Andromeda Botanic Gardens

Andromeda Botanic Gardens

Andromeda Botanic Gardens
4.5
Historic SitesCultural ToursHistorical & Heritage ToursNature & Wildlife AreasGardens
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 4:30 PM
About
Described by a Royal Horticultural Society judge as 'one of the most unique and outstanding gardens in the world', Andromeda is the original garden of Barbados. It provides visitors with an authentic garden experience and is a wonderful haven for biodiversity. Created as a private botanic garden by Iris Bannochie (three Gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show, Silver Crown of Merit issued by the Barbadian government and much more) from the 1950s. At that time, Barbados was simply a land exploited for sugar and a country without a long history of garden creation. Andromeda is rare and unique. Comprised of about 20 connected gardens, the variety of plants and experiences is incredible. There are over 600 different plant species, including over 120 species of trees. It feels very natural, yet is completely woman-made. Wildlife add so much to the enjoyment! Andromeda Botanic Gardens, 'the best garden in Barbados by far', is organic, focused on community inclusion and biodiversity.
Bathsheba, Barbados
Meets animal welfare guidelines

Awards
Travellers' Choice
2024

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles750 reviews
Excellent
470
Very good
221
Average
44
Poor
9
Terrible
6

Corinne
Shanghai, China42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Friends
Right after we got to Andromeda, it started to pour—but luckily, the most gigantic fig tree (I think it was fig? A big tree basically) I’ve ever seen was there to shelter us. It was kind of cool! The garden looked even more beautiful in the rain. It’s more natural and authentic than Hunte’s (even though I do like Hunte’s as well!) so you can feel a bit more lost in the jungle. There was a beautiful pond with a palm tree growing out of the center and lots of pretty fish swimming around. Sharon gave us a little history of the gardens, which have been around for decades. She was really friendly and very knowledgeable. They also sell art from local artists in the building, which are really great value.

Looks like they sell drinks, but if you are expecting a big meal, I recommend Lily’s rum bar for cheap, eco lodge for brunch, or The Round House for delicious gourmet food, which are all a short drive away.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. After it rains, and then the sun comes out, the garden simply sparkles! You sheltered under the huge bearded fig - about 250 years old and simply magnificent. I'm glad you thought it was the best garden on the island. All the gardens are quite wonderful in Barbados. I always believe authentic gardens provide something quite special - born for love as opposed to born for profit. I can certainly feel Iris' love at Andromeda. Lily's is a five minute walk away, Atlantis and Eco-Lodge about 8 minutes, Roundhouse about 18 minutes. All seconds or minutes by car. Thanks again. Regards Sharon.
Written 22 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

John B
United Kingdom39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
From the ferry terminal walk right, passed all the taxis and buses and head for town. Keep the water on your right. It is a half hour walk to the Fairchild bus station. (Ignore the Princes Alice station on your left). After another ten minutes ignore the pedestrian bridge on your right but take the next road bridge on your right. Immediately over the bridge you will see the bus station on your left.
Stop 6 is signed ‘Bathsheba ’. (On a Sunday) it runs hourly, on the hour. The cost is Barb$7 for two or US$3.5 for two (which is a bit awkward as the exact fare has to be given - though our driver was very kind and gave us change).
It is about 40 minutes to Andromeda Gardens. You can get coffee or cold drinks. A walk round the garden cost US$15 each (credit card machine available). The plants are fascinating and you are given a written guide to tell you about the plants. The owner is very enthusiastic. Garden featured on Gardens’ World and in RHS magazine.

From there walk down the road passing bread fruit trees and banana plants to Bathsheba village - a proper Caribbean beach with palm trees, huge rocks, sand and crashing waves. There are a couple of restaurants. The bus back to Bridgetown is supposed to be on the hour but get to the bus shelter (near the cafe) 10 minutes early (the bus goes to the end of the village then turns round to go back).
Written 13 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. It is a fabulous guide and highlights how easy it is to get to Andromeda and Bathsheba - the best of Barbados! Thanks again. Regards Sharon.
Written 22 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

DumpyTraveller
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK96 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2023 • Couples
Why do you always find the best places at the end of your holiday?



We wanted to visit one of the gardens on the island and decided Andromeda looked the best.

