Home to over 85% of the Falkland Islands’ human inhabitants (round 3000 individuals,) the archipelago’s capital of Stanley is a small, colourful port metropolis with a giant, BIG coronary heart. From its colourful homes standing on a few of its streets to its many conflict memorials to its distinctive landmarks and sea views, there’s at all times a brand new shock ready for you simply round each nook of this metropolis.
If there’s one place within the Falklands the place you’ll get essentially the most bang to your buck to your bucket listing, it’s Port Stanley. The metropolis is filled with landmarks and historic buildings whereas additionally being shut sufficient to the opposite sights outdoors of it.
1. See the 1914 Battle of the Falklands Memorial
Situated close to the ocean wall west of Government House on Ross Road is the 1914 Battle of the Falklands Memorial. It commemorates the ocean battle between the British and German fleets throughout the First World War.
The memorial consists of a wall with plaques exhibiting particulars of the Battle of Coronel and the Battle of the Falklands. A small flower backyard will also be seen in entrance, including to the realm’s magnificence.
2. Visit the 1982 Liberation Monument
The 1982 Liberation Monument is a conflict memorial in Stanley commemorating the troops who served and helped liberate the archipelago throughout the Falklands War. It stands proudly off Ross Road in entrance of the Secretariat Building.
The Memorial consists of an obelisk surrounded by wall plaques designed by Gerald Dixon, a Falklands-born architect. At the highest of the obelisk is a bronze picture of Britannia, sculpted by David Norris. Found subsequent to the Memorial is a bust of then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
3. Stop at Boot Hill
There are just a few odd sights within the Falklands that can make you second guess if you’re seeing them appropriately. One of them is Boot Hill, situated just a few miles outdoors town, simply off Darwin Road.
As the title implies, this small hill is full of staked boots left, proper, and heart, put by individuals who visited the place. No one actually is aware of who, what, or why this all started. However, there was one story the place in case you stake one in every of your boots right here earlier than you allow the Falklands, you’ll sometime return. Stake each boots? Aside from leaving you barefoot, it’s stated you received’t be returning. Now, nobody would need both of that, proper?
4. Visit Cape Bougainville
On the north coast of East Falkland lies Cape Bougainville. Named after Louis de Bougainville, a French navigator who constructed the archipelago’s first settlement within the 1760s, the cape is situated inside Salvador Farm (Gibraltar Station.)
Different wildlife inhabits its shores, equivalent to Rockhopper and Macaroni penguins, sea lions, in addition to totally different gull species. And not like different locations on the Falklands, the penguin rookery is discovered on fairly a steep slope.
5. Take a Tour to Cape Dolphin
Named after the HMS Dolphin in 1765, Cape Dolphin is a peninsula situated on the northernmost level on East Falkland. From Stanley, it takes about 2-3 hours to get to the farmlands after which a further hour or so of true off-road cross-country expertise through a 4×4 to Cape Dolphin.
Being a National Nature Reserve, it boasts beautiful surroundings and various natural world. You’ll be handled to the sights of Gentoo and Magellanic penguins and southern sea lions on the tip of the Cape. One of the realm’s foremost sights, nevertheless, is the abundance of waterfowls like black-necked swans and yellow-billed pintails on Swan Pond.
6. Climb the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse
This 18-meter (59 ft) automated lighthouse might be discovered on Cape Pembroke, on the easternmost finish of the Falklands. It was in-built 1855 to assist ships from the hazardous strategy to Stanley Harbour. During the Falkland Wars of 1982, it was put out of operation. And then, throughout the Nineteen Nineties, restoration efforts started (which proceed to at the present time.)
7. Visit Cartmell Cottage
Cartmell Cottage is a museum located on 7 Pioneer Row, a part of the Falkland Islands Museum and National Trust. The home is a historic treasure in its personal proper, constructed within the 1850s, and has bore witness to the city’s progress over the century.
Inside, you’ll discover a recreation of the totally different intervals of Falklands historical past, displaying furnishings and home items from the 1840s to the Seventies.
8. Christ Church Cathedral and Whalebone Arch
Regarded as one of many crown jewels of the Falkland Islands, the Christ Church Cathedral alongside Ross Road in Stanley is the southernmost Anglican cathedral on the planet. Although it’s small and easy by cathedral requirements, it boasts stunning stained-glass home windows and a historic air when you get inside.
Adding extra to its allure is the whalebone arch proper beside it. It is produced from the jaw bones of two blue whales to commemorate the centenary of British rule within the islands.
The church additionally possesses a one-of-a-kind banner on your complete continent of South America: the Garter banner of Lord Shackleton. You can see it behind the choir display screen.
