Nelson's Dockyard

Nelson's Dockyard, on the sheltered inlet of English Harbour in Antigua's south, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest historic sites in the Caribbean, a Georgian naval dockyard that, after decades of decay, was restored and works again as a marina. Built by the British in the eighteenth century to service and protect their fleet, and associated with the young Horatio Nelson who served here, its beautifully restored stone warehouses, sail lofts and officers' quarters now house museums, hotels, restaurants and shops around a marina filled with gleaming yachts. Above it, the Shirley Heights lookout offers a breathtaking panorama over the harbour and, on Sundays, a famous party.

History

English Harbour became the focus of a naval base in 1725, and the first dockyard, St Helena, was built on the eastern side of the harbour; work on the present Naval Dockyard on the western side began in the mid-1740s, and many of today's buildings date from a building programme of 1785-1794, which overlapped Horatio Nelson's time here from 1784 to 1787. The Royal Navy abandoned the dockyard in 1889 and it fell into decay; the Society of the Friends of English Harbour began restoring it in 1951, and it reopened to the public in 1961. It is now part of Nelson's Dockyard National Park and of the Antigua Naval Dockyard and Related Archaeological Sites World Heritage Site (Wikipedia, Nelson's Dockyard).

What to look for

• The Georgian dockyard - the restored stone naval buildings.
• The museum - the story of the dockyard and Nelson.
• Shirley Heights - the panoramic lookout and Sunday party.
• The marina - the historic harbour filled with yachts.

When to go

December to April, the dry season, for the best weather; the dockyard is a highlight year-round, and the famous Shirley Heights Sunday-evening party, with steel band, barbecue and sunset views, is a beloved institution. The area buzzes during the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week in spring, when yachts fill the harbour.

Practical notes

The dockyard is a restored heritage site and working marina rather than a raw ruin, geared partly to yachting tourism and dining, and it can be busy, though its history and setting remain genuine and beautiful; the Shirley Heights party, while fun, is popular and crowded. As a superbly preserved and unique Georgian naval dockyard, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of real history in a gorgeous harbour setting, crowned by breathtaking lookout views, though, Nelson's Dockyard is a genuine highlight.

Nearby

The beaches, the capital St. John's and the south coast are within reach.