Thread: Kingstown, St Vincent, Walking Tour

Found on the St. Vincent & The Grenadines Ministry of Tourism & Culture website:


Walk Through Tour of Kingstown

½ - Day Tour

A walk through Kingstown is a relaxing and enjoyable experience. There are many buildings dating back to the 19th century. Visit the Methodist Church, St.George’s Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Assumption -- all in close proximity.

In 1790 the Methodist missionaries purchased an old Roman CatholicChurch and the congregation of many freed slaves helped to build the Methodist Church that stands there today. The church was dedicated in 1841. The belfry, a more recent addition, was erected in 1907.


St.George’s Cathedral was dedicated in 1820, financed in part from the sale of lands taken from the Caribs. The nave, the lower stages of the tower and the galleried interior are of the Georgian period. The two Victorians transcepts were added between 1880 and 1887. Ironically, under the chandelier is a large stone slab memorializing Major Leith, who allegedly duped and killed Carib Paramount Chief Chatoyer in 1795.


The Cathedral of the Assumption was completed in 1828. A steeple and sanctuary were added in 1877. During this century massive renovations undertaken by a Benedictine monk resulted in the present eclectic architectural style.

Along Bay Street is the Central Police Station. Built in 1875 it replaces the old eighteenth century building which was severely damaged by a fire in October 26th 1866. The area belonged to the militia and was used as an ordnance and battery.

In the center of town it the Kingstown Market where, on a Friday or Saturday morning, you can see a vast array of colourful tropical fruits and vegetables -- bring your camera!

A bustling, vibrant market carrying a superb selection of fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, and fish. Particularly well stocked on Fridays and Saturdays. Local arts and crafts are frequently displayed in the courtyard.

Opposite the market is the Court House, built of local stone in 1798 and open to the public, it seems to be the one building which is an old landmark used to divide Kingstown into two.


At the southern end of the market is a monument mounted on a granite pedestal. On it has inscribed the names of sixty-one Vincentian soldiers who fell in World War I and four who fell in World War II. This Cenotaph was unveiled on the 11th November 1925 as a memorial to the brave men.

The Cobblestone Inn dates back to 1813, and it is believed to have been one of the houses in which King JaJa of Opobo Africa lived when he came here as an exile in 1888

The Peace Memorial Hall at Richmond Hill was also built in memory of the Vincentian soldiers who served in the Second World War.


Although no longer used as a library, is the former Carnegie Library Building on Granby Street built from a grant of £2000 from Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie of skibo, Scotland in 1906 and completed in 1909.

Obliquely opposite the Heron Heritage Hotel is the site where Captain Uring landed in 1723 in an unsuccessful attempt to settle Ooashegunny, as Kingstown was then called by the Caribs.

Further along Bay Street is the Grenadines Wharf, and several other examples of the 19th century houses built with bricks brought to the island as ballast in vessels that would return to Europe laden with sugar and molasses.

This really does sound like an interesting alternative to a ship's tour.