About St. Helena

Napoleon could hardly have been exiled to a more remote place than the tropical island of St. Helena. A British dependency for more than 330 years, the island is 700 miles from its nearest South Atlantic neighbour - Ascension Island. A genuine away-from-it-all destination, there is no shortage of places to visit, historic sites to explore and dramatic scenery to admire.

In the capital, Jamestown, there is a 17th century castle and an 18th century church (St. James) which is the oldest Anglican church in the southern hemisphere. But the best-known site is the 699-step, 180-metre-high Jacobs Ladder which was built in 1829 and now has the Jamestown Museum at its foot. You can even say “hello” to the islands oldest resident, 200-year-old Jonathan the Tortoise at the Governors residence (Plantation House) as well as visit Napoleons original tomb and his last residence, Longwood House, now a museum.