9. See the Colonists’ Cottages
Also generally known as Pioneer Cottages, these prefabricated package homes had been in-built 1849 for navy pensioners and their households who settled on the islands on the time. You can discover them alongside Pioneer Row and Drury Street, nonetheless standing to at the present time with their crimson roofs and white partitions.
10. Step Inside the Falkland Islands Museum
What higher option to dig into the Falkland Islands’ historical past and heritage than on the Falkland Islands Museum? Originally situated at Britannia House at Ross Road West, it has since been moved to The Historic Dockyard in Stanley in 2014.
The museum options totally different galleries and roughly 5000+ enjoyable artifacts in its assortment, equivalent to photos, outfits, images, and extra. Don’t miss the show of scary sea spiders!
Outside the museum, you’ll discover 4 historic buildings the place you’ll have a glimpse of among the issues the Falklanders used again within the day, like an outdated gear shed and printing workplace.
11. See the Falkland Islands Totem Pole
Another one of many Falkland Islands’ most peculiar sights is the roadside attraction referred to as the Totem Pole. Situated alongside Airport Road to the east of Stanley, it was began by British Troops as a tribute to their hometowns on the finish of the Falklands War.
The troopers used mockup indicators the place they put the title of their hometown and its distance to the Falkland Islands. They then connected it to an outdated energy line pylon. Since then, vacationers from totally different nations have added their very own mockup indicators to the ever-growing Totem Pole.
If you do any island hopping whereas staying in Stanley you can be passing by this on the way in which to the airport.
12. Photograph the Government House
The Government House is the seat and residential of the Governors of the Falkland Islands, relationship again to the mid-Nineteenth century. It is located alongside Ross Road, and is thought to be essentially the most photographed constructing in Stanley. And for good cause—it’s a magnificence.
One of its most notable options is the massive conservatory (greenhouse) on the north facet of the constructing. Different vegetables and fruit are produced right here, together with one of many world’s southernmost Black Hamburg grapevines.
Unfortunately, entry is by invitation solely, however they do permit vacationers to take photos of the outside.
13. Walk the Beach at Gypsy Cove
Gypsy Cove is a small however stunning bay with a white sandy seashore situated 4.4 miles (7.1 km) northeast of Stanley. Due to its proximity to the capital metropolis (solely a 15 min drive), additionally it is essentially the most accessible of the wildlife websites.
Here, the nesting Magellanic penguins and different animals guarantee there isn’t a scarcity of wildlife exercise. There are additionally stays of some outdated WWII weapons on the close by Ordinance Point, which additionally makes for a scenic stroll, particularly throughout sunsets.
14. Hike at Mount Tumbledown
Named after a time when the early settlers drove horses over the hill’s steep rocky edge, Mount Tumbledown was the positioning of one of many final battles of the Falklands War. A big cross overlooks the encompassing space from the summit, with many memorials, hand-made objects, and little picket crosses adorning the spot just under it.
The hike is comparatively straightforward, though some components of the route might be steep. At the foot of the hill, you’ll see the mannequin of the now-dwarf planet Pluto, which is a part of the Solar System Sculpture Walk.
P.S. This one can also be a part of the Mountain and Battlefield strolling tour.
15. See the Jubilee Villas
The Jubilee Villas had been constructed by the Dean household in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. What makes these villas stand out is their Nineteenth-century English aptitude in comparison with the remainder of town’s extra fashionable structure.
You can discover them on the nook of Ross Road and Philomel Street, close to the Falkland Islands Tourist Board/Jetty Visitor Centre and Christ Church Cathedral.
16. Take a Kayak Trip with Falklands Outdoors
Since a lot of the adventures within the Falklands are both by land or air, why not attempt one thing totally different and discover the encompassing waters as a substitute? Falklands Outdoors does simply that, and extra.
This family-owned enterprise from Stanley will take you on a guided kayak tour the place you’ll expertise Falklands’ nice open air from the ocean. On our tour we glided close to the water’s edge recognizing dolphins and different wildlife, then stopped on the white sand seashore for a cup of tea with a penguin view!
17. Explore Kidney Cove
Located a few miles northeast of Stanley is Kidney Cove. It is a part of the privately owned 10,000-acre Murrell Farm, a sheep farm owned by Adrian and Lisa Lowe.
The house owners will probably be joyful to introduce you to the cove’s resident wildlife, which incorporates 47 totally different species like Falkland skuas and turkey vultures and 4 penguin species (Rockhoppers, Gentoo, Magellanic, and King.) They additionally supply fishing journeys and 1982 battlefield memorial excursions in case you fancy doing one thing totally different.
18. Stroll Through Memorial Wood
The 1982 Memorial Wood, situated close to Stanley Cemetery, affords a quiet and peaceable break from the crowds of vacationers who journey to the islands. The space serves to commemorate the members of the British servicemen and civilians killed throughout the Falklands War.
