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Jamestown

Travel Guide Africa Saint Helena Jamestown

Introduction

Main Street on a Sunday afternoon, utterly dead

Jamestown is the capital of Saint Helena and has a population of roughly 1000. It is a harbour and was founded in 1659 by the East India Company. The town has some great buildings, in British Georgian era colonial architecture. Many other buildings are built out of locals materials such as volcanic rocks. The town is the administrative, cultural and commercial centre and functions as a port as well. Jamestown is also the main transportation hub of the island and is located between some large steep cliffs. The town is not able to grow any further as it is already densely populated even though the population has declined during recent years. Strangely enough, because of its location at sea level and between the cliffs, the temperatures are notably higher than elsewhere on the island.

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Sights and Activities

Jamestown has a colourful history and is home to a number of significant buildings:

Plantation House (built 1792) is the grand former plantation owner's home, currently used as the Governer's official residence.
Longwood House is the humble spot that Napoleon spent his last days of exile.
Saint Paul's Cathedral (built 1851), the most significant religious building on the island.
'The Castle' (built 1708), the current seat of government.

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Events and Festivals

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Getting There

For more information about getting to Jamestown it is best to see the description at the Saint Helena article.

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Getting Around

By Car

By Public Transport

By Foot

By Bike

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Eat and Drink

The two main hotels in Jamestown, The Consulate and Wellington House both offer dinner if booked a day ahead, and they will also ask you to choose what you wish to eat when you book. The Consulate also offer lunch time braai's with a changing menu.

Other options include:

Anne's place in the Castle Gardens have a changing menu depending on availability, but offer large portions of seafood, steaks, and other local specialities, as well as all day breakfasts. It's the largest restaurant on the Island and is popular with visiting yacht crews.
The Orange tree oriental restaurant offers decent Chinese and Asian dishes, though it is the most expensive place in Jamestown. Book ahead, in case they are full (weekends) or closed (weekdays).
Donny's place has recently reopened after a refit and serves a variety of dishes with outside seating
Sally's sandwich bar offers a selection of sandwiches, salads, soups, pasties and pizza's. She is open daytimes, plus Friday and Saturday evenings for pizza's only
The Coffee Shop offers breakfasts, toasted sandwiches and wraps, as well as being a good place to try Saint Helenian coffee.
Ardee's Cafe, in the Market is open during market opening hours and also offers takeaway
Cyril's fast food (in a window by the arch) is a basic takeaway open some lunchtimes and evenings only.

In addition, there is a burger van and an ice cream van outside the Castle, whilst Spar supermarket offer pies and pasties plus a daily takeaway lunchtime special.

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