English Harbour is in the South East corner of Antigua and is the only Georgian dockyard in the world. It was built as a British base in the eighteenth century as the Leeward Island headquarters of the fleet and was named, in 1951, for Admiral Horatio Nelson who was in charge during these times. During the nineteenth century it was slowly abandoned but has been fully restored today and is a popular tourist spot.
English Harbour has excellent, sheltered anchorage and was used to protect ships during hurricanes and storms and a heavy chain could be stretched across the entrance in times of danger from enemy ships. Nelson was not a popular commander as he enforced the Navigation Act which prevented trade with foreign ships and prevented American ships from using the harbour.
Image by sara~
One of the famous sites in English harbour are the row of pillars which held up a roof designed 
to hold the sails of ships. Nowadays the roof is gone and concrete domes have been placed on top of the pillars for protection. The Admiral's Inn, next to the pillars, is located in the former Engineer's House and has a pleasant garden overlooking the water where you can sit with a cool drink and admire the view. The Dockyard Museum a short walk away was once Nelson's home and has a variety of exhibits including furniture, charts etc from this era.
What was once the copper and lumber store is now a small hotel and restaurant and nearby is the fully restored Officer's Quarters. Other buildings that have been faithfully restored house the popular Galley Bar and Boutique.
While you are in the Dockyard, take the short walk along the narrow spit of land that overlooks the entrance to the harbour to Fort Berkely which defended the harbour in the turbulent eighteenth century. It was here that the chain was stretched across the mouth of the harbour for defense and cannons also were used to protect the fleet.
There are also many nature trails in this area, both short and long which local guides will be glad to show you. If you are up to a long trek through the National Park go on the Lookout Trail up to Shirley's Heights for a spectacular view of the Dockyard and English Harbour.
