St Helena Activities

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HISTORY & HERITAGE WALKING & HIKING SAINT HELENA NATIONAL TRUST ST HELENA DISTILLERY The history of St Helena touches Abounding with a varied range of The Saint Helena National Trust The most remote distillery in the many aspects of world history. walks and trails , the island’s diverse is an independent not-for-profit world, located at Alarm Forest, is Discovered by the Portuguese in landscapes offer everything from organisation, launched on 21st May where Head Distiller Paul Hickling 1502, the island became a Dutch and gentle ambles to challenging 2002, the 500th anniversary of the oversees every step of the distilling then a British possession (initially hikes, with natural beauty at every discovery of the island. It is process of the distillery's products. WHAT TO under the East India Company, then turn. Walkers have the chance to responsible for the protection, The distillery uses German-made the Crown). It was a strategically view some of the more remote enhancement and promotion of Holstein distilling equipment and SEE & DO important port of call during the parts of St Helena and encounter its St Helena’s unique environment Paul trained in Germany to become British Empire, until the opening of endemic plants, unique wildlife and and cultural heritage. The Trust’s a qualified distiller. His product the Suez Canal and the advent of rich heritage. activities include restoring the range includes Tungi, a spirit made steamships. The island also played island’s fragile Gumwood forests from indigenous prickly pears, A walk around the capital an important role during the and natural ecosystems, conserving White Lion Rum, Jamestown Gin Jamestown is a great introduction abolition of slavery. the endemic Wirebird, promoting made from Bermuda Juniper to the island, especially when the protection of the historic which grows only on Bermuda and The island's remote location meant undertaken with a knowledgeable buildings and fortifications, and St Helena, White Lion Rum and it was used as a place of exile for key guide. Follow in the footsteps of educating and training local people. Midnight Mist coffee liqueur, made prisoners, including some 6,000 Napoleon, the Duke of Wellington, The National Trust offers eco-tours exclusively from local St Helena Boers, Chief Dini-Zulu, Bahraini Charles Darwin, and Captain James of the island’s rich heritage. For coffee. Wines are also produced princes and, of course, Napoleon. Cook. The more energetic can head more information visit them at here from South African grape juice. up the 699 steps to conquer iconic Broadway House in Jamestown or Jacob’s Ladder, embedded into a NAPOLEON at www.nationaltrust.org.sh. Tours and tastings can be arranged by steep cliff face in Jamestown. appointment. For more information Napoleon was exiled to St Helena in contact [email protected]. 1851 and died here in 1821. The Not to be missed are the Post Box SHAPE three main sites that the Emperor Walks, devised by the St Helena St Helena’s Active Participation occupied during his time on the Nature Conservation Group (SNCG). ST HELENA COFFEE With quirky names such as Lot’s in Enterprise Centre is the island are Longwood House, his The rare 'Green Tipped Bourbon Wife’s Ponds, Sharks Valley and headquarters of an initiative that tomb in the Sane Valley and The Arabica' coffee cultivar grown on Flagstaff, these walks cover some of provides training and work Briars Pavilion. All three sites are St Helena was introduced to the the most scenic and untouched experience for disabled and open for the public to visit and enjoy. Island from Yemen in 1732. It is parts of the island. The 21 walks are vulnerable people on the island to considered the finest coffee in the rated on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10 produce local, quality crafts. PLANTATION HOUSE world. It's also the rarest and one of with a post box containing an ink SHAPE is committed to an the most expensive. www.sthelenatourism.com Built in 1792 by the East India stamp and a visitors’ book at the environmental conscience and uses Company as a country residence for end of each walk. local resources. A large number of Due to several factors including its the island’s Governors, it is also products are produced from flax remote location, limited harvestable home to St Helena’s oldest and aloe fibres and local wool is land and long growing season, inhabitant (and the world’s oldest BIRDING & WILDLIFE ABOUT ST HELENA used for knitted and crocheted St Helena only produces a few reptile) Jonathan the Tortoise. On land and by sea, the sights and products. Candle and soap making thousand pounds of coffee a year. Today the residence retains its St Helena is a small British Overseas Territory situated in the sounds of the birdlife of St Helena add to the range of merchandise. The island’s isolation ensured that historic charm and tours to view the South Atlantic Ocean. One of the remotest places on Earth, are certain to delight. Take time to You are invited to visit the shop and the coffee has remained pure. house and spot Jonathan from the it is also one of the most extraordinary places to visit. explore the island to observe the café to support the work of this Cherries are hand-picked and dried tortoise viewing corridor can be Its unique character and unspoilt beauty lies in contrasting rare and reclusive native Moorhen, worthwhile project. in the sun to give a distinct flavour. arranged through the Tourist Office. and spectacular scenery, a rich cultural heritage and an or the variety of naturalised For more information email Coffee tours to Rosemary Coffee environment extremely rich in biodiversity. These are just songbirds and be prepared to be assistantmanagershape@ Estate, Farm Lodge Country Hotel a few of the reasons why this remote jewel is a perfect FORTIFICATIONS ‘visited’ by inquisitive Fairy (White) helanta.co.sh. and Solomons’ coffee plantation can location for active exploration and discovery. Terns. Observe the colonies of was be arranged at the Tourist Office. Ladder Hill Fort and Battery Noddies, Boobies, Petrels and the main fort for the island and Terns on the island’s offshore commands spectacular views of ST HELENA TOURISM stacks by boat or take a coastal 1 the ocean and Jamestown. Many walk to observe the remarkable buildings are now private houses St Helena Tourism provides a comprehensive information conservation success story 2 or offices. service for visitors and residents. Our team is at hand to assist unfolding on the coastal cliffs with information on accommodation and eateries as well as where populations of Masked High Knoll Fort was built in 1798 3 car rental, tours, activities and events. Depending on your Boobies and Red-billed Tropicbirds and is an excellent example of interests, we will be happy to assist with the planning of are re-establishing themselves in MUNDEN’S ROAD military defensive structures of its itineraries that will make the most of your time on the island. ever increasing numbers on time. In 1811 troops from High Knoll Please also contact us for up-to-date information on travel the mainland. Fort put down a mutiny over alcohol 1 Wharf Steps 20 Jacob’s Ladder options to St Helena. 2 Yacht Club & Dive Club 21 New Porteous House 4 5 SISTERS WALK rations and six of the ringleaders The endemic Wirebird (St Helena 3 Barrel Vaulted Building 22 St Helena National Trust were hung here. Plover) is a source of national pride 4 Passenger Terminal 23 Essex House 5 Ocean Wafe Café 24 Post Office 6 and a tour to observe its behaviour 6 Swimming Pool 25 SURE 27 The Boer cemetery and camp MUNDEN’S ROAD FOR MORE INFORMATION in the wild is not to be missed. 7 The Castle 26 Bank 28

