Rose Hall Great House & Shopping

by coach/coaster bus & on foot

Departing from Falmouth, a scenic drive will bring you to Rose Hall Great House, an outstanding relic of colonial times with a fascinating history of dark rumour and intrigue. The story of Annie Palmer, the mistress of Rose Hall Great House, is not easily forgotten!

In the 1700s, a woman’s route to wealth and power was usually via marriage and Annie Palmer was no exception. Born in France, Annie was a petite woman at barely 1.2m (4ft) tall, who moved to the beautiful island of Jamaica to become the wife of a powerful man who owned Rose Hall and thousands of acres of sugar plantation.

It is said that Annie Palmer had three husbands during her reign as mistress of the Rose Hall Plantation, and each of them died a sudden and violent death. The slaves who worked on the plantation believed Annie had done away with each husband. Although she maintained her innocence, she gained a reputation for extreme cruelty and her nickname was the ‘White Witch of Rose Hall’. Annie was feared by the slaves who lived and worked on the plantation. She ruled with an iron fist and punished perceived insolence with public whippings, torture in the dungeon or even death. According to local legend, following her untimely death at the hands of her lover, Annie’s restless spirit is said to still roam the grounds. Accounts of her enduring presence have featured on TV programmes such as ‘World’s Scariest Places’.

In 1960, the house was meticulously restored to its original splendour during the days of the British Empire and its antiques and breathtaking views will long be remembered. You can enjoy a complimentary tropical drink before continuing to view Annie Palmer’s grave in the garden.

A stop will be made for free time at Main Street, Rose Hall for a shopping treat. Some of the island’s top retailers, designer boutiques, souvenir shops and specialty stores are showcased here along with Devon House Ice Cream and Jamaica’s famous Scotchies Jerk. Following some time for shopping you will rejoin your bus for the return journey to Falmouth.