Mandeville, the cool green heart of Jamaica.
Misty mornings, a town square that is two hundred years old, and views across the hills. Here is why our corner of the island is worth the drive.
Most people picture Jamaica as white sand and turquoise water. Drive inland and uphill, though, and the island shows a different side: rolling green hills, cooler air and a market town with a long history. That town is Mandeville.
Above the heatA town in the clouds
Mandeville sits at about 2,060 feet (628 m) on an inland plateau in the parish of Manchester. It is the only parish capital in Jamaica that is not on the coast or on a major river. That height changes everything: mornings are often misty, and evenings can be cool enough for a light jacket.
Two hundred years of storiesA town with history
Mandeville was laid out in 1816 and named after Viscount Mandeville, the eldest son of the Duke of Manchester, who was governor of Jamaica at the time. The centre still has its town square, parish church and clock tower, surrounded by large early nineteenth-century houses.
Look for the courthouse: built of cut limestone in 1820, with Doric columns and a sweeping horseshoe staircase that was added around 1900.
See, taste, exploreThings to love in Mandeville
- The Manchester ClubA golf course founded in the 1860s and often described as the oldest in the Caribbean, set among rolling hills.
- Bloomfield Great HouseKnown for its panoramic view over the town and the hills beyond.
- Pickapeppa countryThe famous Jamaican sauce is made at Shooters Hill, just outside Mandeville. The company dates back to 1921.
- Green, quiet hillsGardens, farmland and cool evenings make the whole area feel calm and unhurried.
Getting hereEasy to reach, hard to leave
Mandeville lies about 64 miles (103 km) west of Kingston, in the centre of the island. Because it sits between the north and south coasts, it makes an easy meeting point for guests travelling in from different parts of Jamaica.
Celebrate in the hillsWhy we host here
Driven & Divine is our family’s villa in the hills of Mandeville. The lawn and garden, the Grand Hall and kitchen, and the terrace, pool and bar lounge can each be booked on their own, or you can take the whole estate for up to 100 guests. The cooler hill air makes it a lovely place to celebrate outdoors from the afternoon into the evening.
Sources: Mandeville, Jamaica (Wikipedia) · Jamaica Gleaner · Stanley Thompson Society · Pickapeppa Sauce (Wikipedia)
Your day, at Driven & Divine.
Rent one space or the whole estate in Mandeville for up to 100 guests. Pick your date and see your estimate in about two minutes.