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The
partly restored Betty's Hope (Tues-Sat 10am-4pm; EC$5) is the
island's very first sugar estate. Built in 1650, the place was owned by
the Codrington family for nearly two centuries until the end of World
War II; by that time its lack of profitability had brought it to the
edge of closure, which followed soon after.
Although most of the estate still lies in ruins, one of the windmills
has been restored to working condition, and a small and interesting
museum at the visitor centre traces the history of sugar on Antigua as
well as the development and restoration of the estate.
East of Betty's Hope and approaching Long Bay, a track signposted off to
the right takes you out for half a mile to Devil's Bridge, on a
rocky outcrop edged by patches of grassy land, tall century plants and
sunbathing cattle. Wander round the promontory to the "bridge", a narrow
piece of rock whose underside has been washed away by thousands of years
of relentless surf action. The hot, windswept spot offers some of the
most fetching views on the island, back across a quiet cove and out over
the lashing ocean and dark reefs to a series of small islands just
offshore. En route back to the main road, a dirt track on your right
after 30 yards leads down to a tiny but gorgeous bay - the perfect place
for a picnic.
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Past the turn-off for Devil's Bridge, at the end of the main road,
Long Bay is home to a couple of rather exclusive all-inclusive,
which doesn't stop you from getting access to a great, wide bay,
enormously popular with local school kids, who are often splashing
around or playing cricket at one end of the beach. The lengthy spread of
white sand is protected by an extensive reef a few hundred yards
offshore (bring your snorkeling gear) and there's a great little beach
bar for shelter and refreshment.
 Antigua
Antigua
Where to go
When to go
Getting there
Money and costs
Getting around
Food and drink
Phones and post
Best of Antigua
Holidays and Festivals
Tours
 diving
& snorkeling
Die operators
 Boats
&
catamarans
Boat operators
Economy, natural hazards
 Antigua brief history
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Caribbean guide
Antigua
travel Guide
Exploring Antigua
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Barbuda:
Getting there
Beyond Cordrington
Great Fort George
Falmouth Harbour
river Fort
Cordrington
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Falmouth and English
Harbour
Eating, drinking, nightlife
Falmouth
Nelson's Dockyard, Shirley
Heights,
Pigeon Beach
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From Runaway Bay to Half
Moon Bay
Eating,
drinking, nightlife
Betty's Hope to Long Bay
Half Moon Bay
Runaway & Dickenson
Bay
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St John’s
Getting around
St. John's
St John’s
Getting around
Eating and
drinking
Nightlife, casino, karaoke
Airlines, embassies
Exploring St. John's
Fort Bay
Fort James
Long Street
National Museum
Redcliffe
Quay
St. John's
Cathedral |
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