Luxury Locations issue 26

Antigua’s high-end property remains in great demand. Many high-net worth individuals have relocated to the island as digital nomads in recent years and seen first-hand the benefits of having a base here.

But its abandonment, save for a clutch of local boat builders, would become its boon, resulting in an architectural time capsule of maritime glory, complete with stately stone pillars and abundant artefacts, and flanked by original fortresses. Sailors’ graffiti believed to date back to the 1740s can be seen etched into a wall on the dockyard’s fringes. It wasn’t until the 1950s that it underwent major restoration and was officially named after Lord Nelson. These days, the world’s only working Georgian-era dockyard offers visitors and residents alike a unique glimpse into the past. It also hosts world-renowned sailing regattas that attract enthusiasts from around the globe, including the Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta whose vintage entrants evoke the spirit of bygone days. In 2016, the dockyard was granted prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site status on account of there being nowhere else like it in the region. Its 300th anniversary is a significant feat, says local historian, archaeologist and UNESCO representative Dr Reginald Murphy. “This milestone means a lot. The dockyard survives because it’s well run. It makes money for the island and is self-financing, while also employing over 100 persons,” he tells Luxury Locations Magazine. “It’s one of the best researched and studied historical sites in the region, and contributes much to the nation through those studies. It also generates revenue and employment for the area and manages several community projects. “Today it’s a hub for many international activities and events, as well as being a prime venue for tourism, helping the local economy.” The dockyard may once have been viewed with disdain by the man who lent it its name, but it remains a central component in the country’s story and its enduring maritime spirit. n By Gemma Handy

BELOW : Nelson’s Dockyard as seen today

BELOW: View of English Harbour in 1756 - credit Dr Reginald Murphy

BELOW: The dockyard as seen in 1960

BELOW: The dockyard in 1948

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