Historical site in Pares Village, St. Peter's Parish, Antigua And Barbuda
Betty's Hope Plantation
The first large-scale sugar plantation in Antigua, established in 1650 by Christopher Codrington. Two restored windmill towers still stand amid the ruins of this historic plantation. A small museum explains the sugar production process and the brutal conditions endured by enslaved Africans who worked the estate.
Betty's Hope is Antigua's most historically significant sugar plantation, established in approximately 1650 and named by the Codrington family — the dominant planting dynasty of the colonial-era English Caribbean — who acquired the estate in 1674. The Codrington family transformed Betty's Hope into one of the first large-scale sugar operations in Antigua, a model that subsequently shaped the island's entire agricultural and demographic character for nearly three centuries. The name is believed to honour Betty Codrington, a member of the founding generation of the family, though primary documentary evidence is inconclusive.
The plantation's most recognizable features are its two restored windmill towers, constructed in the late 17th century and among the earliest sugar-grinding windmills in the Caribbean. One tower has been partially restored with its original conical cap and sail framework, enabling visitors to visualize the milling process by which harvested sugarcane was crushed to extract juice. The second tower stands open to its core. Around the towers lie the extensive foundations and partial walls of the boiling house, curing house, distillery, and estate house — an archaeological spread covering several acres in St. Peter's Parish near the village of Pares.
Betty's Hope operated continuously from around 1650 until 1944, making it one of the longest-running sugar estates in the Caribbean. Through the 18th and early 19th centuries it was worked by hundreds of enslaved Africans, whose forced labor produced the sugar, rum, and molasses that made the Codrington family one of the wealthiest in the British Empire. Emancipation came to Antigua in 1834 without an apprenticeship period — Antigua was the only British colony to grant immediate freedom to the enslaved — and the plantation subsequently operated with wage labor until declining profitability led to its closure in the 20th century. The site was donated to the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda in 1984, and restoration work began in the late 1980s.
Highlights
- Two 17th-century sugar windmill towers, one partially restored with cap and sail framework, among the earliest surviving windmills in the Caribbean
- Extensive archaeological ruins of the boiling house, curing house, distillery, and estate buildings across several acres
- First large-scale sugar plantation in Antigua, established circa 1650 and operated continuously for nearly 300 years
- Poignant historical record of the enslaved African labor force that built the Codrington family's wealth and shaped Antiguan society
- Rural St. Peter's Parish setting with views across Antigua's rolling eastern interior
Tips
- Visit Tuesday through Saturday between 10 AM and 4 PM when the site is staffed; the small museum inside the restored windmill base provides essential context before exploring the ruins
- Combine with Harmony Hall Art Gallery at Brown's Bay, about 10 minutes to the east, for a rewarding half-day itinerary in the eastern parishes
- Wear sun protection — the ruins are largely open to the sky with minimal shade across the site
- Ask staff about the restoration project; one windmill has been partially re-mechanized and demonstrations are occasionally given for visiting groups
- The $5 adult admission fee supports the Museum of Antigua and Barbuda's ongoing conservation work at the plantation
FAQ
Is Betty's Hope suitable for children?
Yes. The open landscape and windmill ruins are engaging for children. There are no major hazards, though the ruins are uneven and children should be supervised near exposed wall edges.
How long does a visit take?
Most visitors spend 45 minutes to one hour exploring the site and the small museum. Those with a deeper interest in plantation archaeology or sugar production history may spend up to two hours.
Is the site English-language friendly?
Yes. All signage and museum displays are in English. Staff on site can provide guided explanations in English.
Can visitors enter the windmill towers?
The ground level of the restored windmill is accessible and contains interpretive displays. The upper sections are not open to visitors for safety reasons.