ANDROMEDA GARDENS

Near Bathsheba, Andromeda Gardens is not just another botanical garden. You could even say it's militant. Created in the 1950s by Iris Bannochie, who wanted to make it both a botanical garden and a pleasure garden, it stands out for its inclusive approach. The aim? To enable all visitors, but especially Barbadians, to visit. Indeed, a visit to a botanical garden can be expensive for many Bajans, which is why admission is free for them. Inclusivity also includes facilities for the mobility-impaired and visually impaired.

Of course, as in all the other gardens, there are many plant species to be admired, but one of the gems of the estate is its ethnobotanical garden, which showcases the conservation and traditional knowledge of Barbadian plant use. It features specimens used for food and medicine, as well as in the manufacture of clothing, jewelry and ritual objects... A unique approach to Barbados. Workshops are organized to keep this heritage alive. As an added bonus, everything has been done to make butterflies feel at home here, especially monarch butterflies, known for their migration.

If you meet Sharon Cooke, the owner and head gardener, you'll quickly realize the passion that drives her.

The garden also organizes various activities (yoga, painting workshops, etc.), and you can grab a bite to eat at the Eastside Kitchen café.