Charles Fort

a week ago

Visiting Charles Fort and the Needham's Point Light House was honestly heartbreaking. As part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison, this fort should feel carefully protected and respectfully interpreted. Instead, it was extremely upsetting to see how much modern hotel infrastructure from the adjacent Hilton Barbados Resort has encroached on the historic setting. There is electric and mechanical equipment placed right up against the historic fort walls, and even a bar set up on top of the fort itself. Seeing contemporary resort elements so physically and visually intertwined with such an important historic structure felt jarring and inappropriate for a UNESCO-designated site. Even more disappointing was the treatment of the historic lighthouse at Needham’s Point, which appeared to be used essentially as a storage space for volleyball nets. For a structure of that age and significance, that felt especially disheartening. Barbados has done such a beautiful job preserving so many of its historic resources, which makes this stand out even more. A site of this importance deserves sensitive stewardship that honors its history first and foremost. It’s truly a shame to see such a remarkable piece of heritage overshadowed in this way.

a month ago

A pleasant area to walk around that is in the grounds of the Hilton, but can be accessed by the public. It is just the what remains of the fort, but it's well kept and gives good views of Carlisle Bay.

11 months ago

Awe inspiring historical monuments. It is currently being restored and we met Kevin who is part of the Hilton restoration team and he generously gave us an informative tour. This fort dates back to the 1600 when Barbados was under attack by the Dutch. It later became part of the British commonwealth and the name was changed from Needham to Charles. So much suffering and loss took place on this land. Admission to visit is free.

a year ago

No need for tickets. Drive to the Hilton, security will let you in. Park for free by the fort. And wander in. It's a colonial fort, built by the British, commanding the approach into Bridgetown by sea. It's free reign, the more you look the more you find. From emplacements for breech loading guns, to muzzle loading cannons. There's murder holes, and various other fort building. Unfortunately Hilton are using some of the rooms for storage. And there is no interpretation or signage. It is in dying need of being taken under Barbados national trusts protection. On our visit. A lot of cannon were missing. And there is a serious amount of cannon in the sea around the fort... Not sure if they are being used as a breakwater. (But I would gladly volunteer my and my companies services to re- raise and set the canon from the sea!) these are original canon. That should not be lost to corrosion of the sea. As a history buff. I enjoyed it. But there's some shameful waste of heritage and history here.... From the pallet of canon sat by the hltn bins. To the canon abandoned to the sea, to no interpretation, and being used for functions and storage by Hilton!

3 months ago

Nice view, easily accessed. Sometimes they restrict access for weddings. Set inside Hilton hotel. Worth the trip. Parking available at the hotel