One of the original Beckford properties, Shrewsbury, is the source of the Roaring River where Freedom Village, a living museum in the making is well worth a visit. Turn L by St Peter's Anglican and drive nearly 1 mile to a cross roads where water gushes from an old aqueduct, bear R and just before you reach the bridge turn R again. You'll know you're there by the group of guides, snack vendors and villagers at the approach to another small stone bridge. Just above here one source of the river surfaces quite abruptly beside the road, joins another stream and flows beneath the aqueduct to a filtration plant. The majestic Silk Cotton tree by the pool is at least 300 years old.
Steps lead up a steep hillside to the mouth of a cave which tunnels into the cliff face.
Admission fee for the cave covers the services of a guide. It is lighted, has many chambers and a spring. The journal of William Beckford, a descendant of Peter's and founder of England's Academy of Art, reveals that he used to escape from the wild parties up at the great house and come here for spooky meditations. Craft workshops and a restaurant in a meadow by the stream may be open by the time you read this. Among the craftsmen here is a personable Rastafarian artist called 'Shaper'.