The Valley is Anguilla's chief town and the geographic, commercial and political center of the island. More like a cross-roads than a town, it seems to consist of a series of shopping plazas and lacks quaint administrative buildings. The small, rambling Valley has a population of less than 2,000.
Designed by a local architect, the attractive Caribbean style Anguilla National Library is the focal point in The Valley and houses temporary art exhibits.
Address: Anguilla National Library, The Valley , Anguilla
Anguilla's National Trust Museum's exhibits promote Anguilla's natural and cultural features, including the Anguilla Revolution, the Salt Industry, Boat Racing, Anguilla's giant prehistoric rat (Ambylhryza), Amerindian and historic artifacts and natural history exhibits focusing on the coral reef, and wetlands. The museum building has been renovated from the old Customs Building.
Address: Anguilla National Trust Museum, Box 252, The Valley , Anguilla
For many years, the cotton grown on Anguilla for import to England was ginned in this historic building. Some of the original ginning machinery is intact and on display here, and this is also the site of the Anguilla Tourist Office.
The Savannah Art Gallery showcases contemporary Caribbean art including paintings, sculpture, crafts and prints from throughout the Caribbean. The gallery is located in the Lower Valley in an historic property known as the Rose Cottage.
Address: Savannah Art Gallery, Box 1179, The Valley , Anguilla
Warden's Place, a former cotton and sugar plantation Great House, was built by slaves in the 1790s for a Dutch family from St Maarten and is a fine example of island stonework. The Warden's Place served as the residence of the island's chief administrator, who doubled as the only medical practitioner. Restored, it now houses a restaurant and its 200-year-old rock oven is still used to prepare food. Across the street sits a simple yellow wooden house with a red roof which was formerly the slaves' quarters.
Address: Koal Keel Restaurant, The Valley , Anguilla
World Art & Antiques Gallery offers a variety of collections from around the world including Asian, African, New Zealand, and Australian pieces. Some of the collectibles on exhibit are stones, masks, and Buddhist antiques.