Districts · Jamestown
Jamestown by district
Jamestown fills a narrow valley that runs from the sea to the foot of Ladder Hill. The Wharf and seafront are at the bottom, the Castle Gardens and Grand Parade are just inland, Main Street is the spine, and the upper town and the foot of Jacob's Ladder are at the head of the valley. The rest of the island (Longwood, Half Tree Hollow, Sandy Bay, Diana's Peak) is a car or taxi ride up the hill.
About these names
- The Wharf and seafrontseeeatSuits: Arrival edge, the museum, a first coffeeFlat and breezy, with the landing steps, the museum and a few cafés; the first place you see after the transfer from the airport.5 sights · 5 eatsDistrict guide →
- Castle Gardens and Grand ParadeseeSuits: A calm garden walk and government buildingsThe old East India Company centre, with St James' Church and the gardens.5 sights · 5 eatsDistrict guide →
- Main StreetsleepeatSuits: The middle of town, shops, pubs and guesthousesA single street of low Georgian buildings; quiet in the evening.2 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Upper Jamestown and the LaddersleepseeSuits: A climb at dawn and a quiet bedThe head of the valley, with guesthouses and the foot of Jacob's Ladder.1 sights · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Half Tree Hollowskip as a baseSuits: A local village on the hillThe island's largest settlement, reached by road or the Ladder; not a sightseeing stop.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Longwood and Plantation HouseseeSuits: Napoleon's house and the governor's residenceA drive from town; go on a day with a car or a guided trip.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Saint Helena Airport (HLE) (35–50 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Half Tree Hollow, Longwood and Plantation House. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- The Wharf and seafront: Flat and breezy, with the landing steps, the museum and a few cafés; the first place you see after the transfer from the airport. Suits: Arrival edge, the museum, a first coffee.
- Castle Gardens and Grand Parade: The old East India Company centre, with St James' Church and the gardens. Suits: A calm garden walk and government buildings.
- Main Street: A single street of low Georgian buildings; quiet in the evening. Suits: The middle of town, shops, pubs and guesthouses. Price band $$.
- Upper Jamestown and the Ladder: The head of the valley, with guesthouses and the foot of Jacob's Ladder. Suits: A climb at dawn and a quiet bed. Price band $$.
- Half Tree Hollow: The island's largest settlement, reached by road or the Ladder; not a sightseeing stop. Suits: A local village on the hill.
- Longwood and Plantation House: A drive from town; go on a day with a car or a guided trip. Suits: Napoleon's house and the governor's residence.
- Sleep area Main Street: suits The middle of town, shops, pubs and guesthouses, price band $$.
- Sleep area Upper Jamestown: suits A climb at dawn and a quiet bed, price band $$.
- Saint Helena Airport (HLE), 35–50 min by the usual route.