Open Houses
Bridgetown | $ | Website
Every year between January and April, The Barbados National Trust hosts a series of Open Houses. The Open Houses are on Wednesdays between 2.30 and 5.30 pm and provide an opportunity for you to visit some of the island’s most spectacular private homes. In addition, they provide an insight into the island’s history and architecture. The private homes featured are located across the island and the times and dates of the Open Houses are published by The Barbados National Trust in a small leaflet which also has directions on how to get to them.
The Open Houses give you the chance to explore all types of houses which include plantation houses steeped in history and newer luxurious villas which have been built in a ‘Bajan Style’. Visitors are also free to tour the grounds and gardens and refreshments are on sale. There’s no need to book but it is always advisable to call The Barbados National Trust to confirm that the Open House advertised is still open.
The entry fees are as follows:
Adults: $20 Bds Children (5-12 years): $10 Bds Children under 5 gain free entry
If you’re a member of The Barbados National Trust or a reciprocal Trust or Society (this includes the National Trusts of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand and certain heritage societies of the USA and Canada) then entry is $10 Bds upon presentation of your membership card.
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| Total Reviews | 1 |
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| Business Avg. | 76% |
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| Uniqueness | 80% |
| Challenge | 60% |
| Excitement | 60% |
| Value | 100% |
| Service | 80% |
| Barbados Sights & Activities | 78% |
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| Uniqueness | 84% |
| Challenge | 63% |
| Excitement | 81% |
| Value | 89% |
| Service | 75% |
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Member Reviews
(Barbados - Sights & Activities)
...there’s always something new to see and learn.
The Open Houses hosted by The Barbados National Trust are particularly popular with those who are interested in history or architecture. The Open Houses are steeped in history and they all have a story to tell. I’m a big fan of the Open Houses as there’s always something new to see and learn.
The Open Houses vary from year to year and showcase a variety of landmark Barbadian homes such as Ilaro Court. Ilaro Court was built in the 1920s and boasted Barbados’ first swimming pool; it’s now the official residence of the Prime Minister of Barbados.
One of the properties that I visited in January 2009 was Fisherpond Plantation House which was originally built in a simple Jacobean style. The house was extended at a later date and it is the extension which gives the house its Georgian appearance. In addition to the interesting architecture and the beautifully landscaped gardens, the houses are generally filled with interesting pieces which all have a story to tell. The dining room table at Fisherpond House was loaned to Government House for use during a state dinner in 1987 for HRH Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Barbados to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the island’s Parliament. If only the houses and their contents could talk!
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