Hiking with the Barbados National Trust is an excellent way for us to see the island and get some exercise at the same time. This past weekend we met at Codrington College in St. John, Barbados. What a gorgeous spot. A very long, palm tree-lined driveway led to a wonderful coral stone building.
Construction on this building started in 1715 and it was finally finished, and opened in 1745. As a Canadian, those kind of dates just blow my mind. Canada is such a young country, but here in Barbados, I am surrounded by history, and I am finding it fascinating.
Codrington College was established by Christopher Codrington III, who was the son of the Governor General of the Leeward Islands. He went to Oxford University in England, and then joined the army. Then he succeeded his father as the Governor General. When he died he left a portion of his estate to The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and they established Codrington College as a Theological College. The first graduate was ordained in 1759 and it is still in use today.
If you are lucky enough to go to school here (or visit), you can enjoy this view.
Love the door and the floor.
Looking in the other direction, towards the drive.
Another wonderful building.
I love how the coral stone gets all pitted and mossy looking.
But, look at this,
aren’t these waterlilies a gorgeous colour.
I had to take s photo of them…..
I am a floral designer living in a tiny condo in downtown Toronto, Canada's largest city. But on the weekend, I am a gardener/frustrated architect trying to keep up with a 3/4 acre garden in Owen Sound, Ontario, a warm (to Canadians, Zone 5b, and a cold (to Americans, Zone 4b) garden.
Green Theatre 
Garden Walk Garden Talk said,
January 17, 2012 @ 3:46 PM
The lilies are lovely. I think I would like traveling around Barbados and seeing the architecture.
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:06 PM
Get on a plane, you can stay with me. The architecture is amazing, and I have always been interested in it myself.
tezalizard said,
January 17, 2012 @ 5:55 PM
Imagine walking through those hallowed hallways Deborah! A very picturesque site indeed, and the lilies, you wouldn’t be our D if you didn’t include them!
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:07 PM
It is sooo picturesque, it seemed like I couldn’t take a lousy photo. Aren’t those lilies amazing, I love a huge mass of all cone colour, think it has a huge visual impact.
Shyrlene said,
January 17, 2012 @ 11:36 PM
Words can’t even begin to do these photos justice. Thanks for sharing this part of the world!
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:08 PM
Glad you enjoyed it.
gippslandgardener said,
January 18, 2012 @ 7:53 AM
Hello Deborah, our ‘built history’ in Australia is very young too, so I can relate to being awed by the age of these wonderful buildings. I would love a lake of those waterlillies to look out over 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:09 PM
Canada and Australia have a lot in common don’t they. I would love a lake at KG, maybe I should start digging, lol.
Heather @ what's blooming this week said,
January 18, 2012 @ 8:08 AM
My favorite place in the Barbados by far – love the elegant structure of the buildings against the tropical background. Had my first smell of a frangipani flower on those grounds back in 1998.
Love the hiking club – you’ve discovered so much of the island with this group.
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:10 PM
Oooh frangipani, I wonder if they make a perfume from it, it is glorious.
The hiking club has been a wonderful way to see the island.
Marguerite said,
January 18, 2012 @ 9:04 AM
One of the things we loved about moving from Canada’s west coast to the east coast was how much older the buildings are and the sense of history. Amazing though to see what real historical buildings look like! I love all the stone that is used, it’s just beautiful.
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:12 PM
I love stone buildings as well, too bad they are not more common in Canada. The history in the Maritimes is very interesting. I remember reading somewhere that the Newfoundland accent is actually what an English accent would have been like at one time. As it was such an isolated province, they kept the accent pure.
Pauline Mulligan said,
January 18, 2012 @ 9:23 AM
Beautiful, stunning flowers on the water lily and in such a beautiful setting. What a wonderful way to explore Barbados!
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:13 PM
It is a beautiful setting, isn’t it. Now I want a lily pond at Kilbourne Grove.
Patty said,
January 18, 2012 @ 12:38 PM
What a great way to take in the sights. I too loved the black door with the chequered floor.
kilbournegrove said,
January 18, 2012 @ 1:14 PM
You certainly see a lot when you are walking, up close and personal. I am planning on laying a chequered floor in my mud room at Kilbourne Grove. Now I am wondering if I should paint the door black, it is a stunning combination.
Tatyana@MySecretGarden said,
January 18, 2012 @ 11:02 PM
Such great architecture and atmosphere! Its students are lucky…
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:47 AM
Aren’t they, so many schools in North America are modern, it is nice to see something different.
Rebecca @ In The Garden said,
January 18, 2012 @ 11:39 PM
Such stunning archways!! Great post, it is about -40 here now and I am chilled to the bone. So nice to see warm & tropical pictures. The waterlilies are spectacular, I so wish they were strong enough to support the weight of a full grown adult (ie me). And yes, I am alive and well, just taking a little blogging break, but wanted to check in with my blogging friends. 🙂
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:48 AM
Glad to hear you are good Rebecca, bad sad it is sooooo cold, glad I am not there lol. Look forward to your return (maybe in the spring)?
debsgarden said,
January 19, 2012 @ 10:00 AM
What a wonderful place to attend college! I am struck by how long it took to complete. Back then they had a pay-as-you-go plan, I suppose, unlike today’s structures and mortgages. I also love the pitted, mossy stone and the waterlilies. Gorgeous!
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:49 AM
Pay as you go works, then we are not tumbling into any financial problems.
Jean said,
January 19, 2012 @ 10:13 PM
Those water lilies are a luscious color.
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:49 AM
I have never seen that colour, couldn’t believe my eyes.
Janelle said,
January 20, 2012 @ 6:53 AM
I love, love LOVE the way you so carefully protray the delight that is my country Barbados. I am now living outside of Barbados so to say that your posts about my country are delightful would be an understatement. I hope you enjoy all there is to do and to see in Bim!
kilbournegrove said,
January 23, 2012 @ 8:51 AM
Thank you so much for the compliment Janelle, I am glad that you are enjoying my posts on your amazing country.
Mark said,
March 13, 2012 @ 9:21 PM
Hi, did you find out anymore on the bread fruit fern ? I have some growing here in the uk & id like to find some more info on it 😉
kilbournegrove said,
March 15, 2012 @ 2:28 PM
I seem to have been given two different names, one is Phlebodium aureum, and the other is Microsorum scolopendria. After googling the images, it could be either. I hope you have better luck figuring it out, and good luck with your ferns.