THE SIGHT TO SEE
The view from Shirley Heights Lookout is without question the most famous view on the beautiful island of Antigua, in the Caribbean. Located within the National Parks, overlooking English and Falmouth Harbours, this panoramic view, on clear days takes in Guadeloupe to the south and Montserrat with it's still active volcano to the south west.
Shirley Heights Lookout is home to the 'biggest and best' party on the island every Sunday for the last 25 years where crowds of visitors and locals converge from 4pm to reserve their spot to watch the most wonderful view of the sunset on the island, as the Steel Band plays. The entrance fee is only EC$20 which is great value for money.
From 7pm the Soca, Reggae and Calypso music takes over and the partying really starts. As hunger strikes there is an excellent barbecue with a huge selection of dishes to chose from.
Shirley Heights Lookout is open from 9 am to 10 pm for lunch and dinner every day apart from Monday when it closes at sundown. It is a wonderful place to meet with friends, or stop off on your island tour for a mouthwatering selection of Caribbean food with some world staples. There is a choice of dining indoors in the 18th Century building or outdoors on the terrace.
Shirley Heights refers to the military complex along the whole ridge leading up to the Lookout. The complex is mainly in ruins, except for Shirley Heights Lookout. Restoration began in 1981 and was spearheaded by the late Russell Hodge.
Russell was always been passionate about the Lookout's possibilities. This came into sharp focus on a Sailing Week morning, when having watched the races begin from Shirley Heights Lookout, he realised that persons were heading off to breakfast in English Harbour. The Lookout, now a successful business, is managed by his sister J. Valerie Hodge.
Aside from the bar and restaurant, Shirley Heights Lookout is happy to organize catering for parties elsewhere on the island, and has mouth watering varieties of local cuisine on offer. The Lookout is the perfect place for large functions, family parties, and of course weddings. Crew parties can be organized on request.
