Craighton Estate: A Blue Mountain Coffee Tour Near Kingston

Nestled in the rolling hills overlooking Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica, lies the Craighton Estate in Irish Town. Craighton Estate is a perfect half day-trip from Kingston for travelers who want history, scenery, coffee and a little mystery rolled into one visit. Whether you’re a coffee lover or simply someone who loves wandering through old great houses and plantation grounds, Craighton delivers a peaceful, authentic Jamaican experience without the crowds. Here’s how to reserve this bean-to-cup coffee tour and what to expect.

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The History of Craighton Estate

Built in 1805, the Craighton Great House was named after its first owner, George Craighton. At 2,600 feet (792m) above sea level, this Georgian-style colonial house commands a panoramic view of the entire coffee farm and its surroundings. The estate has changed ownership a few times over the years and received several upgrades and renovations, but the original style of the building has been preserved. Today, a section of the building is used as offices but the rest of its rooms can be toured on a visit to the estate. It houses lovely antique furnishings, chandeliers, a grandfather clock and numerous paintings. In fact, several paintings now displayed in the Marion North Gallery at Kew, Great Britain were painted here at the Craighton Estate.

Craighton Estate is one of those places where the architecture, landscape and stories combine to give you a real sense of place. The estate’s great house (often the highlight of any visit) stands as an evocative reminder of Jamaica’s colonial past, its layers of social history and the resilience of the island’s communities. Coffee production at Craighton began in the 1800s. The present owners of Craighton, the Japanese Ueshima Coffee Company (UCC), employ locals who still produce coffee in the traditional way by hand. As such, Craighton is a great stop to include when visiting the vibrant city of Kingston, and isn’t just about looking back.

What to Expect on a Tour of Craighton Estate

I booked my tour with GetYourGuide which includes pickup from most addresses in Kingston. Craighton Estate is located in the Jamaican Blue Mountains, my favourite place to visit in the entire island but driving on its narrow winding roads is not for the faint of heart. As such, I was happy to have someone else do the driving on this trip. My driver Errol handled the road expertly, while our tour guide Courtney pointed out Kingston’s sights along the way. Even I, as a local, still learnt a few new things. We took about 45 minutes to arrive at Craighton from my pickup in New Kingston. The tour began with a briefing and guided walk through the great house, after which we headed up to the farms.

Heading to the farm involved a short but steadily uphill walk; some visitors were audibly panting and wheezing halfway through. Along the way, we took short breaks where our guide pointed out how the beans were grown and harvested, as well as the natural threats to coffee such as the coffee berry borer pest (Hypothenemus hampei). The 80-acre farm is currently home to an estimated 40,000 coffee plants, and its highest point is situated at 3150 feet (960m) above sea level. It takes 4 hours to harvest 1 box (35kg) of coffee berries by hand, and the average picker harvests 2 boxes per day. 70% of Jamaica’s coffee is exported to Japan, which means– outside of Jamaica and Japan, it can be difficult to source Blue Mountain Coffee in other parts of the world. Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee fetches premium prices too, as much as £130 per pound in the UK but it’s the best coffee I’ve ever tasted so 100% worth it in my opinion.

We ended the tour with unlimited coffee in branded china cups, and a lesson on the meanings of various coffee roasts. I’ve always favoured a medium roast, and now I see why. 🙂 It’s the best roast to decipher the true flavour of coffee— good coffee isn’t bitter!

Practical Tips for Your Tour

• Cost: Starts at US$90 per person if you book with GetYourGuide, and includes transport from Kingston or Ocho Rios. Use ADVENTURESFROMELLE5 for 5% off if its your first tour with this company.
• Getting there: Nonetheless, Craighton Estate is easily accessible by car from Kingston once you’re familiar with driving in Jamaica. Renting a car is a convenient option to check out other sites, and journey time depends on traffic and your exact starting point. If you’re staying in Kingston, the drive is around 45 minutes.
• Length of Tour: Approximately 90 minutes.
• Best time to visit: Early mornings are best for milder temperatures and lovely light for photos. It often rains by afternoon in the Blue Mountains. Weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends.
• What to wear: Comfortable walking shoes, light clothing and sun protection (hat, sunscreen) are recommended. Tours are conducted in the daytime where it’s hot, but evenings/nights in the mountains are cool, especially after it rains.
• Accessibility: The great house is an old building so expect stairs and uneven floors. There’s also a short but steep uphill walk to visit the farm, so this tour isn’t very accessible for persons with disabilities unfortunately. If you have limited mobility, check out these activities and companies instead.

Wrap Up

Craighton Estate in Irish Town is more than just an old coffee farm — it’s a living page of Jamaican history with beautiful architecture, calm countryside vistas and personal stories told by local guides. It’s also an ideal stop for curious travelers who want an off-the-beaten-path cultural experience within easy reach of Kingston. Does Craighton Estate sound like your vibe? Sound off in the comments section below and when you’re ready, reserve your tour here. And, if you’ve never used GetYourGuide, download the app then enter ADVENTURESFROMELLE5 to save 5% off your first excursion. 🙂 Before you go, don’t forget to subscribe. ‘Til next time.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

• Guide to the Blue Mountains
• Best Coffee Shops in Kingston
• Is JBM Coffee Worth the Price Tag
• Lime Tree Farm: Another Coffee Tour Worth Taking

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