20 connected gardens, 500 species of plants, places to stop and sit, a beautiful retreat from the sun and heat.



At reception you are given information of where to go and there is also an app which you can download that gives a description of various plants and trees.

There is free wi-fi which is great for the app and sending photos of all the beautiful sights.



We arrived at lunchtime and wanted to try Eastside Kitchen Cafe first. The food was the best we ate on the island and the fresh juices and drinks are so refreshing and healthy. After our lunch we set off around the paths. They advise spending 1-2 hours there but we wished we had gone at opening and spent all day exploring and popping back to the café as we had such a peaceful and rejuvenating afternoon.



It’s worth mentioning that reception, the classroom, the café (and the toilets closest to it) are wheelchair accessible. If you have any needs I would contact Sharon or the team and I’m sure they will do what they can to make your visit enjoyable.

The facilities and toilets are of a better standard than many other attractions on the island.



We took our time walking through the different gardens and soaked up the tranquillity. The biodiversity supports so many animals, birds and insects. Our favourite place was sat near the pond – after sitting quietly we were rewarded by an Antillean Crested Hummingbird flitting around.

We observed the resident troop of green monkeys and they were very entertaining if not a little wary of us and the camera.



You don’t need to be interested in gardening, plants or wildlife to visit Andromeda, it is fabulous for keeping cool, having something to delicious to eat and drink and enjoying a peaceful environment. If like us, you do like plants and wildlife it really is a haven.



You can catch the blue public bus or there is also a car park if you want to drive. It costs $30 Barbados for entry and you can return as many times as you want for a month. Wish we had come here at the beginning of our holiday so we could of visited more often to enjoy the gardens, food, shopping and shade.



There are local crafts, art, pottery, healthcare products, jewellery and books available to buy in the gallery and there are also workshops and events available to attend.

We really felt like we were supporting a number of small local businesses by visiting and helping to ensure the survival of a heritage garden that is so important to the history if Barbados.



If you want to experience the east side of the island, the lusciousness of this outstanding garden and the food and drink served by Dwayne in Eastside make the trip to Andromeda it’s well worth it.
Written 14 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your comprehensive review, which I have shared! There is nothing for me to add, just thank you so much! Regards Sharon
Written 24 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

maxine b
Sheffield Green, UK7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022 • Solo
A fabulous way to spend a few hours. The owner Sharon Cooke happily showed me the humming birds when I couldn't find them. The ticket let's for a month so you can revisit as many times as you want to. Its a beautifully thought out garden with so many surprises.
Written 15 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you! I walk around the garden daily and I still get surprised! There is just so much to see, hear and experience. Thank you for mentioning the return. So many people take advantage of this offer so there's no need to rush - just come back! And I hope you can come back too! Thanks again. Regards Sharon
Written 13 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

catsanddogs123
London, UK7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
Visited these gardens Saturday 11 June 2022. I have been to Barbados six times and did not know they existed. They are absolutely beautiful, filled with tropical plants, birds and butterflies. Sharon Cooke gave us a guided tour and her passion and enthusiasm was evident throughout the tour. The entry fee was $30 Barbados dollars (BDS). A taxi from Oistins cost $80 BDS and we took two local buses back to our resort for the cost of $7 BDS.

Local produce, jewellery, arts & crafts also available for sale. Got some lovely jewellery and had lunch. You can take a picnic and sit and eat in the grounds.
Very laid back and peaceful. Definitely worth a visit.
Written 16 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your wonderful review. I hope you can come again. The new Ethnobotanical Garden will have grown up and there should be even more butterflies! Thanks again. Regards Sharon
Written 13 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ellie
9 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
We arrived at around 9:30am and basically had the gardens to ourselves. It was lovely and peaceful. It took us around 2 hours to walk round slowly and look at all the plants and trees. I would recommend scanning the QR code at the entrance which gives you a free guide.
Written 23 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for coming. Our QR Code now takes you directly to our new Andromeda App - very exciting! And we have a new part of the garden - 2 acres of butterflies and ethnobotany which opened in early July. So much more to explore! Thanks again and I hope you can return. Regards Sharon.
Written 13 September 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

A Midlife Adventure
Dursley, UK2,768 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022
We visited last Friday 25th whilst also dropping into Bathsheba for some surfer spotting and lunch.
We were greeted by a lovely lady (sorry didn't get her name) who was so happy to explain all about the history of the gardens and how they developed before explaining how the on line guide sheet worked. They have wifi so it was easy to download.

