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Welchman Hall GullyWelchman Hall Gully located in the centre of the island of Barbados in the parish of St. Thomas. Its name is derived from the Welsh Settler, General William Asygell Williams who owned the property some two hundred years ago. This 'sunken corridor' as it were is perhaps better described as a ravine than a gully but that is neither here nor there.
Welchman Hall Gully was originally a series of caves but when their roofs collapsed what remained was an empty cavernous ravine. Evidence of its former cave structure can still be seen in the ravine with a large column, the feature formed by the joining of a stalactite and a stalagmite that is situated quite near to the southern entrance.
Quite a while after the collapse of the cave roofs its former owner carefully began planting the first exotic trees and an orchard with the indigenous grapefruit among the first residents. Today this 'gully' is home to over one hundred and fifty species of plants and trees including the nutmeg, clove, bamboo and numerous majestic palms; in addition it provides a sanctuary for many troops of green monkeys that live in the area.
In fact, as you wonder along the winding path in Welchman Hall Gully you are likely to meet up with these indigenous residents (the Barbados green monkeys) which are usually seen playing in the upper branches of some of the taller trees. And if the mischievous antics of these little creatures appeal to you, you are invited to visit the Welchman Hall Gully any morning when staff at the attraction feed a troop of these spirited little monkeys whose antics always seem to thrill both visitors and locals alike.
Welchman Hall Gully is just about three quarters of a mile long and is one of the most humid locations in Barbados. This is because the steep rock walls form a natural protective barrier against high winds and as such provides an idyllic habitat for the many species of plant life that abound in the ravine. Despite the humidity, which is not unbearable, it is a must see here on the beautiful island of Barbados.
This unique landscape feature in Barbados, like Turner's Hall Woods, is probably very close to what Barbados would have looked like before the island was colonized; beautiful, unspoiled and majestic. The exotic feel of Welchman Hall Gully here in Barbados is due largely to the seamless mix of native tropical forest and native and other unusual plants and this is what simply keeps visitors coming back.
The tours through this unique attraction here on the island of Barbados are self guided but guided tours can be arranged. Self guided tours usually take between half of an hour to forty five minutes. There are guidebooks available which outline approximately fifty of the plants and features of the 'gully', additionally, there are eleven descriptive signs strategically placed throughout the ‘gully’ which guide you along your way.
Welchman Hall Gully is opened daily (9:00 a.m - 4:30 p.m) to the public with the last tour taking place at 4:00 pm. The 'gully' is closed on Christmas day and on the first Monday in August. Welchman Hall Gully is also closed every Sunday in the months of September and October. Admission to this attraction is $12.00 (US) for adults and half price for children between the ages of five and twelve years old; children under five years old are admitted free. Additional information about Welchman Hall Gully in Barbados can be gotten by telephoning (246) 438-6671 and remember, wear comfortable shoes and come prepared for an adventure.
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