Cherry Tree Hill

The road along the ridge above the Scotland District runs for several hundred metres through a tunnel of mahogany planted in the eighteenth century by Sir John Alleyne, who introduced the tree to Barbados, dense enough that the light goes green and nothing is visible either side. Then the trees stop and the whole northeast of the island opens at once: the Scotland District falling away in green ridges, Bathsheba and the east coast beyond, and the Atlantic. It is the best view on Barbados and it costs nothing. The name is a puzzle, since there are no cherry trees; the usual explanation is that Barbados cherries, acerolas, once grew here.

The landscape

• The mahogany tunnel - dense planted avenue along the ridge.
• The sudden view - the Scotland District and Atlantic opening at once.
• The east coast below - Bathsheba and the surf line from above.
• St Nicholas Abbey - the plantation at the bottom of the hill.

When to go

December to April is the dry season and clearest. Morning light on the east coast is best, since the view faces east and afternoons are into the sun. It is a five-minute stop on the drive round the north.

Things to know

It is a roadside stop with a narrow verge and no facilities, and cars and tour buses pull up in the same few metres. There is no railing at the edge. The view faces east, so afternoon light is poor. It takes ten minutes and works as part of a northern loop rather than alone.

Nearby

St Nicholas Abbey is at the bottom of the hill; Morgan Lewis windmill is nearby.