Greenwood Great House
east of Montego Bay

This was once the home of the Barrett family (as in Elizabeth Barrett Browning). Tours include a look at the finery enjoyed by the plantation families. Like Rose Hall, Greenwood is a reminder of the turbulent period in Jamaica’s history when wealthy plantation owners lived in luxury thanks to the profits of the slave labor used to power sugar plantations. (The poet's father, Edward Moulton Barrett, "the Tyrant of Wimpole Street," was born at nearby Cinnamon Hill, the estate of the late country singer Johnny Cash.)

Highlights of Greenwood include oil paintings of the Barretts, china made for the family by Wedgwood, a library filled with rare books from as early as 1697, fine antique furniture, and a collection of exotic musical instruments. There's a pub on-site as well. The great house and grounds are used for wedding ceremonies as well.

Bedroom at Greenwood

Pub at Greenwood

Our Evaluation: We really enjoyed our guided tour of Greenwood Great House. It's a relaxed tour at a house that's not as well known or as visited as Rose Hall. If you've already visited Rose Hall, Greenwood is an excellent look at a great house that's less restored and styled than Rose Hall.

Be sure to visit the second floor verandah (right) and have a seat; the owner told us you could see the curvature of the earth from that vantage point. We tried and definitely could see some curvature; whether it was an illusion or not, the view is definitely spectacular.