The 108 square miles of island range from a small area in the north east of rocks and interesting cacti to the south west hills, with one of the most attractive valleys running from the north west where you will see animals grazing and small lakes containing water dammed from a stream. From this valley a road will take you to the village of Bendals and to Green Castle, a hill of less than 600 feet with a spectacular view of the north of the island. To fully appreciate the island exploring is a must when a feel for the lives of the people over the past century will be felt, especially to the west where the remote Antiguan community at Sawcolts has changed little.

Although there is not an abundance of signposting in this unspoilt island the locals are only too happy to spend time chatting with visitors and to point the way, so you will never be ‘lost’. Please remember though not to use the expression ‘Good Morning’ as this can cause a great deal of offence.

On the north west coast the capital of Antigua, St John’s, inhabited by about a third of the population of Antigua, is a small town with most commerce and business life in the few streets between the harbour and the Cathedral of St John the Divine.

The other two thirds living in small towns and villages around the island. With the exception of just a few most of these have only existed for about 160 years with the aptly named Freetown and Liberta being the first free villages founded following the abolition of slavery. Many of these villages were founded near the coastline with a glorious view across the sea.

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