Fort Charlotte
Fort Charlotte is a fort built during the British colonial period on a hill overlooking Kingstown's harbor. It sits at the top of Edinboro Road, on Berkshire Hill, just west of town, in the parish of Saint Andrew, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. It is the primary early 19th century fortress in Saint Vincent, standing at 601 feet above sea level. A panoramic view of the Leeward side of the island, including Kingstown, Young Island, the Caribbean, Bequia, and the Grenadines, can be seen from the fort. Grenada, 90 miles to the south, can be seen on a clear day.
A visit to Fort Charlotte will provide you with insight into Kingstown's past. Surprisingly, this classic Napoleonic-era fort has gun turrets looking inward to the island itself—indeed, the British army was more concerned with the Black Caribs than with a European naval attack. When partnered with French invading forces late in the 18th century, downtrodden descendants of the island's indigenous civilizations and shipwrecked slave escapees wreaked devastation on the island. Ironically, the fort was erected in 1806 with slave labor. Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit by learning about this turbulent period. Bring a camera to catch the views from the hilltop fortress of Kingstown's harbor and waterfront.
Location: Kingstown
