Anguilla OUT & ABOUT arT GallerieS & MuSeuMS
Wildlife
Anguillian Louise Brooks showcases her work at her alaK Gallery at Shoal Bay. devonish art Gallery on West End Road displays wood and ceramics, Cheddie’s driftwood haven Studio features wood sculptures crafted from walnut and mahogany and Savannah art Gallery in the historic Lower Valley showcases contemporary Caribbean art. At the east end of the island enjoy breakfast or lunch at the art Café, which hosts ever changing exhibitions of international artists. hibernia restaurant also hosts a gallery open during restaurant hours or by appointment. The Anguilla Art Tour Map is available from the Anguilla Tourist Board. The heritage Collection, located in the East End of the island next to the Bird Sanctuary, is a display archiving the most important documents, photographs, letters and objects from the island’s past. The collection contains artefacts from the Arawak Indians, the 1967 Revolution and more recent political history. MondaySaturday 10am to 5pm T: 001 264 497 4092
Bird watching: The salt ponds around Anguilla provide an inviting habitat for more than 136 species of birds from great blue herons to sandpipers and snowy egrets. The second largest pond on the island, Cauls Paul, is important for migratory shore birds. A Field Guide to Anguilla’s Wetlands, published by the Anguilla National Trust, is an ideal companion for birdwatchers visiting the East End Salt Pond and Bird Hides. National Trust, The Valley. T: 001 264 497 5297 www.axanationaltrust.org. Turtle Spotting: The Anguilla Sea Turtle Project is committed to preserving four varieties of turtles: hawksbill, green, leatherback, and loggerhead. These ancient creatures arrive on the island’s beaches every year between April and November. Visitors may have the opportunity to witness the hatchlings emerging from their shells or scrambling across the beaches towards the sea.
CulTure & hiSTOry Old Valley Tour: The Old Valley is home to some of Anguilla’s most historical buildings. Ebenezer Methodist Church, the oldest in Anguilla, the beautiful Wardens Place, former quarters of the island’s Magistrate now Koal Keel Restaurant, Miss Marjories House and Rose Cottage are among the examples of the island’s architecture. The tour is unescorted and can be taken at leisure. Wallblake house Tour: Located in The Valley next to St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church. The island’s oldest and only surviving plantation house and one of the few in the Caribbean where the entire complex of buildings including the kitchen, stable and worker’s quarters remains virtually intact. Open for tours Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10am-2pm. www.wallblake.com
anguilla National Trust heritage: This guided tour includes a stop at Fort Hill, East End Pond Conservation Area for bird watching and Big Spring heritage site, helping the visitor to discover Anguilla’s flora, fauna and culture. The tour sets off from the National Trust Office in The Valley. T: 001 264 497 5297 www.axanationaltrust.org Sandy Ground Village, Old Salt factory & Pumphouse Tour: Begins at ‘Manse’, a three gabled house, and continues to the salt factory which played a significant role in Anguilla’s history. Hear how the salt industry worked and the importance of the Sandy Ground Pond. A chance to bird watch. T: 001 264 497 2711 The Manse Building: Recently restored, in the early 1900’s the ’Manse’ was a three gabled house owned by an Anguillian planter and businessman. In 1910, the house was sold to the Methodist Church and remained the residence of the Reverend and family until 1962, when a new Manse was built. Today it’s the home of two art galleries, a unique Caribbean gift shop and a Re/Max real estate agency. T: 001 264 497 0401 rum Tasting and factory Tour: Anguilla Pyrat Rums Ltd is situated on the road to Sandy Ground. The distillery offers an opportunity to taste the various Pyrat rums, one of Anguilla’s exports, in the tasting room and tours of the factory can be pre-arranged. Monday Saturday 10am to 4pm. www.pyratrum.com
The GreaT OuTdOOrS hiking & Nature Treks: Miles of powdery white sand beaches, dramatic cliff tops and tropical rainforest trails provide a variety of interesting walks for those in search of a leisurely stroll or a more energetic hike. On the north coast, there are tracts of land that remain covered in thick vegetation, providing a rich habitat for wildlife, while trails through the Katouche Valley allow visitors to see the remaining example of a natural rainforest on Anguilla. Other places of interest include Savannah Cave at the end of the Katouche Valley, which is home to bats, crabs and lizards. horse riding: Anguilla riding centres El Rancho del Blues and Cliffside Riding Centre welcome both novice riders and experienced equestrians. El Rancho del Blues T: 001 264 497 6164 Cliffside Riding Centre T: 001 264 497 3667
KeePiNG aCTiVe Golf: Anguilla’s 18-hole Greg Norman golf course at Rendezvous Bay is a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly golf course. Set on 275 acres of beachfront property, it boasts a spa, clubhouse, five star hotel and residences. Tennis: A number of the hotels, resorts and villas on the island have tennis facilities available for use by guests. There are also two public courts in The Valley and another in East End. World-class Anguilla Tennis Academy offers membership, private tutors and casual tennis sessions for children and adults. T: 001 264 476 3234 www.anguillatennis.com Cycling: Cycling is a great way to explore the island, with a flat terrain, lots of side roads and two main roads - one going from one end of the island to the other and one across the island to Blowing Point. Most properties have bikes available free of charge to guests and they can also be rented for approximately US$10.00 per day.
