Garden of the Groves

A 12-acre botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary in the heart of Freeport, the Garden of the Groves is a welcome contrast to the city's planned commercial character. Waterfalls, tropical plants, a chapel, and a small maze are connected by winding paths. Wild peacocks roam freely through the grounds.

The garden has a small labyrinth, a farmers' market on weekend mornings, and a café serving light meals and coffee. Flamingos are kept in an enclosure near the entrance. The setting — lush tropical plantings around cascading water features — is attractive and surprisingly peaceful given the urban surroundings. Most visitors spend an hour or two here. It pairs well with a visit to the Rand Nature Centre, which is a short drive away.

things to do sight garden
A story
The garden was built in the 1970s by Wallace Groves — the American financier who founded Freeport as a free-trade zone — as a wedding gift to his wife Georgette. After decades of neglect following Groves's death it was restored and reopened in 2008. The cascading waterfalls that give it its distinctive character were rebuilt from scratch.