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Saint Helena Things To Do


The Museum - Saint Helena
The Museum
by MikeAtSea
Reviews and photos of Saint Helena attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Saint Helena sightseeing.
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Jamestown
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  • Ekahau
  • Updated By Ekahau on July 19, 2003
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  • Map of the
    Map of the "city"
    by Ekahau
    Key to Jamestown
    1 The Wharf: this is the only way on and off St Helena, and the place where all passengers and provisions are landed
    2 Mundens: fortifications named after Sir Richard Munden, who recaptured the island from the Dutch in 1673. Used in the 1950's to house 3 political prisoners from Bahrain.
    3 HM Customs House: Mid 18th Century barrelled vaulted building.
    4 The Bond Store: originally known as Captain Wade's House, and still a private residence.
    5 Barrelled vaulted building once used as a mortuary.
    6 Steps leading to the Public Gardens, Castle Terrace and the Sister's Walk
    7 The Swimming Pool
    8 War Memorial
    9 Town Gates: originally built around 1708, t.
    10 Mule Yard: Owners would tether their donkeys when in town. Contains numerous stones with faded inscriptions.
    11 The Castle: originally built in 1659 when John Dutton became the first Governor.
    12 Police Station: in emergency call 999, enquiries 2626
    13Court House
    14 Library
    15 Memorial
    16 Jacobs Ladder
    17 HM Prison: built in 1827, and home to 2 prisoners. Serious crimes are judged in the UK and prisoners held there.
    18 St James Church: built in 1774 near the site of the original Portuguese chapel. The steeple was added in 1843, but removed in 1979 when it became dangerous
    19 Site of the Porteous House.This is where Napoleon spent his first night on St Helena
    20 Public Gardens
    21 Anne's Place: Restaurant
    22 Broadway House: Late 18th Century building housing the island museum (open Mon-Fri, 08:30 -16:00)
    23 Wellington House Hotel: an early 18th Century Building
    24 Post Office: built in Victorian Times as an Officer's Mess. It sells Island Maps, and the Philatelic Bureau is located here. The Bureau sells stamps from St Helena, Ascension Island and Tristan da Cunha. Opening hours: 08:30 - 12:30, 13:00 - 16:00. Closed all day Wednesday and Saturday afternoons.
    25 Essex House: Dating from 1739, this was the private residence of Saul Solomon.

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  • Address: 26 Solomon's Offices: Shipping and Insurance Agent
  • Directions: 27 Consulate Hotel: mid-18th century building. 28 Market: a prefabricated cast iron building shipped to the island in 1865 29 The Standard pub 30 The White Horse pub
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    Birding
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  • Ekahau
  • By Ekahau on July 19, 2003
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  • wirebird St Helena national bird - Saint Helena
    wirebird St Helena national
    bird
    by Ekahau
    The Wirebird Chardrius sanctae helenae is the last surviving endemic land bird on St Helena. The wirebird is closely related to the Kittlitz's Sand Plover C. pecarius of Africa although it is larger and has a different marking. The bill of the wirebird is also longer.

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    Longwood House
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  • MikeAtSea
  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • Longwood House - Saint Helena
    Longwood House
    by MikeAtSea
    The French possessions on St Helena comprise Longwood House and its gardens, the Valley of the Tomb and The Briars Pavilion. They are managed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
    Since 1858, the year when the French acquired two of the properties, namely Longwood House and The Valley of the Tomb, a French representative has always lived on the island.
    Napoleon lived in this house until he died. He died on 5 May 1821 and was interred in the Valley of the Tomb on 9 May 1821. Nineteen years later on 15 October his remains were exhumed and taken to France on the ship "La Belle-Poulle". His body was then laid to rest in Les Invalides in Paris.

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    Plantation House
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  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • Saint Helena Things To Do
    by MikeAtSea
    This building has been erected in 1792 and has ever since been the residence of Her Majesties Governors on the island.

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    Jacobs Ladder
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  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • The Jacobs Ladder - Saint Helena
    The Jacobs Ladder
    by MikeAtSea
    I did it! With a lot of sweat a walked the ladder up and down.... 699 steps which were constructed in 1829 to connect Jamestown to the garrison on Ladder Hill, and was used to haul ammunition.

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  • Directions: From the port towards the right of Jamestown
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    The docks
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  • MikeAtSea
  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • Close to the docks - Saint Helena
    Close to the docks
    by MikeAtSea
    This is the only way to get in and out of St. Helena. Ships will anchor off the coast and the tender service bring passengers ashore. There are plans to build an airport but currently ship traffic is the only way to reach the island. Also all provisions and goods used on the island arrive here.

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    The Valley of the Tomb
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  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • Napoleons Tomb - Saint Helena
    Napoleons Tomb
    by MikeAtSea
    Napoleon died on 5th May 1821. His funeral took place on 9th May and he was laid to rest in this valley. This position was chosen by Napoleon himself during a walk in the cool valley.
    His tomb remains there to this day although his body was later exhumed and taken to France. The twelve cypress trees that once surrounded the tomb were planted in 1840 in memory of Napoleon's twelve great victories. The Norfolk pines were planted when France became the owner of the valley, the olive tree was planted by the Prince of Wales in 1925, and the wild olive was planted by Prince Phillip in 1957. In 1921 an olive tree was planted in the name of Marshall Foch to mark the centenary of the death of Napoleon. Three other trees commemorate the visits of the "Jeanne d'Arc" in 1935, 1958 and 1963.

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    The Post Office
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  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • The Post Office - Saint Helena
    The Post Office
    by MikeAtSea, 1 more photos
    The Post Office used to be an officers mess in the past. The building was built in Victorian style. Today one can get the rate St. Helena stamps here. Remember if you post items they will only leave by ship - and a postcard from St. Helena to Europe takes between 6 to 8 weeks.

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  • Directions: Along the main road - on the right hand side
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    The Briars Pavilion
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  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • The Briars Pavilion - Saint Helena
    The Briars Pavilion
    by MikeAtSea
    Napoleon resided in this property from 17 October 1815 to 10th December 1815. The Briars estate at that time belonged to the Balcombe family.
    By a strange coincidence Arthur Wellesley, later to become the Duke of Wellington, had stayed at this place during a short stop at St Helena

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    The Castle
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  • MikeAtSea
  • By MikeAtSea on October 4, 2005
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  • The Castle of St. Helena - Saint Helena
    The Castle of St. Helena
    by MikeAtSea
    The Castle was originally built in 1659 when John Dutton became the first Governor. Much of the fabric was destroyed by termites, forcing reconstruction in the 1860's. It is now used for the Government Savings Bank.

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  • Directions: Arriving from port on the left hand side
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    More Saint Helena Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
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    Things To Do
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    Nightlife
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    Transportation
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    Restaurants
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    Shopping
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    Off the Beaten Path
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    Tourist Traps
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    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 2 - Photos: 1
    Local Customs
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    Packing Lists
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    Sports Travel
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    General Tips
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