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St. Nicholas AbbeySt. Nicholas Abbey of St. Peter, Barbados and Drax Hall Plantation, St. George also of Barbados both have something in common. These two properties have historical significance in that they are two of only three remaining Jacobean mansions on this side of the hemisphere, the other being in the USA.
St. Nicholas Abbey is a property of considerable magnitude with a rich and colourful history. It starts with the building which was built back in the mid 17th century by a Colonel Berringer as a home for himself and his family. Folklore and some annals state that Colonel Berringer was reputedly murdered by his political rival, a Colonel Yeamans, who apparently was having an affair with Berringer's wife. This story seems somewhat credible as Yeamans married Berringer's widow less than four (4) months after his death. The real saga began there with many twists and turns, propelled mostly by the offspring of the two original gentlemen. Suffice it to say the name was changed to Nicholas Plantation circa 1676 and thereafter to St. Nicholas Abbey in the mid 1800s, a name which has been retained to the 21st century.
The grounds of St. Nicholas Abbey can be called nothing less than massive with approximately four hundred (400) acres of land, with trees and flowers of almost every variety planted and growing on the plantation. Fruit trees like mango, avocado and breadfruit are thrive in lush surroundings in the orchard. Rows and rows of trees, gardens suitable for idyllic, romantic walks, with the fruit trees also providing the main ingredients for the production of jams and jellies, also done on this Barbados plantation. The plantation still has its own herb garden in which items such as chives, bay leaf and lemongrass are grown, reminiscent of an old 17th century English tradition.
This property changed hands again in 2006 and St. Nicholas Abbey has again come to life after the implementation of a carefully considered restoration and strategic plan. There is now a boiling house and rum distillery where St. Nicholas Abbey rum is produced for sale and export. In excess of two hundred and twenty-five (225) acres of land are under cultivation with sugar cane.
Part of the Great House is open for viewing by the public, with its vast store of antiques and exquisite china and silverware, some of which date back to the 19C. Part of its overall strategic plan involves St. Nicholas Abbey plantation being fashioned in order to be classified as a Barbados heritage tourism site. This is ongoing.
For more information on St. Nicholas Abbey, click here or contact them via email at heritagetourism@stnicholasabbey.com.
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In the earlier periods, Nicholas Plantation was regarded as a major 
