Pastel Bermuda cottages are often regarded as a hallmark of the island, along with pink beaches and Bermuda shorts; the style has even been described as the country's only indigenous art form. In addition to the local style, historical military buildings and forts and modern office buildings are highly visible. The historical architecture of Bermuda has received recognition from UNESCO, with the Town of St. George and some twenty-two forts and military facilities in St. George's Parish being declared World Heritage Sites.
Crystal & Fantasy Caves is a fascinating natural site discovered in the late 1880’s and a ‘must see’ when you are in Bermuda. There are guided tours running all day long. To quote Mark Twain who was a frequent visitor to Bermuda.
"We visited a wonderful cave that was discovered in December by a couple of black boys – the most beautiful cave in the world, I suppose. We descended 150 step & stood in a splendid place 250 feet long & 30 or 40 wide, with a brilliant lake of clear water under our feet & all the roof overhead splendid with shining stalactites, thousands & thousands of them as white as sugar, & thousands & thousands brown & pink & other tints. All lights with acetylene jets."
Bermuda has three distinct areas: The East End - St. George's and St. Davids, the West End - Royal Naval Dockyard, and Hamilton area, the central and business hub of Bermuda.
Bermuda’s oldest town, St. George, was settled in 1609-10 and became a World Heritage site in 2000. It was Bermuda’s capital from 1612 until 1815 when Hamilton became the capital.
1-17 are on our detailed map on page 28.
St. Peter’s Church, York St., is the oldest Protestant Church in the New World that’s still in use. Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm, Wed 7:30am service, Sun 11:15am service. Voluntary donation of $5 per adult suggested for admission. Call ahead for group visits. Tel: 297-2459.
Bermuda National Trust Museum at the Globe Hotel, corner York St., and King’s Square. Built by Governor Samuel Day, the building dates from circa 1700. The offices of the Confederate agent, Major Norman Walker, were housed here during the American Civil War (1861-1865). The museum highlights Bermuda’s American Civil War involvement along with a video presentation ‘Bermuda: Centre of the Atlantic’. Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm. Admission: adults $5, children (6-18 years) $2. Gift Shop. *Combination tickets to all 3 museums $10 (#2 Bermuda National Trust Museum, #3 Tucker House, #33 Verdmont).
Tel: 297-1423.
Tucker House, Water Street. Built in the 1750s, its most famous inhabitants were the Tuckers. Henry Tucker, President of the Governor’s Council, moved into the house in 1775. His family remained there until 1809. On view are antique heirlooms from one of Bermuda’s oldest families and also a room furnished as a tribute to Joseph Rainey, the first black man to be seated in the U.S. House of Representatives. The cellar houses a permanent archaeology exhibit. Open Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm. Admission: adults $5, children (6-18 years) $2. *Combination tickets to all 3 museums $10 (#2 Bermuda National Trust Museum, #3 Tucker House, #33 Verdmont). Tel: 297-0545.
Carter House. A historic old stone structure built by one of Bermuda’s first settlers around 1640. Call for opening hours. Admission $2. Tel: 293-5960.
Visitor Information Centre located in Cafe Latte on Water Street is the main information centre. Open all year round Mon-Sat 9am to 5pm. Tel: 297-8000.
World Heritage Centre, located at Penno’s Wharf in the Queen’s Warehouse, circa 1860. History is brought to life through the St. George’s Foundation’s restoration of this building. See where Bermuda began and view the Orientation Exhibits Gallery, ‘A Gateway to Bermuda’. Open Tues–Sat 10am to 4pm November to April, open Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm May to October. Tel: 297-5791.
Stocks & Pillory and the Ducking Stool re-enactment at King’s Square takes place at noon every Mon, Wed and Sat.
Deliverance, a full-scale replica of the Bermuda-built barque, located across the bridge from King’s Square, on Ordnance island. Under restoration until the end of May. Further details about opening hours call 297-8043.
Town Hall, facing King’s Square, is the meeting place of the Corporation of St.
George’s. Open 9am to 4pm, Mon-Sat except holidays.
State House, above and behind the Town Hall, is one of the oldest stone buildings on the island, dating from 1620. Originally the seat of government, it is now a Masonic Lodge.
