Don't expect dramatic topographical change as you head into the interior of Barbados ; the landscape of the central parishes of St George and St Thomas is almost uniformly flat or gently rolling - perfect for the sugar crop that's been under cultivation here for almost four centuries. As you head north towards the parish of St Andrew , however, the land rises in a short series of peaks to the island's highest point, Mount Hillaby .

 

Despite its small area, central Barbados offers a considerable number of attractions to lure you away from the beach. The parish of St George has some rewarding historic sights, including the military signal station at Gun Hill and the beautiful plantation house at Francia . To the north in St Thomas - slap-bang in the middle of the island - is Harrison's Cave , a series of weirdly beautiful subterranean chambers. The narrow strip of jungle at nearby Welchman Hall Gully , hemmed in by cliffs and densely covered with the island's most attractive plants and trees, offers a unique glimpse of the island in its primal state, while the gardens at Flower Forest offer a more carefully managed look at local flora.