NELSONS DOCKYARD NATIONAL PARK

Nelson’s Dockyard National Park poised for November reopening  
ST. PAUL, Antigua and Barbuda – 30th September, 2020 - After months of diligent and careful preparation, the Nelson’s Dockyard National Park, is preparing for a phased re-opening, scheduled for Thursday 4th November, 2020.  

The welcome mat will once again be rolled out for all visitors and locals to once again enjoy the services, historic attractions, the natural allure and the wide-open spaces of Antigua and Barbuda’s UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

The National Parks Authority’s Board of Directors, management and team members have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure operations of the National Park can be sustained through a trying period and be ready for the season ahead.

A range of exciting new tours have been added and the extended period of the shutdown has created opportunity for an exhaustive undertaking in improving every aspect of a re-branded visitor experience.  

The combination of the upgrade of the product and the ongoing work in the preservation of skillfully crafted historic treasures has allowed the National Park to conduct a thorough review of its fee structure.  

Fees have now been brought in line with similar facilities in the Caribbean and made attractive to every type of visitor to the park, including those who may just wish a casual tour, a group visit or the regular user who can benefit from an extended pass.  

The National Park re-opens with a number of activities that are intended to illustrate the diverse product offering and the incredible value of the facilities to Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism and yachting industry.  Among the plans are the return of the immensely popular Copper and Lumber Seafood Friday, the re-launch of the Rum and Ruins tour and the introduction of art and entertainment activities including a Paint and Sip event in partnership with Wadartli. The Copper and Lumber Historic Inn will also return with a daily lunch menu.  Tour prices are below or on this link.

With the park re-opening, management is also sensitive to an outbreak of COVID-19 and is making every effort to ensure there is no further spread.  
Measures are being introduced to ensure that visitors and staff members can remain safe. Sanitisation stations will be erected in strategic areas, temperature checks will be conducted and the wearing of face masks is mandatory for all persons entering the National Park.  Large group interactions will be limited and the lunch and dining events will be managed through a take-out and reservations system.  

The work is not by any means over as the management of this space of culture and history requires consistent and dedicated effort.  
The Board and management of the National Parks Authority  wishes to thank the members of the public for their patience and the dedicated staff for its sacrifice and commitment in ensuring all aspects of the Park are ready to allow for November’s phased reopening.   

We’re waiting for you!