A Celebration of Bermuda!
A FREE guide to Bermuda by bike in 2012.
Elbow Beach Cycles, Bermuda’s #1 scooter, pedal bike & electric bike rental
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Beaches in Bermuda ...... 8 Why Are There Pink Sand Beaches In Bermuda? ...... 9 9 Beaches To Swim In Bermuda ...... 11 The Sea Glass Beaches of Bermuda ...... 14 Horseshoe Bay Bermuda...... 16 John Smith’s Bay in Bermuda ...... 18 Elbow Beach in Bermuda! ...... 19 Tobacco Bay Beach, St. George ...... 24 Shelly Bay Beach, Hamilton Parish ...... 26 Chaplin Bay, Bermuda...... 28 Clearwater Beach ...... 32 Achilles Bay Beach ...... 35 Nonsuch Island ...... 38 Warwick Long Bay Beach ...... 40 South Shore Park In Warwick ...... 42 West Whale Bay Beach In Southampton ...... 45 Hidden Beach, Bermuda – Where Is It? ...... 48 Angle Beach, Southampton, Bermuda ...... 51 Astwood Cove Beach, Warwick, Bermuda ...... 53 Wafer Rocks Beach, Southampton ...... 55 Peel Rock Cove, Southampton ...... 57 Middle Beach, Southampton ...... 59 Butts Beach, Southampton ...... 62 Spanish Point Park Beach, Bermuda ...... 64 Ecotourism ...... 66 A Walk To Hog Bay Park Bermuda ...... 67 Crystal & Fantasy Caves, Hamilton Parish ...... 69 Victoria Park In Hamilton, Bermuda...... 71 Somers Park In St. Georges ...... 73 Bermuda Railway Trail ...... 75 The Par-la-Ville Park in Hamilton ...... 77 The Bermuda Botanical Gardens ...... 79 Enjoy A Trip to Warwick Pond, Bermuda ...... 81 Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve ...... 83 Bermuda Fairylands & Fairy Land Creek ...... 85 Palm Grove Gardens ...... 88 Seymour’s Pond Bermuda ...... 90 Gilbert Nature Reserve Bermuda ...... 92 Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve ...... 94 Montpellier Arboretum ...... 97 Visit The Heydon Trust ...... 101 Point Pleasant Park in Hamilton ...... 103 Sight Seeing ...... 105
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Heritage Walk Hamilton ...... 106 St. David’s Battery in Bermuda ...... 110 Martello Tower in Bermuda...... 112 Fort George Bermuda ...... 114 Alexandra Battery ...... 116 The Birdcage in Hamilton ...... 119 Town Crier of St. George’s in Bermuda ...... 122 Old Devonshire Parish Church ...... 124 See Carter House in Bermuda ...... 126 St. James Anglican Church in Bermuda ...... 128 Featherbed Alley Printery, St. George ...... 130 Whale Bay Battery in Bermuda...... 132 Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church in Bermuda ...... 134 Darrell’s Wharf ...... 136 Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda ...... 138 The Venetian ...... 141 Love & Romance at The Great Sound ...... 144 St. Mark’s Church, Smith’s Parish, Bermuda ...... 146 Camden House, Warwick, Bermuda ...... 149 King’s Square, St. George’s, Bermuda ...... 151 St. David’s Lighthouse, Bermuda ...... 154 St. Anne’s Church, Southampton ...... 157 St. Peter’s Church, Bermuda ...... 160 Spittal Pond Nature Reserve...... 162 Black Watch Pass & Well ...... 164 The Old State House In Bermuda ...... 166 Tom Moore’s Jungle, Bermuda ...... 168 St Theresa’s Cathedral In Hamilton ...... 170 Cabinet Building and Senate Chambers ...... 172 Session House In Bermuda ...... 173 Bermuda Reef Explorer, Hamilton ...... 177 Albuoy's Point In Bermuda ...... 179 The Old Rectory In St George’s ...... 180 Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum & Zoo ...... 182 North Rock Brewing Company ...... 184 Perot's Post Office, Bermuda ...... 186 Scaur Hill Fort & Park ...... 188 Visit Bermuda Cathedral ...... 190 Blue Hole Park Nature Reserve in Bermuda ...... 192 Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, Southampton ...... 194 Visit Fort Hamilton in Bermuda ...... 198 Bermuda National Library Opening Hours ...... 202 Royal Naval Dockyard ...... 205 Bermuda National Trust Museum ...... 207 Unfinished Cathedral In Bermuda ...... 209 Bermuda Geological History ...... 210
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Southampton Parish Bermuda ...... 212 St George’s Penno’s Wharf ...... 215 Ordnance Island Dock ...... 221 Hamilton Dock ...... 223 Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail ...... 225 Bermuda History and Culture ...... 227 Arts in Bermuda ...... 231 Tucker House Museum ...... 232 The Verdmont Museum ...... 234 The Bermuda National Gallery ...... 236 The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard ...... 238 St Georges Historical Society Museum ...... 240 Springfield Library in Bermuda ...... 242 Rosecote, Bermuda, Home & Studio of Bermudian Artist Alfred Birdsey ...... 245 Museum of Bermuda Art ...... 247 Jabulani Repertory Company, Bermuda ...... 249 The Best Artist in Bermuda ...... 251 Carriage House Museum in Bermuda ...... 254 Bermuda Railway Museum & Curiosity Shop...... 257 Bermuda Maritime Museum, Sandys ...... 258 Bermuda Art in the Dark ...... 260 Shopping in Bermuda ...... 262 Cool Shopping...... 263 Front Street Shopping in Bermuda ...... 266 Fresh Local Fish at Miles Market in Bermuda ...... 268 Flowers By GiMi: The Best Fresh Flowers...... 270 Great Gifts at Otto Wurz in Bermuda ...... 273 All Wrapped Up Home ...... 275 Dangelini’s, Bermuda ...... 277 The Music Box ...... 280 City Market of Bermuda (Hamilton) ...... 282 Robertson’s Drug Store ...... 284 Down to Earth, Bermuda ...... 286 Trends Bermuda ...... 288 Lusso Bermuda ...... 290 French Connection Bermuda ...... 292 Crisson Jewellers Bermuda ...... 294 Genora Divas Boutique ...... 297 Island Shop Bermuda ...... 302 AS Cooper & Sons ...... 305 Gibbons Company Bermuda ...... 307 Atelerie ...... 310 Perry Footwear ...... 313 Three Graces Day Spa, Serenity, Southampton ...... 315 Mandarin Oriental Spa At Elbow Beach ...... 317 Gillian’s Clinic ...... 319
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Water Sports ...... 322 The Constellation ...... 323 Cristobal Colon Shipwreck ...... 327 Skyrider Parasailing in Bermuda ...... 329 Fantasea Diving ...... 331 Deliverance In Bermuda ...... 333 Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute ...... 335 Hartley’s Undersea Walk, Sandys ...... 337 Blue Hole Water Sports, Hamilton Parish ...... 340 Somerset Bridge Watersports ...... 342 KS Water Sports (Jet Ski & Parasailing) ...... 344 Triangle Diving – Best Diving In Bermuda? ...... 347 Snorkel Bermuda ...... 349 Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Tournament ...... 351 The Bermuda Big Game Classic...... 353 Bermuda Billfish Blast Off! ...... 355 Bermuda Gold Cup Yacht Race ...... 357 Bermuda Jet Skiing ...... 359 Bermuda Boat And Yacht Rental Hire ...... 361 Bermuda Coral Reefs Scuba Diving Holidays ...... 364 List of Bermuda Shipwrecks ...... 366 Land Sports & Activities ...... 369 Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club ...... 372 The Southampton Princess Golf Club ...... 375 Mid Ocean Golf Club, Tucker’s Town ...... 378 Tucker’s Point (Castle Harbour) Golf Club ...... 381 Ocean View Golf Course ...... 383 Horizons Golf Course Bermuda ...... 385 Belmont Hills Golf Club ...... 389 Port Royal Golf Course...... 390 Bermuda Golf Academy Driving Range ...... 392 Horse Riding at Spicelands Riding Centre...... 394 World Class Tennis At Mandarin Oriental ...... 396 Nightlife ...... 397 Level Nightclub Hamilton ...... 398 Casey’s Bar Hamilton ...... 400 Hubie’s Bar Hamilton (Closed until further notice) ...... 402 The Spinning Wheel Hamilton ...... 404 The Pickled Onion Hamilton ...... 406 Frog and Onion Pub Hamilton ...... 408 Docksiders Pub in Hamilton ...... 411 Robin Hood Pub Hamilton ...... 413 Chewstick, For Live Music...... 415 Creative Cocktails at Barracuda Grill ...... 417
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Café Ten...... 419 Café 4 Bermuda ...... 421 Café Cairo ...... 424 Friday Night Happy Hour at Harry’s ...... 427 Pompano Beach Club ...... 429 Tom Moore’s Tavern ...... 432 Opus Cafe & Lounge In Hamilton ...... 435 Deep Night Club And Lounge ...... 437 The Swizzle ...... 439 Light Nightclub Bermuda ...... 441 Bermuda Scooter Rental With A Smile ...... 443
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Beaches in Bermuda
Soft, powdery, and pink, our unspoilt sandy beaches await your footprints. Here’s your guide to Bermuda’s famous beaches and tiny romantic coves.
When visitors step off their plane or cruise ship, many head straight for the beach. Quite right too. We’re blessed a dramatic coastline dotted by a sensational selection of the world’s best beaches.
Everything comes together in Bermuda’s beaches: the glittering Atlantic, a glorious, tropical climate, magnificent scenery, and our unforgettable pink sand. This is where the laid-back Bermuda vibe is at its strongest.
Popular Horseshoe Bay is named for its unmistakeably theatrical shape. This is Bermuda’s most graceful arena where beach-babes and beach-dudes pay homage to the sun. Less crowded, and so much more desirable, is Elbow Beach. Here, the fashionistas, celebs, and jet-setters in-the-know laze beneath ocean-blue umbrellas at the uber-swish Mandarin Oriental Elbow Beach Bermuda.
For family-oriented fun, try Tobacco Bay; for snorkelling, hit Church Bay; and for secluded romance, Hog Bay Level is the honeymooners’ favourite.
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Why Are There Pink Sand Beaches In Bermuda?
There are beautiful beaches all over the world but none quite as stunning as Bermuda beaches! There’s a beautiful natural phenomenon which makes the Island’s beaches stand out from the rest – it has beaches with pink sand. That’s right, beaches where the sand is coloured pink! The most well-known pink beach in Bermuda is Horseshoe Bay. This beach is a famous holiday destination in Bermuda, visited by thousands of tourists every year.
Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda is located in the parish of Southampton, on the south coast of the Island. The pink sand is the result of millions of tiny red sea creatures, such as clams, mollusks as well as other invertebrates that have been crushed by the powerful waves of the mid-Atlantic ocean. When they wash up on the beach, they blend with the sand, turning it an amazing pink colour. It is a natural colouring job worthy of any hair salon! If you’re travelling to Horseshoe Bay
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Beach or any other beach on this fabulous island, the best way to get around is by scooter, moped or bicycle hired from Elbow Beach Cycles – the No. 1 Scooter rental company in Bermuda.
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9 Beaches To Swim In Bermuda
Bermuda is a place rich in beaches, with no less than 32 spread out on the island’s 64 miles of coastline. The choice of where to go swimming or lounging in the sun is probably the hardest thing you will face during your time here! That’s why we decided to give you a hand by selecting our nine favourite places to swim in Bermuda.
Elbow Beach, in Paget Parish, off the Tribe Road number 4, is one of the beautiful pink-sand beaches that Bermuda is famous for, and often referred as the best one. It takes its name from its curve similar to an elbow and there is a private beach belonging to the Elbow Beach Hotel. It is very close to Hamilton and therefore popular with locals and tourists alike. The coral reefs are just off the coast and protect the beach from strong currents. There are toilets facilities and a food outlet.
Tobacco Bay is located at the top of St. George’s Parish. It is sheltered by boulders and the water is quite shallow and warm. Its name comes from the tobacco that is said to have been found
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA growing here many years ago. One of the most popular beaches on the island and a 20 minutes from the port, it can become very crowded when cruise ships are docking. It has rest rooms, food concessions and beach rentals.
Achilles Bay, named after its heel-like shape, is in the northeast of Saint-George. Also known as Saint-Catherine’s Bay like the Fort of the same name to which it is adjacent. It has an intimate atmosphere, even if it can be reached by foot from the King’s Square in Saint-George. Rest rooms, beach rentals and food concessions nearby.
Clearwater Beach is located in the island of St. David’s, east of the International Airport. A little walk away from the beaten track, it is not much known by mainstream tourists. The water is shallow and calm, making it a perfect beach for kids. Man-made beach with lifeguards on duty in the summer, children’s playground, rest rooms, food concessions and bar.
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Horseshoe Bay Beach, in the Southampton Parish, is probably the most famous of all. It is also a very busy one and a first choice for cruise tourists. Shaped like a horseshoe, it has pink sand and sometimes strong surfs. Lots of facilities such as rest rooms, beach rentals, shops and food concessions. It also has lifeguards in summer months.
John Smith’s Bay Beach, the only public beach in Smith’s Parish, is far from any hotels and off the tourist track. The shallow water makes it ideal for children and its crystal-like clarity is perfect for snorkelers. It has toilets facilities and lifeguards in summer months.
Shelly Bay Beach takes its name from one of the crew member of the Sea Venture, the ship that crashed in Bermuda and started the first settlement on the Island. Sheltered from the ocean waves by a cove, it has warm, shallow and quiet water and is mainly used by locals. There’s a children’s playground in an adjacent park, café and toilets facilities.
Warwick Long Bay Beach, in the Warwick Parish, is very long for a Bermudian beach. With 1 km of pink sand, it is the longest in the Island and the most easterly one of the South Shore. The nearby reef makes for quieter waves and the beach is a favourite amongst dog-walkers and joggers. Restrooms only.
Snorkel Park is located near the King’s Wharf at the western end of the Bermuda, in Sandy’s Parish. Mainly designed for families and children, it is entered through a limestone tunnel. There are two slides in the water and many underwater features such as marked trails and sunken cannons to make it attractive to snorkelers of all levels.
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The Sea Glass Beaches of Bermuda
Sea glass collection is a hobby that consists in collecting pieces of man-made glass naturally crafted by the sea. This can be fragments of glass bottles, but also of jars and pottery thrown at sea or on the beach by careless people. However, the sea has transformed these pieces of glass and created good from bad. There are three major sea glass beaches in Bermuda where amateurs of sea glass can have the best chance to find some.
There isn’t any beach specifically called Sea Glass Beach, whether in Hamilton or anywhere in Bermuda. The one that is commonly thought of being the best Sea Glass and often mistaken for being in Hamilton is in fact located a mile outside the Royal Naval Dockyard, across from the Naval Cemetery and the Convict Cemetery. Fortunately for those who have a passion for collecting sea glass, this beach isn’t much known to tourists. This place is actually called Black Bay Beach. When the British Navy was still in residence in Bermuda and in the Royal Naval Dockyard, they had their social facilities near the beach. It was then a habit for them to throw their empty bottles out of the
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Although it is a good place to find many bits of sea glass, this beach has mostly green sea glass, along with white, clear and brown ones. Some people have reported findings of blue and even lavender sea glasses but it is quite rare here. The sea glass beach is completely covered at high tide so time your visit perfectly.
There are two other sea glass beaches in Bermuda, both on the east end of the island. The first is located below the fortifications of the Alexandra Battery, a fort dating from the 1860′s. This is a sea glass beach well known for the presence of coloured glass.
The beach itself is rich in sea glass, but if you take the time to walk right when you reach the beach park, you will find many more in a cave. However, you will need to make your way through a few large rocks to access the cave. You will be then rewarded with pieces of soft sea glass, brown and amber ones, green and white ones but as well blue and some rare red ones if you’re lucky.
The third sea glass beach you should visit is the Building Beach right next to Alexandra Beach. The access is not easy and you will need to climb down carefully from the road across from a farm and a cemetery on your way to St. Catherine’s Fort. This sea glass beach is not known from the tourists and has many sea glass treasures to offer.
However, the best pieces of sea glass are to be found in the water by way of snorkelling. Or you can walk in the water and fish some with a net. It is better to go to any of these sea glass beaches wearing sand shoes or other shoes that you will not be scared to wet. Indeed, there are many of these pieces of sea glass in the water or just at the limit of the shoreline.
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Horseshoe Bay Bermuda
Bermuda is lucky to have many of the world’s most beautiful beaches, reputed for the pink sand that covers them and the clear blue of the ocean. The most famous of them all is certainly the Horseshoe Bay Beach, in the parish of Southampton.
As its name suggests, the beach is shaped like a horseshoe and stretches to about 4 miles long. The most southern beach in Bermuda, the Horseshoe Bay Beach is also public and the most popular. When cruise ships offload tourists by thousands, the first quarter of a mile can get overcrowded, and you are better off at the western end of the beach if you fancy a bit of quiet time.
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Whether you are into snorkelling, swimming or sunbathing, Horseshoe Bay is the ideal beach for you. The sand is fine, soft and of pale pink colour, the water is quiet and crystal-clear blue, and the beach is surrounded by limestone rocks that offer a great base to snorkelers.
Be aware though that behind its quiet appearance, the water can sometimes be dangerous, especially because of rip currents. But fear not, there are lifeguards on duty from May to the end of October when the tourist season is at its peak.
Everyone who travels to Bermuda brings back great memories from the Horseshoe Bay Beach. Reviewers at Trip Advisor can’t say enough of it, using all superlatives to express how great the place is:
“Amazing beauty!!!”; “This place is heaven”; “Your first glimpse will leave you breathless”…
Located at the end of Horseshoe Road, off the South Road, the beach is accessible by bus (there is a stop just at the entrance) and there is a large car park for cars and scooters at the end of the road. It has great facilities, adding to its popularity. At the Horseshoe Bay Beach House, you can find cold drinks, different types of food, ice-cream and refreshments. Beach equipment’s (chairs, umbrellas, towels, sun cream, hats…) as well as snorkelling gear can be rented at a concession on the beach too. Showers and toilets facilities are available too.
If you are in Bermuda in August, don’t miss the sand sculpture competition organised by the Architects Association on the beach. There is also a kite competition held each year on Good Friday open to anyone.
Once you have been to the Horseshoe Bay Beach, it is not a surprise that the Travel Channel, as well as a favourite Valentine ‘s Day getaway by USA Today have rated it as one of the world’s top ten beaches. It really is a breath-taking location and the first choice of many local residents too.
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John Smith’s Bay in Bermuda
This is a tourist spot, renowned for being the only beach open to the public in the area. It has striking pink sand common to Bermuda and clear shallow water.
The beach is quiet and peaceful. It is suitable for all ages with snorkelling and ample parking, amongst other features. There is also a reef close by. It is teaming with marine life; including the incredible brightly coloured parrot fish. Visitors should be aware, though, that the beach is known for rip-tides. However it is closely supervised by highly trained lifeguards all summer long.
John Smith’s Bay is situated close to South Road. The beach is named after the famous English sea Captain John Smith. He was one of the first to colonize the US state of Virginia. This was where he met Pocahontas, daughter of the Indian chief Powhatan, in 1607. Pocahontas has a strong connection with Bermuda. She married a fellow English settler named John Rolfe In 1614. Rolfe, strangely enough, was part of the crew of the Sea Venture. This was the ship captained by Sir George Somers which was wrecked on a reef in Bermuda back in 1609.
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But the story also goes; in 1624 Captain John Smith originally conceived a map of Bermuda. This is despite the fact he had never actually been there. It is a moment that has gone down in history and inspired this beachfront to be christened John Smith Bay. Elbow Beach in Bermuda!
Elbow Beach is in Paget Parish on the south of Bermuda. The destination has been welcoming guests for almost a century. It is a hot holiday site for tourists and residents alike. This is not to mention being a popular spot for celebrities. It especially captured the public’s imagination after appearing in The Sopranos.
This is the site of a beautiful holiday resort featuring a world renowned beach. It is lauded for its overwhelming vistas and scenery. Observe the unique neon azure water. Then gaze at the
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA wonderful greenery and coconut palms in the backdrop. Swim in the clear blue Atlantic Ocean or walk and lounge around on those unique pink coloured sandy beaches!
You should be aware a half mile portion of the beach is the property of the Elbow Beach Hotel. But the rest is open to the general public. The Mandarin Oriental hotel is close to the city of Hamilton. The resort is furnished with 98 spacious luxurious suites, rooms and individual cottages. It boasts a choice of elegant restaurants, numbering four. This is along with a long line of recreational activities for the whole family. They range from snorkelling and kayaking, to visiting the spa or playing tennis. This makes Elbow Beach one of the top places to experience in Bermuda.
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Church Bay Beach, Southampton
For snorkelers around the world, Bermuda is one of the best, if not the best destination. For the locals, Church Bay Beach, in the parish of Southampton, is the best place in Bermuda according to many! The main reason is that here, the reefs are very close to the shore, sometimes as close as 50 meters.
It is a rocky area as much on the beach than in the sea where stands a rock locally known as the Poodle Rock. Overall, there are amazing cup reefs and boiler reefs to be found in the waters of Church Bay Beach but it isn’t a place for the coral reefs of Bermuda. However, the numerous nooks and crannies of the bay make for a very interesting snorkelling indeed.
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For most of the time, the water in the bay is very calm due to the protection offered by the reefs against the movement of the ocean. This can change during adverse weather and it is always a good idea to ask about it to the locals. The combination of the barrier, which is formed by the reefs and the shallow areas results in some kind of natural aquariums rich in marine life and colourful fish.
Located in Church Bay Park and off South Road, Church Bay Beach is easily accessible by the number 7 bus (about 15 minutes from King’s Wharf) which stops at a car park at the top of the beach. A steep path takes you straight to the beach from there.
It is probably not the best place for sunbathing because of the small size of the beach and the rocks, but it is still covered with wonderful pink sand and is usually more quiet than the other beaches of the south shore.
Whether you snorkel or just swim, be aware of the Portuguese Man O’War that can be washed up on the beach at the beginning of the season, mostly in May. There aren’t any lifeguards on duty on the beach and snorkelers and swimmers are advised to be careful, especially with children that can be surprised by the random variations in the water depth due to the rocky seabed. So take care – though that should be obvious advice visiting any beach on holiday!
A Trip Advisor member has voted it to be the:
“best snorkelling beach in Bermuda”, and another describes it as the:
“Most amazing place to find sea glass and snorkel!”
There aren’t many facilities in Church Bay Beach but there are some small toilets at the top of the hill on the way to the beach, some picnic tables and rest rooms. You will also find a stall that rents masks and snorkels, fins, snorkelling vests, as well as beach chairs and umbrellas. It doubles as a food concession.
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This is definitely a beach you should stop by if you are a snorkelling fan or want to have a different experience than the more crowded tourist Bermuda beaches!
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Tobacco Bay Beach, St. George
Tobacco Bay Beach is one of the most popular beaches of the Northern shores, located at only 10 minutes’ walk from the centre of the historic city of St. George.
Tobacco Bay Beach was named by the first settlers who survived the crash of the Sea Venture, after they found tobacco growing wild. Even though it can get pretty crowded when a cruise ship docks at St. George, this one beach ticks all the boxes, whether you are coming there with your family, to snorkel, to sunbath, or for the stunning sightseeing.
There is no pink sand and it is located in a relatively small cove but as a reviewer says on Trip Advisor, this is a:
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“Great beach for snorkeling, families, sightseeing and fun”
Evidently, snorkelling is the prime activity on Tobacco Bay Beach. The water is crystal-clear and the bay is separated from the open ocean by columns of limestone forming a kind of very large and quiet pool. The water can be as deep as 10 feet along these rocks and it is an ideal place to see many fish species, probably where you can spot the most: angelfish, blue parrot-fish, groupers, blue walrus…
On the other side of the rocks, the depth of the ocean increases rapidly and you can find reef structures harbouring other fish such as sergeant majors and hog-fish. If you are lucky, you might even spot some snapping turtles, octopuses and lobsters.
Closer from the beach, the water is shallow so kids and those who don’t snorkel, can still see schools of fish passing around them. It is a very safe beach for children who can play and walk in the water quite a distance without having to swim.
One of the advantages of Tobacco Bay Beach is the presence of facilities. There are toilets and changing facilities as well as a food concession and a beach bar. During the summer months, you can rent snorkelling gears, chairs and umbrellas at the Tobacco Beach Rentals.
For some, the walk uphill from St. George to the beach might be too tiring but there is a minibus leaving from the city’s King’s Square (St. George’s Minibus Services). The ferry docks are a 20 minutes’ walk to the beach but you can also get a taxi from there. Of course – you could make it even more accessible, with a scooter rental from Elbow Beach Cycles!
Tobacco Bay Beach is located not too far from the Fort St. Catherine and it is worth to have a walk about while are here.
Some wild roosters hanging about add to the charm of Tobacco Bay Beach, a beach quite different from the traditional beaches of Bermuda, and as someone wrote on Trip Advisor, a:
“Surreal Small Beach”.
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Shelly Bay Beach, Hamilton Parish
The beaches of the south shores of Bermuda are amongst the most famous in the world, but can sometimes become very crowded, especially during the summer months when cruise ships dock on the island. Fortunately, if you are looking for a bit more intimate, Bermuda has little gems scattered on its shorelines and Shelly Bay Beach is one of them.
Located on the east coast of the island, in Hamilton Parish, it is one of the top beaches for children and families, especially because of its very shallow and warm waters. Named after Henry Shelly, one of the crew members of the Sea Venture – the ship that crashed in Bermuda in 1609, leading to the original settlement – the beach has everything you could ask for: pink sand, wonderful and clear blue warm water, schools of colourful fish, trees to shade the beach…
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There is also a playground and a park with picnic facilities next to the beach making it ideal for children and families. It is a favourite of many locals and because there aren’t many hotels in the area, you will not usually find many tourists. At week-ends, you can see local football and cricket teams playing in the park.
There is also a mangrove tidal pool along the beach where you can spot many species of bird. To the north east of the beach is a nature reserve with a wooden boardwalk that takes you through the reserve and along the shoreline. The reserve links the beach to the Bermuda Railway Trail too, so it is a great place from where to walk and explore a bit of the island.
The proximity of the scenic Flatts Village, Shelby Market Place where you can find a grocery store, and the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo, adds value to Shelly Bay Beach.
A reviewer says on Trip Advisor that the water is so shallow that
“at low tide, you can walk fifty yards from shore and it will still only be 2-3 feet deep.”
It makes it the ideal beach for novice swimmers and snorkelers, as well as children who can safely wade in the water. The shallow reef that protects the bay from strong waves is also a great snorkel site.
Located at Crawl Hill, off North Shore Road, Shelly Bay Beach is accessible by the number 10 and 11 buses and there is a car park at the entry of the park where you can leave your scooter. The beach bar is now closed but there are still some changing rooms available.
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Chaplin Bay, Bermuda
Chaplin Bay is a cute little piece of beach-front in Bermuda. It is flanked by Horseshoe Bay and Stonehole Bay. This is a calm and tranquil stretch of land with unique beautiful pink sand. The beach is separated by a large coral wall with cliffs on all sides. The coral barrier reef is over the water line.
Chaplin Bay is considered one of the most admired beaches to visit on the island. It extends along the borders of Warwick and Southampton parishes. This secluded spot is the perfect place to be alone. You can walk on the beach, swim in the ocean or lounge about in peace. Chaplin Bay is generally a serene place. But it heats up when the Association of Canadians in Bermuda arrive to commemorate Canada Day once a year. This is a fun event, which only adds to the enjoyment.
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The beach is equipped with public bathrooms. There is a trail close by leading to Horseshoe Bay. There you can take advantage of the beach and shower dispensation. Tourists may also follow a trail to nearby South Shore Park and have a picnic. This makes Chaplin Bay an internationally renowned holiday destination and the ideal place to relax.
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Jobson’s Cove Beach, Warwick
There are little gems everywhere around Bermuda for those who are ready to step away from tourists paths and Jobson’s Cove Beach is one of them.
Located in Warwick next to Warwick Long Bay, the beach is completely enclosed by huge limestone and hardened volcanic lava rocks, separating it from the ocean. This means that the water is very calm and that the beach is isolated from any sea breeze, a rare fact in Bermuda. It is an ideal place for children who can enjoy the water without any risk of strong current or waves.
Jobson’s Cove Beach is like a natural swimming-pool with beautiful pink sand and shallow waters, and protected from the wind. You can climb the rocks – with caution as they can be slippery – and
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As most beaches on the island, Jobson’s Cove can become busy during the summer months but if you are going there on the morning or after lunch time, you should be able to enjoy a more private time.
It is a favourite for locals, especially families because kids can’t go past the rocks into the ocean and the bottom is covered in soft sand. The lack of facilities isn’t much of a problem given the beach is very close from Warwick Long Bay Beach where such facilities can be used by anyone.
The reef that separates the bay from the open ocean as well as the rocks provide a great habitat for many colourful fish. And because the water is very clear, the bay is a haven for snorkelers, especially younger ones.
If you come by bus, take the number 7 to Warwick Long Bay Beach and walk down a sandy trail to Jobson’s Cove. The best way to get there, as pretty much everywhere in Bermuda, is to rent a scooter and live your vacation at your own rhythm – well, we think so, anyways!
Even if it doesn’t have the grandeur of Elbow Beach or Horseshoe Bay, take time to visit Jobson’s Cove or you might regret it like this Trip Advisor reviewer who wrote:
“Wish I had gone there earlier in my trip. Didn’t get to spend much time there since we found it late in our trip but the beach was great.”
You can even walk here from Horseshoe Bay Beach then to Warwick Long Bay, it is about a mile on a soft sandy trail. Or go the other way, ending up at Horseshoe Bay, which has great facilities and a snack bar.
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Clearwater Beach
One of the most northern beaches in Bermuda, Clearwater Beach, is located on the eastern tip of St. David’s Island.
Despite its proximity to the International Airport, the beach is a favourite of local residents and not too well known to the tourists. Clearwater covers part of the northern coastline of Cooper’s Island and its water is quite shallow, making it ideal for families with children.
Clearwater Beach has the particularity to be a man-made beach, as well as being off the beaten tracks, so you will need to walk for a bit before reaching it. It’s because Cooper’s Island was a restricted area and home to a US Naval Air Station from the mid 1900′s up to 1995. When the base
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To reach Clearwater Beach, you can either take a local bus or drive there by scooter. If you go for the bus option, you will need to check with the driver that it goes to the beach, or get off at St. David’s Lighthouse and finish the journey by foot. There are also boat excursions that can take you to Cooper’s Island and near the beach.
Unlike many beaches in Bermuda, there are no reefs here but it doesn’t mean you can’t snorkel: the shallow bottom of the ocean is covered in sea grass that makes for interesting exploration. You can also see turtles and conch shells.
It is one of the beaches that have lifeguards on duty during the summer months, another reason why it is appreciated by locals.
From the beach, you can see some small outer islands – part of the Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve – and where many species of birds live. The beach is surrounded by the Clearwater Park, a 36-acre public park with nature trails, children’s playground and even a roller blade rink.
You’ll also find Gombey’s Restaurant and Bar, as well as toilet facilities.
There are a few other beaches on Cooper’s Island next to Clearwater, all picturesque and easily accessible by foot: Turtle Bay, Annie’s Bay, Long Bay, Well Bay, Fort Hill Bay and Soldier Bay.
The Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve and its 12 acres of unspoiled nature aren’t too far either. It has a pond and a salt marsh that you can cross on a boardwalk and see killifish and giant land crabs. The nature trails take you around the reserve to discover introduced plantations as well as Bermuda cedars, olivewoods and palmettos. You can also spot kingfishers, herons, egrets and many more birds that come here to roost.
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Achilles Bay Beach
Achilles Bay Beach, so named because of its heel-like shape, is one of the few Bermuda beaches that is not very well known to the majority of tourists.
This is due to the fact that it is a very small beach without many spaces for many people to sunbath and that it isn’t easily accessible.
The beach, located north east of the town of St. George’s, is not on any route bus and you will need to walk to get there, unless you have a scooter. Then you need to climb down the stairs from Blackbeard’s Hideout restaurant to get onto the beach.
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You might have heard that it was listed as a private beach, but in fact the St. George’s Club that once claimed ownership of Achilles Bay Beach is long gone so it is now open to public. It doesn’t have any pink sand either but the sand here is very soft and the water as blue as anywhere else in Bermuda.
However, this little beach is a beautiful place and well worth the effort to find it if you are interesting in swimming and snorkelling.
The waters of Achilles Bay are shallow for quite a long distance so it is easy and safe to swim and explore underwater for children and adults alike. There are many little rocks scattered in the bay and home to many species of fish such as parrot fish and other marine life like squids. This makes up for the absence of close coral reefs and provide hours of entertainment for snorkelers and scuba divers.
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The highlight of Achilles Bay Beach for many children is the large rock that juts out of the water with a ladder going into the water. You will need to swim to reach it, and you can either climb down to have a look in the water or use the rock as a diving board. Just make sure you remember that it is quite shallow there when you dive or jump.
There are not really any facilities on the beach, although you can rent chairs, umbrellas and floating mats from the little concession. Tobacco Bay Beach is close-by and has facilities, or you can eat at the Blackbeard’s Hideout or take the hilly walk to St. George (20 minutes to King’s Square). The beach is also next to Fort St. Catherine that always makes for a great visit, whether you are an history buff or wants to see some great views of the east end of the Island. And when you are going to Achilles Bay Beach, make sure you plan to stay for the sunset for it is one of the most beautiful views you can get in Bermuda.
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Nonsuch Island
Bermuda’s nature is beautiful and there are some places were it has been kept wild with unspoiled flora and fauna. One of the best parts of Bermuda’s Nature Reserve is without any doubt Nonsuch Island.
Formerly known as Nonesuch Island, it is in fact part of the volcanic mountain chain that forms Bermuda. A 14.25 acres piece of land that can be found at the eastern side of Castle Harbor, the Island is part of the St. Georges Parish and, although it is quite close from the main land and especially St. David’s Island, Nonsuch is one of the most isolated places in Bermuda.
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It is however accessible by boat – you can board one for the Island at Tucker’s Town – and is a great place for nature lovers and enthusiast hikers. It has been slowly restored to a state close to that of what it was when the first settlers of the Sea Venture arrived in Bermuda.
Before the project of ecological restoration was started by Dr. David Wingate, a former Bermuda Conservation Officer, Nonsuch Island has had a rich and varied history. In 1860, the Island was bought by the government which set up an hospital to quarantine those affected by yellow fever. Later, between 1928 and 1931, it was given on loan to the New York Zoological Society for William Beebe and John Tee Van to establish a marine research station for their bathysphere dive.
From 1934 to 1948, the Island received delinquent boys as part of the Nonsuch Junior Training School. In 1964, the Bermudian government took over and established a conservation area. This is when the country’s emblematic bird, the Bermuda Petrel – also known as Cahow – that was thought to be extinct was rediscovered.
From this date, Dr. Windate became warden of the Island and spent most of his life living here like a hermit. The conservationist’s house where he stayed is still standing up and you will pass it on the trail.
He planted almost by himself many trees such as red cedars and palmettos natives to Bermuda and is credited for the successful introduction of the yellow-crowned Night Heron, a bird related to the Bermuda Night Heron that became extinct after human colonisation. The heron also was the only natural predator of the land crab and it was essential for the ecological balance that it was reintroduced.
Nonsuch Island now has a freshwater marsh and a rich wooden area. Many areas are not accessible to the public, but there is a lot to see during the hour it takes to walk around. You can also take a break on one of the natural and wild beaches and bays of the island.
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Warwick Long Bay Beach
Warwick Long Bay Beach is one of those rare places you fall in love with straight away.
Despite not being a wide beach like its neighbouring Horseshoe Bay on the west, Warwick Long Bay is, as its name indicates, a long stretch of over half a mile of famous Bermuda pink sand.
It might not be one of the most famous beaches on the Island but it is definitely one of the most picturesque. Bordered by low grasses, grape and cedar trees, the beach feature many little coves and rocks, and two huge boulders mark its main entrance on the western tip.
There is plenty of space here for everyone on this curvy stretch of sand, especially since the very popular Horseshoe Bay is just a walk away and attracts most of the South Shore tourists. You will not have to look for a quiet spot, the whole beach is a secluded place enclosed between cliffs and the ocean.
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Local residents like to come here for early morning jogging, swimming or horseback riding on the path that runs along the beach in the South Shore Park.
The presence of the coral reef at about 60 metres from the shore makes for a great snorkelling beach. The reef stops most of the biggest waves and provides a calm pool for many fish species. Schools of parrot fish feeding near the shore in the late afternoon can be seen from the beach.
Families with kids, however, should be careful as the beach is wide open to southerly winds and the ocean can sometimes turn quite rough. The sandy bottom of the sea can also drop off suddenly and undercurrents are unpredictable.
Having said this, Warwick Long Bay Beach is great for a day out: there is a children playground in the South Shore Park and the facilities of the Horseshoe Bay Beach are only a few minutes away on a sandy path. There you will find toilets, showers and a food concession. During the summer months, a lunch wagon near Warwick Long Bay Beach offers light snacks too.
The beach is easily accessible via a short road winding down from a car park located off South Road and you can park your rental scooter here too. There is also access to the nearby Jobson’s Cove, another one of the beaches in the area. If you choose to come by bus, the beach is on the number 7 route.
Don’t miss out on this wonderful place while you are in Bermuda. It’s located only a few miles from Hamilton, so if you’re ship is docked here or you are nearby, take the time to discover this natural beauty. You’ll not regret it!
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South Shore Park In Warwick
There are many great beaches in Bermuda, most of them covered in the famous pink sand and looking out ot some crystal-clear and amazing blue water.
It is on the South Shore Park, in the parish of Warwick, that you find the greatest concentration of beaches including some of the most famous ones in Bermuda such as Horseshoe Bay Beach.
The South Shore Park is one of Bermuda’s nature reserves and was declared a national park in 1990. Stretching for around 1.5 miles, this coastal park connects the parishes of Southampton and Warwick through a series of trails and paths that take you along limestone cliffs, dunes and grassy areas. From the trails, you can access dozens of beaches and coves.
If you like taking your time to discover the beauty of the places you spend your vacation, then a walk on the South Shore Park is definitely for you. The main beaches on each side of the park are Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay and you’ll have to decide which way to go from here – whether you want to finish on one of the most famous beaches or to one of the best restaurants of the South Shore.
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Horseshoe Bay Beach can get quite crowded during the summer months so it is always best to get there in the morning if you want to fully enjoy it. It is easy to access by bus; the number 7 takes you to South Road from where you can walk to the beach. There are some small coves on the way to Horseshoe Bay that you can explore and in which you can take a dip.
After you have taken in the beauty of the bay, walk towards the east along the scenic trails. They will take you to the twin coves of Stonehole Bay and Chaplin Bay. These two places are in fact one
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA beach split in two by a coral barrier reef that comes up above the water surface. A great spot to relax or have a quiet swim within beautiful and picturesque surroundings.
The next stop on your journey is the Jobson’s Cove, a pool completely closed off by limestone cliffs, providing a great place to swim. There are practically no waves or wind here, so that’s the ideal place for children to swim and play in the water, as well as for a picnic. For these reasons, the beach is a favourite place of local families.
Further east is the half-mile stretch of Warwick Long Bay beach, a great place for snorkelling and another stunning South Shore beach. Because it is long rather than wide, and because there is no food concession, it is usually not a problem to find some space here.
But don’t end your day here yet, just around the corner is Astwood Cove, a traditional outdoor wedding location, nested between steep cliffs and home to white tail tropical birds. If you feel a bit hungry after your walk, go to the nearby restaurant, The Swizzle South Shore, a branch of the Swizzle Inn where a Bermudian traditional drink, the Rum Swizzle was invented.
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West Whale Bay Beach In Southampton
At the western end of Southampton parish and next to the parish of Sandy, the West Whale Bay Beach takes is name from the time when the whaling industry was strong in Bermuda.
The shallow waters of the nearby south shores were the ideal site for whalers to cut the mammals they caught. They also used to launch their boats from the bay.
Whaling isn’t in practice any more on the Island and the beach is also named after the humpbacks whales passing about during their migration from the Caribbean, in March, April and May. The beach is one of the best places in Bermuda to spot whales.
You also get an excellent view from the cliffs and hills that surround the shore. The grassy area of the West Whale Bay Park gives a good vantage point as well as providing a comfortable space for picnics especially since it has some facilities. The bay is accessible by taxi or scooter and is located off Middle Road at the end of Whale Bay Road.
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West Whale Bay Beach is also considered by locals as one of the best fishing shores. You can catch many types of fish including bonefish, grey snapper, pompano and even great barracuda. The beach has pink sand as well as quiet and shallow waters, so it is a great place for children. When you plan to visit the beach, make sure that you check the tidal times, because at high tide West Whale is completely covered by the ocean. You can get all necessary information from the Bermuda Weather Service.
If the tide is in, don’t leave straight away, because there is always something to do in the area, whether admiring the amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean from the grassy hill or exploring the remains of a small fort nearby, the Whale Bay Fort and Battery. It was built in the mid 1700′s at the time when Bermuda was protecting its coastline and just before the American Revolutionary War.