Unlike the remainder of the islands, that is additionally one of many uncommon locations right here the place you’ll see bushes in abundance. A complete of 258 Beech bushes had been planted in reminiscence of the fallen, 255 for every British soldier and three for the Falkland Islander girls.
19. Royal Marines Monument
Situated close to the Government House alongside Ross Road, the Royal Marines Monument is a small historic monument that serves as a tribute to the island’s long-standing relationship with the Royal Marines, which dates again centuries in the past.
20. Sapper Hill
Sapper Hill is a 453-foot hill on East Falkland. It is among the three areas the place the Battle of Mount Tumbledown happened and is known as after the sappers who had been as soon as stationed there.
Visitors can both go on a straightforward hike to the summit or drive on a rocky observe. Near the hilltop stands a memorial commemorating the fallen Royal Engineers and beautiful panorama views. A mile northwest (round 17 minutes of strolling) from the hill is Mount Tumbledown, which can also be one thing you shouldn’t miss out on.
21. Solar System Sculpture Walk
Do you ever have a kind of bathe ideas about how huge our Solar System is? Well, town of Stanley would possibly simply have the factor for you (albeit on a smaller scale.) Built by native sculptor/artist Rob Yssel, the Solar System Sculpture Walk is among the metropolis’s distinctive sights.
Please observe that the photo voltaic system stroll is briefly lacking Earth attributable to highway work.
It encompasses a 1:1 billion scale mannequin of the Sun and the planets in our Solar System, providing you with a space-bird’s eye view of the space and what they’d seem like from one another on the market in house.
The stroll begins from the Sun mannequin, close to the Battle of the Falklands Memorial, and ends on the base of Mount Tumbledown outdoors city.
22. St Mary’s Catholic Church
Standing on 12 Ross Road is the one Catholic church within the Falkland Islands, St. Mary’s Church. It was constructed in 1899 utilizing wooden and sports activities a Victorian design. Inside, oil murals by local-born artist James Peck might be seen on the church’s West wall.
23. Shop & Stroll Around the Town
Looking to shock your self with Stanley’s sights? A stroll and weave by means of its streets will do exactly the trick. From Nineteenth-century buildings to memorials to seaside views and extra, you’ll have loads of probabilities to acquaint your self with town’s allure, to not point out the picture alternatives alongside the way in which.
Stanley additionally boasts totally different outlets that can fulfill your purchasing wants. From taking dwelling your very personal penguin (albeit a hand-made one :p) at The Harbor View Gift Shop to Falklands-inspired clothes and objects on the Capstan Gift Shop to one thing extra artsy at Studio 52, you’ll absolutely be bringing a bit of Stanley with you again dwelling.
If you wish to plan your stroll, you may get a map from the customer heart. Or, for a very immersive expertise, you possibly can take a tour with one of many pleasant and educated native guides.
24. Take to the Waves at Surf Bay
Just a 10-min drive east of Stanley is among the two nice surf spots within the Falkland Islands, Surf Bay. It options sugary white sands and tremendous constant quick waves browsing lovers will certainly love. It additionally makes for the right spot for some swimming and paddling.
Some nugget of details about the bay is that it was as soon as one in every of two of essentially the most closely mined areas within the Falkland Islands. Due to demining efforts, Surf Bay was declared clear in 2010.
When it involves wildlife, it’s just about alive, like most locations within the Falklands. During the summer season and autumn, you’ll see many penguins waddling about!
25. Take a Peek at Tabernacle Free Church
The Tabernacle Free Church is a historic church at Barrack Street in Stanley. This humble church is among the 5 congregations of the United Free Church within the Falkland Islands, constructed within the Nineties from a Victorian package constructing despatched by Victorian Baptist preacher C.H. Spurgeon.
26. The Shipwreck of Lady Elizabeth
A relic of the previous that also stands to at the present time, the Shipwreck of Lady Elizabeth is one in every of Stanley’s most iconic sights. This 1155-ton iron vessel suffered extreme injury in 1912 from a hurricane which compelled it to dock in Port Stanley for repairs and was in the end deemed unseaworthy. In 1936, a storm broke the ship’s mooring strains, inflicting it to float into its ultimate resting place at Whalebone Cove in Stanley Harbour.
27. Relax at Victory Green
Along the harbor wall is a small however beautiful stretch referred to as Victory Green. With some picket benches, inexperienced grass, and views of Stanley Harbour, it’s the excellent place to relaxation, go for a stroll and admire town’s magnificence. Different geese and geese, equivalent to kelp geese and Falkland’s flightless steamer geese, frequent the Harbour’s waters, particularly throughout low tide.
Some of Victory Green’s well-known sights embody the massive mizzen mast from the SS Great Britain to the realm’s west finish and the array of cannons going through the ocean.
