Established almost 60 years ago by one of the island’s best regarded horticulturalists, the elegant six-acre (2.4-hectare) Andromeda Botanic Gardens offer some 600 different species of flowers, shrubs, and trees from around the world. From its elevated location, cool island breezes accompany a bird’s eye view of the coastline.
Trails wind through the gardens. Pick up a map to take a self-guided tour or allow a guide to enhance your experience with deep knowledge of the plants and animals living here. Flower fans may want to take a full-day tour that includes a visit to the island’s most stunning flora attractions and historic gardens such as Orchid World, Flower Forest, and Hunte’s Gardens. Some tours add a historic dimension with visits to the cliffside St. John’s Church, one of the oldest churches on the island, and Sunbury Plantation where its 300-year-old great house is open to the public after a grand restoration.
- Andromeda Botanic Gardens is an ideal place for nature lovers, researchers, and families.
- Wear comfortable shoes to explore the extensive gardens.
- Mobility-challenged people can do the shorter walk, it has fewer steps, less steep inclines and more handrails.
- Have a rum punch or a thirst-quenching lime and ginger drink at the cafe.
- During the quiet season (April-November) the restaurant only makes food for a minimum of four persons, with a one-week notice.
- Educational workshops are available throughout the year.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens is located in Bathsheba along the eastern coast of Barbados, about 12 miles (19 kilometers) from Bridgetown. Expect about a half hour on the road. Parking is available on site. Or, take bus #6, which leaves Bridgetown’s main bus station every half hour and arrives at the Andromeda stop about an hour later. From there, walk one minute to the entrance.
Andromeda Botanic Gardens is open daily from the morning to the afternoon. Beat the crowds and the hot Caribbean sun by arriving early. Be sure to plan enough time to enjoy all the animals and relax by the pond. Peak season in Barbados is from December to mid-April because the weather is drier and less humid. It’s also a good time for you to see The Holder’s Season which is the premier Performing Arts Festival of the Caribbean.
Andromeda Botanical Garden was the personal retreat of the leading horticulturist, Iris Bannochie. She transformed the rocky land owned by her family into a garden where she collected various plants and trees. Known as the First Lady of Horticulture in Barbados, she was awarded The Veitch Memorial Medal in 1977 for introducing 80% of plants found in the island and for creating new varieties of tropical plants.
