Overview:

Darkwood Village is a small village located in the northeast district of Antigua-and-Barbuda. It is located about halfway between English Harbour and Long Island, about 45 minutes’ drive from St. John’s, the capital. It is known for its beauty and tranquil atmosphere, with winding roads, lush vegetation, and traditional architecture. The village is known to locals as one of the best kept secrets and boasts some of the best beaches on the island. Tourists here are sure to enjoy the laid-back, peaceful atmosphere of the village and its surrounding areas. The village is known for its great fishing, snorkeling, and outdoor adventure activities such as zip-lining and mountain biking. It is also home to several historical sites, including the Brown Hill Fort and English Harbour. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Antigua-and-Barbuda
Prominent Features:

1. British Colonial history: Antigua was a British colony for more than 300 years, and Darkwood still retains its original British colonial style. 2. Beautiful beaches: The village is on the coast and has access to great beaches and tranquil waters, perfect for swimming and sunbathing. 3. Seaside walks: There are plenty of routes and trails available for visitors to explore by foot. 4. Villages nearby: Many other traditional villages can be visited while in Darkwood, such as nearby Parham Town and St. John's. 5. Excellent birding: The wetland areas near Darkwood are home to a large variety of birds including egrets, herons, ibises and pelicans. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Antigua-and-Barbuda.

History:

Darkwood Village is located in the parish of St. Philip’s in Antigua and Barbuda. It is an old farming community that dates back to the 19th century and is one of the few remaining examples of traditional Caribbean architecture. In the early 19th century, a small group of settlers from the British Isles arrived in Antigua and Barbuda. The group brought with them the knowledge of farming and how to cultivate the land. The villagers chose to settle in the Darkwood area of the island, far away from the bustling city of St. John’s. The pioneers set about building their homes and cultivating the land for crops such as cassava and yams. They also raised livestock such as pigs, cows and chickens, and relied on groundwater and rainwater for drinking and irrigation. Darkwood Village remained largely the same for the next few hundred years, with a strong emphasis on traditional farming techniques. The locals used composting methods, intercropping and manured fields, all to support a sustainable way of life. The village has experienced some changes in recent years, with some modern amenities such as cell phone towers being added. However, Darkwood Village still maintains its unique culture and traditional way of life, a testament to the resilience of its people. Visit one of the famous monuments of Antigua-and-Barbuda with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Darkwood Village is located in a valley between two raised coral limestone hills in St. Paul parish in Antigua and Barbuda. 2. Darkwood Village has long been a home to a unique creole culture. 3. The village is known for its traditional Antiguan and Barbudan fare including local fish dishes like saltfish, buljol and conch in addition to the unique Darkwood punch, which is a mix of various tropical juices, vodka and 151 proof rum. 4. There is a church which dates back to 1824, that still stands in the village. 5. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna in Darkwood Village including parrots, hummingbirds, lizards, iguanas and bananaquits. 6. The village is home to a traditional street performance of stick fighting, known as ‘Bump Knee’, which is performed for the enjoyment of tourists. 7. A refurbished fort, built by the British around 1820, still stands in Darkwood Village as a reminder of its colonial history. 8. In Darkwood Village, there is an old wagon wheel mounted on the outside of a house dating back to 1832. According to legend, the wheel was once used in the village’s dirt-track horse races. One of the historical monuments of Antigua-and-Barbuda, it tells the story of a bygone era