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Although lacking the flair of sea and sand, Mandeville still has its own attractions which are based on an eco-tourism theme. Visitors can see attractions like Huntingdon Summit, a Graceland imitation; Bloomfield Greathouse for sightseeing or Marshall Pen Great House for bird watching. Mandeville is the hub of South Coast tourism, in one day you can venture from the highlands of Mandeville and Christiana to the rainforests of Y.S. Falls or to the arid plains of St. Elizabeth. One of the main attractions of Mandeville is the town itself; visitors often acclaim the beauty of the town, its pinnacled position and the cool health- giving climate which is like none other. Mandeville has the potential to be a world class health resort where people come to relax and recharge their bodies and mind. The people here and on the South Coast are very warm and friendly. Here there is a place for the person who does not fancy the fast life, and would like a place that is old-world and laid back. Down here there is the unique opportunity to become one with nature. Eco-tourism is definitely what Mandeville and the South Coast has to offer to the visitor, who wants to get away from the noise and rush associated with tourism on the North Coast. Attractions in and around Mandeville (1) Roxborough Great House– Located a few miles south of Mandeville is the birthplace of National Hero Norman Manley. Destroyed by fire in 1968, the gardens are maintained by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. (2) Bloomfield Great House - Almost 200 year’s old, Bloomfield was once the center of a coffee plantation but later switched to citrus. You can enjoy panoramic views of Mandeville from the great house while dining on lunch from the restaurant. (3) Huntingdon Summit -- A Graceland imitation that is the home of the former mayor of Mandeville, businessman Cecil Charlton. (4) Tours: When in Mandeville you can embark on three types of tours: ecotourism tours, factory tours and historical tours. a) An Ecotourism tour takes you to places like Milk River Bath, Alligator Pond, God’s Well, Canoe River and other natural attractions. b) Factory tours involve visiting the local coffee and spice factories located on the town’s perimeter, both of which produce world class products most notably Pickapeppa sauces. c) Historical tours will take you into the heart of Mandeville where you can learn more about Mandeville’s history and it’s historical buildings. (5) Marshall’s Pen- Set on a 300 acre property, butterflies lead the way to this 18th century great house owned by the Sutton family. The house was once a coffee factory and farmhouse formerly owned by a former Governor of Jamaica. It is a bird sanctuary and a lot of Jamaica’s endemic birds can be found here. Tours are by appointment only. (6) Gut's River Beach Park -- The ideal place for a picnic or a day at the beach (located out of town). (7) Manchester Club - The golf course was constructed soon after the game was invented in Scotland. Built in 1868, the course is the oldest in the Western Hemisphere and is 2200 feet above sea level. The golf course is set on 55 acres and features a per -35, 2,865 yard course with nine holes and 18 tee boxes. Places to Stay Mandeville Hotel: Just off the town square in a pleasant garden: a small hotel, with pool, restaurant and bar. It is owner-managed by the McIntyre family and noted for good food and service. Prior to 1875, the site was the Officers Quarters and Mess of the incumbent British regiment. This was converted into the Waverly Hotel, then the Brooks Hotel and became the Mandeville Hotel in 1912. Very popular with locals for over 100 years. Astra Hotel is a Country Inn, Tourism information centre and home away from home marketed by Diana McIntyre-Pike, (daughter of the owners of The Mandeville Hotel). Comfortable rooms, good food and Jamaican hospitality. Golf View Hotel: comfortable rooms overlooking the Golf Course owned by Mr. and Mrs. James, operators of Olde Wharf Hotel in Treasure Beach. Tropics View Hotel: Relax and feel at home in this charming hotel just five minutes from Mandeville © Nicholas Dixon Nicholas Dixon is the Webmaster of http://WWW.Updeh.com, a website about the salubrious highland town of Mandeville, Jamaica which is the home of the first golf course in the Caribbean.
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