plantation tour barbados

As with their rums, Mount Gay only permits those that have been properly matured.

Sorry, you cannot enter this site as you are not of legal age.

BY VISITING THIS WEB SITE, YOU ARE AGREEING WITH OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY

• Black Barrel
• Single Estate Series
• Limited Editions
• Coffey Still Expression
• Eclipse Navy Strength
• The PX Sherry Cask Expression
• Black Barrel Cask Strength
• The Madeira Cask Expression
• Andean Oak Cask
• The Port Cask Expression
• Pot Still Rum
• XO: Peat Smoke Expression
• Join The Club
• Find In Store

TOUR MOUNT GAY

Our visitor centre and tours are now open. we look forward to seeing you soon, location 001 - st. lucy, barbados, historic distillery tours.

Visit the original landscape and buildings where it all began, back in 1703. Our Historic Distillery Tours take you through our fully-operational rum making headquarters. Steeped in over 300 years of heritage and expertise, the experiences are tales to be told forever and a rum-lover’s paradise. This is the heart of Mount Gay. This is more than a rum.

Distillery Tour & Cocktail Masterclass

Immerse yourself into our heritage, craftmanship and terroir. You will be guided through an in-depth tasting session with our Rum Experts, followed by an interactive Cocktail session lead by an Award Winning Mixologist. Get all the tips, tricks, techniques and recipes as we shake, stir and muddle!

SIGNATURE DISTILLERY TOUR

Come to the site where Mount Gay has distilled rum for over 300 years to discover how Barbados became the birthplace of rum and how Mount Gay’s focus on quality has made us the oldest, continuously running rum distillery in the world. With unparalleled access to our working estate, you will explore our lands, original well, molasses house, fermentation house, distillation house and bonds.

PREMIUM RUM FLIGHT EXPERIENCE

Treat yourself to a tour of the distillery with a more in depth tasting experience. In addition to our four signatures rums, you get to taste four rums exclusive to this tasting.

LOCATION 002 - BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

Visitor centre tastings & workshops.

Transportation, tastings, lunch and our beautiful open-air Visitor Center in the capital city of Barbados. Stopping in is a must for anyone setting foot on the island for the first time, or for the 100th time. Our doors are always open to rum-loving visitors from around the world. And the experience is a deep dive into the flavour of our rums and the traditions at Mount Gay.

AN EVENING AT MOUNT GAY

Get a hands on experience with Mount Gay as you taste our extensive portfolio, learn about our history and craft your very own cocktails. This tour also include tapas and a complimentary cocktail.

SIGNATURE TASTING SESSION

Our Signature Tasting is the perfect introduction to the world of Mount Gay Rum. Learn about the history and home of Mount Gay and taste a selection of our finest rums.

LUNCH AND TASTING EXPERIENCE

Enjoy a tasting of our signature rums followed by Bajan lunch at the Mount Gay Visitor Center.

COCKTAIL WORKSHOP

Get a hands on experience of Mount Gay Rum. Enjoy a tasting, learn about the history and craft your own cocktails.

• 1703 Master Select
• All Cocktails
• Summer Cocktails
• Winter Cocktails

discover mount gay

• Find Mount Gay Near You
• Tour Mount Gay

news & events

Mount gay newsletter.

Keep up-to-date with special releases, news and events near you.     Sign Up

JOIN THE CLUB

My newsletter.

We will contact as soon as possible

• / --> Home /
• / --> Barbados /
• Sunbury Plantation House

Sunbury Plantation House Tours and Tickets

--> showing tours and activities.

Barbados Coastal Tour with Buffet Lunch

• Operator Login
• Visit St. Nicholas Abbey

• The SNAHR Story
• Book Tickets
• Plan Your Visit
• Special Events

Welcome to St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, an exciting family attraction in Barbados

Our Railway runs Sunday to Friday! See below for departure times.

Advance ticket booking is not currently required to visit.

BOOK TICKETS

Ride the Railway AND visit St Nicholas Abbey - Sunday to Friday!

Our operating policies and procedures conform with the latest Government guidelines and health protocols.

All-inclusive’ access to both the Abbey AND the Heritage Railway is NOW available.

We're open sunday to friday. (we are closed on saturdays). our admission prices are as follows: all inclusive combo rate that includes the heritage railway, great house and the heritage & rum tour of the abbey - bbd $120 per person. heritage railway only - bbd $66 per person.  great house only - bbd $66 per person., admission for children ages 3 - 14: bbd $24 (combo: bbd $36). children under age 3 are free) maximum of 2 children per adult.

