Antigua Holidays

Antigua’s as stereotypically Caribbean as a glass of rum punch served to the beat of a steel drum. Vitamin D-seekers come in their droves for the sugary belts of sand – it’s dubbed the Land of 365 Beaches, so there are plenty to flit between. But that’s just the tip of the palm tree – rainforest hikes, hilltop beauty spots and pick-and-mix coloured towns throw their sun hat in the ring, too.

Despite bobbing close to the equator, Antigua’s got a back story with a distinctly English accent. The island’s southern side plays host to the English Harbour – a former Royal Navy stronghold – which is full to the brim with colonial architecture. Nelson’s Dockyard, where one of the world’s biggest yacht races kicks off, gets its name from the famous one-armed admiral. And even the national sport hails from England – legendary cricketers like Richie Richardson, Viv Richards and Curtly Ambrose all come from teeny Antigua.

Antigua’s capital, St John’s, looks like Andy Warhol’s done a number on it colour-wise. Shades of orange, peach and mint-green bring the whole place to life before you’ve even set foot on the bustling streets. The air’s filled with lip-smacking smells from street cafés and markets, and even the modern shopping centres do their bit to fit the Caribbean dress code. For views across Deepwater Harbour of the town’s waterfront, head to Fort James. Cannons still point across the bay from this dangling headland, and there’s a cracking beach bolted onto it.