The original semi-circular fort no longer stands but you can explore the massive walls and barracks, as well as the underground magazine rooms. 4.5 inch calibre guns were defending the Hogfish Cut,
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA a channel that was providing access to land close from the Royal Naval Dockyard. The beach and the park face west and are, therefore, perfect locations for sunsets views. The grassy hills also are popular with campers, especially during the summer. Snorkelling is great here too because of the close coral reefs and the shallow water at low tide.
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Hidden Beach, Bermuda – Where Is It?
Hidden Beach is one of the many beaches of the parish of Southampton, along the South Shore Park where you can find some of the most beautiful beaches of Bermuda.
Located between the Horseshoe Bay Beach and the Chaplin Bay Beach, Hidden Beach is a quiet and secluded place where you will not find many tourists, not only because it hasn’t pink sands but soft white sands, but also because it is not easily accessible from the South Shore Park.
The best way to find it is to walk on the South Shore Park from Chaplin Bay towards Horseshoe Bay. For an even better experience of the South Shore beaches, start your journey earlier at Warwick Long Bay and stop on the way at Jobson’s Bay beach, Stonehole Bay beach and Chaplin Bay beach. Once you are back on the South Shore Park paths with the Ocean on your left, walk
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Hidden Beach is a bit of a wild spot, so you’ll need to be aware that there are not really any facilities around and therefore will need to carry any food and water as well as towels and snorkelling equipment if you want to explore the waters. That is essentially the reason why it is so quiet and a perfect site for a romantic time.
There are a few rocks out in the sea but far enough so that you can swim away from the shore for a bit without encountering them, but not too far so that you can easily reach them if you are snorkelling. Remember though that the beach is unsupervised and that only experienced swimmers should risk going far from the shore. It is also recommended to keep an eye on children at all
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From Hidden Beach, you are only a few minutes’ walk from Horseshoe Bay Beach where you can find all the necessary facilities such as toilets and showers, as well as food concessions if you decide to not carry too much on your journey to the secluded beach.
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Angle Beach, Southampton, Bermuda
The beach can be found on the stretch of sand between Chaplin Bay and Horseshoe Bay and is not too easily accessible from the South Shore Park. Because there is a bit of a hike to get down to the beach from the park, most of the time the place is very quiet and empty, something that those looking for a romantic spot or a relaxing time in wonderful scenery will appreciate. The easiest and fastest way to go to Angle Beach is to start from Horseshoe Bay. Walk east through the park towards the parish of Warwick. There are two paths that leave from the beach, both located at the edge of it. Take the one closest from the ocean. After only a few meters and past a first sandy area circled by rocks, you’ll reach a bigger beach of white soft sand: Angle Beach will be the spot directly on your right.
You will not regret the little hike it takes to get on the beach. It is one of the wild beaches of Bermuda with a great view of the Atlantic Ocean with few tourists around. The advantage of Angle Beach is that it’s close to Horseshoe Bay and its food concessions and facilities, so you don’t need to carry a lot of with you. The rocks on one side of the beach provide some shadows as well as a protection against any wind. There are a few rocks on the sea not too far from the shore so it is a great spot for snorkelling. The waters are fairly calm here and you can enjoy a swim in the deep blue ocean. Remember though, that the beach is not supervised and that caution must be
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If you want to discover other beaches of the South Shore, you can go back on the park’s paths and walk up to Chaplin Bay, Jobson’s Cove and Warwick Long Bay.
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Astwood Cove Beach, Warwick, Bermuda
Amongst the many beautiful beaches of Bermuda and Warwick parish, Astwood Cove Beach is one of the most stunning places.
The beach is completely surrounded by steep cliffs and accessible by quite a steep winding trail that makes it much more secluded than the majority of Bermudian beaches. It can be a bit of a hike to reach the beach but the advantage of this seclusion is that the beauty of Astwood Cove is not altered by crowds of tourists and you can easily find yourself alone here.
However, be aware that there are no lifeguards on duty at the beach. The water can get pretty rough at times and there are many rocks in the water, especially on the sides of the cove, so it is recommended to be an experienced swimmer to swim around. The cove is quite good for snorkelling, but again, watch for the currents and rocks.
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Because of its secluded location, there isn’t any concession stands on the beach so you’ll have to bring everything you need like towels, food and water. There aren’t any facilities either, but you can find toilets in the park above the cove from which you access the beach.
Astwood Park overlooks the cove and has picnic tables as well as parking spaces. Nature trails provide fun and educational times for children and adults alike. From the park, you get wonderful views of the cove and the Atlantic Ocean and it is why the park is a traditional outdoor wedding site.
The steep cliffs that surround Astwood Cove Beach are home to Bermuda Longtails, the white- tailed tropical birds that you can see flying and swooping around in and out of their nests. Longtails was once the name given to female American tourists by Bermudian men – both single and married – at the time of mass tourism by air.
Like many of the public beaches in the Warwick parish, Astwood Cove Beach is located off South Road and can be reached by bus number 7. Or, of course, you can drive your rental scooter and leave it in the car park before walking down to the beach. If you are staying in Hamilton, you can also decide to walk to Astwood Cove as well as visiting the other close beaches: Warwick Long Bay, Jobson’s Cove, Chaplin Bay, and even Horseshoe Bay.
There are concerts held on the beach at times, which is a great setting for these types of events. Mostly though, you will enjoy sunbathing in the soft sand with nothing else to hear than the soft noise of the blue waters and the birds, far away from the busy tourist areas.
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Wafer Rocks Beach, Southampton
The parish of Southampton has some of the best beaches in Bermuda – as well as the biggest concentration of them.
Amongst them is the famous Horseshoe Bay Beach in Bermuda (pictured), which is probably the busiest beach on the island. However, if you like a bit more peace and quiet, Wafer Rocks Beach is for you.
There are a few smaller beaches on each side of Horseshoe Bay you can still enjoy the beautiful waters and scenery of this part of the island without the crowds and herds of tourists.
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Wafer Rocks Beach is one of the little coves that are scattered along the shores between Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay, in the parish of Warwick. These coves are usually quite empty because they are not very easy to access and they can be a bit far from any facilities. But if you are ready to take the walk to them, you’ll be rewarded with soft white sand, calm blue waters and a secluded place ideal for a romantic or relaxing time.
Wafer Rocks beach is located on the east of Horseshoe Bay and the best way to reach it is to take one of the trails that leave from the beach and go onto the South Shore Park. There is one quite close from the sea that you’ll find by going around a grassy area on your right. Follow this trail for only a few metres until you reach a beach surrounded by grassy mounts and rocks. You can also walk from Horseshoe Bay to Wafer Rocks by wading along the ocean.
Even though it is only a few metres from the busy and noisy Horseshoe Bay beach, Wafer Rocks is somehow isolated from it by the rocks that separate the beaches form each other. There are many advantages in being on Wafer Rocks: you have more space to spread your towels around and for the kids to play, there are a few rocks in the water and not too far away for those who want to snorkel, the waters are calm and the rocks that surround the beach stop some of the wind that can occasionally be fresh. You are never too far from the facilities of Horseshoe Bay so you don’t need to carry food or water, but you won’t be able to use any rented equipment that far from the concessions.
Just at the back of the beach is the South Shore Park where you can find some picnic tables and nature trails. It is a great playground for children and it has trails that can take you further east up to Astwood Cove along the coast.
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Peel Rock Cove, Southampton
Many beaches of Bermuda are large and wide, but there also are many other smaller and as beautiful ones all around the island shores.
The parish of Southampton has a few of them along the South Shore Park on the east Horseshoe Bay, the most famous and popular beach of Bermuda, towards the parish of Warwick.
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Peel Rock Cove is the smallest of them and the first you will find on leaving Horseshoe Bay. This little cove is barely a beach, especially compared to the 4 miles of pink sand next to it, but it offers a great alternative to those who want to enjoy the beauty of the bay without sharing it with the crowds.
Peel Rock Cove is sitting within a big long rock that advances in the water on the edge of the Horseshoe Bay and that separates it from Butts Beach. So Peel Rock is almost in the ocean and perpendicular to the bay. It is surrounded by rocks forming an inverted ‘C’ with another one facing the cove, making the waters much calmer than on the main beach of the bay.
The cove is pretty much a little pool of seawater kept from the wind and the noise by the rocks. Because it is further in the water than the Horseshoe Bay, it might disappear at high tide. You should check the tide times before going there to avoid getting your towels wet!
The good thing is that you are almost guaranteed to be on your own on the little stretch of pink soft sand as there is just enough room for a few people. You will also need to pass between the rocks to reach Peel Rock Cove or get to it by the water. This means that you can only take a few things with you and certainly not any beach equipment, whether it is yours or that of the stands of the Horseshoe Bay.
It is worthwhile to take some snorkelling gear if you go to Peel Rock Cove: the beach is a great base from where to explore the waters and discover the marine life, especially along the rock that forms the sides of the cove which is one of the biggest and longest rock formations of the bay.
The swimming area of the cove is in itself not very large and ideal for kids, even though you’ll need to keep an eye on them because lifeguards on duty on Horseshoe Bay Beach might not be able to see in the cove. For those who want to swim further, the cove also opens on the ocean.
If you want to have the impression to be on a secluded beach without having to go very far from toilets and showers facilities as well as from food concessions, then get in Horseshoe Bay early and claim the Peel Rock Cove.
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Middle Beach, Southampton
Bermuda is well known for its many beaches of pink sand or white sand, and their beautiful clear waters. If you are ready to make a little effort, then you can discover some gems that mainstream tourists will never hear off and see. Most of the time you don’t have to go very far from the other crowded beaches to find the smaller and quieter ones, like Middle Beach.
This little cove is located near the popular beach of Horseshoe Bay Beach, in the parish of Southampton, the number one for beaches in Bermuda. It is easily accessible from the east side of the Horseshoe Bay, just behind a grassy and rocky area and where one of the South Shore Park trails starts. It might seem very close from the Horseshoe Bay but it is not part of it and therefore barely has any people on it. Because it is quite small, you are almost guaranteed to be alone if you get there first. The rocks around the cove give you a feeling of isolation and cut down the noise of the nearby crowds, making it an ideal spot for those who are looking for a bit of a romantic time. It
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The good thing with Middle Beach is that without being part of Horseshoe Bay, it is still close enough to make use of its facilities such as showers and toilets, as well as being not too far from its food concessions. So you don’t have to carry extra weight with you, just your towels and beach equipment and snorkelling gears as you won’t be allowed to take the rental ones from the shop on Horseshoe Bay.
There are a few rocks on the sore of the beach from where you might be able to jump in the water, but check that the water is deep enough and the bottom soft before doing so. For those who like to explore underwater, there is a big rock on the water and not very far from the beach. The rest of the water is great for swimming, but be aware that, unlike Horseshoe Bay, Middle Beach isn’t supervised by guards and you should be cautious when in the water.
You can also reach the little cove of Middle Beach from the South Shore Park if you have been walking the trails from one of the beaches of the east of the parish of Southampton or of the parish of Warwick. If you take the main track closest from the shore and follow it towards Horseshoe Bay, you will end up just on the edge of Middle Beach. If you planned to go to Horseshoe Bay and you find it a bit too busy, just stop here and enjoy the soft sand and warm water of Bermuda.
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Butts Beach, Southampton
Right next to one of the most famous and popular beaches of Bermuda, is a secluded little cove that has the same pink sand and blue water than its neighbour. Only Butts Beach is much more quiet and isolated than the Horseshoe Bay Beach, which even though it stretches for about 4 miles can get very crowded during the summer months.
Butts Beach is one of the few small coves that are spread out along the South Shore Park on the parish of Southampton and the parish of Warwick. Because the cove is the first of them located just at the east end of Horseshoe Bay, it gets the same pink sand and amazing blue waters. Even better, the waters here are calmer than they can be on Horseshoe Bay due to the rocks that form like a kind of open ocean pool.
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There is a long rock that separates the cove from the main beach and goes quite far in the water, not only isolating Butts Beach from some of the crowd’s noise but also from the wind that can sometimes blow from the west. The currents that make the waters of Horseshoe Bay unpredictable, and are the reason why the beach is manned by lifeguards on duty, are stopped by the same rock, making Butts Beach a great place for swimming and for kids to play in the water.
This is a beach where snorkelers will find many things to see, especially as the calm waters are a haven for many species of fish that live under the rocks on each sides of the cove.
Butts Beach is so close from Horseshoe Bay Beach that you can easily access the toilets and shower facilities as well as the food concessions. You might be able to use rental beach equipment on Butts Beach from shops on Horseshoe Bay because it is also part of the same beach but check beforehand and bring towels with you as a precaution.
Just at the back of the cove of Butts Beach is a little grassy mount part of the South Shore Park. This is a great place for a picnic if you don’t want to risk getting sand on your food, as well as an extended playground for children.
If you want to see a bit more of the beautiful south shore of the island, why not taking a walk along the South Shore Park from where you can go on other coves and secluded beaches as beautiful as Butts Beach: Middle Beach, Wafer Rocks Beach, Angle Beach, Hidden Beach. For the more adventurous ones, you can get to these by the shore directly, although you might sometimes need to waddle in the water.
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Spanish Point Park Beach, Bermuda
It is well known that the most beautiful beaches of Bermuda can be found on the South Shore of the island. Because of their reputation, they are usually very busy and while they have amazing features, but it is not a reason to overlook the quieter beaches of the North Shore. Spanish Point Park Beach, Pembroke, is one of the places that is definitely worth to go to, for its picturesque setting and its tranquillity.
The Spanish Point Park Beach is the biggest of the several beaches and coves that are at the extremity of the Pembroke Parish. It is the furthest point from the city of Hamilton, about 2.5 miles, and offers amazing views North and West. The promontory it is located on is the start of the channel used by ships to enter the Great Sound and the Hamilton Harbour. It is therefore a great vantage place to watch the cruise and cargo ships entering and leaving the port.
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The beach is part of the peaceful Spanish Point Park, a park with shady lawns, pines and baygrapes, where locals like to spend time playing cards or having lunch. Thanks to the presence of reefs and islets just off the shore, the Spanish Point Park Beach and the other adjacent coves are bordered by calm waters. It is the ideal place for those who like snorkelling as well as for families with kids.
The Spanish Point Park Beach is also one of the best places to view the sunset, something that should not be missed by anyone coming to Bermuda, even for a few days. It is actually thought to be the best sunset spots of the island. The small harbour of Stovell Bay on the edge of the Spanish Point Break Beach is adding to the magnificence of the view with its tiny fishing boats, dinghies and sailboats mooring there.
The Spanish Point Park is in itself a great attraction, making with the beach the perfect destination for a quiet and relaxing excursion. You enter it by a tiny gate and can find picnic tables and benches, as well as toilets near the car park. You can go to the Spanish Point Break Beach and Park by foot or by bus number 4 from Hamilton, although buses don’t run at the time of the sunset – which is why a scooter from Elbow Beach Cycles is always your best option.
The place was named after Ramirez, the Spanish captain of a ship that was wrecked on the reefs just off the shore. In fact, the name was given by early settlers of the area that was never visited by the Earl of Pembroke, the largest shareholder of the domain corresponding to the Pembroke Parish.
Nearby the Spanish Point Park Beach, you can find the Clarence Cove with two small beaches, and the Deep Bay beach. Like the Spanish Point Break Beach, these are secluded and quiet places, completely off the beaten track and free of tourists.
The Deep Bay is a bit harder to find through the gap of a wall and with steep downward steps. Most of the time, these beaches are calm and only frequented by locals, but they can become more popular during the months of July and August when they are used as venues for summer camps.
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Ecotourism
Bermuda is a nature-lover’s paradise, and ideal for safaris by scooters and whisper-quiet hybrid electric bikes: 100% enjoyment, 100% pleasure, 100% fun.
Any trip round Bermuda by scooter, electric bike, or mountainbike is a mini adventure in eco- tourism. There’s so much to see, and it’s all within your reach. Seabirds soar overhead, brightly coloured crabs scuttle among the rocks, and on special nights each year, a galaxy of tiny phosphorescent sea creatures light up the foreshore.
To get closer than you ever thought possible, take a trip to Dolphin Quest. There, you can enjoy the experience of a lifetime when you swim with the Atlantic Ocean’s friendliest dolphins. For a fascinating peak at life within the swaying coral reefs, the Bermuda Aquarium is unbeatable. You’ll discover that Bermuda is no more than a tiny cap on a vast undersea world of dazzling colour.
Away from the hustle and bustle, the Spittal Pool Nature Reserve is an enchanting 64-acre example of how Bermuda was before humans sailed in on the wind. This idyllic and untouched world is criss-crossed with narrow forest trails.
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A Walk To Hog Bay Park Bermuda
Are you searching for the perfect place to get away from it all in Bermuda? Then you will be in heaven at Hog Bay Park.
It is a tranquil secluded beach in Sandy’s parish. This exclusive spot may seem out of the way, but it is certainly worth the journey. The walk through the wood and rock strewn trail is considered part of the experience. This compact beach is present at low tide. It has beautiful shallows heading out to 300 meters. This is the ideal spot to go swimming and snorkelling.
Tourists may also comb the stunning sandy beach. Here you can go exploring and examine the treasure trove of finds washed up or laying on the shore. You can pick up a piece of passing driftwood or go collecting shells. There are also plenty of rock pools to look out for.
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The beach also welcomes visit from a rich variety of fascinating sea life, from crabs to turtles. But be alert for pesky spiny sea urchins. They may sting. But don’t let that put you off. All in all, when on the lookout for a quiet relaxing beach in Bermuda, hop over to Hog Bay Park.
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Crystal & Fantasy Caves, Hamilton Parish
There are many caves in Bermuda, formed by the water travelling down the limestone to re- join the ocean. Caves come in all sizes and shapes on the island but the Crystal Caves, on Hamilton Parish, are the largest and the most famous.
They were discovered on the property of the Wilkinson family by accident in 1905 when two boys who were looking for their cricket ball entered a hole in the ground and found the caves. The name was given after the crystal-clear water of the caves that allows you to see the cave floor perfectly, even at its deepest, 55 feet (17 meters) below the surface.
The first to explore the caves was the owner’s son who was lowered down by his father on a rope tied to a tree and equipped with a bicycle lamp. Today, the hole is still visible but the entrance is via a door carved on the rock and a flight of about 90 steps takes you down to the caves situated 120 feet (36 meters) below ground level.
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While walking on a floating wooden pontoon across the Cahow Lake that covers most of the caves’ floor, you get to see the amazing formations of pristine white stalactites descending from the ceiling as well as those of stalagmites coming up from the bottom of the lake. You can also observe soda straws and helectite formations.
Visitors at Trip Advisor think it is:
“One of a Kind Experience – Can’t wait to go back!”, “One of my favorite things to do in Bermuda”, “Worth going to…the tour guides are awesome!!!”.
The guided tour gives you interesting details on the history and the geology of the caves, pointing to you formations that look like famous landscapes or people, such as the Manhattan Skyline or Bob Marley.
Very close to the Crystal Caves, in fact just a quick walk through the park of the complex, are the Fantasy Caves, another natural jewel of Bermuda. These were discovered two years after the Crystal Caves and developed as show caves, but were then closed by the owners during the Second World War.
The Fantasy Caves were reopened in 2001 and feature calcite formations from top to bottom such as rare soda straw clusters chandeliers and walls covered in mineral deposits looking like frozen waterfalls. There is also a fossilised tree root visible at the roof of the caves.
The caves have been re-illuminated and the pathways rebuilt, but to give you an idea of how dark it is underground, the lights are switch for a few minutes during the visit. The visit for each cave is about 30 minutes but plan 75 minutes if you go and see both.
There are a gift shop and a restaurant on the caves ground, or you can stop by the Swizzle Inn on your way.
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Victoria Park In Hamilton, Bermuda
Victoria Park is a cosy public park in the capital of Bermuda. The Park was built n 1880 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria. It is now overseen and operated by Hamilton Corporation.
This public park is positioned close to City Hall. It is near Victoria Street, Washington Street and Cedar Street. Victoria Park has twisting trails and pathways, under the cover of shade. They take in every corner of this public park. Here visitors can view numerous trees, shrubs, bushes and plant life. The park is lauded for its classical English flower beds, beautiful lawns and sunken gardens.
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It has the finest Norfolk pines and golden acacia trees. Tourists can see the glorious band stand, made from ornate iron. It was first erected back in 1899 when British regimental bands played in Bermuda. The bandstand underwent restoration in Scotland in 2008. It returned to it former glory a year later. The park has open air contests in the summer and around Christmastime.
There are many exciting events held the park. The 2011 Summer Sunday of the Park series is ideal for all the family. It has a fun Kids Area with face painting and bouncy castles. There are shows by regional artists, groups and individuals. The event has dancing and classic. It has street vendors selling food. There are also a number of bars, amongst other facilities. The admission to park events is free.
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Somers Park In St. Georges
Would you like to breathe in some delightful greenery, plants and flowers while visiting Bermuda? Then saunter down to stunning Somers Park. It is a location of inherent natural beauty a found on Duke of York St in St. George. The garden is close to Kings Square, on the north east. The park was opened by the Prince of Wales in 1920 and has been astounding visitors ever
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Somers Garden is a celebrated site to chill out and take a minute. The Garden is open all day and admittance is free. It is also ideal for lounging around in after dinner and spends a relaxing evening. This is the optimum place to explore breath-taking foliage, shrubs and plants. It is said the flowers bloom the fullest in the spring time. The garden is named in memory of the man regarded to have founded the island of Bermuda. His name is Admiral Sir George Somers and his ship crashed on a reef close to St. George in 1609.There is a small respectful tomb to the Admiral at the park. It is said the great man’s heart is interred in the park.
There was also a stone column laid as a lasting monument. Tourists could gaze upon it, as long as the other wonders the garden bearing his name has on show.
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Bermuda Railway Trail
Feel like taking a walking holiday around Bermuda and enjoying the scenery? Then why not catch The Bermuda Railway Trail? This is a spectacular walkway and biking lane across a large stretch of land. It had previously been part of the railway track. But it is now a tourist excursion covering the island.
The railway service was first set up in October 1931. But, seventeen years later, in 1948, the then government of Bermuda shut the railway down. They believed it was them surplus to requirements. The railway trail extending across the countryside lay unused and abandoned for decades.
However, in 1984, the railways were rejuvenated in the interests of tourism. It received a second wind as a trail way for walkers, hikers and cyclist. 18 miles of the trail is now open to the public.
It provides folk with an incredible opportunity to explore Bermuda’s stunning countryside and scenic ocean views. It leads from one end of the island to the other. The trail begins at St George
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This adds up an incredible means of exploring the island. Just follow the Railway trail.
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The Par-la-Ville Park in Hamilton
When walking down Bermuda’s capital city Hamilton, you could stop at the pleasing Par-la- Ville Park.
It is a lush glorious garden which once belonged to Mr William Perot; the island’s first Post master. The house he lived in was called Par-la-Ville. It is now the site of Bermuda Historical Society Museum as well as the main public library.
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The park is a common place for office workers close by to eat their lunches al fresco. It looks like a small island of greenery in the middle of an urban area, like a city.
Visitors can stroll down that winding pathway to the picturesque Par-la-Ville Park.
This spot is adorned with beautiful flower beds and soothing shady trees. Visitors can walk through one of the public entrances to the park. For instance, they will pass under the longest standing moongate in Bermuda if they enter by Par-la-Ville Road. There are also the Queen’s Street and Church Street entrances.
There you will see such features as the striking rock gardens and gigantic rubber trees, originating in British Guyana in 1847.
The Par-la-Ville Park has strong historical resonance. It was a large orange orchard; shipping about 40,000 boxes of orange to the Unites States. But the park is now a widely visited tourist landmark. It is a place to take a walk and look around, breathing in the greenery. This is as well as providing a place to sit down and relax. It is right in the centre of Hamilton.
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The Bermuda Botanical Gardens
Enjoy the lush greenery of nature at Bermuda Botanical Gardens at Point Finger Rd on in Paget Parish. It is situated near the city of Hamilton.
The garden is the site of Camden; residence of Dr. Ewart Brown, the island’s Premier. The Bermuda Botanical Garden is overseen by the Parks Department of the local government. It falls under the banner of the Bermuda National Parks.
The Bermuda Botanical Garden has been in existence since 1898. It has 36 acres of the most blooming marvellous flowers, trees and shrubs imaginable. There are hundreds of plant lives to be found in the Gardens. They are arranged into various sectors. It has large glass houses formal gardens and lawns. This is along with a choice of cacti, orchids and subtropical fruit. The Botanical
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Gardens has a cluster of agaves, aloes and blue foliage. It also has the finest Banyan trees, hibiscus and Bermuda cedars
That is not to mention having an all-purpose visitor’s centre, an aviary and a ground-breaking aromatic garden for sightless persons. These are amongst many other amazing features. Why not take a walking tour and experience the beauty of The Bermuda Botanical Gardens?
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Enjoy A Trip to Warwick Pond, Bermuda
Isolated in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, Bermuda has very little reserves of fresh water, so a pond is always a haven for the fauna, especially native and migratory birds.
Warwick Pond, in Warwick Parish, is the second largest fresh-water pond of the island, after Spittal Pond. It gives its name to the nature reserve in which it is located, a 9-acre area of woodland rich in Bermuda cedars and large allspice trees.
The Warwick Pond is a reserve owned and managed by the Bermuda National Trust that stretches along the Middle Road. It was acquired largely with the help of Dennis Sherwin, an American philanthropist. He was a fervent advocate of nature reserves and was a president of the Bermuda National Trust from 1987 to 1990.
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In his memory, the reserved was officially renamed Sherwin Nature Reserve in December 19, 2009.
Surprisingly, Warwick Pond’s whereabouts are unknown to many locals and even more tourists. The advantage is that the place is usually very quiet and ideal for those who love to walk in nature as it was intended to be. Bird-watchers will be delighted with the many residents and migratory waterfowls. If you come here during the fall, you will be able to spot barn swallows, and if you are here in winter, you will see common snipes. All year-round, you can also see mourning doves and resident roosters.
Since 2003, walking in Warwick Pond is even easier thanks to the opening of a new walking trail. This was developed by the Bermuda National Trust with the help of Dr. David Wingate, a conservationist. He assisted with the new layout of the trail and the development of signs that explain to visitors all about the fauna and flora around them. You will then be able to identify the habitats of the reserve such as marsh, pond and forest as well as the animals and plants that live there. For example, you will be shown the difference between the native Bermuda Palmettos and the invasive Chinese fan palm trees.
The Warwick Pond itself is equipped with a lookout deck over the pond where you can take a break and enjoy views of the pond. If you are looking for a more challenging and rigorous hike than the visitors’ trail, the Tribe Road 3 is a scenic trail that takes you uphill and down dales. This road links South Road to Middle Road and offers you rural views of tracks like the Spice Hill Road and the Bermuda Railway Trail. The extensive woodland of the Warwick Pond reserve forms a belt that goes along the entire length of the railway.
The Warwick Pond reserve is located on Middle Road, at the foot of Longford Road. The entrance is marked by a Bermuda National Trust sign on Middle Road, at the turnoff to Tribe Road 3. The road is now also connected to the Bermuda Railway Trail. The admission is free and the reserve is opened from sunrise to sunset every day of the week.
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Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve
Nature is probably the biggest treasure of Bermuda and it is important for all its residents to keep it safe and to protect it. That is one of the reasons why there are so many nature reserves on the island, each of them offering a place for birds and animals to live and great walks for nature lovers.
Every parish has its nature reserves, and in the parish of Hamilton is the Walsingham Nature Reserve. This park is formed by the Tom Moore’s Jungle and the Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve.
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The Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve is the part of the park owned and managed by the Bermuda National Trust. Covering a tract of land of 1.25 acres, it is wonderful woodland and the wildest part of the Walsingham Nature Reserve. There, you will mainly find Bermuda cedar trees, as well as indigenous palmetto trees forming a lush forest.
One particularity of the Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve is the extensive cave system that runs through the woodland. These unique geological formations combined to the forest make the reserve a great place to explore for the adventurous ones. Those who like walking will find doing it here a bit more interesting and challenging than in many of the island’s nature reserves. But everyone, except wheelchair users, can enjoy a walk in Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve and will be rewarded of their efforts by the beauty of nature itself. The Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve is named after a Welsh architect who came to Bermuda and was a senior civil servant here before becoming Public Works Director. The reserve can be accessed from the road of the Walsingham Nature Reserve that leads to Tom Moore’s Tavern and that is off Harrington Sound Road, in Hamilton Parish. Bus routes number 1 and 3 can take you there but of course.
The Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve is free of admission and opened from dawn till dusk.
The other part of the Walsingham Nature Reserve, the bigger one, is the Tom Moore’s Jungle. In fact, the whole of the reserve is often called Tom Moore’s Jungle. The Tom Moore’s Tavern is at the centre of the reserve, surrounded by Bermuda cherry tree forests, mangroves and crystalline caves. The place was named after the Irish poet who spent a few months in Bermuda in 1844 as an Admiralty court official register and wrote many of his verses under a calabash tree that was made famous in one of his poems. He also used to frequent a tavern, the same one that is now called Tom Moore’s Tavern.
Covering a total of 12 acres, the reserve is characterised by a rugged limestone landscape. In fact, it is located on the oldest geological formation of Bermuda. It is a very wild and natural place, rich in habitats such as sinkholes, caves, mangroves, marine ponds, woodlands and coastlines. Therefore, it is a great place for those who love nature as they can discover many rare and endangered species of plants and animals native and endemic to the island.
The many swimming grottoes of the reserve are often the highlight of the visit, with fish that can be seen in the turquoise water. The shallow bays and mangroves offer hours of exploration to fans of snorkelling, while bird-watchers will try to spot herons, cardinals, doves and finches.
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Bermuda Fairylands & Fairy Land Creek
IMAGE CREDIT & Copyright – Mathew Phinn. (Do check out his other beautiful paintings of Bermuda!)
Bermuda is an island famous for its rich and beautiful properties, not only luxurious hotels and resorts, but also private houses and estates. The parish of Pembroke harbour one of the few up- market and exclusive residential areas of the island, Fairylands. Located on the west of Pitt’s Bay Road, this concentration of old and expensive houses and properties, covers the two peninsulas of Mill Shares and Point Shares.
Fairylands takes its name from the Celtic mythology and was created many decades ago by the better-off merchants who had established their businesses in the capital city of Hamilton. They wanted to have their homes built away from the city but in a nearby and convenient location, as well as in an area close to the ocean and quieter than Hamilton. Fairylands is a beautiful area which
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The roads and wetlands are mainly named after the area, with roads such as Fairyland Court, Fairyland Court and Fairyland Lane, and wetland areas like Fairyland Creek or Mill Creek named after one of the peninsulas. But the Fairylands are not only a residential area. There is amongst its features the Black Wood Pond, a pond that marks the border between Point Shares peninsula and the rest of the Fairylands. On the north side of the pond is one of Bermuda’s oldest bridges.
The name Black Wood Pond is derived from the trees that are usually found around saltwater lagoons and swamp, the Black Mangrove trees. The wood of this type of trees is very hard and heavy, with a dark brown colour that turns black when wet.
From the two peninsulas that form Fairylands, Point Shares, the westernmost and southern one, is part of the very small club of exclusive and private coastal areas that are the richest.
The only other member of this club is Tucker’s Town, in the parish of St. George.
It was bought from William Berkeley by Solomon Middleton in 1643 and gets its name from the designation of tracts of land by the then Bermuda Company as shares. Many of the properties are today owned by multi-millionaires and enjoy amazing views of the ocean and islands such as Agar’s, Bird, Cat, Goat, Goose… All the islands of the parish of Pembroke are privately owned and, unfortunately, inaccessible to the public.
It is possible to spend some time in Fairylands without being a millionaire and buying a property there by staying in one of the many rental properties. Every one of them is located within a quiet and secure area, surrounded by beautiful homes, gardens and bays.
Since 2011, a Neighbourhood Watch has been in effect to keep people and property safe.
The area has inspired many artists, notably the American painter Ross Sterling Turner who in 1890 painted a watercolour and gouache called ‘Fairylands, Bermuda’ – though I prefer Mathew’s (pictured above).
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Palm Grove Gardens
Bermuda is a nature paradise with its lush vegetation helped by a perfect subtropical climate. Wherever you go on the island, you will find gardens and bushes of endemics and invasive species that give Bermuda some of its charm. Palm Grove Gardens is one of the many private gardens of the island that is kindly open to visitors by their owners. The garden is owned by Sir David Gibbons who was once Premier of Bermuda, and is located in the parish of Devonshire, on the South Road. It is open to the public free of charge from Monday to Thursday, between 9am and 5pm.
There are a few features in Palm Grove Gardens such as a wishing well and a traditional Bermuda moongate. Moongates are reputed for bringing luck to the newly wed couples passing through them. The main feature of the gardens is the lily pond on which you will see a grassy relief in the shape of a map of Bermuda. The place is very popular for staging wedding photos and the
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Gibbons family also allows wedding ceremonies to take place in Palm Grove Gardens as long as the party is of 9 or less people. It is a quiet and peaceful place where people like to come and rest or have a walk amongst the vegetation. The garden is an 18 acre stretch of land that goes all the way from the South Road to the seaside.
Of course, the vegetation is mainly made of palm trees as the name of the garden indicates. Along endemic Bermuda palmetto trees, you will see invasive species like Cuban Royal palms, Fiji palms, Canary Island palms, and European fans.
But there are more than palm trees in the Palm Grove Gardens, and you will walk around Sago and coconut trees, night-blooming cereus blooms, as well as statues scattered here and there in the park. The citrus grove is something to be seen too, especially given that Bermuda-grown oranges and grapefruits are some of the best in the world. There are also some limestone huts with ivy-coated facades which are called butteries and were used to store perishable food and water before the apparition of fridges.
The garden is a haven for birds of all species, and even features a tropical bird aviary in which you will find a collection of colourful parrots and toucans.
Palm Grove Gardens is not a well-known place in Bermuda and many local residents have yet to visit it. Thankfully, it is still a calm and relaxing garden where you can go for a walk or to go away from the busy Hamilton, or get some fresh air when the weather is too hot.
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Seymour’s Pond Bermuda
Nature is without a doubt the best feature of Bermuda, whether it is the crystal-blue ocean, the pink-sand beaches, the luscious flora and trees, or the many species of birds and other fauna.
In order to preserve the nature of Bermuda and protect it from the devastating effects of the civilisation, there are a few nature reserves on the island. Seymour’s Pond, in Southampton parish is one of the places where you can discover the beauty of Bermuda in total peace and quiet. Seymour’s Pond is a beautiful nature reserve of 2.5 acres of secluded land that have become a haven for many species of birds. The reserve is one of the first ventures of the Bermuda Audubon Society, which has turned the Seymour’s Pond and its area into a nature reserve in 1963. The society still managed the reserve.
The pond and the associated area were divided into several private estates, three of them sharing the pond itself. It was only after the Bermuda Audubon Society was able to buy all this estates that
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA the Seymour’s Pond was created. It now covers an area forming a triangle between Middle Road, South Road and the waterfront on Little Sound. The reserve inside this area is an open space and a park ideal for walks and excursions. The entrance of the Seymour’s Pond reserve is on Middle Road, in Southampton, and located near the junction of the South Road at a place called the Barnes’ Corner.
The Seymour’s Pond itself is surrounded by marshland and is considered to be the best example of a freshwater pond in Bermuda according to a Canadian biologist, Dr. Martin Thomas.
The place is a favourite of bird-watchers, with many species choosing to establish their nests by the pond like coots, duck, common moorhens, herons, sandpipers, kingfishers and egrets. The Seymour’s Pond is also a favourite of many kind of migratory and wintering waterfowl.
Over the years, many invasive species of plants such as the Brazil pepper bush and the sheathed paspalum grass have damaged the nature reserve and even dramatically reduced the size of the pond. That is why last year, the Bermuda Audubon Society worked on an overdue restoration of the Seymour’s Pond.
With the help of contractor Bell’s Skyline Excavating, they dug out and removed parts of the pond to remove some garbage accumulated in it. The invasive plants were culled and replaced by native and endemic plants put on the edges of the pond. The adjacent road drain on Middle Road was also replaced by the Ministry of Public Works as part of the restoration’s project in order to improve the quality of the water.
Last year too, a population of endemic Killfish were introduced in the pond. Seymour’s Pond reserve was successfully reopened in October 2011.
Anyone who likes nature and walking will have a wonderful time in Seymour’s Pond nature reserve,trying to spot bird and tree species, as well as admiring the many insects such as dragonflies and damselflies hovering over the water, or diving beetles. There are also monthly field trips organised to learn everything about the fauna and flora of Seymour’s Pond as well as a chance to see the Cahow (Bermuda Petrel), the national bird of Bermuda that was once thought extinct for over 300 years!
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Gilbert Nature Reserve Bermuda
While many people know about the beautiful beaches and the turquoise waters of Bermuda, there are many other treasures on the island that tourists have no idea about. We have the chance to live in a place where nature is still important and preserved.
Bermuda has many nature reserves where you can discover the fauna and flora of the island. Gilbert Nature Reserve, in the parish of Sandy’s, is one of them, and the best place for bird- watching on the island. This reserve consists of 2 hectares of unspoiled woodland with many paths that connect it to the Bermuda Railway Trail.
The Gilbert Nature Reserve is one of the easiest ones to reach thanks to its connections to the Trail but also because it is located on the main road in Somerset Village. It is one of the many nature
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA reserves owned by the Bermuda National Trust and it was acquired by the trust in 1973. The place is named after the Gilbert family who owned it from the 1700′s up to its acquisition by the Trust.
The reserve is predominantly a forest full of trees and shrubs and has some of the finest examples of mature Bermuda cedar trees in its northeast corner. They can be seen along the numerous trails that cross the reserve and like the rest of the forest are home to many bird species. The Gilbert Nature Reserve is great for those who like nature and walking as well as for family with children and there even are areas for picnic.
Next to the Gilbert Nature Reserve is an old mansion called Springfield and that is also owned by the National Bermuda Trust. The house was built in the early 18th century and is a remarkable example of the architecture of Bermuda at the time. It is a typical plantation’s mansion and one of the more important architectural treasures of Bermuda.
The mansion is now the Sandy’s Community Centre and is open to everyone free of admission. Inside Springfield is a buttery, a room that was used for the preparation of food and drinks, and that is reputedly one of the most photographed room on the island. You can also visit the slave quarters of the house that indicate that Springfield was once a rather large plantation.
Gilbert Nature Reserve is located at about five miles from Hamilton and lies near the geographic centre of Bermuda. The nature and the Springfield mansion are both opened to public from dawn until dusk and is can be reached by the bus routes number 7, 8 and 14. The admission to both the reserve and the mansion is free and you can visit them on your own or as part of organised tours.
Gilbert Nature Reserve is a great place to go and spend the day if you are staying in or near Hamilton. During hot days, the forest is a fresh haven and will allow you to spend a few hours in a calm and quiet area.
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Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve
Located on a hill, high above Mangrove Bay in Somerset, the Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve in Bermuda is a great place to visit, whether you’re visiting Bermuda for a few hours, a few days or a few weeks. Often touted as one of the most romantic spots on the Island, it is the perfect place to take a loved one for a picnic. Fairly small in size but massive in ecological importance, the nature reserve is also a hidden gemstone of Bermuda.
Owned and operated by the Bermuda National Trust, the Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve is named after one of Bermuda’s most famous daughters and important historical figures in equality and diversity. Gladys Morrell was at the forefront of the Bermuda Women Suffrage Society and movement which campaigned tirelessly for equal rights for women and in particular the right to vote for women. As the leader of the Bermuda Woman Suffrage Society she was triumphant in ensuring women’s voting rights in Bermuda in 1944.
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A famous quote in the Bermuda Sun by Gladys summed up her passion for equality:
“When we finally came to victory in 1944, the man who brought it through was a comparatively young member, Jack Tucker. We owe him a great deal. You know, the attitude a man takes on women’s rights is an important indication of his character.”
The tranquil nature reserve possesses many native plants and fauna of Bermuda including Bermuda Cedar, Bermuda Palmetto and the Bermuda Olivewood. The reserve is also a nesting area for Bermuda’s Bluebirds which are an endangered species.
In 2006 to 2077, the National Trust instigated a Habitat and Native Species Restoration project which involved the culling of many invasive plants and fauna which were threatening the very existence of some of Bermuda’s indigenous and most precious plants and shrubs.
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Bermuda is a small in terms of land mass and as the human population has grown and developed the Island – requiring building and infrastructure -about 800 acres are left as protected in parks and reserves. This is has to be fully protected to ensure its famously rich plant and vegetative heritage remains for future generations and to keep our beautiful Island just that – amazingly gorgeous.
Bermuda’s unmanaged parkland have been left to develop and grow over the centuries and this self-renewing, ecologically-viable wooded landscape has, particularly after huge storms and hurricanes when foreign invasive flora and pests arrive via nature, been subject to pests that are prolific in spreading and domineering our own species. The effects of this can be all too real such as the leaf scale which devastated the cedar population in the 1940′s.