diving & Snorkelling: Anguilla has six marine parks and nine dive wrecks, plus a huge array of coral formations, walls, ridges, canyons and tunnels for both novice and experienced divers. In addition, the creation of Stoney Bay Marine Park has ensured that artefacts dating back to the 18th century will continue to be preserved for future enjoyment. The wreck of the Spanish Galleon, El Buen Consejo, together with cannons, anchors and bronze medals embedded in the coral at Stoney Bay, is the island’s most impressive underwater treasure. Anguillian Divers at Meads Bay T: 001 264 497 4750 / 235 7742 Shoal Bay Scuba at Shoal Bay East T: 001 264 497 4371 / 235 1482 Special D Diving T: 001 264 497 5657 / 235 8438
NiGhTlife Anguilla does not have casinos and huge clubs. It’s a place to hang out, kick back and relax with the sounds of beautiful jazz, steel pan, guitarists and pianists and local soca, reggae and calypso bands. There are a number of bars offering live music and dancing. The most popular areas are Sandy Ground on Thursday to Saturday and local beach hot spots on Sunday & Wednesday.
iN The WaTer Boat Trips: Boat trips are available for half day and full day excursions, sunset cruises around the island and private charters. An ideal way of visiting some of the offshore cays surrounding Anguilla, such as Scrub Island, Prickly Pear, Dog Island and Little Bay. There are restaurants on both Prickly Pear and Sandy Island where lunch may be included in your trip. Boat racing: Visitors to the island during Carnival and other public holidays will be able to witness and possibly take part in Anguilla’s national sport of boat racing. Featuring the island’s traditional, unique, hand-crafted wooden sailboats, the races have taken place around the island for fifty years and usually culminate in a huge party at the finish line. fishing: Half and full day trips are available from a number of fishing charter companies, some of which allow visitors to keep their catch. Fishing is generally done by trawling live bait and the catch can include wahoo, dorado, kingfish, salt fish, marlin, barracuda and grouper. Water Sports: Anguilla boasts 33 fabulous beaches, most of which offer a calm, safe environment in which to swim, and the water is so clear that it’s perfect for snorkelling. For more active pursuits, head for Shoal Bay (East), which offers a variety of water sports facilities, including wind surfing, sailboats and kayaks. Alternatively, Savannah Bay has the best conditions for kite surfing and body surfing.
underwater siteseeing: Enjoy an adventure on a glass bottom boat to our reefs, where you can see turtles, fish and, if you’re lucky, a dolphin or two! Sailing: Visitors and locals can join the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club where they offer classes for all levels of sailing, regardless of your experience. You can even learn to swim! The Anguilla annual yacht regatta is held in May and is fast being recognized as an important fixture on the Caribbean sailing calendar. Among the events is a round-theisland race. Anguilla Sailing Association - ASA T: 001 264 584 7245 www.sailanguilla.com
further information is available by visiting the official website of the anguilla Tourist Board: www.anguilla-vacation.com e: info@anguilla-tourism.com T: 020 7736 6030 f: 020 7371 8728
feeling is believing