Chateaubelair

Chateaubelair is the last town on the leeward coast, where the road effectively ends and the ground rises into the volcano's western flank, with a bay in front of it and the pointed rock of Bottle and Glass offshore. It was badly affected by the 2021 eruption, when ash fell heavily across the whole northern part of the island and the population was evacuated. Recovery has been slow and it shows.

Background

Chateaubelair is commonly called Chateau. It lies in the parish of Saint David, just south of the Soufrière volcano, and ranks as the fourth largest town in the country, with a population of 5,756 in 2012. Farming supports most of the local economy. Nearby sights include Trinity Falls and Dark View Falls, as well as rock carvings, an archaeological find thought to be the work of the Indigenous Kalinago people.

Source: Wikipedia, "Chateaubelair"

What's there

• The bay - the anchorage in front of the town with the offshore rock.
• The road's end - the last town before the country becomes impassable by car.
• The volcano's flank - the ground rising directly behind the settlement.
• The 2021 ashfall - the eruption's effect still visible across the district.

When to go

December to May is the dry season. The town is quiet at any time. The northern road can be affected by volcanic deposits.

Practical notes

The 2021 eruption hit this district hard and recovery is incomplete; facilities are limited. The town has little set up for visitors. Roads north are variable.

Nearby

Richmond Beach is north, and Cumberland Bay is south.

Key facts