The Project helped to recover and rehabilitate the parkland and to establish native planting. Cull invasive species and nurture the native ones was the plan – and it worked. Two acres of woodland containing endemic Bermuda Palmettos, Bermuda Olivewood Barks, Southern Hackberry’s and Bermuda Cedars have been protected. It was in serious threat by Brazil pepper, Fiddlewood, Loquats, Chinese fan palm, Indian Laurels and Casuarinas. Their spreading was required to be stopped immediately and the culling processes full success is still to be fully determined. What is known, however, is that something had to be done about them. In addition, the native species were planted around the reserve to promote their growth and reintroduction in some parts.
The people of Bermuda and its visitors have benefitted from the project to preserve the nature reserve and to allow the local plant population to thrive without restriction or oppression in their natural habitat and to flourish. A concept we feel that Gladys herself would approve of.
The Reserve is on East Shore Rd, Somerset Island, and is open with free admission during daytimes throughout the year.
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Montpellier Arboretum
Bermuda was once quoted as being the ‘Montpelier of Americas’. A strange comparison to some, but, when it comes to the similarities in climate with the French city, there’s some truth in it. Montpellier is on the south coast of France – on the Mediterranean Sea – which brings lovely warm and dry summers and mild wet winters. Not completely unlike Bermuda, so it seems to be a fitting name for one of Bermuda’s superb National parks, the Montpellier Arboretum.
The Arboretum is found in Devonshire Parish on the junction of Middle and Montpelier Roads. The British Army handed the land back to the people 1951 and it was transformed and developed in to the Arboretum in the mid 1960s.
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It is an impressive 20 acres in size and although it is a managed park, the authorities have a very loose involvement and allow the park to thrive on its own accord.
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Interestingly, this approach to managing the wildlife is why the name Arboretum is used instead of ‘park’ or ‘gardens’. The definition of ‘arboretum’ is a botanical garden, mainly a collection of trees and woody plants, partly used for scientific study. Many an academic observes, records and interprets the park, its species and its nature but few interject, leaving it open to self management.
Other botanical gardens and suchlike have human-made flower- and plant-beds which are pruned, fed and maintained but not at Montpellier – it is an area of swooping meadows and forests with huge variety of shrubs and trees including conifers and palms. You will also see cedars, flowering golden acacias, avocados, acres of cherry forest as well as rubber trees and other wildly-growing species. The park’s twenty acres includes an array of trees and shrubs from all over the world which are home to many animals and birds including Bermuda’s rare bluebirds and cardinals which fill the air with their amazing singing and trills.
There are some great pathways to walk and plenty of secluded places for picnics and rest as well as some watering holes and pools for wildlife, with a cedar wood bridge expanse for visitors to traverse. The Arboretum is an ideal space to exercise for dog walkers, runners and cyclists – and some have made their own form of entertainment using the hilly parts of the park for hill-rolls.
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The Montpellier Arboretum is located in almost the geographical centre of Bermuda in the North Shore Village in Devonshire and is just a pleasant walk or bike ride from Hamilton. It is open all year round during daylight hours and is free to enter.
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Visit The Heydon Trust
The Heydon Trust manages a stunning private park and gardens in the Parish of Sandy’s in Bermuda – also home to the Island’s smallest church. One of the largest parks in Bermuda, its 44 acres of phenomenally lush and well-kept gardens are a pleasure to enjoy and, although being of great size, is a hidden gem for tourists. The park also hosts 10 fairly small historical buildings and is home to Bermuda’s smallest chapel, the charmingly tiny Heydon Chapel, built around 1620.
Today, the parks and its contents including the preservation and management of the buildings are overseen by the Heydon Trust. The Trust is named after Jeremy Heydon, a very wealthy man and part of Bermuda’s government in the early sixteen hundreds.
The park has an abundance of flower gardens including especially wonderful rose gardens, citrus groves and a bird sanctuary. The trust employs only one paid, professional gardener, to maintain
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA the park although scores of Bermudians help to maintain the park and gardens drawing particular pleasure from its serenity. There are many great walks throughout the park with benches dotted around in well-positioned viewing points, so visitors and rest their legs and enjoy the scenery and ambiance.
One path through the gardens leads visitors to the Heydon Chapel, the uplifting, petite stonework building that is Bermuda’s smallest place of worship. It sits on a well-maintained hillock with calming views over Heydon’s Bay towards the ocean.
The church was donated by the Church of England and is still a very active place of worship, with nuns from the Community of Jesus undertaking a morning chant service known as Lauds from Monday through to Saturday. See below for daily service times. Lauds is a Latin term meaning praise and gratitude and derives from Gregorian (Pope Gregory the Great) times – around 1400 years ago.
The Sisters also help maintain gardens in the park and plant flowers and vegetables around Heydon. This is on top of the maintenance of clergy robes and other work necessary for church services to continue as well as preservation of the church itself. They also visit senior citizens in homes around Bermuda.
Service Times: Morning Prayer, Daily, 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Holy Communion, Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m.
Sister’s Singing:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday and Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Monday to Saturday at 3 p.m.
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Point Pleasant Park in Hamilton
Point Pleasant Park, as the name suggests, is a pleasurable and enjoyable park situated in Bermuda’s capital Hamilton City. Found specifically at the famous Albuoys Point at the water front, the park and area boasts lots to do and see for locals and tourists alike.
The park itself is a fairly small one but has plenty of trees to shade from the hot midday sun – often a necessity in the height of summer! There are excellent views of the harbour and it is also a great viewing point to watch the great cruise ships arrive and depart.
There are public conveniences at the park as well as a play park for children, park benches, picnic areas and, as it is located on Point Pleasant Road and connected to Front Street Hamilton, it is very convenient for all the city’s amenities including shopping , eateries and gift shops.
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To the west of the park is the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, one of the oldest Royal Clubs in the world. It was formed in 1845 by Bermudian sailing enthusiasts and British military officers and is now home to some of the finest sailing events in the world including King Edward VII Gold Cup Match Racing Competition and the Newport-to-Bermuda Ocean race. The Club offers sailing classes for children and adults and has a fine, yet reasonably priced menu.
Point Pleasant is also well located to take the charming mini train to various tourist attractions in Hamilton including City Hall, House of Parliament, Bermuda Cathedral, Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute and Botanical Gardens.
Also at Point Pleasant is Fantasea Bermuda, a phenomenal experience for water lovers that offers tours, charters and water sports around the island. The main attractions of Fantasea include the introduction to scuba diving course, which is a 4 hour scuba diving course that occurs in shallow waters and a pool to familiarise you with the art of the sport.
Then it’s off to the ship wreck Constellation for a mini exploration. Another package is the reef & wreck dive, which is a three-hour excursion and full-tank dive in and around Constellation – perfect for those with some experience of scuba diving and takes in some of Bermuda’s amazing coral reefs.
If you fancy a snorkelling trip, then Fantasea is ideal. It’s great value for money and divers get to snorkel around South Shore and visit Constellation – you can even hire an underwater camera to record the trip.
Every year at Christmas time, Hamilton’s illuminated boat parade occurs and there’s no better place to see this magical festival than Point Pleasant. It’s a festival for the eyes and the ears and for all the family too. Point Pleasant really is a beautiful place to get away from the bustle of the capital city’s busy commuters and tourists at high season.
Why not visit it and use it as a base for a great day out? And take your swimming gear too; you’ll be glad you did when you get there.
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Sight Seeing
In Bermuda, you’ll fall in love…with our magical natural beauty, distinctive colonial architecture, and vibrant island life.
The question for visitors to Bermuda is not what to see, but what could they possibly afford to miss? For this is an island steeped in culture and heritage. Treasures lie round every corner; the deeper you delve, the more you discover.
As an independent traveller you’ll see Bermuda as the Bermudians see it. We know that the quickest way to get anywhere is by scooter. And we know that the best of the island is usually just round the corner out of reach of the tour bus.
Be sure to check out St George’s, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the town where time stood still. The narrow streets hark back to the great days of sail and discovery. To experience the might of the British Empire, head west to see the fortifications of the Royal Naval Dockyard. Just press the start button on your scooter and let your adventures begin.
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Heritage Walk Hamilton
If you love architecture and history, then the City of Hamilton’s Heritage walk will be right up your street – if you’ll pardon the pun.
Created as part of Bermuda’s 400th anniversary celebrations, which occurred in 2009, the Heritage Walk is a wonderful historical trail around the city streets, taking in some of the most important buildings and monuments in Bermuda all linked to the Island’s development and growth as a nation.
Dubbed a ‘Walkway of History’ by the City fathers, it takes followers on a pilgrimage of Bermuda’s past, identifying significant sites of architectural, social, cultural or historical importance in the city.
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There are named plaques installed in the sidewalk at various points along the route to point out the tour, the start and end of which is in front of the City Hall in Church Street, close to the west side of the bus terminal in Hamilton. You can do the trail at your leisure – in parts or in its entirety – and as it is circular, you finish up where you left of (if you do it in one!).
The City of Hamilton is named after Henry Hamilton who was Governor of Bermuda from 1788 to 1794. He was the founding father of the city and had a significant role in its formation in 1793 when an Act of Parliament declared it a town.
For many years, a central location was sought for the capital of Bermuda and in 1815 the capital was moved from St George’s to Hamilton, where it’s still the capital today. In 1897 Hamilton
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The tour has twenty-six parts or locations to it, where you’ll find guiding plaques:
• Church Street in Front of City Hall • Eastern gate of Victoria Park on Cedar Avenue • Cedar Avenue • Corner Decar Avenue and Angle Street • Junctions of North and Angle Streets • Corner of Angle and Court Streets • Corner of Elliot and Princes Streets • Corner of Dundonald and Court Streets • Dr E.F. Gordon Square on Dundonald Street • Corner of Dundonald and King Streets • Corner of King Street and Victoria Street • Victoria Street at Joell’s Alley • Corner of Victoria and Court Streets • Court Street between Victoria and Church Streets • Court Street between Church and Reid Streets • Corner Court and Front Streets • Front Street opposite Cenotaph • Corner of Parliament and Reid Street • Corner of Reid Street and Chancery Lane • South side of Front Street opposite Chancery Lane • Old Yacht Club Steps on Front Street • Corner of Front and Queen Streets • Corner of Queen and Reid Streets • Corner of Reid and Burnaby Streets • Corner of Burnaby and Church Streets • Return to City Hall You should give yourself two hours to complete the Heritage Walk if you wish to complete it in one sitting (or walk, as the case may be!).
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St. David’s Battery in Bermuda
Located in the north east of St. David’s Island in Bermuda lies St. David’s Battery, a strategic military battery built for the defence of Bermuda.
Also known as Great Head Battery because it is part of the larger Great Head National Park, its position as one of the highest and most eastern points in Bermuda meant it was an ideal lookout place as well as live gun and cannon station to defend the island against enemy and invasion.
It is now a national monument and a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a memorial for Bermudians and their countrymen during the wars and also for those lost at sea. It is open to the public as a tourist attraction and as well as it’s interesting military history, it offers some of the most breath-taking views anywhere in Bermuda.
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And, it’s not just the views that make it such a worthwhile place to visit on the tourist trail. Getting to the top of the cliffs where it is located involves a splendid nature walk where birds and other wildlife can be seen among the excellent flowers and shrubs dotted around. And, if the scenery of getting there and the magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean aren’t impressive enough, fans of history or armaments will marvel at the four guns in situ at the Battery.
Originally built in 1990 to defend Bermuda from enemies coming from the east, the Battery grew from a small lookout and early-warning station to a robust fort with the specific task to defend the entrance to the Narrows Channel which leads in to St. George’s Harbour. Although decommissioned in 1957, two 9.2 inch calibre guns and two 6 inch calibre guns still remain for tourists to see. The 9.2 inch gun is said to have a very impressive range of 7 miles and probably needed to be so formidable in order to defend Bermuda, as they were Bermuda’s only long- distance ballistic defence at the time.
The guns are the largest that have ever been mounted in Bermuda and were manned 24 hours a day during World War II. Astonishingly though, the guns were never fired against any enemy and were little fired even in practice – local residents weren’t too happy about the ear-piercing noise from the cannons and campaigned against their use so much that even practice drills were few and far between.
As well as stunning views that include St. George’s and Castle harbours, you can see the towns of St. George’s and St. David’s and the Battery is ideally placed to see the grand red and white construction that is St. David’s Lighthouse.
Adjacent to the St. David’s Battery is the Great Head National Park. This is a scenic area partly overlooking the ocean. The park is a popular venue for picnics.
There are trails across the park that go for miles and are lovely for walks. However, due to the hilly and uneven terrain, you need to be a little careful.
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Martello Tower in Bermuda
Martello towers are solid brick fort-like constructions that were built by the British Army in the eighteen hundreds as a base as well as a defence. They were built in an oval shape that allows for a full rotational view of the landscape. In addition, the ‘egg’ like structure gave the fort incredible strength and could take enormous bombardment from enemy fire.
Bermuda’s Martello Tower is the only one ever constructed on the Island and stands around forty feet high with walls an incredible nine to eleven feet think around it. Located at Ferry Point in St. George’s Bermuda, it was completed in 1828 and took 5 years to build. It was built at a strategic point to protect Bermuda from unwanted visitors who may arrive at what is now known as Ferry Reach, the channel that runs from St George Harbour to Castle Harbour.
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The tower also had only one solitary door which was elevated and accessed only by a ladder or walkway which could be raised or lowered from the inside, meaning that even if the enemy managed to invade Bermuda, the army could bunker up in the tower for as long as reinforcements took to arrive.
Traditionally, the British towers were either two to three stories tall and were base camp for around twenty men plus their commanding officer. The ground floor was usually the storeroom which held ammunitions, food and other supplies and provisions. The first floor was the living quarters where the men would cook, eat, bathe and sleep. The towers would, typically, have a cannon fixed on the top of the tower as its main artillery and would benefit from being able to be pointed in any direction to repel foe.
Such forts usually had one cannon mounted to the top and in 2008, Bermuda’s tower was restored, complete with a cannon borrowed from Fort St. Catherine to provide as much originality as possible to the tower.
Apparently, Martello Towers are named after Cape Mortella, a place in Corsica where, in 1794, around 20 soldiers in an egg-shaped tower put up a tremendous fight against an overwhelming and vastly-numbered British attack. Despite ultimately losing the fight to the British, the Corsicans’ tower held for an immense amount of time. The British adapted the structure for their own purposes and built them at several colonial overseas territories.
Although the one at Ferry Point is unique in Bermuda, plans for two other Mortello Towers at the Royal Naval Dockyard were drawn up to protect the Island from French or American invaders, but never saw fruition.
If you love military history, as well as wonderful walks and excellent scenic views, you’ll be impressed with Bermuda’s Martello Tower. It is open from 10am to 2pm during the summer time. The Bermuda Department of Parks can arrange special viewing if required.
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Fort George Bermuda
Construction of amazing Fort George commenced in 1612. It is a superb example of the history of Bermuda, as it is one of the first settlers’ first military installations, built not long after arriving on our shores from Britain.
Its purpose was to guard the north of the Island and formed part of quite an imposing string of defences that sprung up around St. George’s. It started life as Riches Mount, named after Governor Moore, and was a mere small wooden lookout turret and, after this was destroyed by a hurricane in 1619, was rebuilt to include a gun fixture.
It then remained relatively unchanged for around 160 years, when it was given a massive and swift upgrade by British Royal Engineers and quickly grew in size to become a defence of some power
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Completed and renamed Fort George in 1788, after the British monarch King George III, it was a defiant act by the British after the US victory in the War.
In the 1840′s, it was further enhanced to become a redoubt fort (this is where a military installation has armaments on the exterior and interior of a building or site – a sort of double protection system). It was built in an 8-pointed star shape which can still clearly be seen, particularly from aerial photographs, and comprised an inner keep with protective, perimeter wall and dry moat with access by drawbridge. It had munitions inside and outside the perimeter wall as well as a 150 ft (45m) escape tunnel and was manned round-the-clock.
In 1871, several 11-inch rifled muzzle loader guns – which are, as the name suggests, loaded from the muzzle or gun barrel – each weighing a massive 25 tons and manufactured by the oyal Gun Factory of London, were installed to protect the Island. One of these remains today and is eerily pointed towards the cruise ships docked at St. George’s Town!
Because of the Fort’s spectacular and distant viewpoints from St. George’s Harbour around to St. David’s Island and the Atlantic Ocean, the Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre has set up its headquarters here and the Fort is now a hub of national and international maritime operations.
Owned and run by the Government of Bermuda Department of Marine & Ports Services, Fort George is now home to search and rescue under Rescue Co-ordination Centre (RCC) which often receives distress calls covering the whole of the Western Atlantic Ocean, management of identification of traffic under Vessel Traffic Surveillance Center (VTS) and vital communications and relay services using the Coast Radio Station (CRS).
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Alexandra Battery
There are several historical forts to see in Bermuda and one of them that you should visit is Alexandra Battery. Situated at the north east edge of Bermuda in St. George’s Parish, Alexandra Battery and Fort was first built around 1860.
When Alexandra Battery was built, it replaced an existing fort known as Buildings Bay Battery, of which very little is now known.
It is named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark. Alexandra was the daughter of King Christian IX of Denmark. When she was 17, she married a young Englishman called Edward, who just happened to be the son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert!
This young man would go on to become Edward VII, King of Great Britain and Emperor of India. The royal marriage took place in 1863 and Alexandra Battery in Bermuda was built a few years later and named in her honour.
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Without digressing too much away from the fort, it’s interesting to note that Alexandra’s full official title was “Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions; Empress Consort of India”.
The difference between a ‘queen consort’ and having the title of just ‘queen’ is one of ascent and heir to the throne. A queen consort, historically, is the wife of the heir to the throne and therefore has married in to the position of the king’s wife. Usually, they have power in title only and queens consort do not share the king’s political and military powers. When the heir to the throne is female and becomes queen in her own right regardless of marriage, she is known as a ‘queen regnant’ and have full monarchical powers, such as Queen Elizabeth II has today. Most queens in history were queens consort and many of them chose to keep their title of princess for many matters like Alexandra did.
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Alexandra Fort is situated in the geographically-strategic, fort-heavy part of Bermuda and is less than a mile away from the St. Catherine’s Fort as well as the Gates Fort.
During Alexandra’s reign, the fort was given a full modernisation including the installation of two 6- inch guns known as rifle breech loaders to protect the coastline of Bermuda from unwelcome visitors. Rifle breech loaders are loaded from the back or rear of the gun, leaving the personnel less exposed than side or front loaders and allow guns to be fitted in smaller turrets as well as allowing them to be loaded faster – a massive advantage over other guns and a necessity during conflict.
The guns at Fort Alexandra also had shields, known as Gibraltar Shields or flash plates, which were large sheets of metal that protected gunners from incoming fire. There is still one such specimen on site for visitors to see.
The fort was manned full-time during the first and second world wars, yet the guns never had to be used during any conflict.
As well as visiting the Fort for its amazing cultural and historical attractions, tourists also get breath-taking ocean views and can marvel at the beach just under their feet – one of Bermuda’s plentiful but world-rare sea glass beaches.
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The Birdcage in Hamilton
When in Hamilton, you may well see policemen posing for tourists’ photographs at a lovely looking human-sized birdcage located at the junction of Front Street and Queen Street.
The ‘birdcage’ as it’s known is bizarrely and charmingly called the birdcage not for looking like a giant home to domestic two-winged pets, but rather it is called it after its designer and creator Geoffrey Bird.
The blue and white metal structure – which has been a model for many a jewellery piece and fireplace ornament – was created by Geoffrey as a shelter for traffic police in order to protect them from the elements when directing traffic in times past. The junction now has traffic lights, but before these were installed, police had to control often heavy traffic and jams by hand and arm
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Geoffrey, who dedicated his to Bermuda through his work, passed by one day and dreamed up the birdcage after “seeing a policeman standing there and realising he needed to be protected from the elements”.
Now a popular landmark in Bermuda, these days it’s just a posing station rather than a police station for those on the beat.
The cage has been there since the mid-nineteen fifties and isn’t going anywhere soon; you will often see policemen wearing the world-famous Bermuda shorts posing for pictures with and for tourists.
As well as the birdcage, Geoffrey was also responsible for many things in Bermuda and will be fondly remembered by locals. He lived a full life and distinguished life and sadly passed away in 2011. An Englishman, he moved to Bermuda not long after the Second World War to refurbish the Princess Hotel in 1948.
Before arriving in Bermuda, he had an illustrious British naval career as a pilot and air gunnery officer and was highly decorated, receiving the Russian Convoy Medal, Malta Defence Medal, the General Service Medal, the Atlantic Star and the 1939-1945 star among others.
During his time in Bermuda, Geoffrey served as the Corporation of Hamilton’s first engineer and surveyor was responsible for the construction of City Hall, the fire station on King Street, the Belmont Hotel, KEMH, Reid House and the British American Building. A keen sailor, he also co- founded the Marion to Bermuda sailing race in 1975 and introduced the concept of condominiums to Bermuda. He also fought for reduction of the working week of construction workers from 60 hours to 45 hours and succeeded.
Other notable, yet not exhaustive, positions he held were: Commodore at The Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club; President of the Royal Naval Officers Association and The Mariners Club; and as Chairman of the Bermuda Sailors’ Home.
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Geoffrey also served as an executive committee member of the Bermuda National Trust and was a Maritime Museum trustee. Geoffrey will live long in the memory of many people, not least by policemen and people who know the history of the birdcage, and by his wife Jean and step- children Wyndham and Conway Bennett.
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Town Crier of St. George’s in Bermuda
The town of St. George’s is one of the biggest attractions for tourists in Bermuda, especially because it is a Unesco World Heritage site and because it was the first town built on the island by the colonists in 1612.
There are many things to see and visit in the former capital of Bermuda such as the replica of the Deliverance onOrdnance Island, one the ships built by the first settlers who shipwrecked on the island. Amongst the many attractions available, the Town Crier of St. George’s is one that many visitors remember long after their time here.
The tradition of the town crier of St. Georges is inherited from the old British tradition of town crier, an officer of the court in charge of making public announcements such as market days, government proclamations, bylaws, adverts and so on.
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As in many other cities all around the world, St. George’s has kept alive the tradition of town crier and has made it an attraction for tourists. The town crier of St. George’s is part of the folklore of the town and is usually playing his part in the Town Square of St. George’s every weekday at noon.
One of the roles of the town crier was to announce the specific punishments that were going to be administered to those who had broken the law. In Bermuda, the traditions consist of consign criminals to the stocks and leave them here for several days exposed to the public, or to be pilloried and whipped, to be submitted to ducking stool sessions, or even executed. These sentences were announced and led by the town crier of St. George’s and they are today re-enacted for tourists.
On King’s Square, there are replica of the cedar wood stocks and whipping posts to show how the punishments were inflicted and everyday some tourists are locked into the stocks for diverse punishments. Just before noon, the Town Crier of St. Georges enters the square and chose some tourists to form the ducking crew before announcing the start of the trial. Some tourists are chosen by the Mayor to be the jury and to judge others tourists usually found guilty. Some of them are locked into the stocks while others are being dunked up to five times in the water as a punishment.
The current town crier of St. Georges is Mr David Firth who has held the position since 2004. He once won the top prize at the Armada Cup, the English international town crier competition. In this type of competition, the town criers are judged on their diction, the clarity of their voice, their consistent pitch and volume as well as their appearance.
The former town crier of St. George’s, E Michael Jones, also won the Armada Cup back in 2000, while the most famous town crier of St. George’s is Major D.H. Burns, MC, who in the mid 1980′s became the holder of the Guinness World Record for the loudest human speaking voice. His was recorded at 113 decibels.
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Old Devonshire Parish Church
The history of Bermuda dates back from the early 17th century when the Sea Venture of George Somers and his crew were shipwrecked on the reefs at the north of the island.
The most treasured buildings of Bermuda are those who were erected by the first settlers and are still standing. They tell the history of the country and are witnesses of how it was built. The Old Devonshire Parish Church is one of many religious buildings of Bermuda where religion played and still plays an important part in the island’s life.
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The actual Old Devonshire Parish Church was reconstructed in 1970 after it was extensively burnt down by an anonymous arsonist on Easter Sunday, but it retains its original form and design. It is located at the junction of Middle Road and Brighton Hill Road, on the same site where the first Old Devonshire Parish Church was erected in 1624. This very old building was first destroyed by a hurricane in 1715 and reconstructed in 1716, and that is on these foundations that the actual building is standing.
The church doesn’t exactly look like a classic church but more like a small cottage. While the first church was thatched in palmetto, its outside is built with limestone and wood since 1716. But it is the interior that is the most interesting part of the Old Devonshire Parish Church. You can see the presence in the construction of ship’s knees, a piece of timber shaped as a right angle used to secure parts of a ship together. This shows that the same skills used in the construction of ships were used to build churches at the time and that they were applied by the same workers.
The interior of the Old Devonshire Parish Church features some great woodwork made of Bermuda cedar such as the pulpit and the pews, and the altar screen which has carvings of heart and lilies, symbols of love and purity. The oldest object that can be found in the church is a silver plate bearing the date of 1590 engraved with the Tudor rose. It is thought to have been brought from England especially for the first church and is the oldest object on the island.
About 15-minute walk from the Old Devonshire Parish Church is the new Devonshire Parish Church, the Christ Church that was built in 1815 because the old church has become too small for the growing congregation. The new church is off a Gothic style that contrasted strongly with the minimalist and very simple design of the old church. In the small graveyard of the Old Devonshire Church is a hearse house built in 1817 in the same style as the main building, climbing roses, flaming poinsettia plants and old cedars. This makes the place a favourite for candlelight weddings and a national icon.
Anyone can visit the Old Devonshire Parish Church for free, with tours every Wednesday from 10:30 am. There is a mass celebrated every Sunday at 8 am, with Matins and Sermons held at 11 am.
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See Carter House in Bermuda
Most of the oldest buildings of Bermuda have a relation with the first settlers of the island and Carter House is one of them. Located on St. David’s Island on the site of the former U.S. Navy base, the house is believed to have been built around 1640 by the descendants of a crew member of the Sea Venture.
Christopher Carter was in fact one of the three settlers who stayed behind on the island to continue the British claim of Bermuda when the rest of Sir George Somers crew left for Virginia on the Deliverance in 1610.
The building is a perfect example of Bermuda’s old vernacular architecture. Made of Bermuda stone, it is one of the rare buildings to have survived all the hurricanes, even Fabian, the devastating hurricane of 2003 that caused so much damage to the island.
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One of Carter’s great granddaughters Martha Hayward lived for many years in the house at the start of the 18thcentury. After being used as a beauty parlour by the American forces during the U.S. Military operation between 1941 and 1955, it became the St David’s Historical Society Museum in 1995.
The Carter House is set on a hillside, on the Southside Road, about a mile east of Swing Bridge and is accessible by taxi or scooter. The particularity of Carter House is that it was built of white stone while most of houses in Bermuda were made of wood in the 17th century. It has two floors, the upper being reached by an outside staircase in the middle of the facade. Each of the gable ends are supported by large chimneys. In order to protect it against the winds, the house was built on a hillside.
The museum occupies now the Carter House, but the original cooking fireplace has been kept and is still visible. Inside the house, there are artefacts and objects related to the life and values of the inhabitants of St. David’s Island. This part of the island is usually described as one of the most rugged and hardy districts. You can see in the Carter House exhibitions on the history of St. David’s Island such as fishing, whaling, piloting and farming. There are various objects like dolls and children toys made from palmetto leaves, some objects made from Bermuda cedars and a 4 metres traditional Bermuda sailing dinghy.
The Carter House reopened in 2001 after a renovation of 3 years and is accessible without admission fee every Wednesday, usually between 10am and 3pm. However, it is recommended to check the entry times before going over. The surroundings are lovely and you can walk about while you are there. Since recently, the government Bermudian is working on restoring endemic plantations around the house. If you take the time to explore around Carter House, you will discover types of endemic trees and plants such as loquats and palmettos.
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St. James Anglican Church in Bermuda
Religion plays an important part in the past and present history of Bermuda. Amongst the religions practised on the island, is the Anglican Church with a dozen of churches built in Bermuda.
St. James Anglican Church, on the parish of Sandy’s is one of them, and a beautiful example. Like many buildings erected in the early years of Bermuda’s settlement, the St. James Anglican church was first made of wood before it was destroyed like many others by a hurricane in 1780.
It took a few years for the church to be finally rebuilt and it was done in 1789 mostly with Bermuda limestone. The actual iron gates that are welcoming the congregation and the visitors to the church grounds were added this year. It was the engineers from the Royal Naval Dockyard who designed and installed them.
As it happened too many of the churches in Bermuda, the St. James Anglican church was given some more features, notably a spire in 1880. It was created by a local resident, Henry Hinson, who was known for having designed many other spires for the churches of Bermuda. The spire stood
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The altar is also one of the features of St. James, even a unique one since it faces west instead of east like it is customary in churches.
The church sits on a high ground at the end of a sweeping driveway found beyond an imposing entrance. The place is located on Somerset Road and overlooks the ocean, offering a picturesque setting and some of the most breath-taking views of the sunset on the island.
During the time when the United States had a naval base on St. David’s Island not far from there, St. James Anglican church was regularly attended by the U.S. Navy sailors. It is also the reason why the grounds of the church were used as a burial place for U.S. Navy aviators whom aircrafts crashed in Bermuda in the 1940′s and 1950′s.
Recently, the St. James Anglican church made history when it became in 2010 the first church in Bermuda to have a service celebrated by a woman priest. After 400 years of presence on the island, it was the first time that a vote in favour of women clergy was made by the Anglican Church of Bermuda.
Rev Joanna Pauline Hollis delivered a sermon on January 3, 2010, at the 10:30am service in St. James Church, in presence of her father, the priest in charge at the church, while she was on holiday in the island. If she was the first woman to celebrate in an Anglican church in Bermuda, it is also because no woman has ever applied for a clergy vacancy here.
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Featherbed Alley Printery, St. George
There are many places to visit while in Bermuda, and the variety of subjects means that there is something for everyone and every taste. But even if you are not a fervent historian, the Featherbed Alley Printery, in St. George should definitely be in your list of visits not to be missed.
This shop is located on Featherbed Alley, just around the corner from the Historical Society Museum and has the particularity to be the exact replica of an 18th century print shop.
The Featherbed Alley Printery museum features amongst other pieces a replica of the Gutenberg press, the one which was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1445. This was the first printing book which served to print the first ever book, the Gutenberg Bible in 1452. The museum is housed on the lower level of the Mitchell House, built in the 1720′s, in what used to be the servants’ quarters. Featherbed Alley Printery is for the most part dedicated to the first printing business of Bermuda, which published the first island’s newspaper, the Bermuda Gazette in 1784.
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Its owner Joseph Stockdale used to operate its business from the cellar of his house on Printer’s Alley. The newspaper lost many of its subscribers when it was moved to Hamilton after it became the capital of Bermuda in 1815 and was forced to close down. Early editions of the Bermuda Gazette can also be seen in the museum.
The replica Gutenberg press of the Featherbed Alley Printery was used for more than 300 years and is still able to produce printed material. It can be seen in action 5 days a week thanks to the passionate people who run the museum. The place is open to the public for a small fee Monday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and closed between 11am and 2pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
While you are in St. George, take the time to visit the many other places of the historic town and a UNESCO World Heritage town. Right next to the Featherbed Alley Printery is the St. George’s Historical Society Museum, a great example of the Bermudian architecture in the 18th century.
There you will see examples of antique and period furniture’s, old documents, paintings and even a rare bible. You can also visit the original kitchen that has been kept as it was. Of course, don’t miss the King’s Square, the centre of the town surrounded by many historical buildings and with features such as the replica of a pillory and stocks. These were used to punish criminals and expose them to the public. The Town Hall is on King’s Square and is used as a meeting place by the corporation governing St. George. You can visit the building which has antique cedar furniture’s and a gallery of portraits of the previous Lord Mayor. You can also watch a multimedia presentation called Bermuda Journey that is shown several times a day.
Near the Town Hall is the Visitors Service Bureau where you can get information about the area, with times of opening of the different venues and the cost of admission, as well as maps of St.George.
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Whale Bay Battery in Bermuda
When you visit Bermuda, take the time to walk about and discover the landscapes and the sites that are part of the island’s history like the Whale Bay Battery, in Southampton.
It is a great way to understand how the island has become what it is now and to feel its pulse. There are many vestiges of historical as well as of architectural interests, some that can be found during walks and excursions on the shores or in the countryside of Bermuda.
The Whale Bay Battery can be found in the parish of Southampton, in the West Whale Bay Park, on the South Shore. It was part of the Whale Bay Fort, one of several forts built on the south coast of Bermuda during the middle of the 18th century before the American Revolutionary War. The Whale Bay Battery was in fact built a century later near the fort by two companies of the 15th Foot of the Bermuda Regiment to reinforce the guard at the entrance to a the Hogfish Cut.
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This channel used by small boats was very valuable to local shipping as it allowed vessels to travel along the western coast toward the Royal Naval Dockyard. The Hogfish Cut could also have been used by the enemy to gain entry to the land and quickly access the Dockyard.
The Whale Bay Battery is the best kept part of the fort that used to be known as Fort Newbold after the name of its commanding officer, Captain William Newbold. This was a half-moon-shaped fort built on a perfect vantage point, overlooking West Whale Bay and the ocean battering the southern face of Bermuda.
The only remnants of the fort are the Whale Bay Battery walls, its barracks and the impressive underground magazine rooms. These are safely standing and can be easily explored, making for a few hours of fun and adventure for everyone, especially families. The Whale Bay Battery was equipped with 4.5 inch calibre guns with the capacity to shot up to 6 miles away at sea.
The fort and its battery were in use until the end of World War II and are more impressive than the military installation that can be found at Church Bay.
Nearby is the beach of West Whale Bay, a place named that way because it was from here that Bermudian whalers used to launch their boats. It is still possible to sometimes see humpback whales on route from the Caribbean to their feeding grounds for the summer. A good thing to do when in Whale Bay is to visit the Whale Bay Battery during high tide when the beach is inaccessible and to enjoy the ocean sunset from the beach.
The area has a grassy patch with picnic tables and restrooms and the bay is considered by locals as a prime location for shore fishing with potential catches of bonefish, grey snapper, pompano and great barracuda. The location of the beach at the bottom of a rocky cliff offers a great seclusion and the calm and shallow waters are ideal for children as well as snorkelling.
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Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church in Bermuda
Bermuda is a very religious island, especially due to its history and since the times of the slavery. There are literally churches that can be seen at many road junctions, the majority of them old and great examples of the different architectural styles that can be found on the island.
In the case of the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church, this building is simply the oldest existing Methodist one on the island. It was built by the free Blacks and slaves of the Warwick Parish and was achieved on November 17th, 1827 after they spent two years of their free time and often nights to erect this one room church.
The building of the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church was made possible buy the then Chief Justice Hon. James Christie Esten who allowed the release of a piece of land for it. This was after he was persuaded by a popular preacher and slave from Barbados, Edward Fraser. He was also the leader of a congregation in Warwick and the one who convinced the slaves to erect the church.
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Under his encouragement, they built the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church with blocks of Bermuda stones from local quarries. Later, Fraser was freed and travelled to England and the West Indies as a Methodist missionary.
The Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church is located on Moonlight Lane, a street named that way in commemoration of the work made by night by the slaves to build the church. This building has an important place in the heart of the Black’s of Warwick community because it was the first time they were able to worship without having to hide.
The Black Bermudians became supporters of the Methodist Church at the beginning of the
19th century when missionary Reverend John Stephenson starting preaching to slaves. This was the reason he was jailed a year after his arrival.
Today, many of the members of the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church congregation are in fact descendants from the same slaves who built the original steeple and small sanctuary. The bell in the tower was added soon after the completion and the part that is now used as the church hall was added in 1967.
But that is the sanctuary that is the most interesting part of the church. Since 1827, this small structure has resisted too many storms and changing times. The cedar beams as well as the blocks and slates of Bermuda limestone are still there and stand as witnesses of the island history. This could be considered as a precursor of times because slavery was officially abolished a few years after its construction in 1834.
The importance of the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church has resulted in its inclusion on the African Diaspora Trail, a self-guided route that invites people to discover the history of slavery in Bermuda. It is also a designated UNESCO Slave Route Project.
However, if you are planning on visiting the Cobb’s Hill Methodist Church, it is only open for the Sunday worship service at 9.30 and Wednesday prayer evening times.
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Darrell’s Wharf
There are many great places in Bermuda, and the nine parishes all offer some amazing views and features. But there is one that has it all, the parish of Warwick, with some south shore beaches and national parks amongst others. It is also the parish that has the most ferry stops on the island. Darrell’s Wharf, is one of these ferry stops as well as one of the attractions of the parish.
Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick is a ferry dock on the Harbour Road, located just at the border between the parishes of Warwick and Paget. The Darrell’s Wharf port is situated on the ferry road that links the parishes of Hamilton and Warwick and is used by local residents as well as visitors of hotels nearby that are not directly served by buses. It offers a quicker alternative to the buses and taxis to go from Warwick’s Parish to Hamilton with a crossing that lasts only 15 minutes.
Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick is more importantly the closest ferry stop on the land for the residents of Hinson’s Island. It is one of the thirty or so islands of the Great Sound and the one closest to the
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA parish of Warwick. Because it is a relatively small island and that the fauna and flora is remarkable, cars are not allowed on Hinson’s Island. For that reason, residents have no other choice than leaving their cars on the main land and take the ferry between the island and Darrell’s Wharf, Warwick every morning and evening.
However, the stop is only an optional stop on the ferry road between Hamilton and Darrell’s Wharf. Therefore, passengers who board at Warwick have to signal the crew in advance if they wish to get off at Hinson’s Island. If they wish to board at Hinson’s Island stop on the way to Hamilton or Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick, they need to raise a flag to divert the ferry from the direct route.
But Darrell’s Wharf, Warwick is not only practical; it is also a great beauty spot with an amazing view of the Great Sound and all its islands. It is definitely a place worth a visit for photographs and those looking for traditional sights of Bermuda.
The seascapes are unique with views of the nearby Hinson’s Island of course, but also the Doctors Island, Reid Island and Spectacle Island on the right, and more than a dozen others on the left. A sunset from Darrell’s Wharf, Warwick on the Great Sound is also a magnificent sight not to be missed.
Due to its location at the end of the north shore channel of Hamilton’s Harbour, Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick is an ideal place to watch cruise ships entering or leaving the harbour escorted by tugboats. Used by cruise ships since 1896, this narrow channel is called the Two Rock Passage.
Darrell’s Wharf in Warwick is a great place where to stay during your vacation in Bermuda. The Wharf Executive Suites is a boutique hotel located right next to the ferry stop and has rooms facing the harbour. Initially designed for business travellers, it is one of the most modern hotels in Bermuda.
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Christ Church, Warwick, Bermuda
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Warwick is one the richest parish of Bermuda when it comes to attractions and Christ Church is certainly one of them. The church is located on Middle Road, right across Belmont Hills Golf Club. A full member of the Church of Scotland since 2001, it was built in 1719 by on a land given by a member of Warwick Tribe, Thomas Gilbert.
On the 24th of April of this year, he granted one-half acre of land to the ‘people of the Presbyterian persuasion’ so that they could erect a meeting house.
The original walls of Christ Church erected by some of the English Puritans who established the first settlements in Bermuda are still standing. During the last 200 years or so, Christ Church underwent a few works: in 1837, the church had the height of its walls increased, the actual tower was built, a new roof was put on, and larger windows were added. Then in 1958, Christ Church was reconstructed and only one of the three galleries used by choirs at different times was kept, the North one.
However, certain features of Christ Church have been kept, such as a small cedar ‘Whitefield’ pulpit thought to be dating from 1719. During the first reconstruction in 1837, a slave freed a few years before Emancipation Day, James Williams, built a mahogany pulpit, the same one that is now used with the canopy or sounding board. He was later buried in the Northeast corner of Christ Church yard and his grave, the number 150, can still be seen.
Amongst the notable features of Christ Church, the stained glass window was added in 1922 and the organ that was installed in 1968 was built by Mr. Mander of London, while the candelabra are the work of Mr. Henshaw of Edinburgh. The first one was bought with a donation from a Mr. Purvis, and the second were offered by two members of the community.
Christ Church is completed by the Thorburn Hall located on the West of the church. It was built in 1893 in commemoration of the Reverend Walter Thorburn who was minister of Christ Church between 1852 and 1886. Like the church, Thorburn Hall had seen some changes during the years. 1964 saw the addition of the West Hall and the kitchen and the foundation stones of the new church hall were laid in 1978. The following year, the Thorburn Hall was completely renovated, composed of four new small halls, as well as two porches, the Hutchings Porch and the McCallan Porch.
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The yard of Christ Church is also where are buried the soldiers of the Black Watch who died of yellow fever during the time the regiment was stationed in Bermuda, from1847 and 1851.
The origins of Christ Church are English, but there are always been strong links with Scottish ministers. In 1843, the congregation started procedure to become part of the Free Church of Scotland and that’s in 1844 that the name Christ’s Church was adopted, later shortened to Christ Church by usage. The church became officially part of the Free Church of Scotland in 1845, then of the Church of Scotland in 1929 when the split in the Church was healed.
