The island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis offers a unique and surprising travel find: a place to observe artists at work amid gorgeous gardens.
Caribelle Batik sits in Romney Manor, a historic spot that traces its origin back four centuries. It’s so old that Jefferson family members generations older than U.S. president Thomas Jefferson actually owned the place. By the mid-17th century it became property of the Earl of Romney. Defying British Parliament, in 1834 Lord Romney freed all the slaves working here — a first in St. Kitts.
Although Romney Manor dates back more than 400 years, the Batik artistry here started only 40 years ago. You might be wondering about this word and what it means.
Batik art usually is placed on textiles, involving a variety of dyes or inks. Consider this observation from Ashleigh Davidson, a writer who focuses on handmade art: “Typically, patterns such as these require machine-printing due to their intricate and complicated nature. Batik could literally have a translation of “taking the hard way out.” Machines can print several hundred scarves in an hour. In contrast, hand printing or dying a scarf could take days (depending on the number of colors).”
So the artists here who happily work with visitors peering over their shoulders might spend days on a single piece. Time and business efficiencies matter less than producing the quality product meeting their own personal standards.
Clothing items such as beach cover-ups or practical products like tote bags and face-masks are on sale for between $15-$80 USD. Considering these items are handmade, the prices are rather modest.
If that’s not refreshing enough, perhaps a walk through the manor’s gardens will fit the bill.
When British businessman Maurice Widdowson purchased this property in the mid-1970s, it was overgrown. The garden had no flowering plants, and the vegetation actually had entered one of the buildings through cracks in the walls and foundation. But the five-acre tropical garden is fully restored and among the most-visited sites on St. Kitts. Among the sights here is a Saman tree that has a circumference of 25 feet and an estimated age of 400 years.
Surrounding this area are larger tropical rain forests and the Wingfield Estate, which is an active archeological site. A recent discovery: the Caribbean’s oldest rum distillery, thought to date back to the 1600s.
For those who enjoy an aerial view, there is a working Zip Line available.
The Zip Line was not on the Duke of Edinburgh’s agenda when he visited in 1993, but the fact that he came here demonstrates the importance of this site to the nation. Naturally, Prince Phillip left with a piece of Batik art, a gift from the owner.
How many places wrap up historical significance, on-site artistry and lush gardens in one spot?
This place has been discovered, but it remains a surprising travel find because outside of St. Kitts, it is largely a mystery to the cruise ship visitors who stop by on tours.
Those tours (and the Zip line) were largely curtailed due to COVID-19. So it’s likely those who visit at the time of this writing and later will be appreciated, welcomed guests!
If You Go