The Barn

The Barn is the great flat-topped block of basalt that closes St Helena's northeastern corner, rising some seven hundred metres straight out of the sea with sheer sides on three of them, and it is the first thing ships see coming from the north. It is barren, wind-scoured and largely bare rock. A route runs across the saddle from Deadwood to a viewpoint, and seabirds nest on the cliffs below.

What you actually see

• The flat top - the level summit block above sheer sides.
• The sea cliffs - rock falling some seven hundred metres to the water.
• The seabird ledges - the nesting sites on the faces below.
• The saddle route - the walk across from Deadwood Plain.

When to go

Year round; the headland is exposed and windy in all seasons. Seabirds nest through much of the year. Mist can close the saddle.

Honest expectations

The ground is loose and the drops are sheer and unfenced. Wind on the saddle is severe and can make the route unsafe. There is no shade or water.

Nearby

Deadwood Plain is southwest, and Millennium Forest is south.