Places to Visit in Nevis


Nevis Heritage Trail

Suzanne Gordon leads us on a tour of Historic Nevis

Visiting the historic sites of Nevis is no longer a mystery. Just hit the trail—The Nevis Heritage Trail, that is.

As you travel around the main road, and up and down side roadways, notice the color green and blue trail marker signs, punctuated by the wellknown green vervet monkey.

The trail directional signs will lead you to 25 of the island’s premier heritage sites---each with its own informative blue interpretative sign. The trail begins in Charlestown,
circumnavigates and island, and ends not far from where you began.

By following the trail, it is possible to understand the history of Nevis and its many aspects from the English settlers to the enslaved West Africans who were brought to Nevis. The trip around the island will tell the story of the slave trade, the religious development, and the
military activity that was related to the protection of the sugar that was being exported from the island. I have also indicated some photo opportunities in bold.

In Charlestown, beginning at the port, there is a map of the town displayed near the ferry ticket booths. Created by artist Howard Pain, a Canadian who has lived many years on
Nevis, the map illustrates the many historic Georgian-style and vernacular buildings in the town. Many religious sites are on the trail, including three in Charlestown: the Charlestown Methodist Church , St. Paul’s Anglican Church and School, and the
Jewish Cemetery most of which can be seen on foot. While Nevis Heritage Trail
Suzanne Gordon leads us on a tour of Historic Nevis Nevis Island Adventures in Charlestown, note the Nevis Slave Market where 7,000 enslaved persons were traded for 15 years, beginning in 1674. Driving out of town, travel up Government Road to see the Alexandra Hospital, once the Queen’s House; and farther up, the Hamilton Estate, one of
the most complete sugar estates remaining in the Caribbean.

Heading south out of Charlestown is Fort Charles, the largest fort on Nevis, built to defend the capital city of Charlestown. Not far away is the famous Bath Hotel, the site of the hot thermal springs which attracted travelers and invalids to the island for treatment.
Continuing your motoring trip southward, the next attraction is St. John’s Anglican (Figtree) Church, where the original certificate is located for the marriage of British Naval
Admiral Horatio Nelson and his bride, the widow Fanny Nisbet. A diversion off the main road will take you up to both Montpelier Plantation Innand the Hermitage Estate. Another right turn off the main road leads up to Saddle Hill Fortress, which served as Nelson’s lookout to watch for enemy ships. Another plantation inn, the Old Manor Hotel is next on the left off the main road.

The village of Gingerland is the home to two exquisite churches, both the Gingerland Methodist and St. George’s Anglican. It is also the location of the Golden Rock Hotel, a
well-known sugar estate that was converted into a hotel in 1958. Farther along the main road are the New River and Coconut Walk Estates, with the largest windmill on the island and the remnants of the last functioning sugar factory.

Continuing, on the left you’ll reach the Eden Brown Estate, the genesis of Nevis’ own ghost story. St. James Anglican Church is the next site, where one of three black crucifixes in
the Caribbean is located. At the north tip of the island you’ll reach Nisbet Plantation. Now an active beachfront hotel, it was the home of Fanny Nisbet, who married Horatio Nelson.

Beginning down the west coast of the island, past the airport, is a turn-off to the Cottle Church, built by an English planter so that his family and slaves could worship together.
The remnants Fort Ashby are located along the waterfront on the west coast near the former town of Jamestown, which supposedly vanished after a huge tidal wave in 1680. Not far from there is Nelson’s Spring, where Nelson watered his ships in the 18th century.

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