The Valley

Introduction

The Valley is the capital and main town of Anguilla with around 1,300 people living here. It is located in the centre of the island, along the Caribbean Sea. Although small, the town has some fine colonial building style architecture to observe, like the Wallblake house (a plantation house) next to the church of the town. The historic district has some fine dwellings with Marjorie Hodge’s Homestead being of the best known wooden dwellings on the island. Nearby are the ruins of the Old Court House on Crocus Hill, the island's highest point. Most of the sights are within an easy walking distance. The town has some guesthouses and restaurants to spend the rest of your time and beaches are never far away as well.

Events and Festivals

Anguilla Summer Festival

Like most Caribbean islands, Anguilla celebrates its own vibrant Carnaval between the months of July and August. The festival’s loudest and liveliest event is J’ouvert, a giant street party beginning at the crack of dawn and lasting until noon. J’ouvert participants follow live soca and calypso bands down the streets until the parade ends with a massive beach party. The Miss Anguilla Queen Pageant and Swimsuit Competition winners are crowned during the island’s largest event, and other activities include boat races and calypso contests.

Weather

The Valley has a hot and humid tropical climate with average daytime temperatures between 28 and 30 °C and average nights around 23 °C. Most rain falls between June and October with a change of hurricanes from August onwards. Therefore, the drier (and slightly cooler) December to April period is the best time to visit, weatherwise. Unfortunately prices rise sharply during this period and the months of November and May still have good weather. So budgetwise these latter months may be a good option as well.

Getting There

By Plane

Planes depart and arrive in Anguilla Wallblake Airport (AXA) near the Valley. Trans Anguilla is an air charter serving most destinations in the Caribbean between the British Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Other airlines which fly to and from Anguilla are Leeward Islands Air Transport (LIAT) to Antigua and St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands, Winair (Windward Islands Airways) to Sint Maarten and Antigua, Coastal Air to Saint Barthélemy and American Eagle to San Juan on Puerto Rico.

Sleep

Budget

Lloyd's Bed and Breakfast is one of the best deals in The Valley and if staying at the beach is not a must, probably the best deal of Anguilla.

Upscale

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links