The Valley Tourist Attractions

One of the oldest structures on Anguilla, Wallblake House is a plantation house built in 1787 by Will Blake (Wallblake is probably a corruption of his name), and is one of the few plantation houses in the Caribbean where the entire complex of buildings including the kitchen, stable and slave quarters have survived virtually intact. The spacious rooms contain an interesting exhibition illustrating the history of the Anguilla. The Wallblake House Trust is restoring the plantation so that it may thrive as a cultural, social an educational center for 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.

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.

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.

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.

Designed by a local architect, the attractive Caribbean style Anguilla National Library is the focal point in The Valley and houses temporary art exhibits.

Anguilla is known internationally for its appealing stamps and the Anguilla Post Office is a treasure trove for stamp collectors.

In the house (c 1900), of a former sea captain, the Loblolly Gallery is a cooperative of local artists showcasing contemporary Caribbean art.

Anguilla's small Wallblake Airport, lies south of the Valley. Passenger's flying into this airport may be subject to baggage limitations.