Garrison Historic Area Walking Tour (Self Guided), Bridgetown

St. Ann's Garrison, more commonly known simply as "The Garrison", is a small district in Barbados situated some 2 miles south of Heroes Square in the capital-city of Bridgetown.

This historic area is dominated by a horse racetrack, located on the 30 acre parade ground called the Garrison Savannah. Here, in the mid 18th century, wealthy prominent Barbadians and regiment troops started the sporting tradition of horse racing.

During both the 18th and 19th centuries the Garrison was the base and headquarters for members of the British West India Regiment stationed in the country. In 1751, the future leader of the American Revolution and first president of the United States, George Washington, also stayed here, for six weeks at the district's Bush Hill section, with his sick brother. The restored property in which they abode, now called the “George Washington House”, is a standalone attraction at the Garrison.

Apart from George Washington House, the territory contains several other historically significant buildings. Many of them once housed the Regiment units of the British Garrison, including the one that today accommodates the Barbados Museum & Historical Society, and surrounding structures. Among them there is also a so-called Main Guardhouse with a Clock tower, built around 1803.

To explore Bridgetown's Garrison area in more detail and to learn more about the history of the place, take this self-guided walking tour.