Barbuda has a rich and cultural past intertwined with that of its sister island, Antigua. Frequently visited, the remains of many early voyages to Barbuda are evidenced by the numerous shipwrecks lying just off the island’s coast. Christopher Columbus landed on the islands in 1493 as part of his second voyage. This journey was followed by multiple failed attempts to colonize the island.
Finally, after being successfully colonized by the English, Sir Christopher Codrington leased Barbuda and established large sugar plantations on the island. Today, much of the Codrington family’s influence is still observed. Situated on the highest part of the island, the Codrington House ruins represent a popular local attraction. “Codrington” is also the name of the island’s only town.