Bookings are not required.  Admission is from the Train Station Main Gate

Train Departures: Sunday to Friday - 10.00am • 11.30am • 1.30pm • 2.30pm

*Please arrive 30 minutes before departure times. Schedule subject to change if afternoons are busy. *Afternoons are normally busy so please arrive at least 40 minutes before departure.

Early arrival ensures a seat on the train and patrons can tour the house while awaiting departure and resume after the train ride. With admission, a wristband and token ticket will be issued to each person. The wrist band gives you entry to the grounds of the St Nicholas Abbey and St Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway. The token ticket will be collected at the railway station before boarding of the train. Food and drinks will be available from the Terrace Café.  All frequent visitor passes are cancelled

All Aboard!

The st. nicholas abbey heritage railway is currently open from sunday to friday. we are closed on saturdays., we are looking forward to seeing you soon.

VISIT OUR ST. NICHOLAS ABBEY WEBSITE > CLICK HERE

www.stnicholasabbeyrum.com

• Terms Of Use
• Returns Policy
• Privacy Policy

Barbados website hosting by Caribbean New Media.

Heritage Railway

HERITAGE RAILWAY

The St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, completed in late 2018, is the newest family attraction at St. Nicholas Abbey Great House Plantation and Distillery.

Journey through the plantation’s grounds on our beautiful steam locomotive. Your narrated tour takes you past the historic St Nicholas Abbey Great House, around the lake, home to wild waterfowl and migratory birds, and through the mature mahogany woodlands. The tour culminates at Cherry Tree Hill, an elevated point offering breath-taking highland views of the island’s rugged east coast. The round-trip tour takes approximately one hour; on your return to the main grounds, you can visit our gift shop and cafe, or add on a tour of the Great House. 

Please be sure to check our Events Calendar for any scheduled closures prior to planning your visit.

We're open Sunday to Friday. (We are closed on Saturdays).  Our admission prices are as follows:  All-inclusive Combo rate that includes the Heritage Railway  Great House and the Heritage & Rum Tour of the Abbey - BBD $120 per person  Heritage Railway Only - BBD $66 per person. Great House Only - BBD $66 per person

Admission for children ages 3 - 14: BBD $24  (Combo: BBD $36). Children under age 3 are FREE)  Maximum of 2 children per adult

Bookings are not required. Admission is from the Train Station Main Gate

Train Departures: 10.00am • 11.30am • 1.30pm • 2.30pm

*Please arrive 40 minutes before departure times. Schedule subject to change if afternoons are busy.

There is a cafe and gift shop located at the train station, as well as a selection of SNAHR memorabilia the gift shop also stocks a selection of rum and abbey products (please note rum bottles can not be inscribed at this gift shop) 

For more information, visit our Heritage Railway site at www.snahr.com. You can review our FAQs here.

You can also call us on (246) 572-1999, (246) 572-1998 or (246) 572-1996. Our fax number is (246) 572-1995.

Click any image to enlarge

Barbados Rum Tours

You can’t visit the birthplace of rum and not take a fun and informative rum tour! Here are our favourites:

The Quickie

Short on time? The Mount Gay Signature Rum Tasting is a quick but fun way to discover the best of Barbados’ rum culture.

Learn about the process of making rum, and sample several specialty rums on this 1 hour tour.

See tour prices or make a booking

Private Rum Tour

Choose which two of these three outstanding Barbados rum distilleries you wish to visit:

• Mount Gay Rum Visitors Centre
• Foursquare Rum Factory and Heritage Park
• St. Nicholas Abbey

The tour includes pick-up and drop-off, and lunch.

Sugar Plantation Tour

Head to St. Nicholas Abbey in the Barbados countryside to see a sugar plantation and rum distillery in action!

Tour the historic plantation mansion filled with antiques, stroll the grounds, visit the old mill, and see how rum is distilled on-site.

Your Ultimate Guide To Barbados

Enter Travel Locations

Please Note

There are so many things to do and see here in Barbados!

View all of our best tours and start your adventure today!

• Attractions
• Accommodation
• Getting Around
• Eat & Drink
• Art and Culture

Plantations

• Our Island Our Island Visitors Attractions Accommodation Getting Around Eat & Drink Business Sports Art and Culture Health

Tracing the spirit: A history of rum in Barbados

W hen you think of Barbados, what comes to mind? Pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and, of course, rum. Ah, rum — it’s more than just a drink here; it’s a way of life. Imagine stepping onto this lush Caribbean island and being enveloped by the sugarcane’s rich, sweet aroma. Barbados, often hailed as the birthplace of rum, has a history as intoxicating as the spirit itself. So, let’s go on a journey tracing the spirited rhythms of rum in this tropical paradise.

