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Mount Healthy National Park: A Glimpse into Tortola's Past

Discover Tortola's history at Mount Healthy National Park, home to the BVI's last standing windmill and remnants of an 18th-century sugar plantation.

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Explore the ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation at Mount Healthy National Park, home to the last standing windmill in the British Virgin Islands. This historical site offers a glimpse into the island's past, showcasing the ingenuity and labor of those who once worked the land.

A brief summary to Mount Healthy National Park

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a stop at a nearby bar for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
  • Wear sturdy walking shoes to navigate the park's terrain comfortably.
  • Bring plenty of water and snacks, as amenities are limited within the park.
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Getting There

  • Taxi

    From Road Town, take a taxi from the main taxi stand near the ferry terminal. Ask the driver to take you to Mount Healthy National Park. Confirm the fare before you get in. A taxi ride from Road Town to Mount Healthy National Park typically costs around $25-$35 USD.

  • Walking

    If starting near the Tortola Ferry Terminal in Road Town, follow Main Street (Route 1) east. Continue past the shops and restaurants until you reach the roundabout. Take the first exit onto Waterfront Drive and follow the road until you see the sign for the entrance to Mount Healthy National Park. The park is located at C9W5+6PJ, Unnamed Road, Leonards.

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Discover more about Mount Healthy National Park

Mount Healthy National Park, located on the north shore of Tortola, offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore the remnants of an 18th-century sugar plantation. The park's centerpiece is the last remaining windmill in the British Virgin Islands, a stone structure that once played a vital role in grinding sugarcane. Enslaved Africans cultivated sugarcane on the steep slopes surrounding the windmill, processing it into sugar that was then shipped to Britain. Across the road from the windmill, visitors can see the ruins of the mill round, which was powered by animals, the factory with boiling house, the distiller, hospital, and living quarters. The windmill itself is constructed from field rubble, with large arched apertures accented by cut stone blocks. These openings were used to carry sugarcane into the mill for grinding and to remove the crushed cane. Following the abolition of enslavement in 1834, workers from the Mt. Healthy estate were able to buy land to cultivate themselves. However, the sugar industry eventually declined due to hurricanes and drought, leaving the windmill as a relic of the past. Today, Mount Healthy National Park provides a tranquil setting for a peaceful picnic, with scenic spots to relax and enjoy the natural beauty. Hiking trails wind through verdant forests, offering stunning views of the surrounding hills and coastline. The park is also a fantastic place for birdwatching, with numerous species of birds flitting through the trees.

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