoy photography, it is a bit of a paradise. There are flowers everywhere, from bougainvillea to pineapples and water lilies.

Finally, the paved path winds through many different parts of the garden. Sometimes you come across trees, sometimes flowers, and sometimes fruit trees. All in all, it is a very varied place!

It is not as flat as you might think. We spent two hours there as a family and, honestly, we had a great time.

At the end of our visit, we had a delicious fresh juice in the garden. It was perfect. We then had lunch at beautiful Bathsheba Beach. The beach was very nice, even though there was sargassum during our stay on the east coast…

All in all, it is a very nice garden and well worth a visit.

If you are thinking of visiting, here is some practical information to keep in mind…

Our entrance fee was $30 per adult, and children entered free of charge. The garden was open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm on the day we visited. There is no need to book. It is not a very touristy attraction, haha!

It depends on where you are starting from, of course. The garden is in the parish of Saint Joseph, in the southeast of the island. From the capital, Bridgetown, it takes about 30 minutes and 20 km. See the itinerary here.

We have seen some very positive comments about these places. Here are three options if you want to stay close to the garden:

• Rest Haven Beach Cottages: small, well-appointed cottages by the sea, on the edge of the famous Bathsheba Beach.
• The Atlantis Historic Inn: a landmark in the area, a little more upscale but with an established reputation.
• Santosha Barbados: a little farther out, in St. Andrew, with beautiful rooms, great views, and an excellent swimming pool.

If you are in the area, here are a few ideas:

• Swim at Cattlewash or Bathsheba beach.
• In the far north, Animal Flower Cave!
• Visit Codrington College.
• Explore St John’s Church.
• Explore another local garden, Hunte’s Garden.

See you soon.

Written by Sylvain PONS

I had the opportunity to go on a 2-week family holiday to discover the island of Barbados, which is just a stone's throw away from Guadeloupe, where we live. Here are a few stories about the time we spent there!

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