Knollcombes is the location of the 8 Mule Yard 27 Annie’s Launderette Moat 7 Y 12 visit.sthelena graveyard of the Boer POW who St Helena has an incredible range of 9 Archway 28 Collin’s Garage unique wildlife. A staggering 455 10 Cenotaph @sthelenatourism were imprisoned on the island 11 New Horizons Public Toilets 14 15 25 NAPOLEON STREET

MES B A 13 between 1900 and 1902, during the species of invertebrates are found 12 Castle Gardens Disabled Toilet Facilities 8 21 22 23 Telephone: +290 22158 J A GRAND MAIN STREET 13 Police Station Wifi 9 PARADE Anglo-Boer War in South Africa. The on St Helena and include the 24 NOSE GAY LANE 14 Court House Tourist Info & Office 10 16 Email: [email protected] Blushing Snail, the Spiky Woodlouse, 17 Boer POW camp was situated at 15 Public Library Taxi Rank 26 MARKET STREET St Helena Tourism, Jamestown Deadwood Plain. the Vulturine and Golden 16 Dr Arnold Memorial Customer Service Centre 11 18 St Helena, STHL 1ZZ, South Atlantic Ocean Leafhopper and Janich’s Fungus 17 St James Church Pay Phone 19 18 Immigration Office Solomon’s Fuel Station BACKWAY Please contact the Tourist Office for Weevil. St Helena also boasts a near 19 Museum Photo Opportunity LANECHURCH SHY ROAD JAMESTOWN www.sthelenatourism.com details and bookings of tours. perfect bee population. 20 LADDER HILL CORNER

SPORTS Many sporting activities are catered for on the island. The Longwood Golf Course is the most remote golf course in the world. It has nine holes and 18 tee boxes and competitions are held every Saturday and Sunday.

