Feb 17, 2023
Going back in colonial period - The only reason why I gave it 5 stars was for the staffs. They are so friendly and professional. I was given great hospitality from Michelle and Elvis. Those friendly faces made it worthwhile. However for me as a person of colour I was was devastated at the amount of money you paid just to go on a small trip on a vintage train that was demonstrated by members of staff that made it so interesting was just not worth the hype as they keft out very importantparts of the historyof slavesry,which was not their fault of their own. I did not book but went there by foot and had to walk quiet a long way off a route to St Nicholas Abbey. I took the No.2 van from Spreights Town and they kindly showed us where to walk. I felt unsafe as there where no signspost. Not everyone drives and there was no one to pick us up. For the hefty price you pay,it should of been better. And mire helpful
What I come to realised the the white own business in this prestige establishment is still suppressing people of colour. Not only do they work hard to promote this ex plantation colonial rum making factory of a huge mansion,it glorifies on the wealth of black slaves who would of worked to death and
. probably died and buried somewhere underneath that rich and beautiful landscape. I refused to go into the house that was once owned by evil white slave owners, who now think because its generated jobs for the black people of barbados as a lamented gesture to feel better. The profit they are rakingup from this business is not going into those descent black workers pickets forrsurre. At the top of cherry tree are amazing craft work that's made from the people of barbados but they have to hustle so hard to make breadcrumbs from white visitors who do not spend a penny because of the hefty price they pay to go on a 5 minute trip turn 45 minutes. It's a double sword for the people of barbados who are of colour and the white man is still making millions of our history and slavery all over again. They don't mention anything about the true history off St Nicholas Abbey because I'm sure it wouldn't make any income to generate jobs for the black people who work hard to run this establishment. Thank you Elvis for the history of the beautiful mahogany trees loved that and showing us around the establishment where to use the gift shops and a place to sit and have a little refreshments. Thank you Michelle for your friendly welcome,you are a diamond and face people meet on there way in . They did tried to persuade me to go into the house ,however I had my own personal feelings why I wouldn't and as intriguing it sounded from Elvis and tempting I just couldn't. I was the only black person their too, and reflecting back on the day trip I could understand why.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 13, 2023
Best tour ever, - Cleston was the best guide ever! He made sure we took the train on the Abbey grounds, showed us some little-known local highlights, and picked us up and got us back to the hotel on time. Lots of local knowledge and funny anecdotes.
Review provided by Viator
Jul 9, 2022
An excelent experience.... - An excelent experience. Beatiful historic property.
A must see for visitors/tourists coning to Barbados!
Review provided by Viator
Apr 1, 2022
Thoroughly recommended - Going back in time to a 17th century plantation was a thoroughly worthwhile trip. Now a working rum distillery set in over 400 acres of land, but reminding you of the suffering of thousands of slaves who were originally forced to work here.
Review provided by Viator
Jan 6, 2022
Family Fun and Culture - Our Guided tour guide Cleston was so wonderful and informative about the island of Barbados. His love for the rich history and culture was so recognized. He offered us many important stops with lovely sites to see. His assistant and driver was also aware of her surroundings and monuments. I would encourage this tour with Cleston as your lead, you can not go wrong. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ treatment
Mr. Hunter
USA
NC
Review provided by Viator
Nov 14, 2019
Great visit - I recommend this particular tour here on Barbados. They pick you up from your hotel and drop you off . Well worth the money spent . Plus the visit at the Abby was awesome . The guide gives you some rich history and guide advise to and from your hotel . Great person to talk to as well.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
May 7, 2019
Not an abbey!! A rum distillery! - I love this very old authentic rum distillery. Everybody seems to think it’s an Abbey (church) but irs one of the oldest on the island. It is old and the rum is hand made. It is bottled and labelled by a lovely lady. You can have your bottle specially engraved as a memento and it is a really special present. The highlight of the tour for me is the very old film from the 40’s that shows Barbados how it was then. I wish I could buy a copy, it is priceless. The old family member that does the commentary is wonderful and I could watch it over and over. Watching the sugar cane being crushed and talking to the friendly people there is brilliant. Not to mention the wonderful lunch/afternoon tea cafe. Wonderful proper teapots and China and sugar that tastes like honey, with wonderful banana bread - the best on the island I think - and the old house with wonderful original toilets etc and furniture like a museum but authentic from the period. You can sit on the furniture as well and read the old books - so good. Great gardens to walk around with cool leafy walks, and the ponds with all the lilies and the croquet lawn - I could go on and on. Then you could take a drive on the magnificent Cherry Tree Hill with the great Mahogany trees and the fabulous views of the east coast from the top of the island.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 12, 2020
Trip to St Nicholas Abbey - We were collected from our hotel by Kate and Cleston who drove us to St Nicolas Abbey explaining on the way about the new steam train ride and tour we would get at the Abbey. On our ride there they told us about Barbados and answered our many questions regardless of what they were about. When we changed our minds about going on to Sunbury Plantion we were not made to feel as though we were being difficult. Nothing was to much trouble. Would certainly recommend this company and their friendly helpful people.
We enjoyed the train trip with driver giving a talk half way round about the railways in Barbados and the informative and friendly tour of the house etc. Especially the rum tasting!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Feb 13, 2020
Pricey - The abbey is lovely and well kept, the tour guide Tonia was very informative and fun. You only go through two rooms in the house and see a few bits outside and a film show. It was okay. I booked through Viator it cost £101. The tour company rang me the day before and said Viator had undercharged and it was an extra 37$us -then they put us on the train ride which is not included in the above and rang the hotel later asking for a further 60 $us . So in total it cost £187 for 2 of us. I would not have booked if I had known it was going to end up that much as it wasn’t worth that much .
Review provided by Viator
Feb 21, 2020
Got scammed - We were supposed to go on a tour on Wed but never got picked up and wasted a whole morning waiting for our tour to begin. On the Monday I called the number on our booking and was told I would get an email on Tuesday confirming our pickup time. The only email I got was late Tuesday from Tripadvisor with a phone number telling us to call to call our tour provider. The number was not in service. I called the other two numbers listed on our booking confirmation but never got a live person and left numerous messages. None of my calls have been returned or emails. Waiting for a refund from Tripadvisor. Hopefully they come through!
Review provided by Tripadvisor