Updated in October 2026, this Hunte’s Gardens guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking or transport, accessibility and what to see.
Hunte’s Gardens is a tropical garden created inside a sinkhole at Castle Grant in the parish of St Joseph, in the hills of central Barbados. Admission is now $50 BBD (US$25) per adult, which is higher than the $30 to $40 BBD quoted in older guides. This guide was last updated in October 2026 and confirms the current admission price, the daily opening hours and the 64 steps into the garden.
Quick facts: Hunte’s Gardens
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | 10am to 4pm every day, including Sundays and bank holidays. |
| Ticket prices | Adult $50 BBD (US$25). Child aged 6 to 12 $20 BBD (US$10). |
| Address | Castle Grant, St Joseph, Barbados (Highway 3A) |
| Nearest transport or parking | Small car park at the garden. Bus routes in central Barbados are limited. |
| Typical time needed | About 1 to 2 hours |
Hunte’s Gardens opening hours
The garden is open every day from 10am to 4pm. This includes Sundays and bank holidays. The hours are the same all year, and there are no seasonal changes.
Phone the garden on +1 (246) 433-3333 to confirm the hours before a long drive.
Hunte’s Gardens ticket prices
Admission to Hunte’s Gardens costs $50 BBD, which is US$25, per person. Barbados dollars are fixed at two to one against the US dollar. Bring cash for entry.
- Adult: $50 BBD, or US$25.
- Children aged 6 to 12: $20 BBD, or US$10.
- Refreshments: a glass of rum punch, teas, coffees and cakes can be bought at the garden.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in October 2026.
The garden is not part of a city pass scheme such as Go City or CityPass.
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.
How to get to Hunte’s Gardens
The garden is in the middle of the island, in the lush hills of St Joseph, on Highway 3A at Castle Grant. It is 20 to 30 minutes’ drive from Holetown or St Lawrence Gap.
- By car: road signs point to the garden from across the island. Driving is the easiest option, because bus routes in central Barbados are limited.
- By taxi: a taxi from the west or south coast is a practical alternative. Agree the return trip before you leave.
- By tour: Chukka and other operators run tours with hotel pick-up.
- From Bathsheba: the garden is about four miles south-west of Bathsheba Beach on the east coast.
Parking at Hunte’s Gardens
A small car park is at the garden entrance, with free parking. Toilets and a gift shop are also at the entrance.
The garden’s location in the hills means narrow country roads on the way. Allow extra time if you travel from the south or west coast.
How long to spend at Hunte’s Gardens
Plan about 1 to 2 hours for a visit. Visitors who follow the side paths to the alcoves, mini gardens, fountains and sculptures can take up to two hours. The same applies to visitors who sit in the shaded corners, order a drink at the verandah or chat with the owner.
The garden is self-guided and does not offer guided tours. Anthony Hunte is usually on site to answer questions about the plants.
Accessibility at Hunte’s Gardens
The garden is not suited to wheelchairs or limited mobility. There are 64 steps down into the garden and back up. Most have handrails.
The paths are concrete pavers and paving slabs, and they can be uneven in places. Benches and chairs are on every level for rests. The flights of steps are layered, mostly not steep, and have room for other visitors to pass.
Visitors who cannot manage the steps can sit at the verandah near the top. Wear flat, non-slip shoes.
What to see at Hunte’s Gardens
The garden fills a natural sinkhole, a collapsed cave in the limestone. It was once part of the Castle Grant sugar plantation, where sugar cane was processed into syrup. Anthony Hunte transformed the site into a series of tropical gardens.
At the gate, visitors walk over the old weighbridge where loads of cane were tallied. Statues stand among the plants beside the old stone outbuildings. Beyond them is the lip of the great hemispherical sinkhole, and steps lead down into it.
Towering royal palms rise from the floor of the gully. Below them grow heliconias, anthuriums, gingers, orchids, bromeliads, ferns and hibiscus. A large board at the entrance names the more than 80 species of plants and birds you may see.
Winding paths lead to small secret gardens, each with its own seating and view. Statues, antiques and fountains are placed among the plants. The garden plays classical or jazz music softly through hidden speakers.
Mr Hunte’s home is on the upper level. It was converted from the old stables and has a verandah where visitors can sit with a drink. Rum punch, teas, coffees and cakes are available.
Wildlife includes hummingbirds, geckos and green monkeys. Visitors often see the owner’s dog as well.
The garden is also a plant nursery. It hosts weddings, celebrations and photo sessions.
Practical visitor tips
| Topic | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | The garden is open 10am to 4pm daily, so allow at least an hour before closing. |
| Crowds | The garden is small. Chukka and other tours add groups, so visit at opening for a quieter walk. |
| Layout | The gate leads to the top of the sinkhole. 64 steps lead down to the garden floor, and the owner’s house is on the upper level. |
| Entry process | Pay at the entrance. Bring cash for entry. |
| On-site logistics | Toilets and a gift shop are at the entrance. Wear flat shoes for the steps and uneven paving. |
Frequently asked questions about Hunte’s Gardens
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much does it cost to enter Hunte’s Gardens? | $50 BBD (US$25) for adults. Children aged 6 to 12 pay $20 BBD (US$10). |
| Is Hunte’s Gardens suitable for children? | Yes, there is no minimum age. The garden has 64 steps and uneven paths, so children should stay close to an adult. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for Hunte’s Gardens? | No. Pay at the entrance. |
| Is Hunte’s Gardens open on Sundays? | Yes. The garden is open every day from 10am to 4pm, including Sundays and bank holidays. |
| Is Hunte’s Gardens wheelchair accessible? | No. The garden has 64 steps and is not suited to wheelchairs. |
Things to do near Hunte’s Gardens
- Welchman Hall Gully: a collapsed cave planted with tropical forest in St Thomas, on one side of Hunte’s Gardens.
- Flower Forest Botanical Gardens: a hillside garden in central Barbados, on the other side of Hunte’s Gardens.
- Bathsheba Beach: a rocky Atlantic beach on the east coast, about four miles north-east of the garden.
- Barbados Wildlife Reserve: a reserve in a mahogany wood in St Peter, in the north-west of the island, across the road from Farley Hill National Park.
- Animal Flower Cave: a sea cave at North Point in St Lucy, about 17 km north-north-west of the garden in a straight line.
Alternative attractions
- Andromeda Botanic Gardens: a botanic garden at Bathsheba on the east coast.
- Orchid World: a garden of orchids in central Barbados, not far from Flower Forest and Hunte’s Gardens.
- Harrison’s Cave: a crystallised limestone cave in the central hills, visited on guided tram tours.
- Hamilton’s Pottery: a pottery studio where visitors can try the potter’s wheel, sold by Chukka with Hunte’s Gardens.
- Grenade Hall Forest and Signal Station: a forest and signal station in St Peter, next to the Wildlife Reserve.