The Bermudian Heritage Museum, junction of York and Water Streets, uniquely showcases accomplishments of black Bermudians, and allows the visitor a significant insight into Bermuda history. Call for opening hours. Tel: 297-4126.
Historical Society Museum, Printery & Garden, Featherbed Alley. This historic house, which has been a museum since 1922, contains cedar furniture, paintings, and other interesting Bermuda relics along with a replica of an early 15th-century Gutenberg press. Open Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm. Admission: adults $5, children $2. ?Tel: 297-0423.
The Old Rectory, Broad Alley, behind St. Peter’s Church. Captain George Dew built this old Bermuda cottage in about 1699. Architecturally the house shows many similarities to buildings of the same period in the U.S. State of Virginia. It is a private residence owned by the Bermuda National Trust. Exterior viewing only. Tel: 236-6483.
Unfinished Church. The magnificent Gothic structure was meant to be a replacement for St. Peter’s Church. Started in the 1870s it was beset by financial difficulties, parish infighting and a damaging storm. It was abandoned on the eve of its completion.
Fort St. Catherine, off Barry Road. This 19th-century fort contains cannon, guns, military exhibits and replicas of the Crown Jewels. Open daily from 9:30am to 4pm. Admission: adults $5, children $2 (must be accompanied by an adult). Tel: 297-1920.
Gates Fort dates from the early 17th century. It was originally a small sea battery of three guns. Open during daylight hours. Admission is free.
Somers Garden on Duke of York Street. Admiral Sir George Somers was shipwrecked on one of the island’s reefs before settlement. When he died in Bermuda his heart was buried here and his body was taken to England. Open daily 7:30am to 4:30pm.
The Bermuda Perfumery is located in historical Stewart Hall, 5 Queen Street, St. George’s. For more than 80 years, The Bermuda Perfumery has been creating and manufacturing perfumes. All the perfumes are made on the premises. Take a free tour of the operations and sample their unique fragrances. Open Mon-Sat, 9am to 5pm. Admission free. Tel: 293-0627.
18 through 22 can be found on pullout map.
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Ferry Reach. On Wednesdays at 10am visit the unique facilities of the world-renowned research station. Take a free tour of the laboratories, grounds and learn about the history and ongoing projects of this marine research and educational institution. Info: www.bios.edu. Tel: 297-1880.
L.W. Wade International Airport. The Visitor Information Centre is located in the arrival hall.
Great Head National Park. At the end of Battery Road, St. David’s, lies a 20th-century abandoned fortification surrounded by open spaces.
St. David’s Lighthouse. The lighthouse stands at the top of Lighthouse Hill Road. Open: certain weekdays April-October call: Park Ranger Tel: 236-5902.
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Devil's Hole Aquarium
Devil’s Hole was Bermuda’s first and oldest natural tourist attraction. It has retained many of its original features that brought it into prominence, like "fishing without a hook". It has expanded however, into a multi-functional complex including Angel Wings Cafe, a gift shop and even a boat tour of Harrington Sound aboard a Triman, the Argo II. Head to John Smith's Bay for a swim afterwards! See you when you get here. Phone: (441) 293-2072 |
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Cabinet Building
Initially it was the Colonial Secretariat being completed in 1841 and remodeled in 1938. In 1968 it became the office of the Premier of Bermuda and the government of the day. It houses the Senate of Bermuda,which meets here every Wednesday while the House of Assembly is in session at Sessions House. The Senate Chamber is open to the public 9am - 5pm on weekdays except Tuesdays and public holidays. Interior walls have portraits of past Premiers and Senate presidents. There are many other important paintings you can see. There is a guided tour on Monday's from November to March.Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon and Bush; British Prime Ministers Macmillan, Heath and Thatcher; and Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip and Prince Charles sat at the circular table. |
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Cathedral of the Most Holy
The structure we know today as 'The Cathedral' is in fact not the original building. The first building was destroyed by an arsonist in 1884. Built of native stone and imported Caen stone, the Cathedral of The Most Holy Trinity was designed by William Hay of Edinburgh in Restoration Gothic-style in the shape of a Roman Cross. Some of the stonework around the windows, doors and arches came from Normandy, France. The Cathedral that stands today was built in 1886 and the finally finished in 1905. Those energetic persons can climb 155 stairs leading to the top of the tower with fabulous panoramic views overlooking the City of Hamilton. |
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Centotaph at the Cabinet Building
The Cenotaph in front of the Cabinet Building is a replica of the famous war memorial Cenotaph at Whitehall, London. The flags presented are of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and British Army, memorializing Bermudians were in those British military services, died in World Wars I & II and whose names are on the Cenotaph. Every Remembrance Day, November 11, there is a parade and wreath presentation around the Cenotaph.
