Brimstone Hill Fortress – Sandy Point Town, St. Kitts and Nevis is an emblematic place located right in the north of St. Kitts and Nevis. This stunning experience it’s going to leave you completely breathless. At the same time, you’ll enjoy its wonderful views across the eastern Caribbean. If you are a history lover, you’ll adore all the colonial history that rests between its walls.
Things to do
There are two options when you visit Brimstone Hill Fortress:
- Tour Bus or Taxi:You can go around the fortress via a tour bus or taxi and make stops along the route to take some pictures. This is going to take you around 3 hours thus helping you explore more and enjoy your day. Please make sure to start early so you access to the tour buses and cabs.
- Walking tour: you can also do a walk tour which is going to take you around an hour. Therefore you would see it all and appreciate the landscapes you want.
Start your tour from the center of the citadel. From there you will have the opportunity to see many of the lower bastions, lined in canon. What makes it even more surprising is that they have been restored to their original glory. Here inside you will also see the Fort George Museum, where you can find all the secrets of the artifacts about the history of the fort and St in interesting exhibits
Continue your journey by walking through the ammunition stores and the hospital. Here you can leap into the past and relive the experience of British soldiers as they prepared to fight the French in the 15th century.
On the other hand, head towards what used to be a large Infantry Officers’ Barracks, with high arches and ruined columns. To end your tour, take a look north through the amazing Caribbean to the nebulous island of Statia (St. Eustatius) in the distance. Prepare your camera to take pictures of the most breathtaking and incredible views of the sea.
How to get there
The main way to get to the Brimstone Hill Fortress from St. Kitts Airport (SBK) is by taking a Taxi and it’s going to be only a 30-minute taxi journey. You can also pick up the taxi at the capital Basseterre.
When to go
Winter will be the best time for your visit because St Kitts gets slightly cooler. This island is normally hot and humid year round. On the other hand, you have to completely avoid the hurricane season from late August to early November.
How long
I recommend you spend a day here so you have sufficient time to enjoy the tour and the beautiful site of Brimstone Fort.
Opening and Closing Hours
Brimstone Hill Fortress opens every day from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
Planning
There are no hotels near Brimstone, you need to book one along the skinny Frigate Isthmus on the Island’s south side, or in the capital, Basseterre. Also, you can find a place to stay on the north side of St. Kitts: the small hotel Ottley’s Plantation Inn.
As well as the hotels, getting to the fortress can be complicated if we depend on nothing more than a taxi. The recommendation is to book a private tour in advance.
Inside Information
It is important to take some extra cash to the Brimstone Hill Fortress to enjoy some drinks and souvenirs. You can also have the opportunity to take some extra photos with the animals around the park.
To completely enjoy this amazing tour with its warm weather, you’ll also have to pack some bottles of water and snacks.
History
Brimstone Hill became the ideal place for British troops in 1690 when they were looking for the perfect place to bombard the French. It’s hilltop’s potential initially gave the name of Gibraltar of the West Indies.
This fortress has fallen only once, during the American Revolution. Later, the British troops would recover and finally abandon it in the 19th century.
Websites
Other nearby attractions
If you want to keep admiring the treasures in St Kitts you could visit the dormant volcano behind Brimstone Hill.
There is also the Dos Dáne Pond remnant Volcano at the summit of Verchild’s Mountain. Finally, enjoy the amazing flora and fauna that encompasses both peaks harbors.
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