Rose Hall Great House Tours

Rose Hall Great House is an English-style estate set amongst greens hills and overlooking the Caribbean, 9 miles (15 kilometers) east of Montego Bay. The estate was built in the 1770s by a British planter and became a plantation with hundreds of slaves at one point. A series of murders and strange occurrences in the 19th century made Rose Hall a part of local folklore. Today, the house and surrounding estate are open to the public for tours. Explore the history of this home, learn the stories of its many residents and admire the priceless view out across the Caribbean Sea.

A guided tour is the only way to see the home and gardens. Knowledgeable guides take visitors through the whole history of the site. Learn about the slaves that lived here as well as the story of the home’s most infamous resident, Annie Palmer.

Annie Palmer was said to have lived at Rose Hall with her husband in the early 19th century. According to legend, Palmer killed her husband and several slaves that she had taken as lovers. Locals referred to her as the White Witch of Rose Hall and believe her ghost can sometimes be seen in the upstairs quarters. Visit Palmer’s old room, which remains elaborately decorated with period furniture, and see Palmer’s stone grave outside. It’s also worth getting a photo from the bedroom window, which looks out over the estate to the water.

Tours of Rose Hall Great House are run regularly throughout the day. A night tour is also available and focuses more on the home’s eerie history. Reservations are required for each tour and the day tour is best for families. The night tour ends with a “Witches Brew,” a rum cocktail served in the home’s basement bar.