28. Go Island Hopping – Mention Figas Airlines
There are lots of of gorgeous islands throughout the Falklands, which is why you possibly can by no means go improper with going island hopping right here. While taking a ship or occurring a cruise would possibly simply do the trick, within the Falklands you often do it on a puddle jumper aircraft with FIGAS (Falkland Islands Government Air Service) Airlines. And boy was it among the best methods to expertise it—the views can’t be beat!
Here are simply among the many islands you possibly can hop into:
- Pebble Island: Falklands’ third largest offshore island and residential to its longest seashore, Elephant Beach (excellent for beachcombing.)
- Bleaker Island: well-known for its sheep/cattle farms, seashores, coves, and chicken life (like gentoo penguins!)
- Carcass Island: a small however enchanting chicken watchers paradise discovered northwest of West Falkland.
- West Point: a sheep farm boasting stunning coastal surroundings, hilly terrain, and various chicken species, together with black-browed albatrosses and Rockhopper penguins.
- Port Howard: dwelling to the 200,000-acre Port Howard Farm (a number of sheep!) and a museum with fascinating conflict memorabilia.
29. Volunteer Point
Named after a sealing ship again in 1815, Volunteer Point is a privately owned Nature Reserve and Important Bird Area, a part of Johnson’s Harbour Farm in East Falkland.
The space homes the biggest King penguin rookery within the archipelago and boasts a shocking 2-mile-long white sandy seashore that pulls totally different birdlife and vacationers alike.
It is accessible by highway, and when you get to the farm, it switches to an off-road drive. Local tour operators in Stanley, like Derek’s Tours and Adventure Falklands, can take you there on a day journey in a 4×4. For a extra epic bucket listing expertise, nevertheless, you possibly can take to the skies and fly there on a helicopter with the Falklands Helicopter Services. This is the route we selected and it was an EPIC expertise!
30. Taste Some Gin at Falklands Islands Distillers
Going on a vacation at Stanley is actually no excuse to overlook out on gin o’ clock, and the Falkland Islands Distillers simply have the right drink to go along with it: Darwin’s Botanicals Gin.
Made from regionally sourced components that give it a definite taste, their gin is unquestionably a one-of-a-kind Falklands drink. You can seize your self a bottle on the small yellow constructing simply beside the Falkland Islands Tourist Board/Jetty Visitor Center.
P.S. As their working hours could fluctuate, you should definitely test their Facebook web page first. They even have a restricted inventory, so preserve your fingers crossed. I used to be fortunate sufficient to stroll away with a bottle of the Darwin’s Botanicals Gin!
31. Whalebone Display
The Whalebone Display is a powerful exhibit of reconstructed whalebone skeletons by anti-whaling campaigner Mike Butcher. He rigorously collected and pieced collectively bones from totally different whale carcasses that washed ashore and mounted them throughout his entrance garden alongside Dairy Paddock Road.
The show goals to coach and present the whales’ magnificence to individuals, in addition to to deliver a couple of ban in whaling.
Where to Stay in Stanley
And due to how conveniently shut the lodge is to town’s sights and facilities, it’s the excellent place to relaxation and recharge to your journey across the Falklands.
The Waterfront Boutique Hotel
The Waterfront Boutique Hotel is a small boutique-style lodge situated near the customer heart, going through Stanley Harbour. They have six bedrooms, divided between Luxury Rooms and Junior Suites (these ones have sea views), in addition to a well-liked in-house kitchen cafe that provides a relaxed and welcoming eating expertise. Don’t confuse being laid-back to imply it lacks in deliciousness. We loved our first lunch and final dinner within the Falklands right here—the meals is incredible!
For an added bucket listing expertise, don’t miss out on making an attempt their “Falklander’s Board” that has lamb pie, goose pate and beetroot chutney!
Malvina House Hotel
Stanley’s premier lodge, Malvina House Hotel is simply down the highway from The Waterfront, situated throughout the road from the Falkland Islands Museum. They have spacious and cozy modern-style rooms, with the chief and suite ones providing the most effective sundown and dawn views of the harbor.
Different facilities like their state-of-the-art cinema and personal spa, coupled with pleasant employees and wonderful service, will certainly make you’re feeling relaxed and pampered throughout your keep. And the eats? Lots of scrumptious varieties to select from. We indulged within the crispy calamari, rabbit ravioli, and a baked Alaska for dessert.
PS: The Falkands is thought for his or her scrumptious squid, and Malvina’s restaurant has among the best variations: its Signature Chilli Salt Squid.
. . .
A small metropolis with a allure that captures the hearts of vacationers and locals alike, the Falkland Islands’ capital metropolis is one place positively price visiting.
Every flip out and in of this metropolis reveals a brand new shock, so pack your luggage and let Port Stanley take you in to your subsequent large bucket listing journey.
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