At Francis Plain the sports enthusiast can choose between cricket, football, track running, tennis, squash, badminton and volleyball. Tennis courts can also be found at Ladder Hill Fort and Plantation House. At Plantation House there is also a very popular walking trail through the surrounding forest. Swimming in the ocean is possible and a swimming pool is situated in Jamestown. The Riﬂe Club uses the moat next to the swimming pool for shooting practice.

A gym, managed by New Horizons, is situated in Half Tree Hollow and New Horizons also organises boot camp training twice a week. They can also be contacted for details on kayak rental. A mountain biking track has been developed close to Millennium Forest.

Please enquire at the Tourist Oﬃce for further details.

STARGAZING As there is virtually no light pollution on St Helena, the exceptional quality of the night sky makes this a world-class destination for stargazing. Added to this is the fact that St Helena is steeped in astronomical history, and the sites of Edmund Halley’s observatory as well that of Neville Maskelyne can be visited. The Milky Way can be seen stretching from horizon to horizon in an arc overhead, and the heavens are studded with thousands of stars. Located 16° south of the equator means that virtually every constellation is on display at some time throughout the year on St Helena. HEARTSHAPED WATERFALL Above Jamestown the stream that eventually flows through the Run in the centre of town falls almost 300 feet (90 m) over a spectacular rock face, shaped like a heart. It is best seen from a distance, particularly from Side Path Road as it climbs out of the valley to Alarm Forest. SAINT HELENA NATIONAL TRUST The Saint Helena National Trust is an independent not-for-profit organisation, launched on 21st May 2002, the 500th anniversary of the discovery of the island. It is responsible for the protection, enhancement and promotion of St Helena’s unique environment and cultural heritage. The Trust’s activities include restoring the island’s fragile Gumwood forests and natural ecosystems, conserving the endemic Wirebird, promoting the protection of the historic buildings and fortifications, and educating and training local people. The National Trust offers eco-tours of the island’s rich heritage. For more information visit them at Broadway House in Jamestown or at www.nationaltrust.org.sh.

SHAPE

St Helena’s Active Participation in Enterprise Centre is the headquarters of an initiative that provides training and work experience for disabled and vulnerable people on the island to produce local, quality crafts.

SHAPE is committed to an environmental conscience and uses local resources. A large number of products are produced from ﬂax and aloe ﬁbres and local wool is used for knitted and crocheted products. Candle and soap making add to the range of merchandise. You are invited to visit the shop and café to support the work of this worthwhile project.

For more information email assistantmanagershape@ helanta.co.sh.

