Marshall’s Pen

Jamaica


One of the most impressive historical sights in the central highlands, the 18th-century Marshall’s Pen great house has a story that manages to encapsulate the sweep of Jamaican history from Taíno times through colonialism to abolition, independence and the modern day. The private home of Jamaica's leading ornithologist and environmental scientist, Ann Haynes-Sutton, it’s a great spot to watch birds. Visits are by prior appointment for groups of six. Take Oriole Close off the A2, then the Mike Town/Somerset Rd.

Taíno people once inhabited nearby grounds, and archaeological digs still turn up their artifacts. The stone-and-timber great house itself, built in 1795, dates back to the Earl of Balcarres, the one-time Governor of Jamaica. Throughout its history the home has been a coffee plantation and cattle-breeding property (hence Marshall’s ‘Pen’). The present-day owner of the 120-hectare grounds runs birding tours. More than 100 species have been recorded on the property itself, including 25 of the 30 species endemic to Jamaica, and it may be possible for birders to organise a stay here.

The exterior of the building, all cut-stone and louvred windows surrounded by landscaped gardens, is understated compared to the arresting interior – a honeycomb of wood-paneled rooms brimming with antiques, leather-bound books, Taíno artifacts, historical and original artwork and lots of other museum-quality pieces, many from Japan and China. Ann runs hour-long tours of the house with advance notice.

The estate entrance – an unmarked stone gateway painted red – is about 600m along the Mike Town/Somerset Rd. The unpaved drive is bumpy but passable.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Jamaica attractions

1. St Mark’s Anglican Church

2.97 MILES

St Mark’s Anglican Church, on the south side of Cecil Charlton Park, was established in 1816. There’s a lot of gothic accents, which makes it stand out…

2. Mandeville Courthouse

2.98 MILES

Opposite Cecil Charlton Park is the Mandeville Courthouse, the oldest building in Mandeville town center. Built by slaves in 1817 out of cut limestone,…

3. Cecil Charlton Park

2.99 MILES

This tiny, attractive, English-style ‘green’, also known as Mandeville Sq, lends a slight Cotswoldian village feel to the town center. In the middle of…

4. St Simon's Anglican Church

6.77 MILES

This beautiful church sits on a hillside amid meadows at Comfort Hall, 6km northwest of Mile Gully, with huge spreading trees festooned with old-man’s…

5. Nazareth Moravian Church

6.86 MILES

South of the B6, perched atop the Don Figuerero Mountains, 7km from Mile Gully, is this humble church, which would look as comfortable on the American…

6. Skull Point

6.92 MILES

The name of this crossroads comes from the ruins of the St George's Anglican Church (aka Duppy Church). It’s a genuinely creepy place – a shell of a place…

7. Bethany Moravian Church

8.03 MILES

The Bethany road climbs sharply and delivers you at the Bethany Moravian Church, 4km north of Mile Gully. It's a simple gray stone building dating to 1835…

8. Christiana Bottom

9.52 MILES

This beautiful riverside valley bottom, located below the town at the base of a shimmering waterfall, has two sinkholes, known collectively as Blue Hole…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "jamaica/southern-jamaica/mandeville/attractions/marshall-s-pen/a/poi-sig/1425058/358102",
      "destination": "Jamaica",
      "continent": "Caribbean",
      "country": "Jamaica",
      "position": "superzone"
    }