The Story of Rum, Diamond Valley

About this activity

Rum, known historically as “rumbullion” and “kill devil,” has deep roots in Barbados, earning the island its reputation as the birthplace of rum. On this unforgettable tour, discover the fascinating story of rum at St. Nicholas Abbey, a beautifully preserved seventeenth century plantation house renowned for its award-winning rum. Explore the historic house, lush gardens and rum distillery, with a chance to sample the estate’s finest spirit.

Then, climb aboard the Heritage Railway, a restored steam train, for a scenic journey to Cherry Tree Hill, offering spectacular views of Barbados’ east coast.

After lunch, enjoy a brief stop in the picturesque coastal village of Bathsheba before continuing to the Mount Gay Visitors' Centre. Here, expert guides bring the history of rum to life, followed by a fun and engaging tasting experience exploring the distinctive flavors, aromas and subtle nuances of Mount Gay’s finest rums.

Day Trips Half-day Tours Bus Tours Private and Luxury Historical Tours Low Last Minute Supplier Cancellation Rate Short term availability Weather Dependent - Moderate

At a glance

Duration: 6 hours
Confirmation: Instant confirmation
Ticket: Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Group: Up to 30 people
People per booking: 1–30
Guide: English
Operated by: Beautiful (Barbados) Tours and Excursions Ltd

Ages: Adults (12–88 years)

What is included

Included

Included: Entrance Fees
Included: Bottled water
Included: Lunch
Included: Friendly, knowledgeable & licensed tour guide
Included: In-vehicle air conditioning: Air-conditioned vehicle
Included: Hotel pick-up and drop-off

Not included

Not included: Gratuities

Itinerary

Mount Gay Experience

one hour Admission included

Discover the rich heritage of Barbados’ world-famous rum at the Mount Gay Visitor Centre, home to Mount Gay, the world’s oldest continuously operating rum producer, with a history dating back to 1703. Explore the story of rum’s origins in Barbados, where sugarcane cultivation and traditional distilling methods created a spirit celebrated worldwide. The signature tour takes guests through the craftsmanship behind Mount Gay rum, including fermentation, distillation, blending, and aging, while highlighting its connection to the island’s culture and sugar industry. The experience concludes with a tasting of this iconic Barbadian spirit, featuring complimentary rum punch and five rum samples. A visit to the Mount Gay Visitor Centre offers an unforgettable journey through history, tradition, and the flavors that define Barbados as the birthplace of rum.
Bathsheba

15 min

Bathsheba, located on Barbados’ rugged east coast, is one of the island’s most scenic coastal villages, famous for its dramatic landscapes, powerful Atlantic waves, and distinctive coral rock formations. According to local tradition, the village was named after the biblical Bathsheba, whose legendary milk baths were said to resemble the white, foaming surf at the famous Soup Bowl. Today, Bathsheba is recognized internationally as one of Barbados’ top surfing destinations, attracting surfers from around the world with its strong Atlantic swells. The area is also popular with photographers, sightseers, and nature lovers who come to admire its breathtaking coastline and refreshing ocean breezes. Despite its popularity, Bathsheba has preserved the charm of a traditional Barbadian fishing village, with colorful seaside cottages and a peaceful atmosphere that showcases the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Stop 3

one hour

Enjoy a delicious local lunch during your tour at Sand Dunes, featuring a selection of traditional Barbadian favorites. Savor authentic island flavors with dishes such as fried fish, baked chicken, beef stew, peas and rice, macaroni pie, and fresh salads.

This relaxing dining experience offers the perfect opportunity to sample the tastes of Barbados while taking a break and enjoying the warm island hospitality. Please advise us of any food allergies or dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can best accommodate your needs.
Stop 4

2 hours Admission included

Discover the history and heritage of St. Nicholas Abbey, a beautifully preserved plantation house, museum, and working rum distillery in Saint Peter, Barbados. Built in 1658, it is one of only three authentic Jacobean mansions in the Western Hemisphere. Explore its historic rooms, learn about Barbados’ sugar heritage, and discover the traditional craftsmanship behind its award-winning Barbadian rum.