The Venetian
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Bermuda is synonymous of world-class lifestyle attracting the rich and famous of the world but also many holidaymakers who want to treat themselves with a vacation of a lifetime.
In many regards, the island could be compared to the Monte-Carlo of the Atlantic Ocean. In view of the many magnificent yachts anchored in Bermuda’s harbours, it is definitely the right comparison. Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to own one of these vessels, but that doesn’t mean we can’t spend some time in one of them and live like a celebrity for a day. Thanks to The Venetian, the best private party charter according to the Best of Bermuda Awards 2011, it is possible. A cruise on The MV Venetian is without any doubt the ultimate Bermuda luxurious experience.
Aboard this ship, you are the priority number of the captain and his crew and you can virtually go wherever you want around the island. The Venetian is something more than just a boat, it is a fully self-contained Azimut Yacht measuring 100 feet. Your comfort and pleasure were at the heart of its conception and building. While you will be taken to the destination of your choice, you will forget any worries or little glitches that a normal day brings you.
Spend your day whatever way it pleases you aboard The Venetian. it is the best private party charter for many reasons. You can choose between having a cocktail party, a dinner for two or more, a buffet meal, a barbecue, a breakfast, a day of swimming and playing in the sea, or a snorkelling expedition. There is no end to what you can do on your cruise. Why not for example getting a massage or have the place decorated specially by a florist. The Venetian is also one of the top wedding locations in Bermuda and is often chosen by professional photographers as a base for their photo shoots.
The vessel is a bit like a massive mansion on water and has many great features. The open-air Fly Bridge has comfy leather sofas and a marble-topped bar, and is adjacent to a deck with lounge chairs. The Aft Deck has a teak table where you can host an al fresco dinner for up to 12 people and a centre access that turns down to a diving platform. The deck is separated from the elegant main salon by curved 180 degree stainless doors.
The salon is a spacious and gracefully finished area furnished with a couch, four matching chairs if necessary, a coffee table and some reading lamps. Across from the sofa is a gorgeous cabinet hosting an automatic pop up flat screen television. On the other side of the salon is the dining room, with built-in cabinets for the china and table service. Up to height people can seat at the
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It is possible to go onto an overnight cruise aboard The Venetian thanks to its four magnificent staterooms. Fall asleep with the rocking of gentle waves and wake up to an amazing sunrise and turquoise waters. Each room has everything you would expect from such a great place: adjoining bathroom, DVD and CD players, plasma screens and their own climate control.
The Venetian can also be used to hold business meetings and can be rented for breakfast (2 hours), lunch (3 hours), and dinner (4 hours).
Venetian, Bermuda - 32 Bermudiana Road, Hamilton, HM 11; 441 704 3000; http://www.venetian.bm
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Love & Romance at The Great Sound
Bermuda is an idyllic island with many places it is easy to fall in love with. The ever-growing number of weddings and honeymoons organised here seems to strongly suggest that the island is also an ideal place to celebrate love. If you are not in Bermuda as part of a couple, you don’t have to feel let down because the island is a perfect place to found love. If you are a couple not married yet, then Bermuda is the perfect place to make this love official.
Of course, there are many places where to declare your love on the island, whether it is new or a few years old. If you haven’t plan anything yet, you will have an amazing choice of venues and natural settings. From the classic beach of pink sand or a luxurious restaurant to the top of the Gibbs Lighthouse, the highest point on the island, or even an underwater proposal if you are both fans of scuba-diving, you are guaranteed to find the best place to make your feelings official.
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There is however somewhere that was voted the best place for falling in love in Bermuda in the Best of Bermuda Awards of the Bermudian. A sunset cruise on the Great Sound is without doubt one of the most romantic things you will ever have the chance to do. The Great Sound is definitely one of the best places to sail in Bermuda. Shaped naturally by the island, it is a kind of huge square of water bordered by the island on three sides and open to the Atlantic Ocean in its North side.
The Great Sound is that body of water surrounded by the southwest of the island, forming Hamilton Harbour in the east. When you arrive in Bermuda on a cruise and stop at the Royal Naval Dockyard, you are just at the entry of the Great Sound. The coral reef that goes from the Dockyard to the Stovell Bay right across forms a kind of barrier that stops the waves and current from the Atlantic Ocean. That is why the waters of the Great Sound give this impression of calm compared to the more agitated outer shores.
A sunset cruise on the Great Sound is a fantastic experience because you have the opportunity to see the sunset on the Atlantic Ocean. The islands that form the part of Bermuda between the Dockyard and the Somerset Island are not big enough to spoil the amazing view that it is. At sunset, the whole of the Great Sound is coloured and the atmosphere is fairy-tale like. There are also a dozen very small islands in the western part of the Great Sound that look amazing with the sunset behind them. Clearly it is the ideal setting to fall in love.
There are many ways to go onto a sunset cruise in the Great Sound. Depending on your budget, you can either go onto a charter boat or a catamaran, or even borrow a friend’s boat! You will also be able to choose between cruises on glass-bottom boats to see how the marine undergrounds look at sunset or cocktail cruises to sip a sexy drink while admiring the sun drowning in the ocean.
So if you are looking for somewhere to fall in love, propose or declare your undying love, make your way to Bermuda and get on a sunset cruise on the Great Sound.
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St. Mark’s Church, Smith’s Parish, Bermuda
This beautiful and finely designed Anglican Church is a great example of Gothic style and one of the nicest of the Smith’s Parish churches.
Excavation works in 1998 revealed that it is in fact the third church built around the site: the original Harris Bay Church was first erected across the street, South Road, in the mid 1600′s before being rebuilt on the same spot in 1712.
It was following the fall of the church during renovation works that St. Mark’s Church was finally built on the site. The cornerstone was laid in 1847, while the church was named St. Mark’s in 1857 after the apostle who wrote the second gospel. At the time, the church was a simple square construction, with arched windows and a gable roof.
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The only relic left from the original Harris Bay Church, that stood where the graveyard now is, is a silver chalice dated from 1676. A Gothic tower of over 100 feet high and an octagonal spire topped by a cross were added later in 1876 by Reverend George Tucker and parishioner Jeremiah Scott Pearman, who dedicated his time to the care and ornamentation of St. Mark’s Church.
Bermuda limestone was used for the front of the church, which was created by convicts. Inside, the pews are made of mahogany logs from the Turks Islands, while the altar, pulpit and reredos are all made of Bermuda cedar wood and carved by a local artist.
The first chime bell-ringing took place on Sunday, May 14, 1911, to honour Reverend George Tucker who died in 1908 after being rector of St. Mark’s for nearly 40 years. The chimes consisted of 10 bronze bells cast in England and were the first chime bells in Bermuda. The smallest of the bells measures 18 inches in diameter, weighing 126 pounds, and the biggest is over 37 inches and weighs 1011 pounds. There is another single bell on a swing wheel that was cast in New York and presented to the church in1879.
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St. Mark’s Church is also known for its graveyard where the graves are elevated. Former US Consul General Charles Maxwell Allan is buried here, who died in Bermuda in 1888.
Works have started in April this year to enlarge the pavement that passes along the church on South Road which will push the wall of the graveyard back 4 feet.
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Camden House, Warwick, Bermuda
Camden House, the official residence of Bermuda’s Premier, is an 18th century Georgian building situated in the centre of the Bermuda Botanical Gardens.
It is not the home of the Premier, however, who lives somewhere else on the Island, and is used for Bermuda Government functions and other events. The Carol Service in December is one of the popular functions that take place in the gardens at the front of the Camden House. There is also a vegetable garden at the back of the house.
The Government-owned building is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays between 12pm and 2pm and admission is free. Some of the outside features like the veranda, the porch and the bow windows of the dining-room and drawing-room were added by Henry James Tucker who bought the house in 1823. He was Mayor of Hamilton between 1851 and 1870. He built an arrowroot
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The front hall features a cedar staircase and a freehand blown glass light, as well as one of the items on permanent loan from the National Trust: a Bermuda cedar chest with cabriole legs dating from the 1750′s. The carved cedar panelling in the hall and the dining-room, and the furniture of the dining-room are from the 1800′s and are said to have taken 30 years to complete.
There are many antique furniture’s in Camden House, mainly made of Bermuda cedar, some original and some reproduced by modern local craftsmen including panels of bird’s-eye cedar, the dining-room table, chairs and serving plates, window surrounds and ceiling moulding and a William and Mary cushion mirror.
On the way to the first floor you can admire the portraits of five former Premiers and on the landing is a carved walnut chest from the Italian Renaissance. The study is filled with cedar bookshelves and in the gallery is a Regency rosewood pedestal table with a large silver epergne on top.
The drawing room, opposite the gallery, has a magnificent Waterford crystal chandelier, as well as a Sheraton console table and a cedar chest dating from the second part of the 1700′s. On each side of the room are Adam-style fireplaces with columns.
Camden House is a great example of casual elegance and has received many political dignitaries such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former US Secretary of State General Colin Powell and Princess Margaret.
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King’s Square, St. George’s, Bermuda
King’s Square is at the heart of the historic town of St. George, the place where Bermuda’s history started and where the men of Sir George Somers first landed on the Island after their ship Sea Venture crashed on the reefs in 1609.
It is a designated UNESCO world heritage site and a must-see if you are going to the eastern part of the Island.
However, King’s Square, also referred to as the Town Square, and wasn’t created before the 19th century when a marshy part of St. George ’s harbour was filled. Some of the buildings that surround the square, however, are much older and part of the town’s and island’s history.
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The Bank of Butterfield is Bermuda’s oldest bank and has a building on King’s Square. The imposing building was built in 1776 and was originally used by troops as a mess during the American Revolutionary War. It was then transformed into a hotel before the bank bought it and restored it to its original state.
The Town Hall is on the east side of King’s Square and was built in 1782. You can visit sections of it and admire its wonderful floors and ceilings made of cedar wood, a species native to Bermuda. History buffs will be able to learn about the mayors of St. George whose portraits are displayed inside. These days, the hall is still used by the civic governments for meetings.
The Bermuda National Trust Museum is a 17th century building edified by Governor Samuel Day. It was turned into The Globe Hotel in the 19th century and, during the American Civil War, became the office of the Confederate Agent. It was later bought by the Bermuda National Trust and has been a museum since 1961.
The Square is also home to restaurants such as the White Horse Tavern, one of the oldest pub in
Bermuda, and the George and Dragon, located in another 18th century building.
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History is also present in the forms of replica of stocks and pillory outside the Bank of Butterfield.
They were used in the 18th century’s British colonial days to punish those found guilty of drunkenness or other petty crimes. They are, of course, not in use any more but still functional and it is almost a tradition for tourists to get their photo taken with their head and hands through the stocks’ holes.
The other main tourist attraction of the square is another punishment artefact: it is a replica of a ducking stool on which nagging and gossiping women were sat and ducked into the water for punishment! The replica is now used to re-enact the punishments with actors and volunteers taking part many days a week.
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St. David’s Lighthouse, Bermuda
Bermuda has two lighthouses, Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse on the south-west and St. David’s Lighthouse on the north-east.
Located on the eastern end of St. David’s Island, the lighthouse of the same name is over a 130 years old and sits on the highest point of this area of Bermuda, standing at a total height of 208 feet above the sea level.
It was built in 1879 and is made of Bermuda Stone, a local and unique limestone. Initially, the lighthouse was brought in to put an end to a local piracy practice that consisted of getting passing ships to crash on the underwater reefs by luring with lights at night. It would then become much easier prey for locals to loot. After the lighthouse had made these practices impossible, the St. David’s Islanders started sailing and fishing to great levels.
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St. David’s lighthouse was built on a hill rather than on the coast to extend its visibility and give enough time for ships to avoid the treacherous reefs. Today, its beam can be seen 20 miles away. The light that sits at the top of the 55-foot structure is of about 30,000 candlepower. The original kerosene burner and ordinary wick was first activated on the 3rd of November 1879 and had since been replaced in 1922 by a hood petroleum vapour burner.
It emits a fixed white light that serves as beacon for navigators and allows them to take cross- bearing with the flashing one from the other lighthouse, Gibb’s Hill, in Southampton Parish.
The lighthouse was also used as a finishing line for Tall Ship races up until 1976 and is still used as such for many ship races and major yacht races such as the Newport Bermuda.
Even though it is the smaller of the two lighthouses of the island – Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse is 117 feet high and stands at 362 feet above sea level – St. David’s lighthouse provides some amazing and spectacular views of Bermuda from its balcony at the top. If you go there in April and May, you’ll have the chance to see humpback whales passing through Bermuda waters by groups.
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The Staircase in St David's Lighthouse, Bermuda
It isn’t too easy to get to the lighthouse because St. David’s Island really is the most eastern tip of Bermuda. First, you need to get to the Island across the Causeway that was built in 1877 by British Royal Engineers to connect the Island to the main land. If you are in St. George’s, you can get close to the lighthouse with the bus number 6.
The best way is to get there by scooter: once on the Island, follow the road around the International Airport airfield, then take St. David’s Road until Texas Road at the end of which you’ll find the lighthouse. While you are on St. David’s island, why not go to Clearwater Beach or visit the nearby Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.
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St. Anne’s Church, Southampton
Religion has played an important part in Bermuda’s history and there are many churches on the Island to remind you of it.
They have both interesting historical and architectural aspects, especially those that date back to the early days of colonisation. That’s the case of St. Anne’s Church, in the Parish of Southampton.
This beautiful Anglican parish church was built in 1616 by the first settlers and was then known as the Port Royal Church.
It was originally made of cedar wood and its roof thatched with palmetto. After a fire destroyed many of its features, the church was rebuilt in 1717 and the outside wood was replaced by the
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Cedar pews and woodwork have been kept inside the church and incorporated in some of the structural additions such as the navel and chapel in 1717, and the more recent west-end tower that was built in 1905.
The original bell was also replaced in 1780 and is now kept in the vestry where it is still visible. The new bell was said to be heard miles and miles away, as far as Hamilton, at a time when there were fewer houses on the Island.
St. Anne’s is believed to be one of the very first churches to have been erected on the Island and it has the particularity to claim the oldest records of baptism and marriage to take place in Bermuda, dating back from 1619. You can also see a silver chalice owned by the church that is engraved with the date 1603/4 and the name Port Royal Church.
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The church is surrounded by its own picturesque graveyard, where you can learn more about the living conditions in the early days of Bermuda. You will instantly notice how short was the life expectancy at this time when reading the dates on most of the graves, as well as discovering the many tiny headstones that mark the graves of children and infants.
There is an active and multi-ethnic congregation at St. Anne’s always ready to welcome anyone who wants to take part in their Sunday services. It is not unusual for people to come from all over the world to get married here. The church is open daily from 10am to 4pm.
St. Anne’s church gave its name to Church Bay Beach, located immediately opposite, as well as to several streets in the vicinity, including the street it is on: Church Road.
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St. Peter’s Church, Bermuda
The magnificent St. Peter’s Church is found in the parish of in St. George’s in Bermuda. It has the distinction of being the longest standing Anglican church in existence out with the UK.
The structure is reportedly the longest surviving Protestant church in what was known as The New World; i.e. the Western Hemisphere. The location is now an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The church was established just after the settlement of St. George in 1612. But it now stands as a place of regional historical consequence. The church is an eye catching tourist destination as well as an enduring place of worship.
The church was initially constructed from wood with a thatched roof. However, it didn’t last long. The church has actually gone through a great deal of renovation and rebuilding in its time. The
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The inside is the church is elegant but uncomplicated, with beams made of cedar. The font predates the settlement of the island itself. It has been in existence for five centuries. The interior of the church is furnished with celebratory plates, with gravestones in the exterior. It is said there are many prominent figures from Bermuda’s history laid to rest underneath the floor of the church.
It is the beauty of and the history of the building, amongst other aspects. These are what make St. Peter’s Church in St Georges such a fascinating place to visit.
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Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
Bermuda is a heaven not only for tourists but also fauna and flora. If you like nature and want to see the wild side of the island, stop by the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve, the largest nature reserve in Bermuda with a territory of 64 acres.
The reserve is conjointly owned by the Bermuda Government and the Bermuda National Trust and is located on the south shore, in Smith’s Parish. At its centre lays the 8-acre Spittal Pond, the best bird watching spot in Bermuda and a wildlife sanctuary.
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During the fall and winter months, and up until May, many migratory shorebirds and waterfowl establish camp in the Spittal Pond Nature Reserve. Amongst the birds you can spot are Ovenbirds, American Redstart, black and white Warblers, and Northern Waterthrush.
There are a wide variety of birds residing here permanently, especially in the forest area: European Goldfinch, White-eyed Vireo, Grey Catbird, Northern Cardinal, Kiskadee. You could also spot finches, mallards, sandpipers, longtails, cardinals, blue herons, white egrets and even occasional hawks.
The trail to the pond goes through the woods where you can see some prickly pear cacti, Bermuda cedar, and many other trees such as casuarinas, palmettos, pittosporum, Bermuda olivewoods, and even Mexican pepper trees and other spice trees. Wildflowers are everywhere like the Jamaican wireweed and its apricots flowers.
The Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is more than just about flora and fauna, it has very interesting geological features too. Just outside the fence that surround the pond itself is a formation called the Checkerboard. It consists of a large limestone floor on the coastline divided into squares by grooves. It is not known whether this is the result of human intervention or the natural work of the ocean. It is also thought that the place was used by whalers to strip the whales they caught.
Even history is present in the reserve. Next to the pond is the Jeffrey’s Hole, a cave where a slave famously hid after escaping his master and before he was eventually caught up. Further up the trail after the pond stands the Spanish Rock, with a carving of the letters RP and the date 1543. It was initially thought to be the work of Spanish sailors, hence the name. However, historians believe that the letters stand for Rex Portugaliae, the King of Portugal, and were carved by Portuguese sailors. The inscription has been cast in bronze to conserve it.
The Spittal Pond Nature Reserve is also a
“Great place to watch the waves crash!”
…says a reviewer on Trip Advisor. It is interesting to note that the pond is tidal but that rock filtration causes a delay of about six hours for the tide to happen.
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Black Watch Pass & Well
The Black Watch Pass & Well is a road and pathway built in the parish of Pembroke in Bermuda. It was built to link North Shore Road to the capital city; Hamilton in 1934.
It now forms a connection between the aforementioned North Shore Road, Palmetto Road and Marsh Folly Road. The pathway was constructed to combat transport issues in the area. This is along with helping the local economy and fighting unemployment,
The Black Watch Pass was constructed by burrowing into hard rocks made of limestone. They made up the tall cliffs on the northern shore. The pass was constructed by excavating a large bulk of rocks, to the level of approximately 2.5 million cubic feet. The pass is now known for its stunning scenery. These feature enormous walls carved by hand from limestone. It is close to the sports centre at Bernard’s Park.
The Black Watch Well is located where the pass intersects with North Shore Road. It is a remainder of the moment in history in 1849 when Pembroke was hit by a drought. The Black Watch regiment
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The Old State House In Bermuda
There is a historical site in Bermuda which attracts a large number of visitors each year. It is the classical building called the old State House. It is also referred to as The Old Session House. It is situated on Princess Street, in the town of St George, in St George’s Parish.
The Old State House was first constructed as far back as 1620. This makes it the oldest, longest standing building in Bermuda. The Old State House was the inaugural stricture made from lime stone on the island. The property was constructed to an Italian design, apparently on the insistence of Nathaniel Butler. He was Governor of Bermuda at the time. The building was famous for having a flat roof. It stands as a timeless example of Bermudian architecture.
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St. George was originally the capital of Bermuda. This was where the parliament house used to be. It was where cabinet sessions took place. This was the case until 1815. Hamilton City was made the capital 12 months later
The Old State House was the principal House of Assembly of Bermuda. It then became the chamber of the Parliament. However, the building has been the site of a Scottish Masonic lodge, since 1815.
The rent paid to the local government is amazingly a single peppercorn every year. This arrangement is celebrated in an annual ceremony; attended by members of the military and the government.
The State House was cemented in history after being shown in a map drawn in 1624 by Captain John Smith. The building is now a tourist attraction. But visitors may only venture inside on a Wednesday. The rest of the time it may be only seen from the outside.
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Tom Moore’s Jungle, Bermuda
Tom Moore’s Jungle is another name for The Walsingham Nature Reserve in Bermuda. It is found on the North East of Harrington Sound in Hamilton Parish. The reserve is operated by a private trust. It is so named because, in 1844, Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, wrote some of his famous works here, beneath a calabash tree.
The Walsingham Nature Reserve will make people feel like they are really walking through a jungle. It has woodland trails and dirt paths, under the cover of trees. People enter the reserve across from the Grotto Bay Beach hotel. It is the spot where Blue Hole Hill intersects with the causeway. The reserve takes in a land mass of 12 acres. There are many different facilities and natural features designed to attract visitors.
Visitors could take a walk and go hiking along trails and walkways, passing mangroves and caverns of sea water. The reserve has a wide range of foliage, trees and plant life. There are also pools of deep water and dry caves, amongst other points of interest.
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The government of Bermuda oversaw the restoration of a mangrove pond in 1970. Visitors can stand on a wooden platform and look at The Blue Grotto.
Then there is Causeway Cave; made of limestone. It stands amongst other subterranean grottos and formations. The water tide comes in from Castle Harbour. There you can experience all types off sea life; from fish to sea turtles. This is a wonderful spot for swimming and snorkelling. The reserve is also famous for rock climbing. Then you could spend the evening having a delicious meal at Tom Moore’s’ Tavern; opened since 1652.
These are amongst a large choice of attractions for you to go see at Tom Moore’s Jungle. This makes it the perfect spot to go exploring.
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St Theresa’s Cathedral In Hamilton
St Theresa’s Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church; first constructed in 1932. It was erected on Elliott Street (At Cedar Avenue) in the city of Hamilton in Bermuda. The building was crafted in a Spanish deign. It was a substitute for the compact St. Edward’s Church that had been in existence since 1859. But the church wasn’t considered large enough to house the ever expanding congregation.
It is said more people to this day attend St. Theresa’s each week than any other church in Bermuda. This beautiful house of worship is located near the ferry dock. The original structure was built on a stretch of land bought on Cedar Avenue in 1915. The church was initially blessed in 1932. It was named after St. Therese of Lisieux, the Patron Saint of the Cathedral Church and the diocese. Therese was affectionately referred to as the Little Flower and the cathedral stands as her monument.
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The church has gone through extensive rebuilding and remodelling over the years. The eye catching tower was added in 1947. The church is known for its stunning stain glass windows around the knave. This is along with a modern lighting set ups and carpeting. It is in addition to a glorious Rogers Pipe Organ, amongst other adornments. The church holds daytime and evening masses .There are also services in Portuguese as well as English.
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Cabinet Building and Senate Chambers
A large number of people take a trip to The Cabinet Building and Senate Chambers in Bermuda .They are located in Front Street in Hamilton.
It is one of the most interesting historical sites on the island. This long standing structure has welcomed many important people in its time. It is said such noted figures as Queen Elizabeth, United States President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill have visited these illustrious government buildings.
It resembles a classical two storey structure, with turrets, a tower and a veranda. The building is positioned in a beautiful spot, with clear blue skies and a stunning backdrop. Now you could pass through the doors of this fine parliamentary building on a hill. Take a tour and visit the public gallery. Then you will see what goes into the running of an island like Bermuda.
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Session House In Bermuda
One of the most interesting places to visit in Bermuda is the Session House. This is the site of the House of Assembly. It is located in appropriately enough Parliament Street, in Hamilton.
This is where the Bermuda Parliament meets in session, on the upper floor. The ground floor is where you will find The Supreme Court of Bermuda. The Clock Tower, in red terra-cotta, was erected to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee in 1887.
Visitors are welcomed at the Bermuda Assembly House, or you can observe a session as it happens from the public gallery. This important local building has been in existence since 1817. This was after Hamilton was made capital of the island instead of St George in 1815. The interior is reminiscent of the British Houses of Parliament.
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The two main parties, the government and the opposition, sit across from one another in a great hall. The speaker oversees the sessions. There are approximately 38000 people registered to vote on the island. They are represented by 35 elected members of the House
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Fort St. Catherine, St. George’s
Near the spot where the shipwrecked Sea Venture docked in 1609 to start the first Bermuda settlement stands the wooden fort built by Richard Moore, the first Governor of the island, in 1612, as a defence against the Spaniards. It was one of the four watchtowers built on the island. It underwent several reconstructions, and the actual structure of the Fort St. Catherine dates back from the late 19th century.
One of the most imposing forts of Bermuda, St. Catherine is now home to a museum where you can see, amongst other exhibits and artefacts, a replica of the British Crown Jewels as well as a collection of antique weapons. There were five Woolwich Rifled Muzzle Loader cannons to defend the fort, each weighing 18 tons and able to fire 400 pounds shells.
The fort is surrounded by a dry moat and can be accessed by a drawbridge. As a prime protection for the island, it has numerous ramparts, redoubts, towers and tunnels that can be explored to get a feeling of the size of it.
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Fort St. Catherine is an ideal visit for everyone, from history buffs to children who can experience the chanting of ‘George the Ghost’ in one of the lower chambers that was believed to be haunted, along with a Halloween light show. The belief was so strong that in the 1970′s an exorcism took place at the fort.
You can also walk on the main terrace that overlook the reefs below and enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean. For the anecdote, the terrace was used as setting for theatrical displays, such as a production of Macbeth by Charlton Heston in the 1950′s.
For this reviewer at Trip Advisor, Fort St. Catherine
“is a great place to learn how Bermuda came to be Bermuda.”
For another one,
“what makes the fort stand out are the fantastic views of the clear blue ocean and St. Catherine’s beach.”
St. Catherine is not located on any major bus route, but you can get to the fort by scooter, take the 30 minutes hike from the city centre of St. George, or go to the nearby beach by the minibus services that depart from King’s Square.
There is a small admission fee at the fort, $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Take the time to visit Achilles Bay while you’re here and if you are planning on having food, the Blackbeard’s Hideout is right next to the fort. From its terrace, in the evening, you can admire the wonderful sunset over Achilles Bay.
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Bermuda Reef Explorer, Hamilton
Once in Bermuda, whether it is for work or vacations, one of the must-do activities is to explore the amazing reefs that surround the island.
One of the best ways to do so is without doubts to take a tour on the BERMUDA Reef Explorer, Hamilton. It is Bermuda’s largest glass-bottom boat with a length of 70 feet and a beam of 20 feet.
Owned by Captain Michael Gladwin who bought it from Bermuda Island Cruises and has over 25 years of marine experience, the boat can hold up to 150 passengers in two large open deck and a lower deck where you will find the glass-bottom. Since she was given a major refit in 2007, the Reef Explorer has a new dive platform at the rear.
There are different cruises available, from a glass-bottom tour to a snorkel adventure, a fun tour of Bermuda and a pirate party adventure.
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If you ever wanted to discover what lays beneath the ocean surface without getting wet, then the glass-bottom adventure is definitely for you. The two-hour tour takes you Turtle Cove to see Atlantic Green Turtles living on the sand flats. As the boat dwells above them, you can observe them by the glass-bottom as well as seeing them really close when they surface next to it.
On the way, you will stop by the Vixen, a nearly-submerged shipwreck where you can feed hundreds of fish. One arrived to destination, the lower floor hatches are removed to reveal the glass-bottom and the wonderful and coloured coral reefs and many species of fish.
During the whole trip, Captain Michael Gladwin will share with you his knowledge and provide you with commentaries and many interesting facts about Bermuda. The Captain is for many passengers the plus of the Reef Explorer tours.
On Trip Advisor, reviewers say of the tour that it is
“A must-do in Bermuda for all ages- great crew”, The captain was very pleasant, informative and well suited to the job, Captain Mike was extremely knowledgeable and entertaining (I doubt this man could be stumped!), and his staff were really friendly and helpful.
The Snorkel Adventure follows the same itinerary as the glass-bottom tour but gives you an extra hour to explore the ocean by yourself with the snorkelling equipment from the Reef Explorer or to go for a wander on one of their kayaks.
On the Aquarium Snorkel and Fun Tour (3.5 hours) you will discover the north shore of the island, stop at Flatts Village for a visit of the Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo, and to a shallow bay for a swim.
For something different, try the Pirate Party adventure, a night time cruise of 90 minutes to the Pirates Point where ships were lured and looted. Sub-sea lights under the boat will allow you to see what the marine life is up to at night through the glass-bottom.
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Albuoy's Point In Bermuda
Albuoy’s Point is a popular destination for tourists visiting Bermuda. It is the site of the Point Pleasant Park.
It is a well-known waterside park famous for its incredible vistas and surroundings. This compact park in the shade is located in the city of Hamilton. It is near the busy Bank of Bermuda and the ferry terminal. This is as well as having Hamilton Harbour as a backdrop.
Then tourists can observe the various cruise ships arriving and departing. Point Pleasant Road links Front Street to the park by a fine lane. This is location renowned for its beautiful beaches and picnic area, along with souvenir and gift shops.
The member s only Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is situated on the west of Albuoy’s Point. It has been in existence since 1844. The club has overseen many occasions, famous in sailing. These include the Newport-to-Bermuda Ocean race and the King Edward VII Gold Cup Match Racing Competition. Albuoy’s Point has a train running on the road, carrying tourists to various tourist attractions in Hamilton. The point also holds a yacht parade with lights every Christmastime.
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The Old Rectory In St George’s
The Old Rectory is one of the longest standing structures in St George. The property was a private home; built by a former slave trader and pirate named George Dew. It can be traced back to before 1700.
The building is found on Broad Alley, to the rear of St Peter’s Church. Its name comes from the fact it was the home of Pastor Alexander Richardson. Mr. Richardson was a bishop and had served as rector of The St. Peter’s Church. He died in St. Georges in 1805.
The building is now the property of the Bermuda National Trust. It is a national historical monument. The house is a testament to vernacular building design and architecture from Bermuda’s past. The structure is fashioned from limestone. It has living quarters upstairs and a basement level below. There is a staircase on the outside of the building which connects them. There are huge chimneys laying the foundation for the gable ends. The windows of the building
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The Old Rectory is still rented as a private home, if on a limited basis. But it is lauded as a tourist destination. It does not charge for admission but donations are welcomed. However; the house is only open to the public on Wednesdays and between the months of November and March.
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Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum & Zoo
While you are in Bermuda, take some time away from the beaches and many activities available in the island to discover the natural history of Bermuda and the numerous species that lived and are living there.
The Bermuda Aquarium, Natural History Museum and Zoo is located in the Flatts Village, a picturesque place in Hamilton Parish and was open in 1926. The complex, also known as the BAMZ, has become one of the island’s favourite attractions for both tourists and locals, offering a choice of tanks, multimedia presentations, pools, caves and many exhibits to learn all about Bermuda.
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The Aquarium is certainly the top attraction of the BAMZ, an opinion shared by reviewers on Trip Advisor: this is a great museum – mainly for the aquarium detailling Bermuda’s marine life and unique reef ecosystem.
If you can’t catch the daily free guided tour at 13.10, get one of the ‘Soundstiks’ at the entrance to play commentaries during your visit.
The ecosystem of the Bermuda’s reefs is recreated in the Aquarium masterpiece, the North Rock. This 140,000 gallons tank is a living replica of the local reefs and one of the world’s largest collections of live coral. It is a great attraction to see before going snorkelling or scuba-diving and will give diving envy to most people.
In these tanks and the other ones, you can see all sorts of marine creatures, from morray eels, crabs. lobsters and octopus to barracudas, sharks, tigerfish and parrotfish. In total, there are over 100 species to be found in the Aquarium, providing hours of entertainment for everyone.
Outside, there are pools with seals and greens turtles. The seals are fed three times a day at 9am, 1.30pm and 4pm.
The Natural History Museum consists of two parts. The first is about the islands before they were first colonised, exploring its origins different habitats, with a multimedia presentation and a reproduction of a cave. The second part is dedicated to the impact of humans and wildlife on the local ecosystem.
The Zoo is divided in exhibits, with the latest opened in 2002 and called Islands of the Caribbean. It shows that over the years wildlife has come to Bermuda from South America and the Caribbean and consists of a 6,4000 square feet wire-meshed cage where you can see the scarlet ibis, the Cayman blue iguana or the golden lion tamarin amongst many species.
There are also an exhibit of Australian and Asian species, one of reptile, a touch-pool of mollusks, a beehive and a flock of pink flamingos.
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North Rock Brewing Company
Why not set up an appointment with The North Rock Brewing Company? This is a one of a kind combination of pub, restaurant and brewery on the island. The venture is based in two locations. For starters; there is the pub on South Road in Smith’s Parish; near Hamilton.
The North Rock Brewing Company has been providing fine brewed beer and bar food for over a decade. The pub and restaurant boasts delicious steaks, sirloin beef and seafood, along with a classic pub menu. Here you can try some fish and chips, hamburgers, pork sandwiches and told in the hole, amongst other dishes.
This family owned business captures the spirit of an old fashioned English boozer. The fresh beer is shipped straight to the pub in South Road from the brewery at Royal Naval Dockyard. The brewing apparatus has been transferred to the dockyard in collaboration with the Frog & Onion Pub. The project is known as The Dockyard Brewing Company.
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It produces a fine range of handcrafted ales. They are comprised of “Somers’s Amber Ale”, which gets its name from Sir George Somers. This is alongside ales like “North Rock Porter”, “St David’s Light”, “and Whale of a Wheat”, “and “Trunk Island Pale Ale”. The North Rock Brewing Company has a restaurant, with different seating sections. It has a relaxing non-smoking dining room and an elegant bar. This is in addition to an in outdoor veranda area, amongst other features. This makes the combined pub, restaurant and brewery one if the top spots to visit in Bermuda.
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Perot's Post Office, Bermuda
The Perot’s Post Office is a place of great historical significance and a great place to stop off on your moped.
It is a classical government building on Queen Street, at the Par-la-Ville Park Entrance in Hamilton. The site is known for its shopping as well as being a seat of history and learning. The building was named after Mr. William B. Perot, the inaugural Postmaster General on the island.
He held the position back in 1821. Mr. Perot worked as a post man in Bermuda. His duties included covering mail deliveries from the ships which docked at the island. This was before eventually printing his own stamps in 1848. The Perot’s Post Office actually oversaw the introduction of the original set printed in Bermuda. And you can now see where it all happened.
This small quaint looking historical building has practically been perfectly preserved. It looks exactly the same as the day it was first built. The government has carefully managed the buildings upkeep and refurbishment; bringing it back to its former glory.
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The building also serves as the perfect outlet to pick up the most recent stamps, as well as being a fascinating tourist destination. It is certain to put its stamp on your trip to Bermuda.
The Bermuda Post Office falls under the domain of the Post Office Regulations 1933 and the Post Office Act of 1900.
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Scaur Hill Fort & Park
Another popular historical site in Bermuda, serving monuments to its military past, is the striking Scaur Hill Fort & Park.
It is the site of a former army fort which has been converted into a tourist spot and playground. It is the perfect spot to take in a stroll. You can now fish at the fort as well as have a picnic, alongside other activities.
The Scaur Hill Fort & Park is situated on the west of the island, in the parish of Somerset. It is close to the city of Hamilton. The fort dates back to the 1870s. It was built as a stronghold to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard. The structure still has ramparts offering glorious views of the Great Sound and Ely’s Harbour.
Visitors can walk around the old rooms of the fort and the still standing gun emplacements still standing. People can also observe the moat which formerly surrounded the fort. It has now been
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Visit Bermuda Cathedral
Visit the spiritual site in Bermuda folk make a pilgrimage to every year; tourists and residents alike. It is the universally admired Bermuda Cathedral. The magnificent Mother Anglican church is also known as The Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity.
The cathedral is found appropriately enough on Church Street in the parish of Hamilton. It is a place of great religious and historical significance. This Anglican cathedral was first built in 1844 and is praised for its ethereal architecture. The building was forged from limestone indigenous to the island. It also features adornments fashioned from French Caen stones from Normandy. The cathedral has striking windows, lined with carved stones, cornices; gables and its world famous alter. It is truly a sight to behold.
The cathedral has a stunning sky scarping tower, 143-foot high in the air. It provides an amazing vantage point over the parish and the city of Hamilton. The structure is in the vicinity of the Royal
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Naval Dockyard and City Hall. This is along with the Great Sound, Bermuda’s North Shore and Front Street.
Bermuda Cathedral has constantly evolved through the years, having undergone renovation and remodelling. But it has remained an important place of worship in Bermuda, with services held every day.
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Blue Hole Park Nature Reserve in Bermuda
Blue Hole Park is a spectacular nature reserve in Bermuda.
It may be reached off Blue Hole Hill in the parish of Hamilton. The park uses 12 acres of land, close to the Grotto Bay Beach Resort hotel and the Causeway. It is a portion of the much greater Walsingham Nature Reserve of Bermuda.
Visitors can walk the clearly marked trail, stopping off at places of interest on the way. There are just so many examples of natural beauty to see. There is an old mangrove pond which, due to the Bermuda Audubon Society, has a new lease of life. It has been transformed as a wetland habitat, by careful restoration. The reserve has also set up an exceptional observation post, where you can view the numerous species of birds which flock to the park.
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There is also underground majesty of the incredible Causeway Cave.
It is made of limestone, with the finest vegetative life from the sub-tropics. This is to say nothing of the beautiful Blue Grotto. It is an incomparable sunken cave, where visitors may observe the tranquil blue water, from a platform. This is just a few of the wonders attractions which await you at Blue Hole Park.
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Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, Southampton
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The highest point on the island is not a hilltop – even though Bermuda is a volcanic sea mountain – but a lighthouse!
Measuring 177 feet, the Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse sits on top of a 245 feet high hill, providing those adventurous enough to climb its 185 steps with breath-taking views of the island.
Located in Southampton parish, it is reportedly the world’s oldest cast iron lighthouse. Because steel was not yet available to be used for construction when it was built in 1846, it is also one of the few of its type still in service. The purpose of this lighthouse was to try and reduce the number of wreckage in the parish’s waters: in the previous decade, 39 vessels crashed on the reefs that go up top 16 miles out to sea at the western tip of the island.
The beam of a 1000-watt bulb can be seen by ships up to 40 miles out to sea, planes can spot it while flying at 10,000 feet and 120 miles away, and finally the light can be seen on the horizon 26 miles away. The lens – the same since 1904 – that contains the bulb does a revolution each 50 seconds, meaning the lighthouse emits a 2-second flash each 10 seconds. The light was first produced by four circular wicks in a burner, replaced by a five-wick one in 1904 before electricity took over in 1952.
The Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse is a must-see for many people at Trip Advisor where it figures in the top five of Bermuda attractions:
“If you have time for only one attraction in Bermuda besides the beaches, this has to be it. The reason? Others have said already: the views.”
Indeed, the views from the top of the lighthouse are just about the best you can get in Bermuda, except from a plane. A very narrow circular path at the top of the lighthouse gives you a
360o panoramic view of the whole of the island: the South Shore Park, the Royal Naval Dockyard, the city of Hamilton, the beautiful beaches of the parish of Southampton…
Those who can’t or don’t want to make it to the top, there is a spot where you can see the Great Sound on the way to the lighthouse,. It is called Queen’s View, after newly crowned Queen Elizabeth II stopped there in 1953.
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The walk to the top of the hill can prove tiring for some, especially in the warm days of summer. Fortunately, there is a charming little tea-room at the bottom of the lighthouse where you can get your breath back before the ascent of the 185 steps. Or after, while you recovering from the breath-taking views and get ready to see more of our beautiful island.
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Visit Fort Hamilton in Bermuda
Would you like to witness history first hand? How about walking around an old British army base which has been turned into a tourist attraction?
Then stop at Fort Hamilton in Bermuda It is a fascinating historical site where visitors can view the signs of military history.
The pentagonal fort is placed on top a hill outside Hamilton parish. This tranquil hideaway was first assembled back in the 1870’s. It was a British stronghold set up to form a line of defence against US attack. The fort overlooks Hamilton Harbour and offers outstanding views of the city. It still has rampart and canon placements placed all around.
You can walk long down elongated tunnels where discharged weapons where reloaded. Tourists can also cross a bridge and walk over a large moat; 30 feet wide. The Fort was originally guarded by a dry moat. However, this has now been remodelled into a glorious tropical garden, of fern and bamboo. You can also walk the trail of the circle shaped moat.
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The fort stages a wide range of events throughout the year. There are performance of the Bermuda Island’s Pipe Band, with drums and highland dancing. This takes place every Monday between the months of November through March. It is called the Skirling Ceremony. This is in addition tops the fun Haunted Playground event every Halloween, amongst other attractions.
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St Andrews Presbyterian Church
The St Andrews Presbyterian Church in Bermuda is an awe inspiring house of worship in Bermuda.
It is visited by residents and tourists alike. It is one of the most lauded religious sites on the island. This eye catching church is found at on Court and Church Streets in Hamilton. It is coated in a distinctive pink colouring.
The St Andrews Presbyterian Church is the longest standing church in the city. It holds many important events. It is a renowned spot for holding a wedding ceremony, or christening, amongst others. The church is known for its architecture, with beautiful interiors. There are striking windows, statues and a magnificent alter. This culminates in a stunning place to go see.