Sugar Loaf Point DIVING & MARINE ACTIVITIES SPORTS Sugar Loaf Clear, warm waters, 18th century Many sporting activities are catered Banks Battery Flagsta Bay wrecks and fascinating marine life for on the island. The Longwood Banks Valley Sugar Loaf Ridge make the island an enticing Golf Course is the most remote golf Witte Leeuw AFRICA snorkelling and scuba diving course in the world. It has nine holes Darkdale Rupert’s Bay Barn Long Point The Barn destination. The terrain of dive sites and 18 tee boxes and competitions Munden’s Point Equator are as varied as the abundant are held every Saturday and Sunday. Papanui James Flagstaff Bay Munden’s Rupert’s Hill The Haystack marine life that can be observed, At Francis Plain the sports SOUTH Ascension Spangereid ranging from rocky reefs with caves AMERICA St James enthusiast can choose between St Helena Church Turks Cap Bay and areas of boulders to cobbles Island cricket, football, track running, Ladder Jamestown and sand, all within easy reach of SOUTH Atlantic Rose Hill Fort Deadwood Turks Cap ValleyTurks Cap tennis, squash, badminton and Rupert’s Valley Plain the wharf in Jamestown. ATLANTIC volleyball. Tennis courts can also be OCEAN Portzic Half Tree Hollow Bunker’s Hill Boer Cox’s St Helena offers a wide range of Tristan Camp Battery found at Ladder Hill Fort and da Cunha Frontier Apostolic Church Site Longwood quality fishing experiences, be it for Plantation House. At Plantation Lemon Valley Bay Donkey Prosperous Bay a quiet day of fishing off the rocky Plain Heart Horse House there is also a very popular High Shaped Point coastline, or the thrill of deep-water walking trail through the Lemon ValleyOld Knoll Waterfall Quarantine Fort Meteorological sports fishing. St Helena is one of the surrounding forest. Bedgellet Station Station Millennium Prince’s SURE best regions in the world to encounter Briars Forest Swimming in the ocean is possible Lodge Pavillion Whale Sharks. From December to March Red Alarm Forest and a swimming pool is situated in Gate King & these docile giants of the ocean are Francis St Helena Longwood Queen Saddle Point Jamestown. The Rifle Club uses the St Paul’s Plain Distillery House Bradleys Rocks frequently spotted around the Plantation moat next to the swimming pool for House White island and during the peak season, Horse Gate Prince Golf shooting practice. Pasture Andrew School Course usually around February, tours St Martin’s Rosemary Boer Napoleon’s depart daily from James Bay. Farm Plain Cemetery Tomb Fisher’s St Helena A gym, managed by New Horizons, is in the Hills Lodge St Paul’s Valley Airport Church Cathedral Maskelyne’s The island also has a resident situated in Half Tree Hollow and Broad Observatory Bottom Hutts Gate population of Pantropical Spotted New Horizons also organises boot St Mathew’s camp training twice a week. They Boer Halley’s Church Prosperous Bay Plain dolphins and is visited by a huge Swanley Valley Clifford Mount can also be contacted for details on Camp Bates Woody Ridge range of transient species such as The Saddle Site Arboretum Branch Mount Humpback whales, Bottlenose and kayak rental. Egg Island Old Woman’s Valley George Actaeon Casons Gate Benjamin Sandy Bay Diana’s Silver Hill Rough-toothed dolphins, Hawksbill A mountain biking track has been Arboretum Ridge Peak Donkey SHAPE Gill Point and Green turtles and Devil Rays. developed close to Millennium Centre National Sanctuary Park Sharks Valley Forest. High Hill Milestone Little Stone Top Marine tours are offered by a Cuckold’s Stone Top Bay Shore Island St Peter’s Great Stone Top number of operators and can be Please enquire at the Tourist Office High Peak Point Bellstone Church George Island booked through the Tourist Office. for further details. Thompson’s Bay Red Rock Blue Hill West Levelwood Lodge Deep Valley YACHTING STARGAZING St Helena and Lot Green Coffee Hill the Cross Church Located in the middle of the South As there is virtually no light Peak Dale Plantation Long Ridge Atlantic the Saints have always been pollution on St Helena, the Baptist White Hill Powell’s Valley at one with the sea and the island exceptional quality of the night sky Man and Horse Church Deep Valley Bay Sout West Point Sandy Bay Sandy Bay Barn has been a popular stopping point makes this a world-class destination White Point for the global yachting community. for stargazing. Added to this is the Thompson’s Most of the island’s yachting and Wood fact that St Helena is steeped in Sandy Bay Valley Beach Hill Man and Horse Cliffs The Gates boating activities are based on and astronomical history, and the sites of Chaos around James Bay. The Yacht Club is of Edmund Halley’s observatory as Long Range Walking and hiking Golf Sandy Bay situated at the wharf. Point Star Gazing Tennis well that of Neville Maskelyne can Lot’s Wife Powell Point Wirebirds Volleyball All yachts approaching St Helena be visited. Manati Bay Donkey Sanctuary Cricket should call St Helena Radio (ZHH) The Milky Way can be seen Tortoise Football on channel 16 VHF or Port Control stretching from horizon to horizon Picnic area Badminton / Squash Lot’s Wife’s Ponds on VHF 14. in an arc overhead, and the heavens Great Hollow Diving Mountain biking Shipwreck Napoleonic sites The Governor’s Cup yacht race is a are studded with thousands of The Asses Ears Marine Birds Religious buildings biennial event from Cape Town to stars. Located 16° south of the Dolphins Fortifications St Helena and is one of the most equator means that virtually every Whales Places of interest unusual races on the international constellation is on display at some yachting calendar. The World ARC time throughout the year on Speery Island Castle Rock Point Rally, an around-the-world race, St Helena. also calls at St Helena. HEARTSHAPED WATERFALL The position of St Helena’s yacht Above Jamestown the stream that moorings is 015°55’.400 South and eventually flows through the Run in 005°43’.500 West. There are 23 the centre of town falls almost 300 buoys in total and they are allocated feet (90 m) over a spectacular rock on a first-come first-serve basis. face, shaped like a heart. It is best For more detailed yachting seen from a distance, particularly information, please contact the from Side Path Road as it climbs out Tourist Office. of the valley to Alarm Forest.