Enhance your visit aboard the St. Nicholas Abbey Heritage Railway, a beautifully restored steam locomotive journey through lush plantation grounds, mahogany trees, sugar cane fields, and scenic countryside. Learn about Barbados’ railway heritage as you travel to Cherry Tree Hill, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views across the Scotland District and Atlantic coast. This memorable experience combines history, nature, scenery, and Barbados’ celebrated rum-making heritage.

Meeting point and pickup

The operator picks every participant up from their accommodation or the points below.

Pickup points

The Crane Resort
Barbados Beach Club
South Gap Hotel
The Rockley By Ocean Hotels
The Abidah By Accra
Merlin Bay Villas
The Sands Barbados
Time Out Hotel
Silver Point Hotel
Savannah Beach Club Hotel & Spa
Coconut Court Beach Hotel
Ocean Spray Beach Apartments

and 65 more pickup points

We offer pick-up from nearly 300 locations across Barbados, including hotels, condominiums, and villas.

As pick-up schedules depend on your exact location and the number of guests travelling, your confirmed pick-up time will be provided within a wider time window. If you have not received your pick-up details by the evening before your tour, please contact us through the message center to reconfirm, as schedules may occasionally be adjusted.

Please ensure you provide the name of your hotel or accommodation when booking. Without this information, we are unable to arrange transportation, and your booking may be cancelled.

Using your ticket

Thank you for choosing Beautiful Barbados Tours & Excursions.

We are delighted to have you join us and look forward to making your Barbados experience enjoyable, memorable, and stress-free.

Please review the important information below to help ensure your excursion runs smoothly.

Your Pick-Up Window

At the time of booking, we are unable to confirm the exact order of hotel and accommodation pick-ups, so we provide a pick-up window:

Pick-up window: 8:00 am – 10:00 am

The afternoon before your tour, we will email you with your exact pick-up time within this window.

If you do not receive your pick-up time by the evening before your tour, please contact us using the message center to reconfirm, as schedules may occasionally change.

Please Be Ready on Time

Please wait in your hotel lobby or designated pick-up location at your scheduled time. To keep the tour on schedule for all guests, guides can wait a maximum of five (5) minutes before departing.

Hotel Guests

If you have checked in and have not yet provided your room number, please send it through the message center. If you have not checked in yet, please send your room number once available.

Villa, Airbnb & Private Residence Guests

Before your tour, please provide:

Your accommodation address and location pin

A contact telephone number during your stay

Your WhatsApp number (if available) so our guides can reach you easily if needed

Thank you again for choosing Beautiful Barbados Tours & Excursions. We look forward to welcoming you and showing you the very best of our beautiful island.

Safe travel, and we’ll see you soon!

Cancellation

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

If you cancel	You get back
Less than a day before	0%

The operator may cancel if the weather does not allow it; you then get another date or your money back.
The operator may cancel if too few people book; you then get another date or your money back.

Good to know

Specialized infant seats are available
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum drinking age is eighteen years.
A minimum of two adults is required for this tour to operate.
Motion Sickness & Vehicle Cleaning Policy If you are prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking appropriate precautions before your tour and informing your guide in advance. Please be aware that some of our island roads can be winding and bumpy, which may contribute to motion sickness. We understand that motion sickness can occur unexpectedly, and our team will do its best to ensure your comfort. However, we must also consider the comfort of other guests and maintain the cleanliness of our vehicles. Should vomiting occur inside the vehicle and professional cleaning be required, the guest responsible will be required to reimburse the driver for cleaning before the end of the tour.
Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the tour will incur a cancellation penalty per person, in accordance with Mount Gay’s cancellation policy.
Not recommended for guests with limited mobility or anyone who has difficulty climbing stairs or walking on uneven surfaces.