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Presbyterianism is a group of Christian churches following the Calvinist reformed faith. The first Presbyterians appeared in Scotland in the 16th Century. The name is derived from the Greek word for elder. The Presbyterians do not have bishops. It has deacons, elders and ministers administering the church.
The congregation of Christ Church in Bermuda joined the Presbytery of Europe in 2008. This followed a proclamation of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
St Andrews Presbyterian Church - 49 Church St, Hamilton, Bermuda Tel: +1 441-292-7601
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Bermuda National Library Opening Hours
There is nothing like a good book. And there is a world of literature waiting for you at the breath-taking Bermuda Library in the capital city of Hamilton.
There are so many wonderful volumes for you to pour over you won’t want to leave behind.
The national public library of Bermuda is on the frontage of the beautiful Par-La-Ville Park. It is found on Queens Street in Hamilton. The library incorporates a classical two storied building with a balcony. It is a historical house which used to belong to Bermuda’s first ever post master, a man named Perot and his family.
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The Bermuda National Library has been in existence since 1839. It was formed by the then governor Mr. William Reid and was originally located in the cabinet building. The library transferred to its current locale in 1919.
It only had 276 books to begin with. They mostly came by way of Mr Reid, the governor. The library currently has an extensive, fascinating reference sector.
Here, on microfilm, visitors may peruse achieve newspapers, dating back to 1784. The library also has a vast selection of rare books. This culminates in a most incredible find. It is a 1624 edition of `The General History of Virginia, New England and the Somers Isles`, by Captain John Smith.
There is also a map of the island from the exact same period.
These are just some of the treasures you will discover at the: Bermuda National Library. 13 Queen Street Hamilton HM 11 Telephone (441)236-8042 Fax (441)236-3293 http://www.bermudanationallibrary.bm/
Opening Hours:
(Sep – Jun) Mon-Thu – 8:30am–7pm Fri 10am–5pm Sat 9am–5pm Sun 1pm–5pm
(July 1 – the day after Labour Day) Mon-Thu 8:30am–6pm Fri 10am–5pm Sat 9am–5pm Sun Closed
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Closed on Bermuda Public Holidays and Easter Sunday
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Royal Naval Dockyard
The Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda is a former historical Navel outpost, reborn as a major tourist attraction!
A great many cruise ships currently arrive at the Dockyard. It boasts many wonderful attractions for people to go and see.
For instance, The Royal Naval Dockyard is where you can take in the amazing display at Dolphin Quest. It is the site of the Clocktower Mall, the Bermuda Maritime Museum, the Bermuda Art Centre and the Bermuda Craft Market. This is in addition to the famous Bermuda Rum Cake Company and the Frog and Onion Pub, amongst other places.
Tourists can also stop into the Visitor Information Centre close to the Ferry terminal. There you can find out all you need to know about The Royal Naval Dockyards.
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The dockyard was first built around 1809. It resulted from Britain’s defeat at the American War of Independence. This led to the construction of what was known as the ‘Gibraltar of the West’; The Royal Naval Dockyard.
The Naval base was on active service until the 1950s, when it was gradually discontinued. The dockyard still handled NATO and British shipping until its total closure in the 1990. But then, for long afterward, the dockyard fell victim to abandon and neglect. This was till the 1980, when, in the purposes of, the dockyard underwent regeneration.
The Dockyard took its first step to its ultimate goal. It became one of the biggest tourist destinations in Bermuda! Check out our post on Kings Wharf in Bermuda.
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Bermuda National Trust Museum
Do you wish to more about Bermuda’s history? Then take a trip to King Street in St George’s Town. This is where you will find Bermuda National Trust Museum. Where you come face to face with the island’s past!
The museum was first opened 1961. The building it resides in, however, has been around a lot longer. It has a rich varied history of its own.
The building itself dates back to the 17th century. It was built by the, then governor of Bermuda.
Samuel Day. The property was later used as a hotel in the 19th century. Then it was then called The Globe Hotel.
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However it was during the American Civil War when the building would achieve its greatest notoriety to some. It would be used as an office by an Agent of the Confederate States of America.
Bermuda has a strong association with the US Civil War of 1861–1865 between North and South, The Southern Confederacy underwent a trade route blockade by the Union. However, various attempts to defeat the blockade were run from ports in the Caribbean. These included St. George harbour in Bermuda. The Bermuda National Trust Museum recalls the role this part of the world played in the war.
But many other aspects of Bermuda’s history are remembered in the museum.
For example, there is an exhibit marking the event which to many people is the most important in the islands history. The museum boasts a model of the ship Sea Venture. This was George Somer’s 17th-century English sailing ship which crashed on the reefs close to St George’s.
This was the incident some say inspired Shakespeare to write his play The Tempest. But you are certain to be inspired by this amazing exhibit, amongst a multitude of others, found at The Bermuda National Trust Museum.
If you would like to know about the vast collection on display, along with their stories, or organise a tour, then visit the web site: http://www.bnt.bm/
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Unfinished Cathedral In Bermuda
One of the most visited religious landmarks in Bermuda is the famous Unfinished Cathedral in Bermuda St. George’s. This inspiring point of interest is found at Blockade Alley in the stunning Somers Garden, at North Gate.
The original construction on the Cathedral began back in 1870. However, due to elements such as natural disasters, poor planning and a lack of financing, the cathedral was never finished.
However, the fascinating remains stand today as a popular tourist attraction. It is a tranquil relaxing spot, known for its huge windows and striking glass floor.
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Bermuda Geological History
It might have only been discovered in the early years of the 17th century, but Bermuda arose from the Mid Atlantic Ridge about 100 million years ago!
The Island is in fact a volcanic sea mountain that was formed on the fault line where the Atlantic tectonic plates move. It was the movement of these plates that pushed the European and American continents away from each other. Bermuda was moved west of the ridge by the process of plate tectonics and the spreading of the sea floor.
The volcano was dormant before erupting again for the last time 30 million years ago. This is thought to have been caused by a hot spot in the Earth’s crust above which the volcano was floating – but there are no worries of it ever happening again! The two mouths of the volcano – also called calderas – are located under water at Hamilton Harbour and Castle Harbor.
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The cap of the underwater volcano that forms the ground of the Bermuda Islands is made of limestone. This limestone was created by the living organisms that populate the sea: when fish eat the algae and coral reefs, they also ingest some of the calcium carbonate skeletons. This calcium carbonate is then released out by fish as sand, itself pushed onto the volcano surface by the water. The sand reacts with the rain and the carbon dioxide it passed through to form limestone.
You will surely have heard or read that the sand on Bermuda’s beaches is pink. This isn’t a legend or a tourist attraction, just a simple natural and geologic process: tiny sea organisms that have a pink shell that are mixed with the sand formed by the reef breakers and crushed by the waves.
As well as the explanation for the pink sand, there is red soil called terra rossa that can be found in Bermuda. There are two explanations for its origin. Some scientists believe that it comes from atmospheric dust carried from the Sahara desert in summer and also from the Great Plains of North America in winter.Other evidence in the form of an adundance of phosphate, leads others to think that bird guano (or excrement), which is part of the phosphorus cycle, is a more plausible explanation.
According to www.starsandseas.com:
When plants and animals die, bacteria decompose their bodies, releasing some of the phosphorus back into the soil. Once in the soil, phosphorous can be moved 100s to 1,000s of miles from were they were released by riding through streams and rivers. So the water cycle plays a key role of moving phosphorus from ecosystem to ecosystem.
In some cases, phosphorous will travel to a lake, and settle on the bottom. There, it may turn into sedimentary rocks, limestone, to be released millions of years later. So sedimentary rocks acts like a back, conserving much of the phosphorus for future eons.
The same acidic rain that helps turn sand into limestone is responsible for another geological phenomenon in Bermuda - the presence of many amazing caves. In some places, the rain would go through the limestone and out to sea, creating long tunnels. In some of these tunnels, the ceiling would collapse in places and form caves. They make great places to explore for scuba- divers who come from everywhere in the world for them.
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Southampton Parish Bermuda
Southampton is one of Bermuda’s nine parishes and was named after the third Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley (1573-1624), patron and friend of William Shakespeare. Southampton covers about 2.3 square miles (6 square kilometres or 1,500 acres).
It includes the southernmost point of the island as well as its highest point, Gibbs Hill, where the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse is situated. Built in 1844, it’s the world’s oldest cast iron lighthouse. It has 185 steps that lead to the top and its light can be seen 40 miles out to sea by ships as well as 120 miles away by aircraft pilots. If you are brave enough (or have the energy!) to climb to the top, you can reward yourself with a nice cup of tea in the tearoom and enjoy some of the best views of Bermuda.
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Southampton covers most of the western part of the main island. Its north shores form the majority of the coast of the Little Sound – one of the seaways characteristic of Bermuda – and with its territory extending to some parts of the Great Sound too, the parish has many bays and islands where you can find some of the best views of the area. They include the Five Star and Perot’s islands, both one-property residential islands owned by billionaires; George’s Bay on the West and Riddell’s Bay on the East.
Horseshoe Bay Beach Bermuda
On the south shores of Southampton Parish, you will found some amazing beaches. The Horseshoe Bay Beach is usually considered to be the most beautiful pink sand beach on the south coast of Bermuda and the probably the most famous on the Island. It has crystal clear waters, fine sand, a beach restaurant, a manned lifeguard station during the summer as well as toilet and shower facilities.
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Other great locations of the south coast of Southampton include Whale Bay and Fort and Church Bay and with a reef close to the shore, it’s one of Bermuda’s most popular snorkelling areas.
Southampton Parish has many places of interest for everyone such as the Seymour Farm Nature Reserve, Saint-Ann’s Church, Tudor Farm, Turtle Hill and South Road – one of the most spectacular scenic routes that are ideal to explore on a bike, scooter or moped.
It is because of its exceptional character and landscape that Southampton has more hotel rooms than any of the other Bermuda parishes.
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St George’s Penno’s Wharf
The town of St George has two cruise ship terminals, Ordnance Island Dock and Penno’s Wharf (also spelled Peno’s Wharf). Both docks are a hundred feet away from each other, in St George’s Harbour.
Like, at the other dock in St. George’s, only ships up to 750 feet in length can stop at Penno’s Wharf. The dock is located on the mainland at the west-side of St George.
Located next to Penno’s Wharf is the World Heritage Centre – a former British Customs warehouse. The centre is around 4,500 square feet and contains the visitors information centre, where you’ll get all the information you need to get the most out of your visit to the island. It is definitely a major highlight of Penno’s Wharf and was unveiled in 2006. A theatre was added to the multimillion- dollar attractions in 2008 were you can watch an introduction to the town of St George. In the
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Orientation Exhibits Gallery, you will discover the rich history of the town including a reduced-size model of St George’s circa 1620 and a full-scale reproduction of the Sea Venture’s deck.
World Heritage Centre Bermuda
In the wharf, you can also find artisan studios and boutique shops. The whole of St George’s can easily be visited on foot and the Golf Club is only a couple of minutes from the Wharf. If you want to venture outside the town, you can use taxis, buses or rental scooters. There are bus services as well as ferries to Hamilton, Bermuda’s capital and liveliest city.
If you like watersports, Penno’s Wharf is a great place where to start a kayaking tour and discover Millionaire’s Row at Tucker’s Town, the coral and limestone cliffs along the Castle Island Nature Reserve, or even the sunset along the North Shore. You can have a break and relax in beaches only accessible from the water and even go snorkelling.
If your ship is too big to dock at St George’s Penno’s Wharf, it will probably dock at the Royal Naval Dockyard from which you can take a ferry to everywhere on the island. In fact, due to the
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However, it was decided by the town council in 2010 that the Vendaam, a Holland America cruise ship that has 24 weekly calls to Bermuda scheduled each summer, would be allowed to anchor off of the shores at Murray’s Anchor. The 1,400 passengers are then being transported to Penno’s Wharf by ferry in about 30 minutes.
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City Of Hamilton
Founded in 1790 and named after the Island’s governor, Henry Hamilton (from 1788 to 1794), whose ancestor was Mary Queen of Scots, Hamilton is rich in history and is most certainly a port to consider if you plan a cruise to Bermuda.
However, if your ship doesn’t dock at Hamilton, don’t worry – many ferries travel between Hamilton dock and the other Bermuda ports, so you don’t need to miss it.
Hamilton is the only city in Bermuda, and with an area of only 75 hectares, it is one of the world’s smallest capital cities. It is also smaller than the historic town of St George, which is located on the northern tip of the island. Although the number of residents is estimated between 1,500 and 1,800, about 40% of Bermuda working population spends the day in Hamilton, bringing the numbers to around 15,000 people.
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Roads are busy and you should know that visitors can’t hire a car in Hamilton or anywhere else on the Island.
Front Street is the main thoroughfare of the capital, where you can walk between the famous pastel-colored two-storey houses. Every Wednesday, after 6pm, the street is only accessible to pedestrians and turns into a party with food and drinks stands appearing on the pavement and live music and dancing everywhere. This coincides with the arrival of most cruise ships in Bermuda docks and puts everyone in the holiday spirit straight away!
Hamilton City Hall Bermuda
Front Street is at the heart of Hamilton’s shopping district, where you can find authentic porcelain and cashmere at great prices – much like in the rest of the island. Nearby is the famous ‘Bird Cage’, a kiosk from where police officers wearing the famous Bermuda shorts are directing the traffic. There are many things to see in Hamilton, such as the beautiful City Hall building, the Victoria Park
- created at the occasion of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee at the end of the 19th century – the Anglican Bermuda Cathedral, Fort Hamilton and Point Pleasant.
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Since Bermuda is an island, it is worth stopping by the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, one of Bermuda’s newest attractions and the world’s first scientific institution to focus exclusively on deep-water exploration. Bermuda’s finest pink sand beaches are only a short stroll from Hamilton and there is a golf course too.
Water sports such as jet-skiing, surfing, diving and sailing are a must near Hamilton, which hosts the Bermuda Gold Cup (also known as the Argo Group Gold Cup), a 5-day sailing event part of the World Match Racing Tour.
Next time you here, don’t forget to put Hamilton on your places-to-see list – you will not be disappointed!
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Ordnance Island Dock
Ordnance Island Dock,Bermuda, is one of the two commercial ports of St George’s used by cruise and traffic ships. It is on Ordnance Island, which is part of St George’s town and located very close from the shore, right across from the town’s King’s square.
Ordnance Island was formed by joining together a few little islands, some of which used for execution in the first years of colonisation. The newly man-made island measured a mere 7,000 square meters and was used in the 19th century as a Royal Army Ordnance Corp depot that was supplying munitions to defence systems around St George’s. It then became a United States submarine base during the Second World War.
It was only after WWII that the island was joined to the mainland and the bridge you use to access to the King’s Square is so beautifully designed that you wouldn’t have noticed it is a bridge if we didn’t tell you so!
But before you go on your way to the town from the dock, take the time to visit the replica of the Deliverance. It was one of the two ships built by the crew of the Sea Venture which crashed in St George’s reef in 1609 and which eventually lead to the start of the Bermuda occupation.
Below deck, you will see a small museum showing the life of sailors in the ship. The Memorial Park, opposite the replica, was inaugurated in 1997 as part as the ceremonies for the twinning the town with Lyme Regis, England.
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The replica of the Deliverance
When you leave Ordnance Island Dock, you enter King’s Square, the heart of St George’s, with shops and historical monuments all around. You can see the town crier ringing the bell and announcing news to the town on Wednesdays and Saturdays, view reenactments of 18th century tribunals sending offenders to ducking stools and pillory, take a part in a candlelight walk, visit the weekly street festival, Market Nights, that occurs each Tuesday with craft stalls, live music and local dancers.
For those who want to see more of the beautiful waters of Bermuda, glass bottoms boats leave from Ordnance Island to explore the ocean and the reefs and you can also ride a glass-bottom catamaran to take you snorkelling through the reefs.
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Hamilton Dock
Check out our Hamilton Dock Scooter Rental Service!
If you are on one of the amazing cruise ships that are visiting Hamilton Dock in Bermuda this year, we have a very special scooter rental delivery service and pick up to and from Hamilton Dock, Bermuda! Elbow Beach Cycles scooter and bike shop are NO1 in Bermuda for Scooters and bike hire – and as such, we have a long and proud tradition of delivering the very best scooter rental service for Hamilton Dock visitors.
If you go on a cruise to Bermuda, you might have the chance to stop at Hamilton Dock, but only if you are cruising on relatively small ship. The central location of Hamilton – one of the reasons it was made capital of Bermuda in 1815 – is an ideal base to visit the islands.
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Unfortunately for bigger cruise ships, only vessels up to 750 feet in length are able to pass through the narrow mouth of Hamilton Harbour, the bigger ships usually dock at the Royal Navy Dockyard of King’s Wharf.
The access to the port is made difficult by a chain of islands, which includes Hinson’s Island, Long Island and Hawkins Island, and the Salt Kettle Peninsula, while the harbour itself is home to the White’s Island.
The dock is located on Hamilton Harbour, a natural port formed by an extension of the Great Sound towards the east. One of its advantages is that you walk off the ship straight into Front Street, the liveliest street in Bermuda, especially on Wednesday evenings.
When aboard a ship docked in Hamilton, Bermuda, you have access to magnificent views of both the city and the bay. If you know what you want to see from your cabin, book port side cabins for the views of the Hamilton bay and the beautiful houses located on the island across it, or book starboard side cabins for views of downtown Hamilton.
When you dock in Hamilton, you are close from everything you want to be seeing and doing during your vacation: golf course, shops, restaurants, pubs, clubs, and historical monuments and of course the unique beaches covered of pink sand.
The best ones are located on the southern shores of the island, only minutes from Hamilton. The main ferry terminal that deserves all the major routes is located at a very short walking distance from the dock and the Hamilton also has all the main buses terminals, making virtually any point of Bermuda accessible from the city. But before you explore the rest of the island, have a look at Hamilton by foot or in one of the traditional horse carriages.
If you don’t have the chance to dock at Hamilton, make sure it is part of your Bermuda itinerary. It is easily accessible from the port of Saint-George or the Royal Naval Dockyard where the biggest cruise vessels arrive.
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Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail
A Lesson of history along the Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail
Bermuda history is rich and varied the result of different movements of population that settled in the Island for many reasons: Irish adventurers, Portuguese immigrants, English settlers, African slaves…
The most important of these movements is the African diaspora – ‘diaspora’ is the term used to describe the movement of a group of population from its homeland. Shortly after Bermuda was claimed by the British Empire, black slaves were brought to the island, mostly from Africa, some from American Native tribes. Slavery was, at last, finally ended in 1834 in Bermuda and slaves received the same rights as other Bermudians minus that of voting.
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Today, it is estimated that about 60% of Bermudians are of African ancestry and the island is proud of its heritage. The Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail was conceived to celebrate the African traditions of the island and affirm its importance in the modern Bermuda life.
It was created in 2001 by the Bermuda Department of Tourism in collaboration with the international body African Diaspora and as part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project. Bermuda has since lead the movement for the recognition of African heritage in the world and the trail also has an educative purpose for tourists.
Dozens of museums, monuments and sites form the Diaspora Heritage Trail, each featuring a bronze plaque from Bermudian sculptor Carlos Dowling. The trail is a self-guided tour but it can also be walked with the help of guide from the Bermuda Department of Tourism. You can find historical facts, figures and artefacts on the black heritage at the Bermuda Maritime Museum (at the Royal Naval Dockyard) and the Bermudian Heritage Museum (in St George).
Two important churches are part of the trail, for different reasons: an historic slave graveyard kept intact at the oldest Anglican church, Saint Peter’s Church (St George); and Cobbs Hill Methodist Church, the oldest Methodist building of the island, built by night by free slaves and completed in 1827 (Warwick Parish).
Other sites include Barr’s Bay Park (Hamilton) where slaves were offered the choice of a free life in Bermuda when the ship transporting them had to dock here because of bad weather in 1835 – after the abolition of slavery in Bermuda. Jeffrey’s Cave was named after the slave who escaped and stayed hidden there for over a month before he was caught by his owner. Don’t miss Cobbler’s and Gibbet Island where slaves were executed and beheaded, and were artefacts remain.
Bermuda African Heritage is still alive and you will likely meet some Gombey dancers while on the trail. Dressed in colourful costumes inspired by African clothing, similar to those slaves used to try and deceive their masters, they perform during holidays or for some special events.
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Bermuda History and Culture
Bermuda History and Culture Facts: between military and tourism!
Bermuda’s small group of islands is rich in history dating back to the 16th and 17th century when it was first discovered then occupied. It was first sighted in1505 by Spanish navigator Juan de Bermudez after whom it was named. It was reported as uninhabited and foot was not set in until 1609 when a London’s Virginia Company ship, the Sea Venture was separated from the fleet and crashed on the dangerous Bermuda’s reefs.
After the crew managed to build two new ships, some men were left on the island to claim it for England and the company. The Virginia Company’s Royal Charter was extended to include Bermuda in 1612. Sixty settlers were sent who in 1614 started the construction of Saint-George, making Bermuda Britain’s oldest colony.
As the island was occupied continuously from 1609, Bermudans usually refer to this date as the origin of their island. However, it will stay part of the Royal Charter of the Virginia Company, then the Bermuda Company until 1684 when it became British Crown colony.
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Slaves were brought from Africa to Bermuda from then, but slavery was outlawed in 1807 and all slaves freed in 1834. Today, it is estimated that 60% of Bermuda’s population is of African descent. Bermudians are also descendants of English settlers, Irish and Portuguese immigrants, Irish adventurers, North American Indians…
Bermuda made its débuts into the international stage when the United States waged war to Britain in 1812. The British Navy used the island as a base from which it launched a raid on Washington, DC. Its strategic location in the Atlantic proved useful for Allied military and intelligence operations during the Second World War. Following the Allied victory, a portion of Bermuda (about one tenth) was handed over the US to develop military bases on a 99-year lease. An air base was built on Saint-David’s Island, the current location of the International Airport. This base, as well as British and Canadian ones was shut down in 1995.
The development of the island as a tourism destination is attributed to Princess Louise, daughter of Queen Victoria and wife of the Governor General of Canada. Looking to fly the long and harsh Canadian winter, she spent an extended visit in Bermuda in 1883. Quickly, the islands became a fashionable winter escape for British aristocrats and wealthy Americans alike.
Bermuda remains a British overseas territory, with a Governor who exercises executive authority on behalf of the British monarch. Its Parliament dates back to a Royal Assent that granted the island limited self-governance in 1620, making it one of the oldest parliament in the world. The first Constitution of Bermuda was voted in 1967 and has since been amended in 1989 and 2003.
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Kings Wharf Bermuda
King’s Wharf is a port in Bermuda and the port of choice for the biggest ships. Located on the Island’s western tip – it is also known as the Royal Naval Dockyard – and was built in the first part of the 19th century as a British Naval base. It remained a strategic British military post until the US military established two bases in the 1950′s.
Within the six-acre complex of King’s Wharf, you can find everything you need to have a fabulous time. And, all of it in walking distance! The other dockyards of Hamilton and St George’s are easily accessible by ferry too.
History runs everywhere in the Royal Naval Dockyard and one of the things not to miss is the Bermuda Maritime Museum. If you are looking for more authenticity and are not overwhelmed by the mild subtropical Bermuda climate, take a small trek up the 200 or so steps to the top of the
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA world’s oldest cast iron Lighthouse. Your efforts will be rewarded with a splendid panorama of Bermuda and its shorelines – and you can take a breather in the tearoom!
Like everywhere in Bermuda, there are various options for everyone and every taste. The highlight of King’s Wharf is without a doubt Dolphin Quest: within the maritime museum. You can swim about and interact with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins – fantastic and educative time for kids and adults alike.
There’s plenty more to do than just the beach – maybe a trip to the Clock tower Shopping Mall for souvenirs (or discounted British products) or the Bermuda Arts Centre to check out local artists and their works. You could venture outside King’s Wharf complex to visit the Royal Navy Cemetery and Scaur Hill Fort and its park, built in the 1870′s in protection against a feared US attack.
King’s Wharf is a great starting point to discover more of the island: Somerset Island is only a quick stroll away across a 17th century bridge, the world’s narrowest drawbridge. From there, you also get a fantastic view of Cathedral Rocks. And there’s one of Bermuda’s ten golf courses in Somerset – possibly one of the world’s most beautiful places to have a golf club in your hand.
A visit to the Island would not be complete without water-sports and King’s Wharf, like the rest of Bermuda, is the ideal site for snorkelling. The Snorkel Park is equipped with marked trails, floating resting stations and there is a lot to discover: sunken cannons, angel fish, parrot fish, doctor fish – never mind amazing coral reefs!
The park provides entertainment for everyone too, with two amazing slides into water and the Jet Ski Safari. The fun doesn’t stop here. After a day playing in the water, hang around for one of the Island beach parties for an evening of entertainment with food, music and activities for all the family.
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Arts in Bermuda
From calypso, reggae, and rhythm & blues to modern dance, jazz and classical music, Bermuda attracts world- class artists and performers at the pinnacles of their careers.
For a small island, Bermuda punches way above its artistic weight. We guess it’s the natural beauty and the laid-back vibe that attract so much world-class talent. The cultural year starts early with two months of sheer artistic brilliance. Each January and February, the Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts brings the world’s most inventive singers, actors, dancers, and musicians together for a feast of awe-inspiring creativity..
The Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of just 62 Oscar-qualifying festivals. This late- March celebration of independent film has a habit of attracting remarkable talent. In recent years, two BIFF winners have gone on to win Oscars.
If you like top-class student theatre, Bermuda is the only place outside the United States where you can see Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals. And throughout the year, visitors can enjoy a wonderful selection of recitals, concerts, shows.
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Tucker House Museum
Would you like to visit the historical home of one of Bermuda’s most prestigious colonial families? Then why not visit The Tucker House Museum?
It is located on Water Street in the Town of St. George.
The museum is housed in the former home of a merchant, built in the 18th Century. This offers visitors an insight into what life must have been like in Bermuda of the past.
The home now belongs to the National Trust of Bermuda. It takes its name from the man that served as president of the island’s Governor’s Council from 1775 to 1807. His name was Henry Tucker and he lived in this house with his family. They were an influential local dynasty with connections to such luminaries as the islands second Governor and Queen Anne.
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The museum is filled with numerous exhibits representing the life of this prominent family. It boasts classical pieces of furniture, family portraits and the finest silver on display. The kitchen meanwhile is a monument to the exceptional Joseph Hayne Rainey.
He was the free man whom, during the American Civil war fled to Bermuda, to escape the Confederates. But the man would later return to the United States to become the first African American male elected to the US House of Representatives in 1870. Rainey’s incredible life is commemorated in the Tucker House Museum.
It is furnished with an all-purpose memorial room, deducted to Rainey. The museum has copies of speeches he made while serving in the House of Representatives, amongst other items. They provide visitors with an invaluable opportunity to celebrate both the life of an amazing historical figure and an illustrious Bermudian family.
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The Verdmont Museum
The Verdmont Museum is a widely admired historical site in Smith’s parish in Bermuda.
The Verdmont Museum is located on Verdmont Lane, off Collectors Hill, Bermuda.
It is a classical house denoting Bermuda’s ties to the American Civil War and its aftermath. The property is now owned and operated by The National Trust of Bermuda and is considered one of its crowning glories.
The Verdmont Museum was reportedly built back around 1710. It served as a private residence until 1951. Then it was acquired by Bermuda’s National Trust. The house is thought to have practically remained unchanged throughout its existence. But it has been expertly maintained and restored throughout its history. The house now stands as a landmark and a museum to the past.
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This timeless house is furnished with three floors and four chimneys. The Verdmont Museum boasts a comfortable parlour and drawing room located on the ground floor. There is also a wonderful child’s playroom, filled with toys.
The building is fitted with a beguiling set of cedar steps called amongst the most attractive on the island. The house has a collection of fine art and paintings on the wall. Visitors can also view the authentic historical furniture. There are some made from cedar and mahogany, dating from the same time period as the house. This is in addition to objects originating from England and China. It stands alongside the finest Georgian styled silver, handcrafted from local experts from the 1700s.
The Verdmont Museum is complete with a breath-taking garden, with a hill side ocean vista. This is where the most beautiful palmettos and rose beds grow. The garden is also visited by flocks of majestic indigenous bluebirds. There are those that say the Verdmont Museum is haunted.
The old house will certainly haunt you if you stop in for a visit.
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The Bermuda National Gallery
Would you like to experience the beauty of art and culture while on holiday? Then make a stop at The Bermuda National Gallery.
The premises in Hamilton City hall on Church Street are filled with fascinating exhibits. Walk through the ground floor of City Hall and take those huge cedar stairs to the second floor. This is the site of the Bermuda National Gallery. This is where you can gaze upon the beautiful artwork, from the island and around the world.
This celebration of visual art has been captivating visitors since its opening almost 20 years ago; in 1992. You could spend all day viewing the extraordinary paintings on display. The gallery houses a number of long term collections, many reflecting island history.
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The Bermuda National Gallery features the work of modern artists and classical European painters. The gallery is also committed to photography. It has a range of black and white pictures by a prominent local artist.
That is not to mention a line of prints denoting contemporary African-American existence. The Bermuda National Gallery has an amazing selection of sculptures and masks, be it ceremonial or historical, from Africa. This gives you an idea of the diverse exhibits on display.
The gallery is home to numerous short term art shows. This is along with a series of events throughout the year. There are interesting artist’s seminars, workshops and lectures at the gallery. That is to say nothing of holding receptions, dinner parties, film screenings and jazz nights, to name but a few.
There is so much to see at The Bermuda National Gallery. Why not take a guided tour of free of charge? They are held every Thursday morning.
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The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard
The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard is the place to experience the exciting, ever changing world of art from in and around the Island.
It covers the constantly evolving artistic landscape of Bermuda. The exhibitions are amended and refined every six weeks, guaranteeing it is always on the cutting edge of local art. Tourists and locals alike can savour the finest works of art the region has to offer. Located on the Dockyard in the west of Bermuda, the Art Centre boasts a multitude of artistic styles and displays, including classical watercolours.
It is also famous for its many ‘Themed’ exhibits, providing home grown artists a platform to experiment with different mediums and subjects. All under the guidance of The Arts Centre. If you
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Maritime Lane, Dockyard Phone: +1 441 234 2809
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St Georges Historical Society Museum
The St Georges Historical Society Museum is one of the longest standing, most durable buildings on the island of Bermuda.
It is located at Featherbed Alley in St. George. This distinctive structure was constructed around 1730. The property started out as a private residence called Mitchell House. It once belonged to Isabella and William Archer. They were a wealthy black couple whom kept slaves and owned a profitable restaurant visited by military personnel called The Gun Tavern. But their former home has been the domain of the Historical Society of St. George’s since 1922. It has been a museum ever since.
This greatly admired tourist destination is frequented by those fascinated with the past. This exhibit shows visitors what Bermuda was like in colonial times the museum keeps items used in the home in the 1700s. This is as well as having articles indigenous to Bermuda. These include a letter written by the first President of the United States George Washington. This is in addition to having
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA cutters used on whale blubber. It is as well as axe heads, and a Bible which has survived for three centuries. The museum illustrates how a kitchen was run in the colonial era. It has an excellent selection of utensils, dipping gourds and palmetto baskets to name but a few.
The museum also shows how printing was carried out in those days. There are printing presses from the period as well as old newspapers and archives. This is merely an idea of the many wonderful exhibits this amazing museum has on display.
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Springfield Library in Bermuda
Often referred to as Springfield Mansion, the magnificent historical building is now a community centre and library, and was acquired by the Bermuda National Trust as part of the Gilbert Nature Reserve in 1973.
Springfield is in Somerset, part of the Parish of Sandy’s which lies at the western part of Bermuda. The Mansion is important for its Bermudian slave heritage as well as the archaeological history that the grounds of the mansion offer. Indeed, the whole site has been a live archaeological spot since 1994 and has been worked on for some time with mixed fortunes in terms of unearthing artefacts that provide detailed information on how people – in every class of – lived in years gone by.
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The buildings and ground comprise of the main house, courtyard, a large buttery and slave quarters as well as several acres of farmland. The size and scope of the buildings and land indicated that the area was perhaps a plantation and findings from digs have proven as much.
Since 1994, the Bermuda National Trust has undertaken various archaeological digs at the site in association with the Department of Archaeological Research at Colonial Williamsburg.
As well as using the site to uncover Bermuda’s past, the building and gardens are in restoration in order to preserve it for future generations.
The mansion was a dwelling from 1671 to as recent as the 1960s – albeit in a very rundown state during the sixties – and was the property of the Hinson Gilberts family and their home for hundreds of years. A genealogy search will show a long family history in Bermuda and involvement in many goings-on in Bermuda that include a very diverse family, slavery, business and trade, and religion.
Excavations by the Bermuda National Trust and The Colonial Williamsburg have found that the family were very wealthy and had prominent dealings in slavery. They said:
“The architectural and archaeological records reflect the development of a prominent and wealthy West End family over several centuries. The site also bears witness to the lives of the people held as slaves by the Gilberts. At one point, as many as 19 men, women and children serving the Gilberts as domestics, masons, labourers, pilots and boatmen lived at Springfield. One of the outbuildings has been identified as a “slave quarter” and archaeology is being used to study materials from this structure alongside those from the main house. “
Artefacts extracted from the grounds include some as far back as the seventeenth century while many others, disappointingly, have been as recent as the 1950s and 60s, which the digging team had hope to be of far greater age. The site is being systematically excavated and every dig points to new information and suggests where to concentrate efforts next.
In the yard of the house alone, over 80 large bags of artefacts have been recovered alone. One of the setbacks of the project is that the so-called ‘slave quarters’ of the house – a dwelling that the name inexplicably denotes – have been ‘disturbed’ during an attempted renovation in the fifties and, therefore, is tainted in terms of its artefacts.
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Work on uncovering the history of this national landmark continues and some of the land is off- limits to the general public. However there are many parts of the building including the library that can be visited.
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Rosecote, Bermuda, Home & Studio of Bermudian Artist Alfred Birdsey
Bermuda is a beautiful place which has inspired several artists, locals or foreigners who passed some time here, some choosing to stay and live on the island.
Amongst the most famous Bermudian artists is Alfred Birdsey, a painter whose impressionistic paintings of Bermuda’s landscapes earned him an international reputation. Rosecote, in Paget, is the home and studio of Bermudian artist Alfred Birdsey, set up in the back garden of his family home and where he worked from 1968 to his death in 1996.
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This is where the painter used to welcome visitors and treat them to a cup of tea and a chat, whether they came to buy his art or just to meet him and the place where he was working. His daughter Jo Birdsey-Linberg has decided to keep the tradition alive and knows like her father how to make her visitors feel at home.
The paintings of Alfred Birdsey played an important part in changing the way Bermuda was seen abroad and became regular additions to many collections around the world. Alfred Birdsey is most known for his impressionistic representations of the island landscapes, harbours, boats, backstreets, seascapes, homes and bays. Some of the paintings also have an Asian influence.
The particularity of Alfred Birdsey is that he was for most of the second half of the 20th century the only modernist artist residing in Bermuda. It is thought that he started painting at the age of 16, in 1927 and that he was entirely self-taught.
Some of his most renowned work is certainly the sailboat artwork that was used for the promotion of the America’s Cup when it sails from Newport to Bermuda. You can find note cards representing the work of Alfred Birdsey at his studio of Rosecote, and soon a book by his daughter Jo Birdsey- Linberg will commemorate his life’s work.
The studio of Rosecote, Paget his open to the public most weekdays between 10.30am and 1pm, but it is better to make an appointment if you want to be sure that Jo is there and that she will be able to spend some time with you. You will find Rosecote on Stowe Hill, at a convenient distance from Hamilton City and accessible by the bus route number 8 or even better, by scooter.
After you arrived at the front of the house, follow the path on the left that leads to the back garden. There, you will find the studio surrounded by a delightful décor of roses, cacti, lilies and paw-paw trees.
Alfred Birdsey’s daughter worked for him during many years up to his death and she now carries on with the family tradition in the studio of Rosecote, Paget. She celebrates Bermuda in her paintings dominated by nautical themes and breezy watercolour landscapes. She is also renowned for her whimsical animal portraits. Her work has been exhibited in New York and is part of many collections around the world, such as in the UK, Scandinavian and European countries. Her work can be bought at the studio of Rosecote, with watercolours costing $80 while oil paintings range between $400 and $900.
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Museum of Bermuda Art
Welcome to the magnificent Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art on South Road in Paget Parish. The museum is the work of The Masterworks Foundation in Bermuda. This is a non-profit body. It has accumulated art inspired by the island, and (or) is the work of local artists, since 1987. The foundation took possession of a previous arrow foot factory in 2008. The building had been standing for a century and a half. It was converted it into an enormous art centre. It is comprised of three museums. They utilize a land mass of 16,000 square feet to exhibit this extensive art collection.
The collection numbers in excess of 1200. These range from a choice of masterpieces; paintings, portraits, drawings and sketches. There are excellent examples of map making and photography. This is alongside an assortment of souvenirs and mementos of Bermuda. Visitors may also view works of art from important painters associated with the island. These range from Winslow Homer seascapes to Ogden Pleissner’s watercolours. This is in addition to showing Georgia O’Keeffe’s pictures of Bermuda, dating back to the thirties.
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The Butterfield Family Gallery is the most prominent of the galleries making up The Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art. Tourists can also visit the Richard Faries Gallery. It bears the name of the former chairman of the foundation. The third gallery is known as the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Mezzanine Gallery. The exhibits are constantly updated; changing twice a year. There is always something new to see.
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Jabulani Repertory Company, Bermuda
Dusty Hind - Founder Of Bermuda's Jabulani Repertory Company
The Jabulani Repertory Company, based at the Hamilton Princess in Bermuda, is one of the most highly regarded theatre companies on the Island.
It has been on the pinacle of theatre since its formation, back in 1993. The company has staged many wonderful, important productions and is the toast of the theatre word in Bermuda.
If you appreciate top quality acting, writing and set design, then taking in a performance is a must. They offer an unforgettable evening out for residents and tourists alike and help you lose yourself in the wonder of the theatre.
The Jabulani Repertory Company was the brainchild of Dusty Hind, who was a leading light in the theatre scene in the 1990s. He produced over 20 shows for The Jabulani Repertory Company, and is a huge part of the colourful history and tradition that built this rep company’s rep.
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It’s always a good show, when you experience a production of the Jabulani Repertory Company in Bermuda.
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The Best Artist in Bermuda
If you don’t know this already, art is very important in the history of Bermuda and is still very much alive today.
The competition for the People’s Choice best artist award was animated and the winner 2011 is contemporary artist Graham Foster. The 41-year-old Bermudian artist is well-known for his detailed paintings of Bermuda’s inhabitants, fish, flora and fauna.
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His biggest and probably most famous piece of art is the huge mural ‘The Hall of History’ of the National Museum of Bermuda (formerly known as the Bermuda Maritime Museum). Measuring 1,000 square foot and spread along two storeys, the piece illustrates five centuries of the island’s history and took about three and a half years, or 7,000 hours, to be achieved. The Hall of History was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen on November 2005, on which occasion she was given a painting by Graham Foster called ‘The Wreck of the Sea Venture’ depicting the event that lead to the creation of Bermuda.
His first love was sculpture in which he focused during his studies at the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. The initial lack of space when he returned to Bermuda meant that he turned to painting. His style has two faces. One is mainly surreal and makes use of bold colours and humorous elements to create the vision of his beloved native Bermuda. When he doesn’t paint the island, he uses a more expressionist style to create pieces that draw their inspiration from dreams and the subconscious.
Professional artist since 1995, Graham Foster got back to sculpture, more accurately steel welding, in 2000 after he found a bigger studio. In sculpture as well, his style is influenced by the island and its surrounding ocean. The marine life inspired his first welding series called Frankenstein Fish, steel fishes covered in spine and warts.
He then developed an interest for blacksmithing and used this technique in his next project heavily influenced by tribal art, another important aspect of the Bermudian culture. The triptych he produced was what he imagined tribes could have created if they have had access to these techniques. It was a success and the ’21st Century Fetish Family’ became the first work of a Bermudian artist to be bought for the permanent collection of The Bermuda National Gallery.
Although not many can afford to buy any of the artist’s sculpture, the many themed paintings Graham Foster undertake each year are turned into lithographic prints which are printed and titled and can be bought. He has solo exhibitions that can be seen at the Masterworks Foundation and the Ace Gallery, as well as having shown his work many times at the editions of the Bermuda National Gallery biennial exhibition.
Graham Foster work is also part of private collections such as those of The Bermuda Anglican Cathedral, The Bank of Bermuda, Ace Insurance, Bausch and Lombe New York, Bermuda Commercial Bank, The Masterworks Foundation and Allianz Re. It is fair to say that he is not only
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Graham Foster Bermuda – P.O. Box FL510, Flatts, FLBX; 01441 799 9126; http://www.grahamfoster.com
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Carriage House Museum in Bermuda
The original Carriage House Museum was located in Water Street, St. George’s Town, and is now a restaurant in the lovely seafront boutique shopping area at Somer’s Wharf. You can find it directly across from the Tucker House Museum.
