The Gun Hill Signal Station is a preserved military outpost and communications tower located on Fusilier Road in St. George, Barbados. This guide covers opening hours, ticket prices, transport or parking, accessibility, and practical visitor tips.
To skip the detail, and just book a tour that takes you there, try the Barbados half day highlights tour.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the current seasonal schedule, which notes that the site is closed on Sundays during the out-of-season summer months.
Quick facts about the Gun Hill Signal Station
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Mon–Sun 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed Sundays in summer) |
| Ticket prices | Adults $15 BBD, Children $10 BBD |
| Address | Fusilier Road, Gun Hill, St. George, Barbados |
| Nearest public transport or parking | Bridgetown bus routes 1 or 2; free on-site car park |
| Typical time needed | 1 to 1.5 hours |
Gun Hill Signal Station opening hours
The Gun Hill Signal Station is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Sunday. During the out-of-season summer months, the station is closed to the public on Sundays.
5 great Barbados experiences to book
- 🏝️ See all the island highlights including Bathsheba Beach and Bottom Bay on the full day, round-island tour.
- 🐢 Snorkel with turtles on a catamaran cruise including lunch and open bar.
- 🌿 Take a half day adventure including Harrison’s Cave, Hunte’s Gardens and Bathsheba Beach.
- 🏛️ Pack in Barbados’ key heritage sites on a Bridgetown walking tour.
- 🐒 Enjoy a small-group monkey-feeding experience at the Barbados Wildlife Reserve.
Gun Hill Signal Station ticket prices
General admission tickets cost $15 BBD for adults and $10 BBD for children. Tickets are purchased directly at the entrance upon arrival at the site.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
How to get to the Gun Hill Signal Station
Visitors using public transport can take bus routes 1 or 2 from the main bus terminal in Bridgetown, heading towards St. George along the ABC Highway. Passengers should alight at the nearest stop for Gun Hill, which leaves an uphill walk of approximately one kilometre to reach the station.
For those driving or taking a taxi, the station is reached by turning off the ABC Highway (Highway 2A) towards St. George and following the road signs onto Fusilier Road.
The easiest way for most visitors to get to Gun Hill, however, is to join a half day Barbados highlights tour.
Parking at the Gun Hill Signal Station
A free surface car park is available directly on-site for visitors driving rental vehicles. The parking area is located just outside the main entrance to the station grounds.
There is a separate, smaller parking lay-by further down the hill for visitors who only wish to view the Gun Hill Lion statue without entering the main station grounds.
How long to spend at the Gun Hill Signal Station
Most visitors spend between one and one and a half hours at the site. This provides sufficient time to view the signal tower, examine the military memorabilia, walk down to the lion statue, and view the surrounding parishes from the highland vantage point.
Visitors stopping to purchase food or drink at the on-site Fusiliers Bar & Cafe typically extend their visit by thirty to forty-five minutes.
Accessibility at the Gun Hill Signal Station
The main grounds and terraces of the signal station are accessible to wheelchair users, following a refurbishment that installed ramps and paved pathways around the primary visitor areas.
The path leading down the hill to the carved lion statue involves an inclined, uneven walkway and stone steps, which are not suitable for wheelchair users or those with limited mobility.
Inside / what to see at the Gun Hill Signal Station
The central structure is the hexagonal signal tower, built in 1818 as part of a chain of military stations used to track shipping and provide internal security alerts across the island. Visitors can walk around the base and access the lower viewing areas.
The rooms at the rear of the tower function as a small museum. These rooms display a collection of British military memorabilia, historic photographs, and information explaining the flag and semaphore systems used for communication in the 19th century.
The site is positioned on a highland escarpment, providing unobstructed sightlines over the southern and western parishes of Barbados.
A short walk down a path from the main station leads to the Gun Hill Lion, a full-size white lion statue carved entirely from a single piece of coral limestone in 1868 by Captain Henry Wilkinson.
The grounds also contain the Fusiliers Bar & Cafe, where visitors can purchase light meals and refreshments during their visit.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Advice |
| Timing | Arrive in the early morning to avoid the strongest midday heat, as much of the site is outdoors and exposed to the sun. |
| Crowds | Visiting independently rather than on a large island coach tour ensures the quietest experience in the small museum rooms. |
| Layout | View the museum and tower first, then drive or walk down the hill to see the lion statue on your way out. |
| Entry process | Bring local BBD cash to pay for admission at the entrance, as card payment facilities for small transactions can occasionally be unreliable. |
| On-site logistics | Wear flat, enclosed walking shoes to safely navigate the uneven coral stone steps and inclined pathways around the grounds. |
Frequently asked questions about the Gun Hill Signal Station
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Gun Hill Signal Station suitable for children? | Yes, children are welcome and discounted admission tickets are available for them. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Gun Hill Signal Station? | No, advance booking is not required and tickets are purchased on arrival. |
| Is the Gun Hill Signal Station open on Sundays? | It is open on Sundays during the peak winter season, but closed on Sundays during the summer. |
| Are bags allowed at the Gun Hill Signal Station? | Standard day bags and backpacks are permitted on the grounds and inside the small museum rooms. |
Things to do near the Gun Hill Signal Station
The central location of the signal station in St. George makes it a convenient stop before visiting other paid attractions in the central and eastern parishes:
- Orchid World & Tropical Flower Garden: A botanical attraction featuring landscaped pathways and extensive orchid displays, located a short drive east.
- Harrison’s Cave Eco-Adventure Park: A major attraction in the neighbouring parish of St. Thomas, offering underground tram tours of crystallised limestone caverns.
- Island Safari Barbados: A tour operator based nearby, offering rugged 4×4 jeep excursions across the island’s interior and east coast.