The birthplace of rum

Barbados is widely considered the birthplace of rum, with production dating back to the 17th century. The story begins with sugarcane, a crop that flourished in the island’s fertile soil and warm climate. When the sugar plantations were in full swing, the byproduct, molasses, was plentiful. Resourceful islanders discovered that fermenting and distilling molasses produced a potent and delicious spirit — rum. This golden liquid quickly became a staple on the island and beyond.

A sip of history

Our journey starts at the Mount Gay Rum Distillery, the oldest operating distillery in the world, established in 1703. Stepping into Mount Gay feels like stepping back in time. The air is thick with history, and the guides, with their infectious enthusiasm, are like storytellers weaving tales of the past. As you tour the distillery, you’ll see the traditional copper stills and ancient oak barrels that have aged rum for centuries. The highlight, of course, is the tasting session. Sipping on the different varieties of Mount Gay rum, from the robust Black Barrel to the smooth XO, is a sensory journey through the island’s history.

The art of rum making

Next, we head to the Foursquare Rum Distillery. Located on a former sugar plantation, Foursquare is a modern-day marvel in rum production. The distillery seamlessly blends traditional methods with innovative techniques. The tour here is an educational experience — learning about the fermentation process, the importance of yeast strains and the art of aging rum in oak barrels. Foursquare’s commitment to quality is evident in every drop of their rum. Whether it’s the rich and spicy Foursquare Spiced Rum or the complex and balanced 2004 Vintage, each sip tells a story of craftsmanship and passion.

Rum shops: The heartbeat of Barbados

While distilleries offer a glimpse into rum production, the true soul of Bajan rum culture lies in the island’s rum shops. Scattered across the island, these small, colorful establishments are more than just places to buy rum — they’re community hubs. Imagine walking into a rum shop, greeted by the friendly smiles of locals. The atmosphere is lively, filled with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. It’s here that you’ll experience the true spirit of Barbados. Try the local favorite Bajan rum punch, a simple yet potent mixture of rum, water, sugar and lime. As you sip, you’ll be immersed in the rhythm of island life.

Exploring the East Coast

No journey tracing the rum rhythms of Barbados would be complete without a trip to the rugged East Coast. Here, the Atlantic waves crash against dramatic cliffs, creating a breathtaking backdrop. A visit to St. Nicholas Abbey is a must. This historic plantation house and distillery is one of only three Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. The tour takes you through the beautifully preserved house, with its antique furniture and intricate architecture, before leading you to the distillery. The rum produced here is a true labor of love, with each bottle meticulously crafted. The St. Nicholas Abbey rum is exquisite, with flavors that capture the essence of the island.

The festivals and celebrations

Rum is woven into the fabric of Bajan culture, and there’s no better way to experience this than at one of the island’s many festivals. The annual Crop Over Festival , originally celebrating the end of the sugar cane harvest, is a vibrant explosion of music, dance and, of course, rum. Picture yourself dancing to the infectious beats of calypso and soca music, a glass of rum punch in hand. The festival culminates in the Grand Kadooment Day parade, a dazzling display of costumes, color and carnival spirit. Another highlight is the Barbados Food and Rum Festival, where local chefs and mixologists showcase their talents. It’s a culinary adventure that pairs the island’s best food with its finest rums.

A toast to the future

As we trace the journey of rum in Barbados, it’s clear that this spirit is more than just a drink — it’s a symbol of the island’s resilience, creativity and community. The future of Bajan rum looks bright, with new distilleries emerging and innovative blends being created. The island continues to celebrate and honor its rich rum heritage, ensuring that this golden spirit will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Bringing the spirit home

As you leave Barbados, you might find yourself reluctant to say goodbye. But fear not, you can take a piece of the island with you. Most distilleries offer bottles for purchase, and there’s nothing like sharing a taste of Barbados with friends and family back home. Each time you pour a glass, you’ll be reminded of the island’s vibrant culture and the unforgettable journey through its rum rhythms.

Cheers to Barbados

So, here’s to Barbados, a paradise where the sun shines bright, the beaches beckon, and the rum flows freely. Whether you’re a seasoned rum connoisseur or a curious traveler, exploring the rum culture of this island is an experience that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for this golden spirit and the enchanting island that produces it. Cheers to the rum rhythms in Barbados — may they continue to inspire and delight for years to come.

The post Tracing the spirit: A history of rum in Barbados appeared first on Food Drink Life .