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Corporation of Hamilton ~ City Hall
It wasn't until 1815 that it became the governmental as well as business captial of the island. The City of Hamilton generates more than $3 billion a year towards the Bermudian gross domestic product. It is the biggest captive insurance centre in the world as well as competing in reinsurance with New York and London. There are Fortune 500 companies, the Taipans of Hong Kong, the major accountants, some of the best legal talent anywhere and all types of insurance. The city is fully wired underground, including a fibre-optic circuit with reliable power. The Corporation of Hamilton manages the city under the elected Mayor and council members. They are responsible for the streets, the docks, sewerage, garbage, parking, open spaces and more on an annual budget of approximately $20 million. Hamilton is a a very clean city with several parks making them a favourite lunchtime spot - Par-La-Ville Park, Victoria Park and Barr's Park. |
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Gibb's Hill Lighthouse
The cast iron lighthouse was built in 1846 to warn passing ships of Bermuda's treacherous reefs which have claimed more than 300 shipwrecks to date. The light has been shining since May 1, 1846 and can be seen 40 miles away in good weather. The balcony, which you can climb 185 steps to, is 385ft above sea level and affords a view of the entire island with wonderful views of the ocean and Hamilton Harbour for fabulous photo opportunities. The delightful LIGHTHOUSE GRILL (Open daily for lunch 11am-3pm and dinner 6pm-10pm except Wednesdays, 10pm -1am weekdays & Sundays, 10pm-3am Fridays & saturdays) is located at the base offering an extensive lunch and dinner menu with Take-out too! A gift shop is located at the base of this attraction and the grounds offer a breathtaking view. Located on Lighthouse Road, Southampton next to Fairmont Southampton Hotel. |
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Government House
The Governor, who is appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, has his own Governor’s Council (the Premier is a member), in which matters relating to his portfolio are discussed. He is responsible for the conduct of Defence, Internal Security (he controls the Police and the Bermuda Regiment operationally) and Foreign Affairs. He is also responsible for the appointment of judges, magistrates and court officials. The Governor live at Government House for the duration of their term of office.
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House of Parliment
Bermuda’s Government is modelled on that of the British Government. There are two houses of Parliament, the House of Assembly, whose members are elected and paid from 36 constituencies; and the upper house, the Senate, whose 11 members are appointed, 5 from the ruling party, 3 from the opposition and 3 independents chosen by the Governor. The Premier is chosen from the majority party, and appoints members of a Cabinet, which normally numbers about a dozen men and women. Cabinet Ministers are each responsible for the operation of Ministries and Departments of the public service.
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St. David's Lighthouse
This famous 100 year old Lighthouse is a landmark on Bermuda's east end. Honored as the 2004 Winner’s Choice by Harbour Lights Lighthouses, it is a sturdy stone structure, 55-feet high to lantern, which shows a fixed white light of the second order, of about 30,000 candlepower, at a total height of 208-feet above sea level. The light has been warning ships since November 3, 1879 and has been subject to changes and improvements over the years. In place of the original kerosene burners of the ordinary oil wick type, it has a hood petroleum vapor burner, a more modern type, installed in June 1922. The view from the balcony is superb in its rugged beauty looking eastward, and its pleasing panorama of land and water looking westward. Located on St. David's Island, St. David’s. It too offers panoramic views, which can also be appreciated from the top of the hill even if the lighthouse is closed. |
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Waterville ~ Home of the Bermuda National Trust
Located at the Foot of the Lane on Hamilton Harbour, Waterville was built in 1725 by the Trimingham family and the site of the first Trimingham’s store in 1842. It is now the headquarters of the Bermuda National Trust. Properties to see: |