We love a guide sheet so we can follow it around, understand what we are looking at and hopefully don't miss anything en route. Whilst a few of the numbered markers were obscured we found our way around without issue.

This garden is a little piece of paradise tucked away from the hustle n bustle of the rest of the island which I urge everyone to visit (it is accessible by bus if you don't drive, call them and they will give you guidance) and support. It was originally created by Iris Banochie back in 1950 and she was definitely a lady who lived before her time searching the world over for plants, shrubs n trees that she could plant here and transform the landscape.
We loved how she had created small gardens within one large garden like the palm tree area for example where there are couple of trees that are on the list of possible extinction!
We also enjoyed sitting and just being, absorbing the sounds and smells around us. Listening to the bird song and watching the wildlife including one little fellow who landed on a leaf above us and reminded us of "Harry" from a very long running Uk programme filmed in the Caribbean.
There are strategically placed seats throughout so plenty of opportunities just to relax n enjoy this beautiful corner of Barbados.

We are NT members back in the UK which means we could have received a discount but tbh we were happy to pay the full price and support this wonderful cause.
Written 28 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. And thank you for your generosity. We are desperate for support - as you figured out all by yourself! Instead of the guide sheet we now have the Andromeda App. Well, it is still the guide sheet but it is much better than the PDF document. Come back and try it. lol! I'm so pleased that you were able to linger and soak up the beauty and interest in this amazing space. Looking forward to welcoming you again. Regards Sharon.
Written 18 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Norb W
Tucson, AZ255 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
This is a very unique botanical garden. the trees, plants flowers are nicely displayed. It a multi level garden with stone paver and block steps with handrails. It is very quit and tranquil to enjoy the beauty of Barbados. I am visually impaired but was able to complete our tour. However, if you feel you are unable to walk the garden, I would recommend staying on the high level outside the office and avoid the steps. I did not regret the visit, and enjoyed every minute of it. There are benches available for sopping to rest and observer the park.t
Written 15 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. I'm pleased you were able to get a good feel of this unique garden. Just for other readers, and you in case you return and prefer to do it, there is a shorter walk that goes through the lower, inner parts of the garden. The normal length is 30-45minutes for this route but again there are places to sit. One visitor spent three hours on the shorter walk, so there are lots of things to experience. Thanks again. Regards Sharon
Written 22 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jenny F
Rochester, UK12 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
Was delighted to visit this beautiful garden on International Women’s Day 2020 and hear all about the inspiring story of Iris Bannochie and how the garden has developed over the last 40 years. A true cultural gem, and as an RHS partner garden was lucky enough to gain free entry as a member. Sharon is highly knowledgeable and runs the whole site extremely well. We spend nearly 2 hours here admiring the plants, the story, enjoying a rum punch and local treasures in the small gift shop. Add Andromeda to your must-visit list, set against the stunning backdrop of Bathsheba.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. It was a pleasure to read, actually. We still live in a world where the accomplishments of women are underappreciated so thank you for mentioning International Women's Day. In 1950s Barbados (a country without a long gardening tradition) Iris Bayley (her name at the time) was a female, self-taught Barbados scientist who created a botanical garden. This is rare! This garden needs to be more visited and more appreciated. Thank you, once again, for coming and your kind words. Regards Sharon.
Written 22 May 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

John T
Naples, FL13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Friends who recently visited Barbados recommended visiting Andromeda Botanic Gardens and I'm glad we decided to take their advice. It's a wonderful display of exotic plants and even more impressive that it was created by Iris Bannochie who single handedly created a tropical paradise introducing specimens from around the world.
Additionally the staff have tremendous enthusiasm to retain the dedication and love that was required to create this beautiful oasis.
Written 21 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your review. Andromeda is such a wonderful garden and the whole world needs to know it, appreciate it and protect it. Thank you so much for fully appreciating the space and Iris Bannochie's masterpiece. Kind regards, Sharon
Written 19 November 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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ANDROMEDA BOTANIC GARDENS (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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