Points of Interest: West & North

Holetown, in the parish of St James, is the site where John Powell landed in 1625 to claim Barbados in the name of England's King James. Nowadays it is a busy area of posh hotels, exquisite restaurants, trendy bars and irresistible shops. A little farther north is Speightstown; once a fort and thriving port, today it is more of a fishing port and commercial centre, though much of the 19^th century architecture and charm still remains. The Animal Flower Cave, located on the rugged cliff tops at the northernmost point of the island, is a large sea cave with several large chambers filled with pools, unusual rock formations and a few sea anemones. The Barbados Wildlife Reserve is set amidst a lush Mahogany grove where you can mingle with free roaming monkeys, deer, otters, agouti, mongoose and many other animals. There is also an exotic orchid collection, walk-in bird aviary and iguana sanctuary. Just next door, the Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station, houses many interesting artefacts, including pre-Columbian tools unearthed during its restoration. The forest has over 2 km of trails, winding through many species of trees and plant life. Directly across the road, you'll find Farley Hill National Park - the ruins of an old palatial mansion, sweeping groves of mahogany trees and breathtaking views of the east coast make this an excellent picnic spot. Another truly worthwhile stop is St. Nicholas's Abbey, thought to be one of the only three remaining Jacobean houses in the western hemisphere. The parish of St Andrew is known for its dramatic landscapes and unusual rock formations. The early Scottish settlers thought that the area look very much like their native country and named the region The Scotland District

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