Saint James – Landing place of the first British settlers in 1625
Barbados' story as a British colony began here: in 1625 the first British settlers came ashore on the west coast of what is now the parish of Saint James. From these beginnings grew the settlement and plantation society that shaped the island for centuries, and the parish still carries this special place in Barbadian history.
Over time the calm Caribbean shoreline gave the parish a new identity. Locals once called it the "Gold Coast"; today it is often nicknamed the "Platinum Coast" for its beaches, beach-front villas and up-market resorts that draw visitors from around the world.
Do you know old family stories, places or traditions from Saint James? Share them here and help keep the parish's local history alive.