The Museum stood for decades as homage to the long-standing form of transport before automobiles and scooters arrived en masse to the Island. The restaurant’s architecture still features some artefacts of the museum – the whereabouts of the rest of the collection of the former Museum are unknown. The interior of the building and original structure are still in excellent condition.
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Until the 1940s, horses and the carriages were the main forms of transport allowed in Bermuda, due to its narrow roads and carriageways. Anyone who could afford a horse-drawn carriage did, which was mainly the wealthy or those that had to forgo other possessions or luxuries in order to run and maintain one. During the 1940s and in to the 50s, a huge proportion of these disappeared as people replace them with cars, vans, trucks and bikes – whether the island’s roads infrastructure could handle them or not (and ultimately, as it turns out, couldn’t, hence the reason why tourists and visitors to the island can’t rent an automobile).
The Carriage Museum sprung up in order to preserve the history of the transport mode and survived for many years before succumbing to funding issues and the building was adopted for private enterprise.
The 18th century brick-vaulted Museum building housed a great collection of wagons and carriages including beautiful broughams, phaetons before closure.
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The building was restored and refurbished as part of a mass refurbishment on the waterfront at Somer’s Wharf and the Carriage House restaurant has now adopted the building, which has a stunning garden patio with amazing views over the harbour to the sea.
Today, you can experience what life was like in Bermuda during the horse and carriage era by taking a tour or excursion from King’s Square in St. George’s. It’s an excellent way to see St. George’s as well as many other parts of ‘old Bermuda’. Prices start around $50.
If that isn’t for you, why not pop in to the Carriage Museum Restaurant for lunch or dinner and to enjoy the history of the former Carriage House Museum.
The restaurant offers a great variety for all the family. Lunch offers the usual affair of tasty sandwiches, soups and burgers among its delights. The exquisite dinner menu includes a choice of succulent prime ribs, rack of lamb and fish chowder as well as pastas, lobster, steak and vegetarian dishes.
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Bermuda Railway Museum & Curiosity Shop
Charles Dickens wrote about The Old Curiosity Shop, but if in the mood to take in some local history on a trip to Bermuda, and then visit The Bermuda Railway Museum & Curiosity Shop.
The Bermuda Railway Museum & Curiosity Shop is a compact establishment, celebrating the island’s historical railway system.
The private owned exhibit is held in a former Aquarium Station on North Shore Road in Smith Parish. It has a wonderful selection of railway seats, wicker chairs and railway signs. They are procured from a classical first class train compartment.
This is along with an unforgettable selection of, photographs and memorabilia. It offers tourists find out what it was like to ride the timeless Bermuda Railway, affectionately known as “Old Rattle and Shake”.
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Bermuda Maritime Museum, Sandys
The Royal Naval Dockyard in Sandys Parish is the first port of call of many tourists to Bermuda and it is a great place where to start your visit of the island. Amongst the many attractions of the complex, the Bermuda Maritime Museum – also called the National Museum of Bermuda since 2009 – is a great resource for whoever wants to know more about the maritime history of the island.
The building that hosts the Museum is called The Keep and was the fortress that was originally protecting the dockyard. It is the largest in Bermuda with walls 30 feet high and it covers a surface of 10 acres of land. Inside this museum officially inaugurated in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II, you’ll find the most extensive artefact collections of Bermuda as well as historic exhibits.
Visitors are greeted by a 3-meter high statue of King Neptune standing on the parade ground. The original figure comes from the wreck of the HMS Irresistible that sunk 1891 and it was rebuilt in limestone. There are six buildings within the walls of the fortress, the Queen’s Exhibition Hall, the
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Forster Cooper Building, the Shell House, the Shifting House, the Boat Loft and the Commissioner’s House.
One of the island’s most important buildings is the Commissioner’s House. The Georgian house dating from the 1820′s is thought to be the first cast-iron structure built in the world. It was restored and saved from dereliction by the restoration of the museum and consists of a ground floor made of limestone and brick rooms dedicated to the island’s military history; and two floors featuring mahogany mouldings where exhibits off Bermuda art.
The reviews at Trip Advisor say the Museum is:
“Very informative and interesting; great old stone buildings; some great exhibits”.
Thanks to the different exhibits on at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, you can learn about the creation of the Royal Naval dockyard, the dangerous reefs that got sailors giving Bermuda the name of Isle of Devils, you will see collections of over 2000 antique bottles collected around the island and some precious items found in 16thand 17th centuries shipwrecks, especially the famous Pectoral Cross recovered by most known Bermuda’s diver Teddy Tucker in 1955.
You can also walk around the defences, including ramparts and seven bastions, lettered from ‘A’ to ‘G’, that defended the fort and were mounted with 32-pound and 24-pound cannons, 8-inch shell guns and 6-inch BL barrels, that were designed by the Royal Engineers to have panoramic views of Bermuda and the Atlantic Ocean.
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Bermuda Art in the Dark
Are you looking for an enlightening time in Bermuda? Then you will experience the heights of artistic talent and good food when attending the regional restaurant and gallery tour called Bermuda Art in the Dark. This exciting event is held on the 12th of May in the capital city of Bermuda, Hamilton.
It allows aficionados to go out and view beautiful works of art while enjoying a bite to eat.
Bermuda Art in the Dark is a unique event combining good food and art appreciation. It uses restaurants as exhibits or art galleries. Here patrons could have something to eat and view the work
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA of local Bermuda artists at the same time. The event takes places at corresponding restaurants around the island, where art is displayed.
It also allows collectors the opportunity to buy any pieces which catch their eye. You could even pick something up at a discount. If you love fine art, you are certain to find something to your tastes. The Art in the Dark exhibit lasts from five in the afternoon to eight in the evening.
The event continues on the 15th of May at Par-la-Ville Park. It will have music as well as fine art. There will be art classes and vendors, being and selling works of art. This is in addition to a showing of up and coming artist Nashon Hollis. You could also have something to eat or drink at a special outdoor cafe, appropriately called Picasso.
The future will be bright if you get a chance to experience Bermuda Art in The Dark!
Well-known Bermudian artist, Chris Grimes will be giving a talk on Thursday, May 12th from 6 to 6.30 p.m. at BSoA as part of the Art in the Dark event. BSoA galleries will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. so why not stop by and see the incredible Heritage through the Eyes of the Artist exhibit. More at http://www.bsoa.bm/
*Image Copyright Chris Grimes
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Shopping in Bermuda
Credit card burning a hole in your pocket? Then Bermuda is the place to let it sizzle. So many fabulous shops and world-class spas to choose from.
With US dollars and Bermudian dollars virtually interchangeable, this is the island for those who believe retailing should be a contact sport. If shopping fires you with a surge of adrenalin, you’ll need a spa treatment to bring you down again. In Bermuda, shops and spas are the uppers and downers of a mid-Atlantic vacation paradise.
Lovers of handbags and owners of the sexiest luggage in any hotel lobby make for Louis Vuitton on Front Street. Those who like sultry Italian elegance choose Max Mara, also on Front Street. One row further back (Reid Street), Stefanel beckons. The look here is fun and funky.
For fine jewellery and exquisite timepieces from Omega, Cartier, Tag Heuer, and Patek Phillipe at discount prices (up to 30% off US prices), try Astwood Dickinson. But if it’s local gifts and crafts you’re looking for, nowhere has a more colourful collection of Bermudian than The Island Shop on Queen Street.
At last, when your feet ache and your arms droop under the weight of all that shopping, it’s time for the luxury spa suites at the Mandarin Oriental, Elbow Beach. Each of these personal havens of tranquillity has its own ocean view. And for wellbeing that reaches deep into your soul, only COHA (Cann’s Oriental Healing Arts) in Happy Valley Road will do.
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Cool Shopping
There are many different fantastic shopping outlets in Bermuda. They range from the grandest department store to small, intimate convenience stores.
No matter what you are looking for, you will find the perfect shopping experience on the island. If you wish to purchase the finest clothes, jewellery, perfume or gifts for the family, then you will find it all in Bermuda. The choice is plentiful and here are some suggestions:
Astwood Dickinson
For many, Astwood’s is synonymous with exquisite jewellery and gems — Items range from rare coin pendants and Bermuda gold figurines to timepieces by Patek Phillipe, Cartier, Omega, Tag Heuer, Gucci and Mont Blanc. www.astwooddickinson.com
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Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard
As well as being a world-renowned arts centre, it also sells local artist’s work including paintings, sculptures, jewellery and pottery. www.artbermuda.bm
Bermuda Perfumery
Sample an intoxicating array of perfumes created from exotic blooms in an enchanting Bermuda garden. A must for the nature lover and those with a keen nose. www.bermuda-perfumery.com
Calypso
Bermuda’s most colourful department store, this Front Street institution is known for bold prints, wild colours and the largest collection of swimwear on the island. You can find the latest fashions from London, Milan, New York and Paris. www.calypsobermuda.com
Carole Holding
Truly a treasure trove of Bermuda paintings and gifts. It includes delicate watercolours, Bacardi rum cakes, amazing jams, preserves and so much more, all by Carole Holding. A perfect place for gifts for your home as well as your friends and love ones. www.caroleholding.bm
Cecile’s
Uber fashion from the runways of Milan, Paris, London and New York. Whether you need something for a special occasion or just fancy treating yourself, Cecile’s has it all.
For more information call +1.441.295.1311
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CigarBox
For the cigar lover, your one source for fine premium cigars, humidors, pipes, Zippo lighters and other paraphernalia. www.cigarboxbermuda.com
Crisson’s
No matter what the occasion, Crisson’s has something to make the moment memorable and special. With timepieces by Rolex, Cartier, David Yurman, Movado, Seiko and Raymond Weil through to exquisite jewellery, diamonds and other gems. www.crisson.com
27th Century Boutique
Frequent winner of the “Best of Bermuda” award, 27th Century Boutique offers distinctive occasion wear and versatile daywear using a range of fabrics and great attention to detail. For both ladies and gentlemen.
For more information call +1.441.292.2628
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Front Street Shopping in Bermuda
Would you like to visit the central spot of the capital of Bermuda? Then why not head on down to Front Street?
This is the famous main strip in Hamilton, looking out on the Hamilton Harbour. It allows holiday makers observe the many captivating cruise ships which moor on the dock. This is alongside taking in the notable buildings, coated in a distinctive pastel shade. This is in keeping with the traditional structural design and architecture common in colonial days.
Front Street is celebrated for being a bustling location, active and lively. Front Street Bermuda is crowded with many different shops. They sell everything from food and drink to fashionable clothing and jewellery. There is also a fine line of gift shops, selling mementoes, souvenirs and the finest crystal.
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Front Street is known for its bars and restaurants, many of whom have balcony seats where you can look out at the harbour. This adds up to Front Streets standing as one of the foremost destinations in Bermuda.
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Fresh Local Fish at Miles Market in Bermuda
If there is one product that you can expect to be amazingly fresh and local in Bermuda it is fish. With an impressive number of species of fish swimming around the island in the Atlantic Ocean’s waters, Bermuda is undoubtedly a great place to eat fresh seafood.
All the restaurants on the island will get their fish delivered every morning by their favourite fisherman or fishmongers and there are plenty of places where anyone can buy the catch of the day.
So when it comes to find where the best fish comes from, you can imagine that it is most contested awards and maybe the most prestigious in Bermuda. Until this year, the jury of The Bermudian used to give the Best of Bermuda Award for fresh local fish to one of the fishermen who sell their fish by the roadside. But it was difficult to ignore the quality and the great selection offered by the Market Miles and it was given the title of best purveyor of fresh local fish in Bermuda in 2011.
Everyone on the island knows Miles Market and its reputation, some describing it at the “Harrods of Bermuda” because of the quality and speciality food you can get there. The American visitors to the island call it the Balducci of Bermuda in reference to the great New York grocers.
The business owned by the Cox family since 1862 has gradually evolved into this fine food store located at The Waterfront Complex, on Pitts Bay Road. The quality of its products is matched by five generations of experience in this domain and a staff hand selected.
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You will find just about every type of fish it is possible to get from the waters of Bermuda at Miles Market, served full or perfectly cut like tuna steaks or salmon fillets. The quality of the fish here is similar to everything else that is being sold. If you are looking for the best of the best, you will definitely find it at Miles Market.
The fruits and vegetables are of course organically grown locally and to ensure a perfect quality control and offer you the best possible, the Miles Market has its own farmers. Nowhere else on the island will you get the best and freshest products in season, with mention of their provenance. As much as possible, the use of packaging is reduced, but when it is needed, sustainability and possibilities of recycling are carefully considered.
The Miles Market is not only known for having the best fresh local fish in Bermuda, it also has the best beef on the island. The lamb, pork and poultry are renowned too. Furthermore, it has the widest selection of cheese and wine on the island with products imported from everywhere in the world. Their wine selection is also the best you could find and if that was not complete enough for you they will be happy to order the bottle of your dreams.
A deli, the Miles To Go, allows anyone to go home with the best products already cooked or ready to cook, as well as picnic lunches. You can take them back home or in the office, or eat on their patio. Miles Market also has the first Café Godiva in the world, with all the Godiva chocolate products available for sale.
This year it was the award of best fresh local fish supplier, but Miles Market has had many more in the past and will probably get more in the future.
Miles Market - 96 Pitts Bay Road, Hamilton, HM08; (441) 295-1234
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Flowers By GiMi: The Best Fresh Flowers
With a climate such as the one of Bermuda, it is easy to grow the best flowers, especially the tropical ones. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that all florists will be the same and will all have fresh flowers, or at least the best.
Given all the weddings organised and celebrated in the island by visitors looking for the most romantic location as well as all the events organised here, there are plenty of florists in Bermuda.
There is however one which surpasses every other florist in Bermuda for the last three years. Flowers By GiMi, the florist of Front Street, in Hamilton, has once again been voted the best
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Flowers By GiMi is much more than your usual local florist, it is a premium floral design and customised gift boutique. The company has not only a main store on Front Street, it also has a Design Studio in Pembroke, as well as a retail shop at Miles Market, in Pembroke too. It has become the place of choice of many for weddings and receptions.
The reputation of Flowers By GiMi for arranging beautiful as well as innovative bouquets is only matched by the quality and the freshness of their flowers which are known for lasting at least a week and often many more days. Furthermore, the philosophy at Flowers By GiMi is to not only anticipate their customers’ expectations but also to surpass them.
The company can rely on the impressive experience of one of the founders, Michelle Geary, the two others being Bermudian recording artist Gita Blakeney Saltus and her husband Gary Saltus. Michelle Geary worked in England for the country’s finest department store Harrod’s, celebrity florist Paula Pryke Flowers, as well as a floral designer for the Royal Family. After she sold her successful own flower company in the UK, she came to Bermuda and created Flowers By GiMi.
The objective of the company is to support the tourism and the corporate industries of Bermuda by providing them with innovative and splendid floral creations for different local events and convention groups.
The best shop for fresh flowers is also a specialist of wedding flowers, creating exquisite arrangements in the wedding signature colour or the wedding theme. The people at Flowers. By GiMi are great at coming up with new ideas to offer you unique floral arrangements for the ceremony and the reception, with customised bouquets, breathtaking centrepieces and napkin treatments of which only they know the secret.
For example, Flowers By GiMi can design an ocean hue for the perfect Bermuda wedding by using lavender, lilac and blues, or throwing in more colours with fushia, pink and magenta combined with the richer purple of the eggplant that will be contrasted with line and apple green. These are only a couple of suggestions and they have many more to match any theme and atmosphere. Flowers can be used for many events and the strength of Flowers By GiMi is to be able to stay innovative whatever the occasion is, from birthday party to gala dinner, awards ceremony or even a company
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Flowers By GiMi,Bermuda - 37 Front Street, Hamilton HM 11; (441) 297-4464; http://www.flowersbygimi.com
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Great Gifts at Otto Wurz in Bermuda
There are always an occasion for which you need to find a gift and sometimes you want to be original without having to spend a fortune. Or you just need a little something to show someone you think about them, congratulate them for something they have done or even for no reasons, just to be nice. If you are in any of these situations or any other that calls for finding a gift, from a wedding to a graduation, a birthday or an anniversary, there is only one stop for you in Bermuda, Otto Wurz.
The shop located in the Vallis Building in Hamilton has everything you need and more. There are so many quality gifts and other items that can’t be found anywhere else on the island that the shop was given the Best of Bermuda Award 2011 for great gifts by the jury of The Bermudian. Even better, Otto Wurz was also the winner of the Award of Excellence of the category Shopping and Services. This clearly makes this the best shop for gifts in Bermuda and a place of importance for all those who like to track original articles and trinkets rather than surrender to the usual electronic gadget or item of clothing when they offer something. The shop is located on Front Street and not hard to find. But once inside, you will be amazed by the quantity of gifts
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Inside Otto Wurz, you will find two distinctive rooms. The first one when you enter the shop is known as ‘the serious room’, and the second one on the left is called ‘the fun room’. The serious room is more traditional with sterling silver items such as cutlery, jewellery, bracelets, but also all type of more traditional gifts for men and women alike: boxed pen sets, tie pins, cufflinks, place mats and coasters, pewter ware, glassware, even salad sets.
The fun room is more orientated towards the younger people, with many classic gifts as well as more unusual ones. The selection includes some funky clothes hooks, T-shirts, animal tow bar covers, magnets, wind chimes, napkins, can coolers, cribbage sets, many crazy and colourful hats, chairs and the usual humorous greetings cards.
Since a few years, Otto Wurz has increased its children selection and now stocks many wooden handmade articles such as rocking chairs and horses, sets of table and chairs for kids, push toys, doll houses and toy trunks.
The great gift shop Otto Wurz is well-known for wedding and other lists because the staff is always ready to help and guide guests to pick up an article that would match the style and taste of those whom the gift is bought for. Similarly, if you are not sure what to buy to someone, the staff will discuss with you what they are like and their lifestyle and help you make a decision. The shop opened in the 1930′s on Bermudiana Road by Austrian Otto Wurz was bought in 1956 by the grand-mother of the current owner, Anthea Edwards, who moved it in Front Street in 1962.Today, the sons of the owner Christopher and John are the fourth generation involved in the running of Otto Wurz.
Otto Wurz, Bermuda - 3 Front Street, Hamilton, HM12; (441) 295-1247
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All Wrapped Up Home
Whatever the size of your home and whether it is a house or a flat, giving it a bit of decoration makes all the difference between it just being four walls and a roof above your head and a place where you can relax and like to be.
Usually, the first reflex when looking to buy some elements of decoration for a home is to go to a department store. These are doing everything you can think of and need to give your home a personal touch. They are handy and cover the house needs from the bathroom and the bedroom to the kitchen and the living room.
But there is a new kid in town and after a few months only, it has taken over the department stores in the race for the title of the best place for Bed, Bath and Beyond at The Bermudian’s Best of Bermuda Awards. All Wrapped Up Home is the newly-born shop of Peter Richold, owner of the All Wrapped Up Card store, also winner of the category Greeting Cards.
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Born from the opportunity to expand after a spot became available in the Washington Mall a few metres from the first All Wrapped Up shop, All Wrapped Up Home has quickly seduced the people of Bermuda with its fresh approach of the home decoration. The store is full of ideas to decorate your new home or refresh your décor. It is also a great place to find original and beautiful presents. The arrangement of the All Wrapped Up Home store makes it easy for anyone to picture how the items would look in their home. It also has the vast majority of items available in a multitude of colours so you can easily match every accessory in your bathroom and your bedroom. For example, you can get everything in the bathroom in the same colour, from the curtain shower to the bath mat, the bath towels, even the trash can, the tissue box and the shower hooks. The owner and the store manager Shannan Baras will help you to find all the items you need in one colour if you need.
When it comes to bedroom, the colour coordination is also very important. All Wrapped Up Home has everything necessary to make a bedroom comfortable, inviting and relaxing: comforter sets, duvet covers, sheet sets and pillows, as well as window curtains and blinds. There are also catalogues you can order items from if they were not in stock. As All Wrapped Up Home has decided to deal with small manufacturers, the customers can benefit from quick shipping and original items. The best home decoration store in Bermuda has also items for living areas that can be the focal point in the room and not just space filler, such as clocks, mirrors and decorative accent pieces. The store has a wide selection of items of medium to big size to help make them part of the décor and sometimes the starting point of it.
The new shop is also the sole distributor in Bermuda of the Stamps Watches, watches that you can match to your style and attitude with interchangeable faces and bands.
All Wrapped Up Home, Bermuda - Washington Mall Lower, 18 Church Street, Hamilton, HM11; (441) 542-1969
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Dangelini’s, Bermuda
When the time has come to leave your home and get to work or anywhere else you have to be, there is a compulsory stop on the way, somewhere with good coffee and something sweet to eat! Well, there are many of these places on the island but the best fresh breads and pastries can be found at Dangelini’s.
For the second consecutive year, the café located on Front Street, in Hamilton, right next to the ferry terminal, was voted top in the fresh breads and pastries category in the Best of Bermuda Awards by the Bermudian. If there is nothing better than a fresh pastry with a side of coffee to start your day, then you will experience the best day ever after stopping by Dangelini’s!
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The great location of the café also means that many of the visitors coming on the island by ferry and docking in Hamilton get to taste the best fresh breads and pastries at Dangelini’s before anything else. That is probably the best selling point for Bermuda as well as for Hamilton because the café share a space with the Hamilton Visitor’s Information Centre. You couldn’t possibly wish for a better first coffee and pastries to start your day visiting the capital of Bermuda.
It is then a regular place to see local business people on their way to work and tourists on their way to a tour of the city. At Dangelini’s, the atmosphere is relaxed, the service is professional, the pastries are delicious and the coffee is just perfect. Many tourists are surprised of the fact that this can match and even surpassed the coffee they are used to in their favourite local coffee shop. Coffee lovers will not need to experience coffee withdrawals while in Bermuda!
The name of the place is a contraction of the three owners names, husband and wife Daniele and Jessica and their associate Shalini who have done a great job and managed to take the title of best fresh breads and pastries in Bermuda for two years in only two years of existence!
The selection of homemade pastries changes regularly and every Friday, you can get gluten and lactose free cakes, muffins and cookies. The list of regular pastries is enough to make you want to go to Dangelini’s: Coconut Pound Cake, Banana Bread, Cinnamon Pecan Swirl Coffee Cake, Fudgie Oatmeal Squares, Pumpkin Gingerbread, Chocolate Chip Squares, Outrageous Orange Brownies, German Chocolate Brownies, Apple Coffee Cake, Chocolate Chip Dream Bars, Barn Bars, Raspberry Smacks, Orange Chocolate Chip Cake, Fall Harvest Bars with Citrus Cream Cheese Frosting, Peppermint Brownies, Chocolate Chip Walnut Squares, Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake, Maple Walnut Bundt Cake, Apricot Crumble Bars, Carrot Cake, Orange Juice Bread and Pumpkin Maple Mini Cakes…
Dangelini’s also makes soups such as Portuguese Red Bean, Kale and Sausage, Chicken with Rice or Chicken with Barley. This place is just more than a coffee shop, it is one of the best coffee shops on the island. Along its 2010 and 2011 awards for best fresh breads and pastries, Dangelini’s was also voted Best Mornin’ Cup of Joe and Best Fresh Baked Goods in 2010, in their first year!.
Daniele, Jessica and Shalini know all about what makes the best pastries, such as the crispiness of the crust and the quality of the crumb, all we know is that the Dangelini’s pastries just smell and taste the best of Bermuda.
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Dangelini’s, Bermuda - Dangelini’s Cafe, 8 Front Street, Hamilton, HM 08; 441 295-5272
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The Music Box
If you have ever been to Bermuda, you will surely have noticed that music has a special place in our hearts and our culture.
From the Gombey dancers parading in the streets at any opportunity to the few music festivals organised on the island, the live bands entertaining countless punters in pubs and restaurants at the week-end and the many endless nights spent dancing, music is never far away in Bermuda.
For all those who like music, the most important place is the music store where they can buy the last CD of their favourite artist, local or international, as well as their instruments and accessories, music books, music sheets and anything remotely linked with music. Of course, there are loads of these places in Bermuda and the best one is The Music Box. The store located in Reid Street, in Hamilton was voted top of the category music store at the Best of Bermuda Awards 2011 organised by The Bermudian.
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Not only The Music Box took the award, but it realised the tour de force of sticking it to the winner of the category for the last three years, Music World. The independent store is the place where you have to go if you are a fan of music, whether you are a listener or a musician. The shop is absolutely crammed with items related to music, from stereos and other electronic equipment to CDs, books and instruments.
The Music Box is one of the oldest and finest music stores in Bermuda and has any type of music you could ask for, local and international. Whether you are looking for some oldies like Byron Lee or the last album Rihanna, or the complete collection of local reggae singer Mishka or Bermuda legendary group Talbot Brothers, you will find it at The Music Box. If you were unlucky enough not to find it, the staff will happily order it for you and you should get it within a week. Furthermore, with new arrivals every Thursday, you have an excuse to go and check regularly the stocks at The Music Box.
Because music is not just about listening to other’s stuff but also playing and creating your own music, The Music Box would not be the best music shop in Bermuda without selling instruments. You can find here most of the instruments you need for your band or your solo acts, such as keyboards and guitars of course, but also saxophones, ukuleles, mandolins, trumpets and melodicas. There are also all the accessories you would need for these instruments like cases and strings, capos and reeds, valve oil, or rosin.
Before playing an instrument you might need to learn how to play it and The Music Box has music lesson books for every levels and ages, from beginners to masters, from kids to adults. You will also need some music sheets to learn and play your favourite songs and there are loads available at The Music Box. The store has books from Faber, RCM, Mel Bay, Vamoosh, John Tompson, ABRSM and Suzuki, as well as manuscript books to please everyone.
This is so much more than a simple music store and you can find everything related to music:
Microphones with stands and cables, headphones, drum skins, blank CDs and DVDs, storage cases, batteries, A/C adaptors, even majorette baton sticks.
The Music Box, Bermuda - 58 Reid Street, Hamilton, HM12; (441) 295-4839
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City Market of Bermuda (Hamilton)
From November 1st to June 30th, the market held in Hamilton, Bermuda, is a little more than just a place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables!
The City Market of Bermuda, also known locally as the Farmer’s Market, is closer to a bohemian street festival, where locals wear their casual Bermudian dresses. In fact, there is a city market that takes place every Saturday at the Bull’s Head car park on Canal Road between 8am and 12pm. This is the place to discover the taste, smell and colours of Bermuda!
It was primarily a farmer’s market when it was started in 2002 as a grass roots initiative to raise interest in local products. It is now a key element of the local scene, with farmers, artisans and gardeners selling everything you can think of. They range from local honey and banana bread to fresh Bermuda fish, fruits and vegetables and even lemongrass hand cream.
There are more than a hundred stalls at this outdoor market (which retreats to the ground floor of the indoor car park a few yards away when it rains), with every organic fruits and vegetables you
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Everything you want to cook is found right here in the market, such as poultry, eggs, and fresh fish. This is as well as homemade goods like dips, patés and pestos, to jams, jellies and chutneys. That is not to mention the island’s wild fruits, honeys from the pollen of Bermuda’s wild flowers, and breads…
Those who are staying in self-catering accommodation or have a kitchenette in their hotel room can sample the best of Bermuda’s food freshly cooked. While you are visiting the City Market of Bermuda, treat yourself to freshly brewed coffee or a delicious hot chocolate. You can also mimic the locals and buy some sugar cane to chew.
The market has grown a great deal since it first opened, with just a few farmers’ stall. These days, though, there are numerous art and crafts products for sale. These have gained a quick popularity still growing, with scented candles, needlecrafts, handbags, greeting cards, Venetian glass jewellery, handcrafted soaps and many more.
It is literally an explosion of odours and colours, with plenty of products you can sample before buying. The City Market is one of Bermuda’s best spot for people-watching; because everyone comes in their best clothes. It is more than a market, it is a social outing. The market is the perfect event to start your week-end. You will be surprised to see how quickly it gets busy, even from 8am!
For visitors staying in a hotel or at a place where they can’t cook, it is still an amazing place to go to understand the relation Bermudians have with their local products, fresh or handmade. This is as well as the relations between the farmers and the buyers. The Bermuda City Market did well in promoting the local farming skills and the island’s agricultural tradition.
The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, reflecting the laid back attitude of Bermudians. It doesn’t make any concessions on the quality of the products sold in the market. You will without doubt find the best of the island’s vegetables, fruits, meat and fish. It is an opportunity you can’t miss when staying in Hamilton or around about. If you are not but are a fan of farmer’s markets, then it is worth getting up early and visits the Bull’s Head car park and the City Market of Bermuda!
City Market of Bermuda (Hamilton) - November 1st 2011 to June 30th 2012
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Robertson’s Drug Store
In Bermuda, we are like anyone else and sometimes we got ill. Not many often because of the cold, we are lucky enough to have a clement climate, not too hot and not really cold!
But we still need to visit the doctor once in a while and get to the pharmacy. If you are looking for the best pharmacy in Bermuda, the title was awarded this year to the Roberston’s Drug Store by the judges of the Best of Bermuda Awards of The Bermudian.
These days, a pharmacy is much more than just a place to get advice on cures and buy medicines. Robertson’s Drug Store, located on York Street, in the centre of St. George, is pretty much a small supermarket. It is a household name and a kind of institution in St. George where ills have been relying on it for over seven decades to get better.
The drug store has realised the tour-de-force of taking over the People’s Pharmacy of Hamilton for the title of best pharmacy after an uncontested reign of 11 years! According to the judges of the
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Best of Bermuda Awards, the coup d’etat was the result of extensive renovations in Robertson’s Drug Store and a reward for having the best selection of the island in specialist and international products.
Of course you can still find medicines and remedies in the drug store as it stays their main activities and the pharmacists will be happy to help you with any health queries and prescription. But whatever you are looking for, start by Robertson’s and chances are you will not have to go any further to find it. Or, if you have had no luck finding what you needed anywhere else, Robertson’s is always Bermudians last hope.
It has the usual and expected greeting cards and postcards, gifts, wrapping paper and all stationery supplies you can think of. You will have to see it to believe how much you can find at Robertson’s Drug Store and how well-stocked this rather large shop is. Here, toys of all kinds, even unusual ones, sit next to beach towels and accessories, health and beauty products, candles, candys, all sort of seasonal items, fine china mugs and beakers, scarves, purses and many more accessories.
In fact, Robertson’s Drug Store is not just the best pharmacy in Bermuda; it is also one of the best shops of the island. For example, this is the best place for those looking for a variety of newspapers and magazines. The shop even stocks an impressive range of foreign publications as well as many Bermuda-themed books making it a prime destination for any visitors, especially those boarding at St. George. The list of everything sold by the drug store would be far too important to be exhaustively named here but to give an example of its eclectic stock; you can even find English chocolates and Cuba cigars!
At Robertson’s, they also think about the seniors and offer them a 10% discount storewide on the third Saturday of every month. Although this promotion doesn’t apply to prescriptions, tobacco items, newspapers and magazines, it is these type of attitude that makes Robertson’s Drug Store a pillar of St. George’s community.
Of course, Robertson’s is open every day all year round, from 8am to 7.30pm weekdays and Saturdays and from 4pm to 6pm on Sundays.
Robertson’s Drug Store Bermuda - 24 York Street, St. George, GE BX; 441 297 1736
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Down to Earth, Bermuda
There are not many of these places where everything is great, from the products and their benefits, to the location, the staff and the philosophy behind the place. Well, luckily for us and all those who come to visit our island, Bermuda has just the place! It is called Down to Earth and was found to have the most friendly customer service by the judges of the Best of Bermuda Awards 2011 organised by The Bermudian.
The natural food and health store is doubled up with a juice bar and is the perfect place for those who want to look after them. We already have the chance to live in a fabulous island so why not make the most of it and stay healthy. With an expert staff always ready to help and advice you, cosmetics, well-being supplements, health food, organic grains, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, beans, teas, vegan-friendly snacks, books and even households products such as cleaners, body scrubs and toothpaste, Down to Earth really is the most complete health store in Bermuda!
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Many of us take the decision to lead a healthy life but it is not always easy to stick to it, especially when everyone around you has given up on it. People in Bermuda tend to not have such a good and healthy lifestyle, a bit like elsewhere in the developed world. But we all want to change it, maybe because we like to look good on the beach and we like sports a lot, especially cricket, golf and sailing. Amongst the large half dozen of organic food stores that can be found in Bermuda, Down to Earth, located in Bermuda House, on Reid Street, in Hamilton, is the one where you can get everything you need and more. A great service goes a long way in helping you choose what products are best for what you want to achieve as well as how to use them best.
But don’t just buy some products and leave without stopping by the juice bar! According to people at Down to Earth, it is the only true juice bar on the island. What we know for sure is that they deliver fresh-made citrus juices, vegetable juices, wheat-grass juices and fruit smoothies, all of them prepare to order in front of you. As much as possible, they are trying to buy from local producers and this makes for even fresher and tastier juices.
Each juice has a different function and it is important to know what they do to your organism before choosing one. The juicing dynamics are something that the staff at Down to Earth are very knowledgeable of and that’s part of why the shop was distinguished for its friendly customer service.
There are two main types of vegetable juice, with different functions. The ‘green drinks’ are made with green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, collards, Swiss chard or bok choy, and are strong detoxifiers. It is because of their high concentration in chlorophyll which is a natural disinfectant, as well as in folic acid and vitamin B. the ‘green drinks’ are also known for their healing powers by stimulating cells and rejuvenating the body.s
The other vegetable juices, made generally of carrot, celery, beetroot and others, are known as being health restorers, giving a boost to the immune system and guarding the body against illness. Down to Earth has many other vegetable juices such as cucumber, parsley, or even garlic or onion.
Down to Earth, Bermuda - 56 Reid St., Hamilton, HM12; 441 292 5639; http://www.downtoearthbermuda.com
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Trends Bermuda
Even if Bermuda is an idyllic destination and home to some of the best beaches of soft pink sand, you still need some shoes to walk in most places!
You can of course opt for the light and practical flip-flop if all you do is going from the beach to the poolside by bus or taxi. But if you decide to walk a bit to visit the many beautiful places of the island, or if you want to eat something else than a beach barbecue every day and night, proper shoes are definitely a must-have!
For The Bermudian which organises every year the Best of Bermuda Awards, the best shoe shop in Bermuda is called Trends. This little shop is located on The Walkway, on Reid Street, in the area off Front Street where there are some narrow lanes full of splendid boutiques and small restaurants.
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Being fashionable while wearing Bermuda shorts can be a bit tricky, especially when it comes to shoes. These are the fundamentals of the island elegant-casual look, but it is not everyone that can achieve it perfectly. Of course, not everyone cares about looking its best, especially on vacations when all they want is to relax and forget about the suit they are forced to wear every day in the office. Well, if that’s what they want, it’s fine for us, but it doesn’t mean we all have to follow them.
Elegant-casual can quickly turn sour and go down the road of tasteless or even worse, ending up on a clash of colours and styles. In fact, the elegant-casual style requires a bit of work and when achieved is a delight for those who wear it and those who look at them. Given that people- watching is close from being an official local pastime, people will acknowledge a good outfit, especially from holidaymakers.
So then, shoes are an important part of the elegant-casual outfit and there is no better place to go than Trends, the best shoe shop in Bermuda to choose them. The service is second to none here and the staff will be happy to help you choose the best shoes for the style you want to achieve. The shop is also reputed for having the most up-to-date foot fashions and stocks recognisable American and European shoe brands. You will find in Trends the last creations of Aerosoles, Dr Scholls, Joan & David, or Enzo Angiolini.
Of course, shoes are an accessory and as such, there are different shoes for different styles. Depending on the occasion, you can give different styles to your Bermuda-shorts based outfit by changing shoes. Try sneakers or canvas shoes for a casual style, at the beach, by the pool or for a light lunch at the terrace of a café. Change to a pair of flats or loafers and you will immediately get a bit dressier. Once in a while, wedges can give your wardrobe a little persona, especially if you have long legs. You can push towards the elegant side of your outfit for the evening by putting on a pair of pump or even some heels.
In Trends, you will be able to find all the shoes you need to make your Bermuda outfit always more elegant than casual whatever the situation is. While you’re at it, have a look at the great handbags they have, like colourful Cole Haan and Dooney & Burke. Trends definitely are the best shoe shop in Bermuda!
Trends in Bermuda - The Walkway, 22 Reid Street, Hamilton, HM11; 441 295 6420
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Lusso Bermuda
There is more to a handbag than giving you the opportunity to carry all your essential things with you. After all, if you are going to take a bag with you all day, you might as well have one that completes your outfit. Like shoes and jewellery, the handbag is a proper accessory and you make a fashion statement when choosing one.
Bermuda is known for its luxurious resorts and lifestyle as well as for its great shopping offer. It is also a tax-free place, meaning that you can get great designer products for cheaper than back home. So why not treat yourself with a luxury handbag? You know you can always do with a new one and since it’s cheaper here, you don’t have to justify yourself. In fact, it would be criminal to let go a good bargain and it is your duty to take advantage of the offer.
There are many shops on the island where you can find great handbags and the best amongst them was found to be Lusso. It was indeed voted the place with the best luxury handbags by The
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Bermudian in its Best of Bermuda Awards. Such a shop could not be located anywhere else than in one of the most beautiful street of Hamilton, Front Street.
It would be without a doubt the first stop of Carrie Bradshaw and her friends if the fictional characters of Sex and the City would ever come to Bermuda. Since the majority of luxury handbags are from Italian designers, Lusso seems the first choice to look for such items. You will not be disappointed; the shop really is the epitome of glamour and high-end fashion accessories.
At Lusso, you will find all the best from the top European designers in the same room: Prada, Fendi, Miu Miu, Ferragamo, Jimmy Choo… Every handbag that is at the top of the fashion universe is on display at Lusso. For example, last year the shop had the number one summer bag for 2010, the see-through crystal bag from Prada.
What really distinguish Lusso from any other shops in Bermuda that sells women’s handbags, purses, suitcases and other accessories is that its products are a level above any of them. Here, this is fashion at its trendiest. The atmosphere is sophisticated and the service is the most attentive. Everything is made to enhance your already fantastic shopping experience.
Even though Lusso is the place to get the best luxury handbags in Bermuda, it doesn’t exclusively sell handbags. The luxurious collections are completed by selections of scarves, wallets, sunglasses, shoes and other accessories. Men will not be left alone waiting while you are shopping thanks to selections of ties, wallets and shoes.
From the minute you walk past outside Lusso to the moment you leave the shop with your new bag in hand, you will be enchanted by the most stylish and enviable luxury handbags you have ever seen. Women in Bermuda are the same as anywhere else in the world and sometimes they simply need to have the last designer handbag. That’s why they go to Lusso, because it has the best luxury handbags choice on the island. And while you are buying a new handbag, why not getting matching accessories. You will also need a dress to go with it, but that’s another story.
Lusso Bermuda - 51 Front St., Hamilton, HM11; 441 295 6734
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French Connection Bermuda
Bermuda might be a small island lost in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean; it certainly doesn’t mean that it is isolated from the rest of the world.
For a start, it is a prime holiday destination and one that is synonym of luxurious resorts and quality service. It is also a place where fashion is taken seriously and where you are not allowed to wander the streets only dressed in your swimwear.
There are many clothes shop on the island and you can easily find whatever suits you best, whether it is sophisticated, retro, colourful, simple or eccentric. But if you are someone who likes to be ahead of your time and wear before anyone else what will be the next hottest trend, then there is only one place to go on the island. According to The Bermudian and their Best of Bermuda Awards, the French Connection boutique is the best for fashion-forward finds.
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Like many of us, the people at The Bermudian have had the experience, somewhat frustrating if you are a fashion icon, to window shop at the French Connection store on Reid Street, in Hamilton, thinking that some items in there were not in fashion, only to have to look for them a few months later once they became the latest trend.
This is not a surprise that locals rush to French Connection for the end of season sales, that can reach 50% and 75%. If you are around at this time, follow them for a chance to get the next trend for cheaper than your friends back home. Inside the chic urban-wear shop you will find trendy skirts, tops, pants, as well as accessories for day and night. There is two floors with women’s collection on the ground level and men’s on the lower level so you can also drag your man to make him more trendy than your girlfriends ones!
The best place for fashion-forward finds in Bermuda is part of the Hornburg Calypso group that also owns another 7 shop on the island, some retailers of big brands such as Longchamp, United Colours of Benetton or Women’ Secret. The company was created by Polly Trott Hornburg in 1948. A fashion model turned fashion designer, Mrs Hornburg gained a great experience when working as a stylist for an advertising agency in New York. She started her own business out from her kitchen table with the help pf her husband who ran an import export business in Bermuda.
Her first collection was a total success, especially the ‘Polly Pants’, a dress pant that caused quite a stir at the time and had a flat front, a back zip, and tapered legs. Polly Hornburg was also the woman who popularised the one piece diving suit, as well as the sheath dress and the dinner skirt.
The company grew slowly and expanded under Polly’s daughter Suzannah. Boutiques were first opened within the most prestigious hotels of the island, then other stores brought always more brands and choice to the residents of Bermuda.
