English Harbor is a famous district of Antigua which has a rich history. Christopher Columbus named it so when he passed by it during the year 1493. It is named after the statue of miracle worker Santa Maria della Antigua, at the cathedral of Seville. The main attraction of English Harbor is the Nelson's Dockyard National Park which is spread over fifteen square miles.
Nelson’s Dockyard National Park in the English Harbor in Antigua was built to serve as a base for the British Navy and it also served as headquarters of the fleet at the Leeward Island during the late 18th century. The dockyard was expanded immensely during the time of Horatio Nelson and was later abandoned and finally closed in the year 1889.
Now, this sightseeing attraction of the English Harbor in Antigua is completely restored and the only Georgian dockyard in the world is visited by millions of tourists. In the park, you would find another sightseeing attraction which is the Clarence House of English Harbor. This was the residence built for King William IV. Above the English Harbor, you would find the Shirley Heights. This is nothing but a partially restored fortification of the observation post of English Harbor. It was built during the colonial rule in English Harbor. On Sundays, you would find barbeque and live music performances at the huge bar of the locality.
Another interesting tourist spot at English Harbor is the Lookout Trail. It is a pathway that starts from the English Harbor and continues through a forest of mahogany. You can reach the Shirley Heights via the Lookout Trail. It is better that you do not venture out in the Lookout Trail after evening.
Another important attraction is the Dow's Hill Interpretation Center. Here you can watch the impressive multimedia presentation of Antigua’s history from the time when first human settlement was found here till its independence. From the observation deck of the Dow’s Hill you can have a wonderful view of Antigua. The ruined fortifications of Fort Berkeley are tourist spots of the harbor.
English Harbor sports a new look twice in the year- once during the carnival in August and then during the Sailing Week in Antigua. During the carnival, the city does not sleep and the English Harbor buzzes with both locals and the tourists whole night. You would find the streets of the city full of people in various funny costumes, singing calypso music and dancing to the tunes.
The best attraction of English Harbor is the Sailing Week. You cannot miss this event if you are in the city at that time. Sailing is a major part of the life of the local people and the annual yachting festival showcases the importance of sailing. You do not need to have a boat to enjoy the fun. Here you can easily charter one boat from the large fleets moored on the harbor.
For authentic information on English Harbor, you can browse through the site travel.mapsofworld.com
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