Antigua's Nelson's Dockyard

The world's only Georgian dockyard still in use, Antigua's English Harbour was rechristened Nelson's Dockyard after a decade's restoration on 14 November 1961,

The yard became known as Nelson's Dockyard in honour of Admiral Horatio Nelson who had served as a Captain in the Leeward Islands from 1784-87. The Dock Yard is now a national park, an important tourist attraction for visitors to antigua enjoying a Caribbean holiday, and a regional yachting centre with a fine marina and many facilities. The principle buildings at Nelson's Dockyard include Fort Berkeley, built in 1704 and guarding the dockyard entrance in English Harbour the 1855 Naval Officers House (now the naval yard museum including Nelson's room) and the Officers Quarters (now shops and a restaurant), the 1789 Copper and Lumber Store (now a hotel), Cordage and Canvas Store and the 1778 Boat House and Joiners Loft. The former pitch & lumber store is also a hotel - Admirals Inn

Nelson's Dockyard is one of the premier attractions in Antigua and no Caribbean holiday to the island would be complete without seeing the restored Georgian yard.

Almost the entire park's other sites of interest overlook the harbour. The closest of these is Clarence House, a residence built for the future King William IV (1765-1837) when he served under Nelson as captain of the H.M.S. Pegasus.

Further above the harbour, at Shirley Heights are the partially-restored fortifications of the harbour's colonial observation post; the view from Shirley Heights extends out over the harbour and far across the Caribbean to Montserrat and Guadeloupe. On Sundays the vista is enhanced by a great barbecue, live music, and an abundance of Antigua’s famous Cavalier Rum from the bar there. It is an unforgetable experience to cap your Caribbean holiday.