Key Points
Excellent choice for couples, solo travellers and families with older children.
Room only/bed and breakfast accommodation
Mainbrace Restaurant
Within the grounds of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson's Dockyard
On-site amenities
Chargeable shuttle boat to Galleon Beach
Front desk 24/7
Excellent Wi-fi connection
40 minutes drive from the airport
A bit about Copper & Lumber Store
Olde-world charm meets modern at historic Copper & Lumber Store, located within the grounds of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nelson's Dockyard. The Georgian building has been sympathetically restored and as the name suggests, it once stored lumber to repair wooden warships and copper, to cover the wood extending its lifespan. The upper floors were used for sailors' sleeping areas.
Amenities within the grounds of Nelson's Dockyard
Accommodation
14 Georgian and contemporary studios and suites are named after Lord Admiral Nelson's commanders and ships. The upper rooms are accessed via a galleried landing. Peak through one of the decorative archways to view a quaint, sun-filled courtyard with exposed brickwork and cerise bouganvillea plants.
Georgian Suite - The Hardy Room
Enter into a spacious suite with white wood wall panelling, splashes of brass and ceiling fans. The hallway leads to a living room with 65" flat screen TV, a comfortable seating area, dining table, double sofa bed and vanity area. The compact bathroom has a shower cubicle, WC and basin and the kitchenette allows for simple food and drink preparation. Climb the wooden staircase to an impressive master bedroom with vaulted ceiling, king sized bed and shuttered windows overlooking the pretty courtyard and dockyard.
Click on the link to view a video of the Georgian Suite at Copper & Lumber Store on YouTube.
Mainbrace Restaurant
Mainbrace Restaurant has an elegant indoor dining space and an additional outdoor area with views over the marina and Fort Berkeley, one of the fortifications constructed to protect English Harbour.
Friday evenings Copper & Lumber Store's restaurant comes alive with tourists and locals for Seafood Friday. The year-round, weekly event is one of the most highly rated fish-frys in the whole of the Caribbean. Dishes include grilled lobster, mahi-mahi, crab fritters and seafood pasta.
Breakfast
The bed and breakfast option includes a continental breakfast. Fried foods are an additional cost. Expect a perfectly ripe fruit platter with creamy yogurt, warm banana bread, toast and a sweet pastry.
Lunch
The extensive lunch menu is served daily all year round. However dinner is available peak season only. Small plates include Conch fritters with a lime cilantro dip and main courses offer a selection of burgers and salmon in tortilla wraps with guacamole and cheese, plus fries. The Thai Coconut Curried Shrimp is incredible. Succulent prawns are tossed in a mildly spiced coconut sauce topped with peppers and mango chutney.
A shuttle boat is on hand from late morning during peak season, ready to glide across the water to nearby Galleon Beach at a cost of US$5 each way, US$10 if you are travelling solo.
Galleon Beach
This white sand beach has a shipwreck attracting a host of marine life including Hawksbill Turtles. Areas are cordoned off from boats ensuring a safe place to swim and snorkel. Book a lunch spot at beachfront restaurant, Loose Cannon Beach Bar for a fruity cocktail alongside a dish prepared by a talented chef. Sitting quietly in the background is the Academy of Rum. Sign up to a masterclass that allows you to create your own blend of rum to take home.
On-site The Galley Bar
A bar/restaurant abuzz with chattering yachtsmen and guests staying at one of the dockyard hotels. Situated in a picture perfect location beside the harbour, it is an ideal place to come for a casual dinner, a sundowner or post dinner tipple. The fish is incredible!
Dockyard Museum
The Dockyard Museum is believed to have been Admiral Nelson's home during his time spent here. Today it is an interesting way to gain an insight into dockyard life and the local area via a timeline. Events date back to 1671 when the Dover Castle first used English Harbour as a hurricane shelter. Other dates documented are the arrival of Admiral Nelson in 1784, the guard house being built at Shirley Heights in 1791 and Queen Elizabeth II's visit in 1966. She planted a palm tree that now towers above the Copper & Lumber Store.
A number of beach excavations have taken place at Galleon beach where artefacts such as iron coffin nails and copper and mother of pearl buttons have been found and exhibited.
A fun activity to do at the museum is to try your hand at tying various knots.
Pillars Restaurant
Pillars restaurant specialises in seafood and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wednesday evenings, peak season, is Caribbean night. An additional menu with Caribbean dishes accompanies the a la carte menu while a steel band performs well known tunes. Pre-book a table overlooking the waterfront to watch twinkling lights from across the harbour and leaping tarpon fish while tucking into a delicious meal.
Dockyard Shops
Dotted around the dockyard are a number of gift shops, a wooden art studio showcasing local artefacts and carvings and a mini-mart. At the dockyard entrance local ladies sell clothing, swimwear, cover-ups and souvenirs to take home.
Dockyard Bakery
The bakery still has the original three ovens that were used to feed the dockyard workers with meals and bread. Today, snacks, pastries and cakes are prepared here for the current workers and visitors.
Why Copper & Lumber Store is good for ....
Couples
Wedding services and packages including an on-site wedding planner
Luxurious accommodation
Picturesque setting for photographs
Other fine dining restaurants within walking distance
Solo Travellers
24/7 reception desk
Excellent wi-fi
Walking distance to English Harbour's best restaurants and bars
Plenty to do within the dockyard
Activities close by
Suites have a kitchenette for simple meal preparation
Families with older children
Spacious suites
2 local beaches
Restaurants and bars nearby
Local activities include horse riding, walking trails, Shirley Heights and zip-lining. Click on the link for further details about recommended things to do in Antigua.
For more information on Copper & Lumber Store, email me at info.worldwidetravelideas@gmail.com or WhatsApp me on +44 7732 329863 and I will endeavour to respond within 24 hours
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