In the central part of the island, The Valley is Anguilla's capital and the island's one and only real town. It gets more interesting every season: New shops have opened in new buildings and renovated West Indian-style cottages. Old shops have been modernized and have enlarged their stocks as well as their space, resulting in clusters of mini-malls.
The Old Valley historic district, on the street that leads up Crocus Hill (the island's highest point), has several photogenic churches, including Ebenezer Methodist Church, which is the oldest church on the island—it was built by slaves in 1830—and is still in use. There also are picturesque private dwellings, as well as shops and restaurants. Miss Marjorie Hodge's Homestead is one of the most photographed wooden dwellings on the island, and Rose Cottage is another example of The Valley's outstanding architectural heritage. The Warden's Place was once the home of British administrators. The beautiful two-story, wood-and-stone house is now the Koal Keel Restaurant, which still uses the oven in its garden for baking (phone 497-2930; http://www.koalkeel.com). A short walk away you'll find the ruins of the Old Court House on Crocus Hill. All that remains of the courthouse are the broken walls of a few basement jail cells.
On the south side of town is Wallblake House (built 1787), the island's only remaining plantation house preserved in its entirety. It now belongs to St. Gerard's Catholic Church, which is also worth a look for its multicolored facade of pebbles, stones, cement, wood and tile. Tours touch on colonial architecture and Anguilla's plantation history. Tours Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 am-2 pm. Admission US$5. http://www.wallblake.ai
The Factory was the center of Anguilla's cotton industry in the early 1900s; today the restored compound is known as the Old Factory Plaza. You can see one of its cotton gins in Ranny and Jo's Cotton Gin Ice Cream Parlor & Tea Room, just below the tourist office. Guided tours are offered at 10 am Thursday, but you must reserve a spot ahead of time.
