Things to do in Mandeville
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Marshall's Pen Great House
This impressive stone-and-timber great house, built in 1795, stands among beautifully landscaped gardens on a former coffee plantation turned cattle-breeding property on the northwest side of town. The 120-hectare property is owned by Jamaica’s leading ornithologist, Robert Sutton, and Anne Sutton, an environmental scientist. Robert can trace his ancestry to the first child born to English parents in Jamaica in 1655. The Suttons’ home has wood-paneled rooms brimming with antiques, leather-bound books, artwork and many other museum-quality pieces. You can tour the mini-museum by appointment only. Marshall’s Pen is splendid for birding: more than 100 species have b…
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Bloomfield Great House
This immaculate historic home stands atop a hill southwest of the town center. The two-story structure built in traditional Caribbean vernacular gleams after a fine renovation. It is about 170 years old (the exact date is uncertain) and began life as the center of a coffee estate and, later, a citrus plantation. It’s now one of Jamaica’s finest art galleries and a premier restaurant. The art galleries feature works by many of Jamaica’s leading artists, as well as an international repertoire. There are five arts-and-crafts studios and stores in the arcade downstairs. The entrance is 200m south of Manchester College, on the opposite side of the road at the crossroads.…
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Huntingdon Summit Mansion
The extravagant Huntingdon Summit mansion in May Day, about 3km southeast of the town center, forms the yang to Bloomfield Great House’s yin. The octagonal home is of palatial proportions, with wraparound plate-glass windows and artificial cascades that tumble into a swimming pool, from where waters feed into a pond in the lounge. The ostentatious furnishings reflect the catholic tastes of its owner, Cecil Charlton, a millionaire farmer, politician and self-promoter who served as the mayor of Mandeville during the 1970s and 1980s.
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Cecil Charlton Park
Cecil Charlton Park is a tiny English-style 'green', also known as Mandeville Sq, which lends a charming village feel to the town center. On the north side is the Mandeville Courthouse, of cut limestone with a horseshoe staircase and a raised portico supported by Doric columns. The Rectory, the oldest home in town, adjoins the courthouse. Both it and the courthouse were completed in 1820. On the south side is a produce market, and a cenotaph commemorating Jamaica's dead from the two world wars.
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Mrs Stephenson's Garden
This well-manicured garden has been planned and planted, and pruned and mulched, by a stalwart who is a real artist. Carmen Stephenson’s garden is a riot of color, a drunkenness of scents, difficult to dampen in even the wettest of weather. Keen amateur gardeners descend year-round to admire the layout or gasp at the collection that includes orchids and ortaniques. Casual visitors are welcome during daylight hours.
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Manchester Club
For golf, check out the Manchester Club, the oldest golf club in the Caribbean. Located off Brumalia Rd, northwest of the town center, it has a nine-hole golf course that was laid out in the 1860s. A round costs US$25 and caddies are compulsory (US$15). The club also has three night-lit tennis courts and squash courts (both US$5 per hour).
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New Den
In the former home of a colonial family with an affinity for wickerwork, this refined Jamaican eatery serves up excellent fish and chips as well as curried or barbecued chicken. If you’re especially hungry, try the mixed grill, which lets you pick any three grilled meat or fish dishes on the menu.
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Manchester Arms Pub & Restaurant
A broad menu of Jamaican and continental dishes is served here. It has a poolside barbecue each Wednesday night. Jamaican night is held on the last Wednesday of every month, with Jamaican food and entertainment, including a live mento band.
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Country Fresh
With an emphasis on the authentic, this hotel-based restaurant grows much of its produce in a private garden. A set meal is offered; lunch and dinner can be made to order. Sandwiches and snacks cost US$2.
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Swa Craft Centre
Behind the Manchester Shopping Plaza, this place trains young women to make a living from crochet, embroidery, weaving and so on. Its most appealing item is the famous ‘banana patch’ Rastafarian doll.
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Link
This is a popular neighborhood bar where you’re sure to make some friends. Entertaining karaoke nights are held on Thursday and Saturday, and on Sunday a DJ spins vintage reggae and American R&B.
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St Mark's Church
St Mark's Church, on the south side of Cecil Charlton Park, was established in 1819. The timber clerestory is impressive, as is the churchyard.
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Eclipse
The only nightclub of note, it has live music out back and a disco inside. Friday is ‘Ladies Nite, ’ with free entry.
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Tweeties Café
Tweeties offers cheap breakfasts, as well as fish and chips, pizza and sandwiches in Brumalia Town Centre.
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Indies Pizza
A food court to the rear of the Manchester Shopping Plaza features Indies Pizza.
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Kariba Holidays & Leisure Tours
Kariba Holidays & Leisure Tours offers tours locally and further afield.
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Bammy Factory
You can buy one half of the famous 'fish and bammy' at Clem Bloomfield's Bammy Factory .
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Dicky’s Sports Bar
A classic Jamaican haunt with pool tables and the occasional sound-system party.
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International Chinese Restaurant
Filling portions of above-average Chinese fare are on offer at this casual spot.
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Booklands
Meagerly stocked but with a decent selection of regional-interest titles.
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Countrystyle Community Tours
Can arrange homestays in central Jamaica as part of community tours.
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