Old Road Town on Foot
Old Road Town is small enough to explore on foot, but it has no walking-tour company and no scheduled guided walks, and Romney Manor does not run garden tours of its own. This page gives you the distances and answers the questions walkers usually ask, so you can plan your own route.
Distances from the shore
| From the Old Road shore to | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kalinago petroglyphs | about 1 km uphill | at the approach to Wingfield Estate |
| Wingfield Estate ruins | about 1 km uphill | ask on site about access |
| Romney Manor | about 1 km uphill | US$5 adult entry |
| St Thomas Anglican Church | about 1 km west | Middle Island, main road |
| Bloody Point | about 3 km south-east | main road; go by taxi or minibus |
Questions walkers ask
Is there a guide I can join? No walking-tour operator works here. At Romney Manor the staff are happy to help, and signs around the grounds explain the estate’s past.
Which way is best? Start at the shore, where English settlers under Thomas Warner settled in 1624, and head inland up Wingfield Road. The road rises gently into the forest, passing the carved boulders, then the ruins of Wingfield Estate, built and worked by enslaved Africans, and finally the gates of Romney Manor.
What is at the top? The gardens of Romney Manor, open 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on weekdays, with Saturday opening from November to April. Adults pay US$5 and children up to 11 enter free. The saman tree here is thought to be over 400 years old. A drink at the Rainforest Bar makes a good finish. Check the Romney Manor FAQ for current hours.
Can I add the church? Yes. Walk about 1 km west along the main road to Middle Island to see St Thomas Anglican Church, on the site of the first Anglican church in the West Indies, and Thomas Warner’s tomb.
Should I walk to Bloody Point? Better not. It is about 3 km along a busy road. Take a minibus or taxi instead, and visit with respect: in 1626 English and French settlers massacred the Kalinago people there.
Are there pavements? Often not. Walk in single file, facing the traffic, and keep children close.
When should I go? Early. Set out by about 8:00 am to beat both the heat and the cruise coaches. Carry water, sun cream and repellent, and wear shoes that grip on damp tarmac.
Is it safe after dark? Some stretches are unlit; avoid walking the main road at night.
Two ways back
- Minibus. Flag one down on the main road and pay the driver in cash when you get off.
- Taxi. On the 2021 government schedule, Old Road to Basseterre costs US$16 for up to four people; agree the fare first.
For the fortress you can see up the coast, the Brimstone Hill site has hours and fees.
Read more: Old Road Town landmarks , Solo activities and the 3-day St Kitts and Nevis itinerary .
For guided walks elsewhere on the island, try Viator’s St Kitts walking tour search .