Despite becoming an important player in Bermuda’s fashion, Hornburg Calypso has kept the spirit of its founder and is an innovative company like its trend-setter French Connection.
French Connection Bermuda - 15 Reid Street, Hamilton, HM11; 441 295 2112;
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Crisson Jewellers Bermuda
Bermuda is known for two main things, its splendid beaches covered of pink sand and its luxurious lifestyle. Hotels and resorts are not the only examples of the quality and richness of Bermuda, there is also a famous and world-wide recognised jeweller on the island. Crisson Jewellers is the first choice for locals and visitors alike and has been so since the opening of its first shop in 1922.
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This year it was given the award of Dazzling Diamonds by the Best of Bermuda Awards of The Bermudian. The Crisson family and their graduate gemologists travel the world to source and select the best diamonds, choosing only those of exceptional cut and purity. For over 80 years, they have work with the leading cutters and sight holders on the planet making the name Crisson a synonym of quality and value.
Crisson Jewellers are the best Bermuda’s shopping has to offer, combining taste, sophistication, style and luxe. You can find every style of jewellery here, whether you are looking for some classic pieces or more into cutting-edge fashion jewels and objets d’art. In fact, Crisson has the biggest and largest collection of diamonds in Bermuda, including some wonderful seasonal Bermuda- inspired jewellery and charms, engagement and wedding bands. No wonder it was voted top of the category Dazzling Diamonds by The Bermudian.
The reputation and the excellence of the jewellers mean they are Bermuda’s exclusive retailers for many worldwide leading designers and jewellery brands. Pandora, Roberto Coin, Cento Diamonds, John Hardy, and Mikimoto are amongst the dozen of names that can only be found at Crisson.
Crisson Jewellers also are the official Bermuda retailer of Rolex. Along the most famous brand of watches, the jewellers offer some models from most of the finest watches in the world, mainly Swiss ones. With 14 brands including Tag Heuer, Festina, Seiko, Ebel, Casio, Maurice Lacroix, and Swiss Army, Crisson is the only place in Bermuda where you will get such a choice of watches. Their collection even includes designs by David Yurman, one of America’s finest jewellers whose signature cable bracelet is a sterling silver and 18-carat gold twisted helix.
A diamond is certainly the most famous precious stone, usually synonym of love. This stone is the one that transform women into wives and that last forever. Each of them is unique and special and that is why the purchase of a diamond is something very special. The experience and the professionalism of every member of staff at Crisson is a guarantee that your purchase of a dazzling diamond will be rewarding and pleasurable. They will also do everything they can to help you find the jewellery or the watch that suits and complement your personal style.
Being the best place in Bermuda to find dazzling diamonds and other jewellery, Crisson has many branches spread out on the island. The main stores are in Hamilton, two in Front Street and one in Queen Street. In addition, there are Crisson stores in St. Georges, on Water Street, in the
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Clocktower shopping mall at the Royal Naval Dockyard and in some hotels such as the Fairmont Southampton, the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and the Elbow Beach Hotel.
There is always an occasion to celebrate and what best than a dazzling diamond or a piece of jewellery to do it! If it means something to you, you will find something for every special occasion at Crisson.
Crisson Jewellers Bermuda - 55 Front Street, Hamilton, HM11; 441 295 2351; http://www.crisson.com
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Genora Divas Boutique
Fashion is very important in Bermudians life and only at the beach are you expected to wear nothing but a bath suit. As soon as you step up in a town, the etiquette wants that you wear appropriate clothing. This is what makes Bermuda so different from the Caribbean islands and a much more pleasant place to be.
Accessories are also an important part of many outfits and amongst them hats are more and more popular. The best hats in Bermuda have been found to be those of Genora Divas Boutique by The Bermudian in its Best of Bermuda Awards 2011.
In terms of outfit on the island, the Bermuda short, famous all over the world, is what most people wear, locals and tourists alike. With its hem 1 inch below the knee, it is elegant and perfectly adapted to the clement climate. Many restaurants accept it as casual clothing and it certainly looks classier than shorts or swimwear, which is why Bermuda is reputed for its elegance and good taste.
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The only problem with the Bermuda short is that fashion icons can have a hard time figuring out what else to wear with it in order to look great. First of all, the rule of getting appropriately dressed includes wearing a shirt and shoes, sandals being the most comfortable. If you want to look good and are conscious of your image, accessories are great to complete Bermuda shorts.
The most common and easiest accessory is of course a hat. Not only it is an elegant addition to a style, it also offers some protection against the sun that can be quite hot in this part of the world. There are many types of hats, the best to complete a Bermuda look being a large and floppy hat, a fisherman’s hat or a straw fedora. You can also opt for a more casual and practical style by wearing a brimmed hat or a baseball cap to keep the sun out of your eyes. Mainly the best hats to wear with Bermuda shorts are those that are subtly patterned, especially when it comes to patterned shorts when the risk of clash of colours would ruin your efforts.
Whatever the look you are trying to achieve, Genora Divas Boutique was voted the place to go for the best hats on the island. Opened in 2009 in Brunswick Street, in Hamilton, the boutique is the dream comes true of owner Genora Trott who had wanted to do so since she was a teenager. She has always been an avid follower of fashion and even worked for a few years as a model at the time jazz shows were taking place at the Atlantic Beach Club.
You can expect to find whatever you need and more at Genora Divas Boutique. There is stylish or sophisticated hats, bold and colourful hats that could be wear at church, large and floppy hats for an evening in the town or a cocktail party on the beach, or small and fashionable fascinators like Kate Middleton likes to wear.
Along with the best hats in Bermuda, Genora Divas Boutique stocks a variety of accessories including stylish handbags, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. But it is before all a clothing boutique and has specialised in offering stunning ranges for everyone, from sizes 8 to 26. Bigger sizes are not stocked but Genora Trott says she can specially order for sizes up to 36W.
Genora Divas Boutique Bermuda - 12 Brunswick Street, Hamilton, HM10; 441 295 0298
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Daisy & Mac Bermuda
Clothes for kids are not what they used to be and fashion has reached them as much as it did adult clothing. They are now more than a necessity, they have become a mean to express the kid’s and its parents’ personality. Long forgotten is the time when kids wore bland clothes because all that they would do would be to soil and wreck them.
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Thanks to Daisy & Mac that was voted best kiddie couture boutique in Bermuda, any kid can be turned into a fashion icon and wear stylish clothing. In this shop located on Queen Street, Hamilton, parents can find practically anything they want to dress their children following the last trend. Daisy & Mac offer a choice of over 30 quality brands, some specialised in kids clothes like Baby Bjorn, Baby Banz or Go-Go Babyz, and others being the kid’s branch of famous names such as Diesel, Laura Ashley or Ralph Lauren.
The best kiddie couture place in Bermuda caters for all ages and has items for babies and children from newborns up to 16 years old. More than just a clothes boutique, it is a lifestyle boutique where parents can buy clothes as well as toys, gear, furnishing and accessories for their little one. Of course, everything is in fashion here, and the place is only for trendy babies and children!
What probably helped Daisy & Mac to be voted the best kiddie couture place 2011 by The Bermudian is the fact that along the items that you would expect to find in any other kids shop, it stocks unique and specialised items. Some examples are colourful hand painted furniture sets or little artisan King & Queen training potty chairs.
The store itself is a like a magical universe, a wonderland full of toys and other accessories like books, puzzles and other developmental toys. Daisy & Mac takes the well-being and education of the children seriously. That’s why they offer a line of wooden, non-toxic and hand crafted toys as well as sensory engaging products that allow babies to develop different skills early. There are also arts and crafts items for school.
The storefront with its hot pink and apple green logo will attract children and mums alike who will be charmed by the shop known in Bermuda as the biggest little store in town. Children will be seduced by the many toys and accessories while parents will remember how it feels to be a kid and taken back to their childhood.
The team at Daisy & Mac do everything they can to assure that you will find up-to-date and fashionable products. They are always travelling the world from a children’s retail trade show to another in search of the most innovative and high quality items. Daisy & Mac is trying to cover all aspects of children’s lifestyle, from elegant French handmade cashmere sweaters for little fashion icons to baby gear aimed at making easier the life of busy and active mums.
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Kids need more than just toys and clothes, they deserve the best and there is no reason why they can’t also be looking good. Fashion is not only for adults and the best kiddie couture shop Daisy & Mac proves it!
Daisy & Mac Bermuda – 27 Queen Street, Hamilton, HM11; 295- 7477; http://www.daisyandmac.com/
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Island Shop Bermuda
There is one tradition that many of us indulge in when it comes to holidays, the buying of gifts for ourselves and our friends and family.
Whether it is something we want to bring back as a memory from wonderful vacations or as a present for people we care, gifts are essential to holiday makers. It is also important for locals who want to offer gifts inspired by their country when they go abroad or when people visit them.
Every destination has numerous gifts shops and it is never easy to find the best amongst them. In Bermuda, the Island Shop was awarded the People’s Choice Award of best gifts 2011. This shop is far from the classic outlets selling flashy t-shirts, coasters or key rings that could be have been made – and probably were – anywhere in the world. Instead, the Island Shop has ceramics and linen products, as well as pillows and covers, glass items, wooden products, ties and scarves.
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All of the designs of the Island Shop are the works of Barbara Finsness, an American artist who arrived in Bermuda in 1981. A graduate of Fine Art at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and a Bachelor of Architecture from Drexel University, Barbara is inspired by the unique floral, architectural and nautical elements of Bermuda. Beauty and colour are her main focus when she designs pieces.
The result is a great collection of colourful and tropical designs that are a faithful reflection of the best images of the island. Every item is unique in itself and specially made, each labelled with the signature of the artist. For those who are looking for an authentic memory of Bermuda, the Island Shop definitely has the best gifts.
The main Island Shop is in Queen Street, in the heart of Hamilton. This was actually the second shop opened by Barbara Finsness, shortly after the first one on Old Cellar Lane (47 Front Street) that started in 2002. The Island Shop was born following the huge popularity enjoyed by the artist’s products – ceramics and linen – sold until then through other stores.
The Island Shop now has four outlets, the two others being in Somer’s Wharf, St. George’s, and in the Fairmont Southampton Hotel, Southampton. The range of gifts is quite wide and you will without doubt find something that suits your taste. The shop sells all types of ceramics (plates, mugs, bowls, tiles, vases, tea sets…) kitchen and bathroom towels, glasses, wooden articles (trays, bowls, napkin rings…), handbags, ties and scarves, necklaces, bracelets and earrings, polos…
Amongst the many gifts available in the Island shop, the Bermuda Cottage Collection is a series of ceramics with colourful classic Bermudian architecture, and the Wedding Collection features the union of two palm trees and two longtails birds coming together underneath. The hand embroidered pillows feature the island picturesque flora and fauna as well as its marine life.
It is one of the rare gift shops on the island where the vision of the artist is so perfectly translated into objects, making the gifts almost pieces of art. From the beginning, the Island Shop has been recognised as a great place for gift and this was rewarded in 2005 by The Bermudian best giftware award.
Whether you are looking for a memory of your time in Bermuda or an original creation by a local artist, the Island Shop certainly has the best gifts on the island.
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Island Shop Bermuda - 3 Queen St., Hamilton, HM11; 441/292–5292 ; http://www.islandexports.com/
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AS Cooper & Sons
It was a time when fashion was only accessible to the rich and famous and when the rest of us had to watch them in television and magazine, dreaming we could wear something a bit like their clothes and accessories. Fortunately, it has become easy for everyone now to wear fashionable clothes and Bermuda is no exception. We love fashion here and the offer on shops has something for everyone.
Fashion is so part of the island lifestyle that even teenagers can be dressed following the last trends. We all remember that it is not an easy age and probably many of us wished they had a shop where friends and family could have bought us some fashionable clothes. Memories of ridiculous and childish outfits featuring teddies, rainbows or huge flowers still haunt many people!
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Teenagers today have less to worry because fashion designers are looking out for them. In Bermuda, the best trendy wears for teens of 2011 was found to be at A.S. Cooper’s Express. The store located in Washington Mall, in Hamilton, came first of the category in the Best of Bermuda Awards voted each year by The Bermudian.
A.S. Cooper’s Express is one amongst the several stores of A.S. Cooper & Sons Ltd. In the spirit of the company, the teen’s collection put the accent on the quality and the value of the clothing. With more than 100 years’ experience in trading, A.S. Coopers understands its customers and knows that fashion for teens must combine design and functionality. Yes teens want to be dressed in style, but they don’t want to be scared of using their clothes, neither do their parents! They are at an age when they can easily feel uncomfortable in their own skin, so they certainly need to feel at ease in their clothes.
The A.S. Cooper’s Express store in Reid Street, at the entrance of the Washington Mall, stocks top designer brands, some exclusive to children such as Rare Editions, specialist of girl dresses; French Toast, specialised in school uniforms; and My Michelle. The store also has clothes and accessories from well-known brands like Esprit, DKNY and Polo Ralph Lauren.
People in Bermuda recognise that A.S. Cooper’s Express is amongst the best when it comes to trendy wears for teens as well as style, wear-ability and value. Parents will like the quality of the bright and trendy clothes while teenagers in the know will be relieve to have found a place where they can get dress in a fashionable way. Girls will fall in love with the wall covered in accessories of all types and available in all colours.
A.S. Cooper & Sons is pretty much a household name in Bermuda and the first shop was open in 1897 by Alexander Samuel Cooper. He bought the stock and trading rights of the Bermuda Shipping and Supply Company and started by selling a bit of everything, from mosquito nets to onion seeds. The stock was gradually extended to include items in crystal, silver, ceramic and Wedgwood china, but also clothing, jewellery, perfumes and Bermuda souvenirs.
Today, the company has almost a dozen stores, 8 of them in Hamilton.
Washington Mall, 12 Reid St., Hamilton, HM11; 441 296 6525; http://www.ascooper.bm/
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Gibbons Company Bermuda
A delight for the tourists who have no worries about the way they look, the great Bermuda weather can be the cause of a few difficulties for those who live here and like to look good. It is even harder for business men who have to work when the sun and the temperatures are high up. But despite this, Bermudian men are renowned for the way they always dress in style. Whether they need to be looking smart for business or can allow themselves to be casual, they like to take care of what they are wearing.
Amongst the many shops in Bermuda where men can get their attire, there is one that stands out. Gibbons Company, located on Reid Street, at the heart of Hamilton, was given the best men’s business casual award by The Bermudian in their 2011 Best of Bermuda listing. The shop was found
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Thankfully for men, the famous Bermuda shorts have been declared a correct national day and evening outfit when it comes to non-formal occasions, even including meetings. Those who choose to adopt this traditional style need to wear the shorts with the Bermuda hose, these long knee- length socks, as well as with a buttoned and short sleeved shirt, preferably white or blue. A tie, a single or double breasted navy blue blazer, or a linen jacket, has to be worn too. Loafer shoes with tassel, generally black or brown, complete the national business dress outfit for men.
The Bermuda shorts come in a very wide range of colour, from the classic and conservative grey, beige, navy blue or even dark, to the more alive orange, yellow, pink, green or burgundy. There is no black as Bermuda shorts are not considered as formal wear. You can imagine how delicate it is to match any of these colours with socks, shirt, tie and jacket in order to look the part as a business man.
For those whose type of business casual dress is the Bermuda-shorts-and-knee-socks one, the large choice of clothes of Gibbons makes it the ideal place to shop. The store has a Bermuda Business Style collection with shorts made of linen and polyester, or polyester and wool, to suit any season. Socks are available in a blend of cotton and nylon, or wool and nylon.
Similarly, the department store has everything for those who are more fashion icons and like to dress following the latest trends while staying casual.
Gibbons Company is one of the island’s oldest retailers and is still run by the same Gibbons family who started it as the Woman’s Shop in 1923. It evolved into the Gibbons Company in 1987 to become one of the largest department stores in Bermuda. Today, the Gibbons Company is a store that extends onto three floors for a total surface of 33,000 square feet that covers a big part of Reid Street. On top of this giant department store, the Gibbons family also owns the MAC Cosmetics store (Front Street, Hamilton), the women’s fashion shops Nine West and Twenty 5 Reid (both on Reid Street, Hamilton), The Perfume Shop (Clocktower Mall, Royal Naval Dockyard), and the fragrance shop Peniston Brown (Water Street, St. George).
Gibbons Company – 21 Reid St., Hamilton, HM11; 441 295 0022; - www.gibbons.bm
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Atelerie
Bermuda is a place with many amazing places hidden from tourists and kept secret by the locals. But we not only talking of beaches here, because one of these places is a shop that was awarded for having the best accessories on the island. Atelerie boutique is unique in its style, very different from the local boutiques of Hamilton, and closer from the trendy and fashionable stores of cities like New York, Paris or London.
More than a simple boutique with clothes and accessories, Atelerie is a unique concept at the crossroads of a shop and an artist workshop. In fact, the name itself carries this hybrid nature.
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Atelerie is a melange of the French ‘atelier’, that is a boutique as well as a workshop, and ‘galerie’, an art gallery.
Here, you will find trendy jeans, conversation-starting dresses and statement making jewellery along cocktail confections from Rebecca Taylor, Calypso by Christianne Celle and Twinkle, the latest skinny jeans or underpinnings from Hanky Panky. But that’s not all because the boutique also stores unique accessories, notebooks and agendas, or candles and fragrances.
Atelerie and its People’s Choice award of best accessories are all down to its owner, Heather MacDonald. The young artist and oil painter decided to open Atelerie after spending time in Saint Barts where she was working in an art gallery. Seduced by the lifestyle of the island and amazing by the French boutiques, she planned to open her own boutique in Bermuda. It was the ideal compromise between her passion for art and creation and her wish to build a career that was secure.
Her artistic side is obvious in the choice of pieces of clothing she decides to display in her shop. Heather is indeed not only the founder and owner of Atelerie, she is also the buyer for the boutique. She is taking her job so seriously that she tries herself every piece of clothing to make sure that she likes the way it fits before buying it. As a result, she knows absolutely everything when it comes to the fit of jeans, the cut of tops and the way a dress hangs.
The artist decided about her unique selling point after spotting a gap in the Bermudian market offer and placed herself in the niche of unique and good quality mid-priced pieces. Today, she offers apparel, accessories and jewellery from just over 30 designers and covers pretty much every type of clothing and accessories from pyjamas and evening wear to swimwear, jeans, bags, sandals, boots, multi-strand necklaces, rings, candles, fragrances…, just like the award says, the best accessories!
There is something for everyone here. Those who like more conservative clothes can find happiness at Atelerie in the form of pretty work attire such as pencil skirts and blouses but with some kind of unusual twist. The cool and casual ones will have their eye caught by some skinny jeans or some Frye Boots, while the party-goers will be delighted with a selection of frocks and some pretty and eye-catching jewellery.
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Heather MacDonald is a complete artist who also studied fine art and photography in college. She dedicates much of her spare time to this passion and like portraits more than anything. Her eye for details and settings is noticeable in the arrangement of her shop and the products she stocks.
Atelerie Bermuda- 6 Dundonald Street, Hamilton, Bermuda HM11; 441-296- 0280; http://atelerie.com/
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Perry Footwear
There are many accessories in women’s fashion, all without which an outfit would not be complete. Necklaces, earrings, bracelets, hair pieces, hats, belts are important parts of a woman’s wardrobe but none of them as much as shoes. Shoes are without doubt the basics of anyone’s wardrobe and essentials to any fashionista!
While most of the time men see shoes as a practicality, women like to collect them, considering them as much clothes as a dress or a top. There are plenty of styles to choose from and shoes have the power to change the style of any dress or pair of trousers.
Shoe shopping can sometimes be very hard, whether you are looking for a certain type, or you are not sure of what would go best with the outfit you chose for this big event. Lucky for you, Bermuda has a love story with fashion and consequently has many shoe stores. One of the best is
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Perry Footwear, on Reid Street, in Hamilton. It was voted the best shoe store last year by the Best of Bermuda Awards.
Once you step in the shop, you realise that shoe heaven like this! You are guaranteed to find what you need as well as what you don’t but want among the extensive collection of Perry Footwear. The shop doesn’t just have shoes; it has the latest, trendiest and sexiest ones that can be found on the market.
The biggest names in fashion are present, the trendy labels (Kenneth Cole New York, Guess, Marciano) as well as the high-end designers (Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, Pucci, Donna Karen). For those who want to make sure their man also gets the best footwear to match yours, Perry Footwear has a choice of male shoes from many brands such as Guess, Lacoste and Donald Pliner.
The Bermuda family-owned shop is opened since 2007 and has revolutionised the island’s shoe market by bringing in all these famous and quality brands. Last year, they decided to open a new boutique in Hamilton. The shop, at the corner of Reid Street and Queen Street is called Perry Collections and has allowed the shop to offer even greater range of top brands such as Badgley Mischka, Kate Spade and Jerome Rousseau. Die-hard fans of designer Stuart Weitzman have their own shop-in-shop within Perry Collections. The original Perry Footwear shop that was thought to be to women-orientated was then able to extend its offer for men and introduced as well a kiddie collection.
Perry’s shops are catering for everyone, with sizes available between 5 and 12 and special orders possible. Customer service plays an important part in the success of Perry Footwear and Collections. They take pride in listening to any suggestions, advice and fashion fantasies of their clients, trying as much as possible to bring in what they desire.
As everyone knows, shoes are not the only accessory collected by women and handbags are a close second. In fact, the two usually come hand-in-hand so that is not a surprise to find designers handbags on offer in Perry’s stores. There is also belts and jewellery while men will be able to find wallets to complete their outfits.
Perry Footwear – 44 Reid Street, Hamilton HM 12; 441 296 8097, http://perryfootwear.com/
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Three Graces Day Spa, Serenity, Southampton
When you are on vacation, it should be all about you, you and you. After all, you deserve being taking care off after all this hard work and what’s better than spending time in one of the wonderful Bermuda’s spas.
Many resorts have their own spas and the choice can be difficult to make. People at Trip Advisor have rated the Three Graces Day Spa (previously known as Serenity Spa), in Southampton, as their favourite.
“I’ve been to a few spa’s in Bermuda. But this one is the best. Friendly staff. Beautiful location. Fabulous massages especially the chocolate oil one.” says this customer,
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“Hidden Gem”,
…comments another.
Located in the luxurious Pompano Beach Club, the spa occupies part of the first floor of the resort’s main clubhouse, right on the oceanfront, beneath the Ocean Grill restaurant. The spa has three separate treatment rooms, with two with a direct view of the ocean. One of these is specially designed to pamper couples and has a shower as well as a deepwater jet bathtub where you can rinse off after treatments.
The Three graces Day Spa has a wide variety of treatments on offer such as massage, body treatments, manicures, baths, pedicures, waxing, facials and many more to indulge yourself and forget all about your worries. You will feel completely rejuvenate and ready to embrace life like never before after spending time with their highly trained and skilled therapists.
There are also spa packages available, from the 1.5 hours Body Bliss (full body scrub, back massage, hand and foot treatment; $125) to the 5 hours long Total Indulgence Package (1 hour Swedish massage, 1 hour facial, lunch at the spa café, manicure and pedicure; $330) and groups rates.
There is an assumption that beauty treatments are for women, but more and more men indulge in spa therapy and the Three Graces Day has many treatments for them. Their deep-cleansing and purifying Skin Fit for Men facial is specially designed for men to relax and hydrate the skin, completed with a neck and hand massage.
The spa’s herbal and mineral body treatments are deeply restorative and purifying while a selection of essential oils with pure herbal extracts are available for the body massages as well as a range of techniques: Hot Stone, Indian Head, Swedish, Deep Tissue, Signature Harmony, and Pre Natal.
For the best effectiveness and quality, it is recommended that you rinse off seawater, sand or chlorine before treatments. Alcohol is not permitted before and just after treatments. The spa opening times are 10am to 7pm, Monday to Sunday.
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Mandarin Oriental Spa At Elbow Beach
Would you like to get away from it all at a relaxing spa in Bermuda? Then take a trip to the luxury Mandarin Oriental Spa at Elbow Beach.
This is where you can chill out and be pampered in style! Amid breath-taking oceans vistas, you can experience one of our six and experience the benefits of a calming holistic treatment, carried out by a qualified therapist – heaven!
There’s also an all-purpose fitness suites and relaxation hall in addition to fully stocked boutique with an amazing range of Mandarin Oriental goods and services. These are only a few of the features and amenities that make the spa such a popular spot to take it easy when in Bermuda.
If you would like more information, or make a booking then get in touch. Telephone: +1 (441) 239 8900
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Gillian’s Clinic
Life in Bermuda might seem to visitors as all fun and laid back, and that’s true that the sun, the amazing beaches and the beautiful water make everything easier. But even we, once in a while, need to be looked after and what’s better than a having your feet and hands taken care of.
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The good thing is that there are many places where you can get pampered on the island, especially the luxurious hotels and resorts. But there is somewhere that was voted the best place for a mani or a pedi by the Best of Bermuda Awards of The Bermudian and it’s Gillian’s Face and Body Clinic.
Everything is great at Gillian’s, from the location to the staff and the many services it offers. Just getting on the South Shore Road to get out of Hamilton for five minutes is a relaxing treatment on its own. Once you arrive to the traditional Bermuda cottage where the holistic spa is hosted, and step inside the décor of soft greens, gold and earth tones, ornaments and antique furniture’s, you know that you are going to are in for a treat.
Owned by Gillian, an English experienced beauty therapist, the clinic is not only the best place for a mani or a pedi, it also knows how to make you feel special. On arrival, you are the most important person in the world before you even started your treatment. Waiting here is not an issue since you are offered an assortment of cold and hot beverages, some delicious signature cookies and a heated neck collar to start relaxing straight away.
The service is outstanding and from the start until the end, you are the unique focus point of the staff. If there is somewhere on the island where you can certainly feel like you are royalty, then Gillian’s Face and Body Clinic definitely is the place. In every room, the atmosphere is perfectly built with incense or white sage burning a delicious aroma, soothing music and flickering candles. You will feel as if you step in a world of peace and quiet!
In fact, the magic of Gillian’s Clinic is that you feel relaxed and calm the minute you step inside. The setting, the professionalism of the staff and the sense of serenity have a lot to do with it. It is easy in such an environment to restore harmony and balance to your life. Everyone can benefit of this, not only women but also men and kids.
Details are probably what set this place aside from all the other great pampering spas on the island. Here, each of the seven rooms available for treatment has a hand painted mural that was designed by the owner herself. The Clinic also has a duo room, a spacious place for couples, friends or even small parties, in the duo room; you can select the treatments you want and their duration.
The award of best place for mani and pedi is also due to the ultimate pedicure treatment offer by Gillian’s. The Pedicure Supreme uses green tea mint products to exfoliate the foot, remove dead skin and dry cuticles, as well as soften cracked heels and the sole. Then a foot mask and a heel
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Gillian’s Clinic Bermuda - 14 South Shore Road, Devonshire, DV07; 441 232 0496; http://gilliansbermuda.com
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Water Sports
Swimming…sailing…power boating surfing…snorkelling…scuba diving…helmet diving…kayaking…parasailing…water skiing…game fishing: the list of watery adventures goes on!
They say that Bermuda is more sea than land. We’re one vast aquatic playground painted emerald green, turquoise, and cobalt blue. There are calm lagoons, adventure-packed reefs, and the broad Atlantic, where wind and waves challenge world-class fishermen and sailors, as well as adrenalin- seeking vacationers.
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The Constellation
The waters of Bermuda are home to plenty of shipwrecks with many of them diving sites – and there’s no better than The Constellation.
The Constellation is one of the most famous and popular diving spots in Bermuda and was the background of The Deep, a novel by Peter Benchley, author of Jaws that was turned into a movie in 1977.
The novel was also deeply inspired by the story of Teddy Tucker, a well-known local diver and treasure hunter, who plays the Harbour Master in the movie.
The Constellation was a four-masted wooden hull vessel, more specifically a schooner; measuring 192 foot long and originally built in 1918. Named Sally Persis at first, she was part of the Crowell and Thurlow fleet, a company incorporated in Maine.
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After the company went bust, the ship was sold to Mr Robert Royal in 1932, renamed The Constellation and entirely rebuilt to become a floating marine school. She had large staterooms and when refurbished was equipped with electricity, refrigeration, plumbing.
She was sold again and ended up in New York harbour where she stayed until 1942 before being converted as a cargo ship because many vessels were requested for the World War II effort.
This was during one of her journey from New York to Venezuela, in July 1943 that The Constellation ran into problems: her pumping gear broke down and she began taking in water.
The leak was too important for the crew to keep up with the hand pumps and the captain decides to head to Bermuda for repairs.
As she was waiting for a local pilot to take her through the treacherous reefs, The Constellation was driven into them by a strong current and crashed. Of her cargo, only the 700 cases of Scotch
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Whisky were saved by the nearby U.S. Navy, while bags of concrete and the morphine ampoules that feature in the plot of The Deep sank in 30 feet of water.
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The shipwreck has been searched by divers and treasure hunters for years and pretty much everything from the cargo has been recovered, from medicinal ampoules (containing morphine but also adrenaline, opium, anti-tetanus serum and penicillin), coffee cups, ceramic tiles, and nail polish bottles to tennis rackets and crucifixes.
This a great site for underwater photography and video, even for snorkelers as the water here is very clear. Most of the wooden structure has now disappeared but there are vestiges of masts, especially the 40-foot lower part of one of them.
The Constellation site is also a protected site with a no fishing limitation of 300 metres, and is part of the Bermuda Shipwreck Certificate Program of the Department of Tourism.
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Cristobal Colon Shipwreck
Out of the hundreds of shipwrecks scattered around Bermuda, the Spanish cruise liner Cristobal Colon is the biggest.
499 feet long and with three decks high, the ship was one of the most luxurious of her time and crashed on the reefs in 1936, four years after she was built.
The captain, Crescencia Delgado, mistook an offshore communication tower for the Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse and drove straight into Bermuda’s north shore reefs at a speed of 15 knots while on way to Mexico from Wales. More bad luck was awaiting the crew when Bermudians did not get on with them, mainly because they could not understand the Spaniards. The government was also worried that they would have to bear the cost of feeding and housing the 160 crew members.
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As neither the Spanish government nor the Mexican one were willing to take responsibility for the crew, the Bermudians decided to put them to work in order to get a return for the hospitality they were providing. They repaired Barry Road and restored the Gates Fort in St. George, before being picked up by a ship on Christmas Eve.
The story says that the Cristobal Colon was going to Mexico to pick up arms for Spain’s war effort and that on their return the crew was executed by Franco for having failed to do so.
For many years, the ship sat high up on the reefs a few miles only from the Royal Naval Dockyard, and easily accessible for its content to be salvaged but also heavily looted. Every night, motorboats would travel to the wreck and come back filled with things from the ship. Hundreds of locals have said to have taken part in the piracy acts, but only 13 were arrested and 12 of them convicted.
In 1937, the captain of the Iristo mistook the Cristobal Colon for a ship being engaged in a channel and followed her, only to crash on the reefs and rips open his ship’s hull. Following this incident, the masts and the funnels of the Colon were removed to avoid any more mistakes.
She was later used as target for bombing practice by the American Air Force during the Second World War and sank in 55 feet of water. Today, the remains are spread out over 100,000 square feet and provide hours and hours of exploration.
The wreck is split in two halves, one on each side of the reefs and you can still observe an unexploded artillery shell, the coal burning boilers, two spare propellers and some deck winches.
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Skyrider Parasailing in Bermuda
You don’t have to go underwater to enjoy the beautiful waters of Bermuda. If you are looking for thrills, parasailing is just the water sport for you.
There are three main companies that offer parasailing activities in Bermuda but only Skyrider sends you up high in the sky while you comfortably sit on a chair!
Skyrider operates from the Royal Naval Dockyard, at the western end of the Island and takes you on its namesake boat to send you flying over the Great Sound and the north shore.
The Skyrider parasail is a sit down chair that takes two people. You are launched and retrieved from the deck of the Skyrider which can take up to a maximum of 10 persons. The parasail ride is
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA between 8 and 10 minutes and costs *$65 for an adult and *$50 for children aged 11 and under. Because of the restricted space on the boat, passengers as spectators are allowed and there’s a charge of $20. The advantage of the boat’s small size is that you will not have to wait more than 30 minutes before your turn, if you’re last!
A great advantage of Skyrider is that you don’t even have to get wet to enjoy the best possible views of the ocean and the Island, at 250 feet above sea level! It’s open to parasail from May to October.
There are other major parasailing companies on the Island that operate from the Royal Naval Dockyard. One is KS Watersports Bermuda. Located only a couple of minutes’ walk from the ferry terminal of King’s Wharf, they use secured harness type parasails.
You launch and land from the deck of their powerful winch boat, the Thrill Seeker, that can take up to 12 persons on board. Two persons can fly at the same time providing they keep below the weight limit of 325lbs. In request, you can get a dip on the water before landing back on the boat. Mostly, you will fly over the Great Sound area. Expect a maximum wait of 90 minutes for about 10 minutes of parasailing.
You can also discover the Island from high up above in the area of St. George’s Harbour with St. George’s Parasail Water Sports Ltd. The ‘Krant Craft’ departs from Somers Wharf and can carry a maximum of 6 people so that you won’t wait your turn for long. You can choose to stay dry or have the harness dipped on the ocean.
You won’t regret getting into the Bermuda sky to take on all the beauty of the Island from a very unusual viewpoint!
Contact Details: Skyrider: (441)-234-3019 KS Watersports: (441)-238-4155 St. George’s Parasail Water Sports: (441)-232-2871
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Fantasea Diving
Located on the 9 Beaches Hotel and Resort in the Parish of Sandy, the Fantasea Diving and Watersports Centre offers many opportunities to discover and explore the amazing reefs of Bermuda, but also to enjoy its crystal-clear blue waters.
From snorkelling, scuba-diving and snuba – a cross between snorkelling and scuba-diving where the air comes through to a hose connected to tanks on a boat – to jet-skiing, parasailing, kayaking and cruises from where you can swim, Fantasea is a must-stop if you are near Hamilton, Bermuda.
Diving is the core of Fantasea activities and you can either rent equipment, take a course (discovery or certification), go on a 1-tank or 2-tank dive afternoon, or take part to a snuba adventure.
The PADI Discover Scuba Lesson and Dive is a 2.5 hours course that starts with an introductory lesson on the fundamentals of diving, followed by a practice session. You will then
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA go on a guided dive with the instructor in shallow waters (35 feet maximum). The course suits beginners and certified divers who need a refresher after two years without diving.
The Bermuda Snuba Adventure will take you to the 9 Beaches and let you experience the wonders of diving without any of the heavy gear. You will be able to discover the beauty of coral reefs without needing a previous diving experience. Someone on Trip Advisor wrote that it was a
“Great experience snuba diving, great customer service”.
Different types of boat tours take you to the best snorkelling places: catamaran coral reef snorkel tour, glass-bottom boat and beach snorkel tour, Bermuda triangle shipwreck snorkel tour, power snorkel tour and night snorkel tour.
The catamaran tour takes place aboard the Aristocrat, a 55-foot vessel with a capacity of 50 people. On the way to your snorkelling destination, you can relax and sunbathe on the fore-deck, or in the shades of the salon and bar in the cockpit. The catamaran is also equipped with changing rooms and fresh water showers.
A 45-minute cruise will take you to a deep blue oasis surrounded by fringe reefs to explore to your leisure. The dive is under the supervision of instructors ready to give you the best advices to make it a memorable experience.
The glass-bottom tour is a shoreline cruise to the Sea Gardens and the wreck of the Vixen. You will have the opportunity to spot turtles and many varieties of fish before heading to a small beach where you can choose to snorkel or relax. Another tour aboard the same Looking Glass takes you to above a shipwreck site and to a reef where you can snorkel.
The Power Snorkel is a tour where you snorkel with an Aqua Scooter, skimming just below the surface faster than you could ever swim. Finally, discover the other side of the marine life with a night snorkel expedition for which you will dive with your own undersea dive light.
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Deliverance In Bermuda
Are you interested in witnessing Bermuda’s past up close? Then take in a full size rendering of a historical ship, dating back to the 1600s; called Deliverance.
Why not travel to Ordinance Island, near Kings Square, in St George? There you will find a detailed replica of the Deliverance. It was a ship incredibly crafted from the wreckage of another vessel shipwrecked in Bermuda.
The story goes nine ships belonging to the Virginia Company of London departed from Plymouth in England in 1609. They were carrying people and provisions to a British settlement in Jamestown, in Virginia. The flagship of the fleet was the Sea Venture, with Admiral Sir George Somers in command. However, the ships were caught in a storm and The Sea Venture crashed on a reef at Bermuda.
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The crew made it out alive but they were stranded, presumed dead. However, they unbelievably managed to construct two new ships. The crew used the wreckage of the Sea Ventures and indigenous cedar trees. They were christened the Patience and the Deliverance. The next year, 1610, the ships set sail for Virginia. But some of his crew stayed behind to claim the island, which became Bermuda. That is why a replica of the Deliverance is now on display in St George.
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Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute
The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute also referred to as BUEI. It one of the most visited tourist attractions on the island.
It has shown visitors images of life beneath the waves for almost 15 years ago, since 1997. This is through its incredible displays and exhibits. For example, on entering the institute, you will see a huge model of a squid. It measured 27 feet and weighing 500-pounds.
Lovers of high adventure will enjoy the stunning Shipwreck Gallery. It highlights the work of the Institute’s honorary chairman. It is the internationally renowned collector of underwater treasures Mr. Teddy Tucker. The institute has rare ampoules of opium from a vessel which sank in 1943; called the Constellation. This is along with beautifully preserved glassware from famous ships L’Herminie from 1838 or The Lord Amberst from 1778.
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The institute has early diving gear and a diving bell on show. That is in addition to a rendering of a bathysphere and a titanium Exo-suit. It is capable of depths of 600 feet which is used to save people from submarines. You could also find out what it feels like to ride in an undersea vehicle by taking a trip in a Nautilus-X2 submarine simulation.
This is just an inkling of the ocean of attractions and activities at The Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. It makes education fun. It is sure to wash over you.
Open 364 days a year.
Weekdays 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Weekends 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Adults: $12.50 Seniors: $10.00 Children 6-17: $6.00 Children under 5: Free
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Hartley’s Undersea Walk, Sandys
Bermuda has many treasures and hidden gems to discover and its greatest is probably the coral reefs that surround the island, protecting it from the strong currents and rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
Unfortunately, snorkelling and scuba-diving are not for everyone and it is not fair that those who can’t swim, have asthma, are not comfortable breathing through bottles, or can’t take their glasses off, can’t enjoy the beauty of coral reefs and the many fish species that live amongst them.
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The answer is the Hartley’s Undersea Walk, Bermuda’s top helmet diving operator that allows everyone, adults and children alike, to walk on the bottom of the sea as comfortably as on dry land. The principle couldn’t be simpler and is based on the very ancient bell diving concept: the helmet works like a big glass turned upside-down on your head with fresh air pumped in a tube from the boat and flowing out of the bottom of the helmet. Not only can you wear your glasses or contact lenses, you can also reach in with your hands.
Hartley’s is based in Sandy Parish and was started in 1984 by Gregory Hartley, son of Bronson Hartley who invented the helmet in the 1930′s and founded the first Undersea Walk in the Bahamas in 1958. Greg Hartley runs two diving trip each day on the Rainbow Runner, a 40-foot glass-bottom boat named after a pelagic fish, taking divers on a 20 minutes travel to the Half Way Flat reef. Here, divers can walk on the sandy bottom of the sea in 10 feet of blue and clear water. Groups of 5 to 6 people at a time spend about 30 minutes underwater and the whole trip usually lasts up to three and a half hours.
Hartley’s Undersea Walk has taken place on this site for years now and this has allowed Greg and his team to become friends with the local marine creatures. Fish have become used to divers coming here and some are tamed enough to let divers holding and petting them, even posing long enough for pictures to be taken.
According to visitors on Trip Advisor,
“It’s a wonderful insight to another world.”, a
“Unique experience underwater”, and
“A Once In A Lifetime Experience”.
It is also rated as the top attraction in Sandy and features regularly in top 10 of things to do in Bermuda listings.
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The only requisites is that divers must be at least 5 years old and that anyone diagnosed with heart or breathing problems has a note from a doctor allowing them to dive in 10 feet of water.
The diving season for Hartley’s Undersea Walk starts in early April (Easter Holidays) and goes on up until November.
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Blue Hole Water Sports, Hamilton Parish
If you want to experience our island in the best conditions, a trip on the water is a must-do.
Even better is to do it on your own and at your own pace. One of the best places to rent water sport equipment in Bermuda is Blue Hole Water Sports, in the East End of the island. Located on the Grotto Bay Beach Resort, the facility has the widest range of equipment in Bermuda, from sunkats and motorboats to kayaks, sailboats and windsurfers.
The location of Blue Hole Water Sports is crucial because it gives you access to two of the most amazing spots to explore and navigate to, the Castle Island Nature Reserve and the St. George Harbour. The Castle Island is usually regarded as the most secluded place on the island and a paradise for nature and history lovers.
