Sam Lord's Castle

Barbados


This abandoned Georgian mansion overlooking Long Bay was built by buccaneer Samuel Hall Lord in 1820. It's said he amassed a fortune by hanging lanterns from the rugged coastline below his property and tricking passing ships into thinking they'd reached Bridgetown. On trying to enter the bay they were shipwrecked on the treacherous rocks, leaving Lord to pick up the plunder. After being severely damaged by fire in 2010, the property has recently been bought by a hotel consortium.

At the time of research construction on the towering adjacent concrete buildings was underway – which more than dampens the pirate hideout atmosphere – however it was still possible to walk through the gate and check out the eerie shell of the burned-out mansion. This is likely to change as the project progresses so check the latest before heading out here.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Barbados attractions

1. Long Bay

0.18 MILES

Down below Sam Lord's Castle, this coconut-lined, windswept bay doesn't get many visitors. It's not a safe place for swimming, but is a good place for a…

2. Shark Hole

0.4 MILES

Well off the beaten track, the pint-sized Shark Hole is one of those special places for which your selfie will not do justice. Down a short flight of…

3. Bottom Bay

1.02 MILES

On an island blessed with beautiful stretches of sand, Bottom Bay is up there with the best. With translucent turquoise waters framed by rocks and…

4. Crane Beach

1.58 MILES

Crane Beach, 7km northeast of the airport, is a hidden beach cove backed by cliffs and fronted by aqua-blue waters. An adventurous trail over rocks along…

5. Sunbury Plantation House

3.41 MILES

Built between 1660 and 1670, the handsome Sunbury Plantation House was painstakingly restored after a 1995 fire. The house has 60cm-thick walls built of…

6. Bath

5.09 MILES

This wonderful long and remote stretch of golden sand is usually totally empty. It is one of the few places on this coast where it's safe to swim, thanks…

7. Martin's Bay

6.15 MILES

Fronted by a sliver of sand, this little village is about as local as you get. It has a combined bar/restaurant, a shop and some picnic tables – that's it…

8. Andromeda Botanic Gardens

7.77 MILES

The island's original botanic gardens, this lovely spot has two exploratory paths that wind their way through a wide collection of tropical plants,…