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

Discover Tortola's past at Mount Healthy National Park, home to the BVI's last standing sugar mill windmill from an 18th-century plantation.

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Explore the ruins of an 18th-century sugar plantation at Mount Healthy National Park on Tortola, British Virgin Islands. See the only remaining windmill of its kind on the island and learn about the lives of enslaved Africans who once worked the fields.

A brief summary to Mount Healthy National Park

  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a stop at a nearby bar for panoramic views of the surrounding area.
  • Wear comfortable shoes, as the terrain can be uneven and rocky.
  • Visit early in the day to avoid crowds and make time for a relaxed exploration.
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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 and confirm the fare before you get in. A taxi ride from Road Town to Mount Healthy National Park typically costs around $20-$30 USD. The journey is approximately 30 minutes.

  • Walking

    If you are near Cane Garden Bay, you can hike to Mount Healthy National Park. Head towards the ridge and follow the trails towards Leonards. The trail from Cane Garden Bay is steep but offers beautiful views. Follow the signs to Mount Healthy National Park.

Unlock the Best of Mount Healthy National Park

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Discover more about Mount Healthy National Park

Mount Healthy National Park, a compact yet historically significant site on Tortola's north shore, offers a window into the British Virgin Islands' past. The park's centerpiece is the remarkably preserved ruin of an 18th-century windmill, constructed from field rubble, which was once part of a 250-acre sugar plantation. This is the last remaining windmill in the BVI. Enslaved Africans cultivated sugarcane on the surrounding terraced slopes, processing it into sugar for shipment to Britain. The windmill's large arched apertures, accented with cut stone blocks, served as functional openings for transporting sugarcane in and crushed cane (bagasse) out. Across the road, visitors can also see the ruins of the mill round (animal-powered), the factory with boiling house, the distiller, hospital, and living quarters. Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, former workers from the Mt. Healthy estate were able to buy land to cultivate. However, the sugar industry declined due to hurricanes and drought, leaving the windmill as a relic. Today, the park provides a tranquil setting for reflection and an opportunity to learn about the BVI's complex history.

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