Antigua: Historic Lord Nelson's Dockyard National Park

Your tour will meet you at the cruise port and head on a beautiful journey through the villages and beaches making your way through the memorable rainforest. This journey gives you the real feel of what Antigua has to offer.

As we arrive at the dockyards the views of the historic forts across the landscape stand out. You can enter the park through the trails which gives you the opportunity to enjoy the park's scenic and natural beauty. Bring your camera as there is some amazing chances to capture the beauty of the parks, with many glorious boats in the dockyard, the beautiful harbour, the historic sites and the unforgettable views from places such as Shirley Heights. Shirley Heights is a restored military lookout and gun battery. The reason they chose this location is easy to understand with spectacular views over the English Harbour and Falmouth Harbour greets your eyes, showing you the scene that is often used as the iconic image of Antigua.

Nelson’s Dockyard is the largest of Antigua’s National Parks and is still used today as a working dockyard for numerous yachts and ships. Fully restored to its original splendor, the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century buildings of the Dockyard house modern amenities such as shops, hotels, and marina businesses.

In the early eighteenth century, the British Royal Navy recognized the strategic importance of English Harbour in protecting ships from hurricanes and in its position at the south of the island for monitoring French naval activity. Throughout the eighteenth century, the dockyard grew in importance, as it was the only harbour in the Eastern Caribbean large enough for safe naval ship repairs. From 1784 through 1787, the British Hero of Trafalgar, Horatio Nelson, served as the captain of the H.M.S Boreas, sent to Antigua to enforce British laws in the colonies. Restoration of the dockyard began in the 1950's, renamed Nelson's Dockyard in honour of the years he spent in Antigua.

The dockyard was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, Nelson's Dockyard provides many sites and activities for visitors to explore and enjoy. This delightful museum is laid out within the Naval Clerk’s House in the centre of Nelson’s Dockyard. The Dockyard Museum highlights the history of the only continuously working Georgian Dockyard in the world and serves as the centre of archaeological, environmental, and historical research in Antigua.

The Copper and Lumber Store Hotel offers five-star accommodations and is a magnificent venue for special occasions. Businesses including gift shops, art galleries, and restaurants also reside in the Dockyard and demonstrate how the park preserves the area's unique cultural heritage while meeting modern needs.

We drop you back at the cruise port in plenty of time to enjoy the rest of your afternoon whilst still in port. Book today as places go early as not many cruise liens offer this tour at this competitive price.