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The King’ s Castle that gave the island its first name of King’s Island has the double particularity to be the oldest English fortification in the New World and the oldest stone building in Bermuda to still stand up. Built in 1612, it successfully defended the island against Spanish attacks two years later.
A few minutes from Castle Island, you can find some of the most beautiful beaches in Bermuda, sometimes only accessible from the water. Stop on one of them for lunch, a refreshing dip and experience some incomparable snorkelling before doing a bit of sightseeing in St. George Harbour. The Old Town is a great sight from the water and you can also navigate amongst the yachts in the harbour as well as checking out the many islands scattered in the St David’s area.
It isn’t only its location that makes Blue Hole Water Sports one of the best water sports facilities.
Customers at Trip Advisor all agree that the staff and the service they provide is of very high quality, saying that it is the
“Best place for water sports in Bermuda”, “A MUST DO for ANYONE going to Bermuda!!” or even the
“Best day of our vacation!”
The motorboats available for rental are Boston Whalers, reputed for being unsinkable and very easy to manoeuvre. They can carry up to 4 passengers and are coming with bimini tops, complimentary snorkel gear and coolers, and all the necessary safety gear.
Kayaks are ideal for those who want to see the best of Bermuda’s wildlife and the Blue Hole Water Sports gives access to sites such as Whalebone Bay, Walsingham Nature Reserve and Baileys Bay. The kayaks are the sit-on-top models available in single and double and don’t require any previous experience.
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Somerset Bridge Watersports
There is a lot to explore on the western part of the island’s waters, such as the Royal Naval Dockyard, the shipwreck of the partially submerged HMS Vixen, Mangrove Bay, the shallow waters of the Sea Gardens around Somerset Island, the corner of the Bermuda Triangle and of course many secluded beaches.
With Somerset Bridge Water sports, you can go around all these sites either by motorised boats, jet skis or kayaks, and on your own or with a guide who will help you in your navigation and show you the sites you want to see.
Somerset Bridge Water sports is a family business owned by Tony Roache since over 20 years and located at Robinsons Marina, in the Sandy Parish.
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The boats available for rental are the usual and unsinkable Boston Whalers, equipped with a 30hp engine allowing them to reach a speed of 35mph. The steering wheel on the central console makes them easy to control. They come with full safety equipment, seats with back support and cushions, a longer ladder than usual to make it easier to go swimming and snorkelling, and a retractable sun-top.
You can take in your snorkelling gear or rent some from Somerset Bridge Water sports, as well as fishing rods and coolers.
The jet skis of Somerset Bridge Water sports are the award-winning Sea Doo GTI, faster (up to 50mph), quieter and more eco-friendly than the usual Yamaha Waverunners. The machines are reported to be very stable and comfortable to manoeuvre with their padded handlebars and rudders-like vanes that permit to execute turns at slow speed.
Thanks to the experience of Tony and his team and the reduced numbers of jet-skis per tour (6 maximum), you are guaranteed a 70-minute outstanding adventure on water. As a customer wrote on Trip Advisor, it is
“a most exhilarating way to see Bermuda!”
A trip on a kayak in the western part of the Bermuda’s waters is the opportunity to discover the beauty of Ely’s harbour like never before or to get as close as it is possible from turtles. Observe the local flora and fauna without disturbing them while you glide silently along the shores and paddle to secluded coves and small islands. It is also a way to get some exercise during your holidays but so gently that you will not realise it.
Your guide will help you creating an itinerary, advising on points of interest, and will also give you a quick training. The kayaks are available in single or double versions.
Somerset Bridge Water sports – (441) 234 0914 - is definitely one of the best attractions in Bermuda and one recommended by people of Trip Advisor who think it is:
“great fun on the island”
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KS Water Sports (Jet Ski & Parasailing) West End
6 Dockyard Terrace Dockyard, MA01, Bermuda (Located at the “TOUR TICKET BOOTH” in Dockyard, next to the Bonefish Bar & Grill) Open:7 Days a Week from 9am – 6:30pm Tel: (441) 238-4155
KS Water Sports is the place to experience Jet Ski and parasailing adventures in Bermuda.
From two different locations on the island, the town of St. George’s and The Royal Naval Dockyard, comes the opportunity to Jet Ski and parasail the beautiful sea and sky of Bermuda.
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This family owned firm has been in business for a decade, since 2001. It leads the way in providing the most exciting Jet Ski and parasailing tours. The company has a range of about 22 cutting edge Yamaha watercrafts. It has the biggest fleet in Bermuda. And customers may be assured each vehicle boasts the latest features. There is a wide choice of Jet Ski tours available. They usually take between an hour and 75 minutes. The jet skis can also make speed of up to 43 mph and the tours always carried out in the optimum safety, of course.
K.S. Water sports transports its customers to the best sports around the island to ride jet skis and parasail. The firm has a special boat, designed just for parasailing. Then you can soak up Bermuda from an elevated position. The island looks even more beautiful from the air.
If you would like to know about the fantastic Jet Ski and parasail tours from KS Water sports then give them a call on . East End
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8 Kings Square St. George’s, GE 05, Bermuda (Located on the waterfront of the White Horse Pub & Restaurant) Open: Monday – Sunday from 9am – 5:00pm (Closed on Saturdays Only) Tel: (441) 297-4155
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Triangle Diving – Best Diving In Bermuda?
Bermuda is considered amongst fans of marine exploration as one of the best place on Earth for scuba-diving.
There are hundreds of miles of coral reefs surrounding the island of Bermuda and protecting it from the strongest currents and waves, providing perfect habitat to numerous species of fish and other marine creatures. Add to this the nearly 300 shipwrecks sitting on the sea floor and you’ll understand why divers and snorkelers come from everywhere to take a look underwater.
It is not easy to make a choice between all the diving sites and companies available but reviewers at Trip Advisor puts Triangle Diving, in Hamilton parish, as the best diving centre in Bermuda:
“Outstanding diving experience”, “Best diving experience I’ve ever had.”…
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Triangle Diving is located at the east end of the island in the Grotto Bay Beach resort, about 7 miles from the North Rock diving site, one of the many sites the centre can take you to. North Rock is Bermuda’s largest coral reef, covering a shallow area of about a 1,000 meters radius, and has been the scene of many ship wreckages. Because the reef can be quite close to the surface of the water and that the depths are within 25 feet, it is an ideal site for snorkelling and scuba-diving alike.
Triangle Diving offers diving courses and expeditions and is a 5-star PADI certified facility. It offers a wide range of courses and different types of diving such as 2 tanks dive for certified divers, 1 tank dive for inexperienced ones, night dive, and snorkelling. With the centre, you can choose between half a dozen of the shipwrecks in Bermuda to dive, including the largest of Bermuda, the Cristobal Colon. Measuring 499 feet long, she sank in 1936 and is scattered across an area of 100,000 square meters in 55 feet of water.
There are three other main sites accessible with the Triangle Diving. The Cathedral is a popular diving site, near Gurnet Rock, and rich in marine life.. It is an underwater dome with many window- like holes letting the light in, giving it the appearance of a cathedral. Its depth ranges between 30 and 45 feet.
Flatt’s Bridge (depth range 6 to 30 feet) is a site that must be dived during slack water for about 20 minutes of calm water. The Devil’s Hole is a relatively shallow site providing sheltered locations for marine species that usually don’t leave in outer reefs. It is surrounded by many caves and caverns.
The staff at Triangle Diving is regularly praised for their knowledge and accessibility. As one of their customers wrote in Trip Advisor:
“Excellent staff make this Bermuda’s best dive shop.”
Triangle Diving (Grotto Bay Beach Hotel, 11 Blue Hole Hill, tel. 441/293-7319.
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Snorkel Bermuda
Bermuda is without contest one of the prime locations in the world for snorkelling.
The presence of what is considered as the most northern coral reef barrier and of hundreds of shipwrecks provide hours and hours of endless discovery for fans of underwater exploration.
The best way to enjoy Bermuda marine treasures is to take a snorkelling tour with a local guide who will take you to the best places. One of the top tours on the island is Snorkel Bermuda, a two-hour trip to the wrecks of The Constellation and The Montana, on the Western Blue Cut site.
The main difference between Snorkel Bermuda tour and the many others is that the time dedicated to snorkelling is longer. Even though it is a two-hour trip, only 40 minutes of it are spent travelling (the check-in is located King’s Wharf) instead of two hours in the traditional three-hour
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA tours. Accounting for the time to get ready and the captain’s talk before diving, your time in the water is about one hour, enough to explore the wrecks and the coral they sit on.
The Constellation was a 192-foot wooden vessel that sunk on the reefs in 1942 after a storm damaged its seams while on its way from New-York to Venezuela. Her cargo is still visible – minus the 700 cases of whisky saved by the US Navy based in Bermuda at that time – as well as panels of glass, slate and iron fittings. The Montana sank in 1863 on its way from London to North Carolina with a cargo for the Confederate army. The 236-foot iron paddle steamer now lies at the bottom of 30 feet of water.
The captain and guide of Snorkel Bermuda is Sonny Sullivan, who was born and raised on the island. He spent the best part of his life on the water, and still does by living on a 41-foot motor yacht. Sonny is a passionate snorkeler and likes to share his knowledge of Bermuda. Everyone appreciate his effort to make the trip fun and relaxed.
Reviewers at Trip Advisor make Snorkel Bermuda their top attraction and can’t say enough of how great it is:
“Simply amazing experience … one of the highlights of our trip!!”, “Best Tour Guide In Bermuda!”…
Snorkel Bermuda also has a 20-foot power catamaran, Thunderpuss, the only charter expedition boat available for hire on the island. Aboard the Thunderpuss, four people can go anywhere they want and explore places most tourists will never see.
And if all of this wasn’t enough, Sonny has the best mate anyone could dream off: Audrey, a part Jack Russell Terrier and part Whippet dog picked up from the SPCA in 2009. She is loved by adults and children alike and is not scared to swim with everyone.
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Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Tournament
The oldest fishing event in Bermuda is also the third and last leg of the Triple Crown Billfish Series.
Held from the 20th to the 24th July, it is the last rush to the Triple Crown and sees all teams giving all they have left to try and win it.
The Sea Horse Anglers Club is a Bermuda fishing club located in Hamilton and a member of the International Game Fish Association and The Billfish Foundation. The club has given itself the mission to promote and support recreational and competitive fishing in the waters of Bermuda.
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The tournament has the biggest number of fish species eligible of the three Bermuda Triple Crown events: blue marlin, white marlin, spearfish, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, big eye tuna, wahoo and dolphin.
Points are scored for marlin, spearfish and sailfish released, and every boat is allowed to bring one blue marlin to the scale over the three fishing days, scoring a point for every pound above the minimum 500 pounds. Points are deducted if the fish fails to reach the minimum weight.
There is a biggest-fish only category for yellowfin and big eye tuna, wahoo and dolphin and the largest one caught will get a percentage of the base entry cash and prize. The minimum weight is 50 pounds for tuna, 25 for wahoo and 20 for dolphin.
The registration fees are the same as for the Big Game Classic, $3,000 per team for up to six anglers.
Last year, the competition was marked by a massive blue marlin bite, right from day one with 14 blue marlin (and seven white), followed by 15 blue marlin on day two (plus three white and a spearfish), and 16 blue marlin on day three (and three white).
The fleet was made of 28 boats. The game fish division was led by the team of ‘Paradise One’ who caught a wahoo weighing 37 pounds. The Big Blue Marlin Jackpot was won by ‘Wound Up’ with an impressive 858 pounds specimen on day three.
The 2010 winner was ‘Sea’duce’, a 82-foot Viking, with a total of five blue marlin releases, three of them on day one and two in the final day. The team also scored the most points in the tournament since it was switched to a three-day format and finished third overall in the Triple Crown.
‘Sea’duce’ was closely followed by ‘Freedom’ who released three blue marlin in the last day, providing an exciting finish to the Sea Horse Anglers Club Billfish Tournament.
Completing the podium was ‘Click Through’ with two blue marlin releases, one spearfish release, and a 666-pound blue marlin boated. Incredibly, for their first participation in the event, they went on to win the Bermuda Triple Crown.
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The Bermuda Big Game Classic
The Bermuda Big Game Classic is the biggest fishing sport event in Bermuda and the second of three legs of the Triple Crown Billfish Championship.
It takes place a week after the Billfish Blast, and this year the eleventh event will be held from July 13 to July 17.
It is also a qualifying event for the International Game Fish Association Offshore World Championship for which an invitation will be given to the winning team.
The event includes three days of fishing, after a day dedicated to final registrations and the captains’ meeting, as well as the Before Awards Banquet. The first day of fishing starts with the traditional boat parade from Hamilton Princess dock to Two Rock Passage. Boats are decorated
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Every day, fishing hours are from 8am to 4pm when lines must be taken out of the water. Like the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Billfish Blast, blue marlin, white marlin spearfish and sailfish are amongst eligible species, but tuna, wahoo and dolphin are added in this competition.
The entry fee for a team up to six anglers is $3,000 and covers attendance to all social events and entertainments activities. Non-anglers can also participate to the event for a fee of $200 or only to the Awards Cocktail and Dinner Banquet for $100.
The rules regarding assistance in the water are the same as Bermuda Billfish Blast: towing is allowed in case of mechanical failure, but no help can be received in landing or releasing fish, and a courteous attitude in and out of the water is expected from all.
The challenge for this 11th edition will be to try to match the success of last year. For its
10th anniversary, the Big Game Classic was exceptional and the best so far. Indeed, in 2010, the fleet of 49 boats caught 86 marlin, 66 blue and 20 white, with the blue marlin mainly over 350 pounds.
Only four blue marlin were not released and boated, one just undersized (488 lb) and three weighing 537 lb, 560 lb, and an impressive 691 lb. A new Big Game Classic record was also registered last year by winner ‘Weez in the Keys’, a 58 foot Merritt, with a tally of 7 marlin releases (four blue and three white). After a second place at the Blast, the team was tipped for winning the Bermuda Triple Crown, but a last place at the third leg saw them finishing fourth. No doubt they will be back this year to defend their Big Game title and fight for the Triple Crown.
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Bermuda Billfish Blast Off!
Fishing is, unsurprisingly, a very popular activity in Bermuda where many hours of the day are spent in water. There is even a Bermuda Triple Crown Billfish Championship that takes place each year in July.
The Bermuda Billfish Blast is the first leg of the Triple Crown and will this year be held from July 3 to July 7. The headquarters of the competition will be on Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke. The weigh-in stations will be located at the Barr’s Bay Park Waterfront.
The first leg of the Triple Crown is also part of the Blue Marlin World Cup Championship. Along blue marlin (it’s a fish, if you’ve never heard of it!), the other eligible species for the Billfish Blast are white marlin, spearfish and sailfish.
The entry fee is $3,000 per team, for up to six anglers to participate to the tournament but also includes social activities and entertainment. Non-anglers can purchase $150 package-tickets.
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Fishing days are on the 4th (Blue Marlin World Cup), 5th and 6th of July, and release is 100% mandatory on the last two days, while only blue marlin weighing over 500 pounds can be boated on the first day. Last years’ winner, ‘Que Mas’, released five blue marin to score the biggest catch ever registered in a single day on a Bermuda tournament. One of the marlin was around 700 pounds!
During the tournament, boats are allowed to receive help from other boats such as being towed back in case of mechanical failure but assistance to land or release fish is totally forbidden. A sportsmanship attitude is also expected from all participants at all time, whether at sea or in dock.
Teams score points for each fish they officially catch and release. These are verified by digital or still photographs or videos taken by the teams and following certain rules. The rules are:
• the photo or video must show the species • it must show the time and date caught • it must have a number code given by phone by tournament control at the time of the catch • all of the above elements must be on a single photo and videos must be continuous
Every blue marlin released is worth 500 points, every white marlin 200 points, and every sailfish or spearfish 100 points. Teams also score points for one boated blue marlin but will lose points if the fish weight less than 500 pounds. The penalty is of 500 points plus two points per pound under the limit.
Fishing days start at 8.30am and lines must be out by 4.30pm. The first day of the tournament is dedicated to final registrations and the Captains’ meeting, as well as the by the kick-off party. On the last day, the Awards Banquet closes the tournament. Come along and watch, but don’t get reeled in!
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Bermuda Gold Cup Yacht Race
Bermuda is rich in great sporting events and the Gold Cup Yacht Race is one of them. Also known as the Argo Group Gold Cup, it is the oldest competition of its type in the world. It consists of match races held one-on-one and all teams have to use yachts of the exact same design and size.
The winner of the event, which will take place from the 3rd to the 9th of October 2011 in the Hamilton Harbour, receives the King Edward VII Gold Cup, the oldest yacht match racing trophy in the world. It was first presented in 1907 by King Edward VII to C. Sherman Hoyt, the winner of the Tri-Centenary Regatta at Jamestown, Virginia, a race that celebrated the 300 anniversary of the first British settlement in America.
Three decades later, Hoyt gave the cup to the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and suggested that it was given to the winner of the match race series. The Gold Cup was born and has been held in Bermuda and organised by the Royal Yacht Club each year ever since.
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The principle of the race is that everyone is racing in the same conditions. Ten boats of International One Design Class type are provided by the race organisation, with sails (Mainsail, Jib and Spinnaker) and boats are allocated by draw.
The Gold Cup Yacht Race is also one of the nine races of the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) World Match Racing Tour. The last two events were won by a skipper from Great Britain, Ben Ainslie – who is also a triple gold and silver Olympic medallist. He has been invited by the race committee to defend his title and attempt to be the first to get a hat-trick.
Teams from France, Great Britain, Sweden, Australia, Italy, Denmark and New Zealand have already been invited to compete for this year’s $100,000 prize money. The first eight teams receive cash prizes, $50,000 for the winner, $20,000 for the second and $10,000 for the third.
The regatta is free for spectators and the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club opens its premises to the public for the duration of the event, with food tents and other facilities.
The King Edward VII cup has been won 21 times by Bermuda, 17 by the United States, 10 times by New Zealand, 5 times by Australia, twice by the UK, and once by Denmark. Let’s hope its Bermuda this year!
Photographs coutesy of bermudagoldcup.com
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Bermuda Jet Skiing
Water sports are very popular in Bermuda and with water and air temperatures high in the 20′s, it is easy to understand why! Snorkelling is of course a favourite here with shipwrecks, caves and reefs offering hours and hours of exploring. But if you are looking for thrills rather than spending silent hours underwater then it has to be jet-skiing.
Put some fun and excitement on your vacation by riding a watercraft and splashing around the Bermuda shorelines. Solo, or with your friends or family, discover the Island from a completely new and exciting perspective. You can not only experience the thrills of racing on the water and defying the ocean waves, you can also get closer from the coast than with any other boats due to the very shallow draft of jet-skis.
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Jet-skis are easy to manoeuvre and can be driven by anyone aged 16 or more. Although it is fun to splash and dash around for an hour, but by law, all jet-ski rentals must be accompanied by a guide, basically a member of staff from the rental company. You shouldn’t see this as a restriction, as your guide will take you to the best places in Bermuda’s waters than simply staying near the beach.
Many companies offer jet-ski tours and safaris with local guides and there is no one better than someone who knows the waters like the back of their hand to take you to places only jet-skis can access. You will drive to hidden coves, snorkelling spots and caves, and get close to the amazing marine life of Bermuda such as whales, rays, turtles, herons or Bermuda Longtails.
You can choose between tours of one or two hours or even spend a half-day on the water, allowing you to have time on a secluded beach and have a more customised tour. Most of the tours can be part of a group or private – these normally require a minimum of two hours and two skis booked – although each rental company will be different.
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Bermuda Boat And Yacht Rental Hire
One of the best ways to take in all the beauty of Bermuda is to see it from the water. You can travel by ferry around the island, but there is no experience like hiring a boat or yacht and spending a day in the ocean, stopping in the bays and coves of your choice, snorkelling and swimming anywhere you want!
There are boats that you pilot yourself and can usually carry a dozen of people and there are also boats operated by a captain and that can accommodate up to 30 passengers.
Most self-drive boat rentals places will provide you with a map of the best spots to explore as well as instructions on piloting the boat and finding your way on the water. You can rent Boston whalers or pontoon boats, usually between 13 and 23-foot long, equipped with canopies, swim ladders and designed to be hard to sink. The steering wheel on the centre console makes them very easy to drive without any previous experience required.
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If you are not keen on the idea of driving your boat or are part of a bigger group, then charter boats are ideal. They usually measure between 30 to 60-foot long with a capacity of 30 people for the bigger ones. You have the choice to hire motor yachts, wind sail boats and catamarans with the possibility to sail for a few hours, a full day or even overnight.
A lagoon in St. Georges, Bermuda near Tobacco Bay
Charter boats companies offer many options such as sunset and cocktails or champagne cruises, sportfishing trips, snorkelling expeditions as well as dinner parties among other services. You can also hire glass-bottom boats to enjoy the views of the reefs without getting wet and benefit from the knowledge of local captains. Like the self-drive boats, these usually can take up to a dozen people.
There are many operators where you can hire boats but you should be aware that the summer season is a busy one for them. It is recommended to book boat rentals long in advance. Of course, if the weather doesn’t permit you to sail, the majority of operators will allow you to rebook the
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The most popular area for sailing, whether on your own or aboard a charter boat, is around the islands of the Great Sound. Sailing in Bermuda is a must-do and there are many things you will be able to see that you can’t from the land alone.
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Bermuda Coral Reefs Scuba Diving Holidays
For most holiday-makers, Bermuda is all about pink sand beaches, beautiful water and luxurious accommodations. But there’s more…. lots more!
What they might not know is that it also has over 200 square miles of incredible coral reefs – which makes the perfect diving holiday.
Amongst divers, amateurs and professionals, it is reputed as one of the best spots on the planet for reef diving, a kind of Mecca of snorkelling and scuba-diving.
Resulting of the volcanic sea mountain that rose 100 million years ago to form the Bermuda, it is the most northerly coral reef in the world. The shallow waters and their crystal-like purity provide a great stage to anyone wanting to discover what is hiding in the ocean.
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The introduction of environmental protection laws by the Bermuda Government means that the reefs are very healthy. From hard corals and sea fans to giant anemones and Purple Sea urchins, southern stingray rays and spotted and green eels to yellow snappers and angel fish, there is always something to see.
There are lots of different sites with different underwater features such as Cathedral, near Gurnet Rock, which is a huge underwater cave that looks like a dome and where you can swim through the thousands of glassy sweepers; the tunnels and arches of hangover Hole; or the Devil’s Hole famous for being a perfect night dive site.
But you don’t always need to be diving to discover the beauty of the Bermuda reefs. If you are more comfortable on a boat than underwater, take a tour on one of the glass-bottom boats which hover along the shores to bring you above the reefs.
The other main attraction of the Bermuda reefs is the many shipwreck sites (see our list of Bermuda shipwrecks) that surround the islands. The reputation of Bermuda for being the wreck capital of the Atlantic is well deserved and due mainly to the Gulf Stream and occasional tropical storms that push ship to the shallow and rocky waters.
There are over 300 shipwrecks to explore, from the 1609 Sea Venture that brought the first occupants of the island, to Civil War vessels and more modern ships. These wrecks are not always greatly conserved and sometimes lay on their side on the sea bed, but some are kept intact like the 171-foot King George. Other such as The Hermes was sunk especially to become diving sites. Like the rest of the reefs, the shipwrecks are under protection of the Bermuda Government and it is not permitted to take anything away from them. You have been warned!
Whatever way you choose to look at the reefs – you can even see them from some beaches – they are some of the best features of the island and some of the largest in the world.
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List of Bermuda Shipwrecks
Did you know that Bermuda has LOTS of sunken treasure ships for you to explore, all littered around its beautiful coast?
Here’s a list of famous Bermuda shipwrecks you can explore if you’re visiting Bermuda to dive its beautiful coral reefs. Fortunately, the luxury cruise ships visiting the islands of Bermuda these days have a safer track record than these old ships:
• Triton shipwreck: this ship was purposely scuttled in 1988 off the coast of Bermuda as a professional diving site and tourist attraction • Hermes shipwreck (as seen in the video below): An American/US ship deliberately scuttled in 1984 • The King shipwreck: American ship scuttled in 1984, first intentionally-created dive site in Bermuda. • The Ramona shipwreck: Canadian ship wrecked in 1967, refloated for salvaging, re-sunk near Dockyard. • Elda shipwreck: wrecked in 1956 near the Eagle wreck. • Wychwood shipwreck: ran aground in 1955, refloated, then sank again
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• Colonel William G. Ball shipwreck: wrecked on Mills Breakers in severe weather in 1943 • Constellation shipwreck: made famous in the film The Deep, sank in 1942 • Pelinaion shipwreck: Greek steamer wrecked in 1940. • Iristo: This Norwegian steamer (AKA Aristo), was grounded in 1937 off the coast of Bermuda after mistaking the Colon wreck for a ship still underway. • Cristobal Colon: This wrecked ship is Bermuda’s largest shipwreck and sank in stormy waters in 1936. • Mussel: Bermudian fishing boat wrecked in 1926. • Zovetto: cargo steamer ran aground in 1924, also known as Zovetta or Rita Zovetto. • Caraquet: an aging mail steamer wrecked on the northern barrier reef in 1923 • Taunton steamship wreck: Norwegian steamer wrecked on the northern reefs in 1920 • Blanch King: also wrecked on the southwest reefs in 1920 • Pollockshields: apparently former Herodot, wrecked in 1915 near Elbow Beach • Madiana: former Balmoral Castle, built 1877, wrecked 1903 • HMS Vixen: scuttled in 1896 • Avenger: wrecked on Mills Breakers in 1894 • Apollo: wrecked on the reefs in 1890 • Richard P. Buck: caught fire and sank following a storm in 1889 • Darlington: wrecked on the Western Reef in 1886 • North Carolina: wrecked off West End in 1880 • Lartington: was wrecked in 1879 in Bermuda after just 5 years of operation. • Kate: An old British steamer wrecked in 1878. • Alert: fishing sloop sank in 1877 • Minnie Breslauer: was ran aground in Bermuda in 1873 • Beaumaris Castle: ran aground in 1873 • Mari Celeste: American Civil War blockade runner being piloted by a Bermudian, sank in eight minutes in 1864 • Montana: American Civil War blockade runner sank in 1863 • Curlew: wrecked on the northern reefs in 1856 • Unidentified ship: wrecked in 1849, believed to be the Minerva though that ship was wrecked in 1795 • L’Herminie: French frigate wrecked in 1838 • Collector: wrecked in 1823 • Caesar: wrecked on a reef in 1818 en route from England to Baltimore • HMS Pallas: ran aground in 1783 off St. George’s Island, wreck has not been identified • HMS Cerberus: lost at Castle Harbor in 1783 • Lord Amherst: British armed transport wrecked in 1778 • Mark Antonio: An indomitable Spanish privateer, wrecked in 1777, discovered early 1960s • Katherine: wrecked in 1763
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• Hunters Galley: wrecked in 1752 • “Manilla wreck”: an unidentified ship, wrecked mid-18th century • “Frenchman wreck”: an unidentified ship, wrecked around 1750, found in 1983 • Virginia Merchant: Virginia Company ship wrecked in 1661 • Eagle: The Eagle is a 269 feet long freighter which was sunk (December 19th, 1985) intentionally near Lower Matecumbe Key, Florida, to become an artificial reef and diving spot • San Antonio: Portuguese nao wrecked on the west reefs in 1621, discovered in 1960 • Warwick: an English cargo ship sunk in a gale in Castle Harbor in 1619, discovered in 1967 • Sea Venture: grounded off the coast in 1609, subsequently broke up and sank
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Land Sports & Activities
You name it, we do it: running, cycling, horseback riding, tennis, cricket, lacrosse and soccer to name a few. And, for golfers, our magnificent golf courses will encourage your swing into an arc of perfection.
Bermuda has more golf courses per head of population than anywhere else in the world. It’s not simply a golfer’s paradise, it is paradise. Period. The best by far is Port Royal, a cutting-edge design with fairways intriguingly cantilevered over the cliffs. This inspired 6,824-yard course was designed by Robert Trent Jones Snr and later renovated by Roger Rulewhich. Tennis is our other big land sport. And the best courts are on our doorstep at the Elbow Beach Bermuda resort. Here, you’ll play in a setting so lush and relaxed; you’ll think you’re competing in a grand slam tournament in the Garden of Eden.
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Belmont Hills Golf Club, Warwick
The Belmont Hills Golf Club is to be found on the parish of Warwick of Bermuda. It offers golfers stunning views of Hamilton Harbour. This is alongside the Great Sound and its islands. It makes the course one of the best spots to enjoy a round of golf on the island.
The Belmont Hills Golf Club is one of the two courses designed by Devereux Emmet (the other one is the oldest course in Bermuda, the Riddell’s Bay Golf). It was originally built in 1924. But the course underwent a complete renovation in 2003, with a design by Algie Pulley. It turned out to be the most expensive rebuilding operation ever on a golf course in Bermuda.
The golf course was previously known as the Belmont Golf and Country Club. It was renamed as Belmont Hills after the Belmont Hotel closed. It is now part of the Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa. This is an 18-hole par 70, 6,100 yards long course with many heavy bunkers and
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA multi-tiered greens (Tiff Eagle Bermuda Grass). The course is also equipped with tight fairways (419 Bermuda Grass) and 14,000 square feet of double green. It is the only one of its kind on the island. The course is considered far more challenging since the renovation. It is said to have the finest 18 holes on the island.
It might look like a straightforward and short course, mostly enjoyed by beginners. But according to that golfer who commented on Trip Advisor:
“The six thousand yards may seem easy but unless your tee ball is accurate, you’ll be hitting three off the tee, in a trap, or blocked out by trees.”
Another reviewer warns that:
“the challenge begins once you get to the greens.18 multi level greens can give you nightmares if you are on the wrong level.”
There are other major obstacles added by Algie Pulley. This takes in various water hazards, especially the lake that has been located between holes 2, 7 and 8. They have a total capacity of over a million gallons. The course has an automatic irrigation system, ensuring that even under the sub-tropical climate of Bermuda, the fairways and greens are kept in perfect condition.
The course has cart and club for rent, and like for all courses in Bermuda, formal clothing is required. Metal spikes are not allowed at the Belmont Hills, only soft spike. But shoes may be rented too. There is also an award-winning restaurant near the golf course, the Blu Bar & Grill, to replenish your energy after a round of golf.
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Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club
If you feel like playing a round of golf in a classical Bermudian setting then visit The Riddell’s Bay Golf & Country Club. This appealing 18 hole, par 70 course has been charming golfers since it first opened its doors in1922. It is the oldest, longest running golf course on the island.
This private club is located in the east of the parish of Warwick. The course resides on a peninsula. It winds along its 5800 yards in length, with 600 yards at its widest point. The course has a trio of ocean holes and two ponds amongst its many obstacles. The first hole of the Riddell’s Bay Golf Course is considered one of the toughest in Bermuda. It has an elevated green, reached by way of a dog leg right. It is the perfect opening to an all-consuming golf course, designed to delight and infuriate in equal measure. It is just what you are looking for if you feel like a round of golf. That’s why so many residents and tourists alike keep coming back.
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Bermuda is without contest the golfers’ Mecca and you will have a hard time choosing which of the ten courses you want to play during your stay.
In Warwick, you will find the oldest and longest running course of Bermuda, the Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club. Opened in 1922, the course was designed by Devereux Emmet, a friend of famous golf course architect Charles Blair MacDonald (who designed the Mid Ocean Golf course, in Tuckers Town).
The setting, as for most of the golf courses in Bermuda, is breath-taking and you will enjoy playing in such surroundings. The Riddell’s Bay course is located on the Warwick peninsula and offers views of both the Little Sound and the Great Sound and its islands. With a length of 5,800 yards and a maximum width of 600 yards, the course can be very narrow and challenging.
The biggest obstacles for golfers on this par 70 are three holes right by the ocean, two ponds and the exposure to capricious winds that can change the game conditions at any time. The first of the 18 holes shares the title of the most difficult opener in Bermuda with that of the Mid Ocean Golf. This par 4 has an elevated green flanked by bunkers on the left and right and that is reached through a sharply dogleg. It is the longest hole with 424 yards and will require you to get focused and at your best right from the start.
The 8th hole, a par 4, is the course’s signature hole that requires accuracy without which you will be adding more balls at the bottom of the Great Sound. Incidentally, it provides you with the most beautiful scenery you can find on a green and a view of the Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. From the final hole, you get a wonderful view of the club house, a 150 year old farm reconverted and one of the finest examples of the architecture of Bermuda.
Golfers from all parts of the world enjoy playing here.
“A older, shorter course that is wonderful to walk and has tremendous views and vistas. Challenge comes from smaller, firm greens, ever-present ocean breezes and water”,
Wrote one of them on Trip Advisor.
The Riddell’s Bay Golf is the only one on the island to use electric golf carts – other courses use gas operated carts. Metal spikes are allowed on the green but only soft ones.
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It is a private club only accessible to members, but like with many other private clubs, some hotels own memberships and can get their guests admitted.
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The Southampton Princess Golf Club
If you are looking for a challenging par-3 golf course, in Bermuda then head up to the Southampton Princess Golf Club. It is found in the luxurious Fairmont Southampton Princess Hotel, in the parish which bears its name.
This scenic 18 hole golf course is in excess of 2,684 yards with a par of 54. It will make you work hard on your short game.
This challenging course was designed by Theodore Robinson. It is felt club selection will be crucial in clearing the multiple bunkers and two water hazards. This is as well as overcoming the dramatic elevations (200 feet drop between the first two holes).
The Southampton Princess, as with most of Bermuda’s golf courses, is subject to marine winds. This is especially as it is facing the Atlantic Ocean in all its length. But it has the advantage of offering amazing and invaluable marine and landscape views.
There is a practice green and beginners can take lessons. The complex around the course has a pro shop, tennis courts, bars and restaurants.
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This is “the best par 3 you’ll ever play” according to Trip Advisor. The reviewer goes on by imploring golfers
“do not miss out on this gem if you’re a golfer!”
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The Southampton Princess Golf Club is private and available only for members and their guests. The membership also entitles you to play at the nearby courses of Port Royal, Riddell’s Bay and Belmont Hills. However this has to be arranged through the hotel’s Golf Concierge.
Guests at the Fairmont Southampton Princess hotel can also benefit from a partnership with the Riddell’s Bay Golf Club. This grants them exclusive access to the oldest golf course of the island. There is a shuttle service is provided from and to the hotel lobby.
But the Fairmont Southampton Princess resort is not just about golf. This luxurious site, occupying around 100 acres of the island’s south shore was rated one of the best Atlantic resorts in 2009 and 2010 by the readers of Condé Nast Traveller.
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Mid Ocean Golf Club, Tucker’s Town
There are many golf courses in Bermuda, an island reputed for having more golf courses than fast-food outlets!
Amongst them, the Mid Ocean Golf Club is regularly ranked as Bermuda’s number one golf course and is even considered as one of the best golf courses in the world – not just the best golf course in Bermuda.
Located in Tucker’s Town, in St. George Parish, it is 18 holes, par 71 and 6512 yards course was built and designed by the best names in golf. It was first designed in 1920 by Charles Blair MacDonald with Seth Raynor and opened in December 1921. Later, it was modernised by architect Robert Trent Jones.
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The course has also been played by many famous people such as John Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Winston Churchill and George Bush.
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Mid Ocean Golf course is not just one of the most beautiful you’ll ever play, it is also a very challenging one. The signature hole is the 5th, a 433 yard par 4 that feature an impressive water piece, the Mangrove Lake. It will take many shots and balls to many to carry the water, and it is said that when baseball star Babe Ruth came to play the course, it took him a dozen attempts to clear the lake.
The course has many more challenges asking golfers to keep accuracy and concentration at their maximum. The first hole is said to be one of the most challenging opening on the island, six par 4s are going over 400 yards, four holes are located by the ocean and can be differently affected by winds, and any mistake is paid dearly.
Mid Ocean Golf Club is a private members club since 1951 and has 20 cottages by the Clubhouse, each with private balconies and luxurious interiors. Members have direct access to a private beach and swimming-pool at the Beach Pavilion.
The club also has two tennis courts with lessons available, and can organise fishing and scuba- diving expeditions for its members.
Anyone can enjoy the Mid Ocean Golf Club, whether you are a beginner or a confirmed putter. A regular golfer commented on Trip Advisor that
“the course is for every level, so don’t be intimidated by the history or skill level, there are tee boxes to suit every type of player.”
If you are not a member, some hotels have a membership and are allowed to invite a limited number of their guests in certain days. If you are a keen golfer, don’t miss the Mid Ocean Golf Club, it is
“An incredible experience”
…and the opportunity to play on a course that was chosen to host some major tournaments such as the PGA Grand Slams in 2007 and 2008.
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Tucker’s Point (Castle Harbour) Golf Club
This golf course is a part of Tucker’s Town, an area located between St. George’s Harbour and Castle Harbour, in the parish of St. George.
The place is called that way because it was where Tucker, a Bermuda governor, intended to build a rival port to St. George’s.
However, due to its exposure to weather, the site failed to attract many settlers and the town was never built. The course is now called Tucker’s Point Golf but still known as the Castle Harbour Golf Club, especially to those who played it before 2002.
The original designers of the course were the famous Charles Bank and Robert Trent Jones, as well as the Californian Algie Pulley who added amendments later. The course passed from a 18-hole to
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It was reopened by the Governor of Bermuda at the end of 1959 as an 18-hole, par-71 and 6,440 yards course. But at the beginning of 2000, when the Castle Harbour Hotel closed, it reverted to a 9-hole again. Finally, after a revamp, the golf course was reopened in 2002 as an 18-hole as it is now.
The Castle Harbour Golf Club now is one of – if not the most – scenic courses in Bermuda, with every hole offering great views of the Atlantic Ocean. It might seem a relatively short course (6361 yards, par 70) but it is a very challenging one, even for the most experience players. The two large hills around which the course is laid out can cause problems if you miss the flat landing areas. The very undulating greens and the trees around the fairways also offer interesting challenges.
The opening hole suggests the tough nature of the course, with a 330-yard, par 4 hole with trees on the left and water on the right. The signature holes are the numbers 13 and 17, with panoramas of the north coast and the west end of the island respectively, with superb sunsets and views of Tucker’s Town and Castle Island.
Tiff-Eagle hybrid grass was used to rebuild all the greens, giving the course a faster and better surface than it used to be, a feature that those looking for a challenge will appreciate. You will also find new practice facilities such as a driving range, a practice putting green and an area to practice your short game, a useful facility before taking on the main course.
The golf course is part of a complex that has a beach as well as a tennis club. Even though it is a private club, membership is not always necessary: the club accept visitors if you book in advance, and you should also check with your hotel if they are members.
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Ocean View Golf Course
The Ocean View Golf Course is on the north shore of the parish of Devonshire, on the island of Bermuda.
It is right outside the capital of Hamilton. The nine hole course is renowned for its close proximity to the city. This is not to mention its calm ambience and heavenly scenery. It is also known for its altering landscape. The Ocean View Golf Course looks out on the cool blue waters of the ocean.
The course has some of the most eye catching fairways and greens. But it is furnished with 18 tees, so you can play an extra round of golf if you want to. This is in addition to a driving range, a rental club and cart service. It also retains the services of its own old golf pro, amongst other facilities.
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This is how The Ocean View Golf Club in Bermuda has built up a reputation amongst residents and tourists alike as one of the premiere golf courses on the island.
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Horizons Golf Course Bermuda
The Horizons Golf Course is the solitary Mashie course in Bermuda. It is situated on the south- west of Paget Parish.
This private establishment has nine holes, heading in both directions. It results in a one of a kind round of 18 holes, with a par 27. The course is laid out for guests of the Horizon Cottages but not exclusively. It is also open to the general public.
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This central golf course is a hallmark of the wonderful Cottage local hotel and resort. It is a high class cottage colony in Bermuda. It is placed on a hilltop amongst picturesque gardens and lawns. The resort makes up a land mass of 25 acres. There are many beautiful cottages nearby; numbering
13. They surround a renovated manor house, dating back to the 18th Century. This makes The Horizons Golf Course a different kind of golfing experience, not to be missed.
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Fairmont Southampton Golf Course
Are you on holiday in Bermuda? Do you feel like taking in a round of gold? Then why not experience the award winning Fairmont Southampton Golf Course? This is the place which has been named the Best Places to Play Golf by Golf Digest.
It is an exceptional eighteen hole golf course, found on the east of Southampton Parish, in the beautiful island of Bermuda. It measures 2684 yards with three tee offerings and a 54 par. The course has an eye-catching ocean backdrop, with coastal breezes and scintillating elevation. The Fairmont Southampton Golf Course was designed by Theodore Robinson. It features a vast array of water hazards and bunkers. This one of a kind course caters to all kinds of golfers, from absolute beginners to old hands. It lets players hire out golf clubs and shoes from our all-purpose in house shop. The course also offers a lesson from a top golf pro. However, you should be aware that golfers must follow the courses dress code.
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Players are required to wear the correct golf clothes at all times, no cut offs or jeans are allowed. There is also a restriction on steel spikes.
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Belmont Hills Golf Club
The Belmont Hills Golf Club is a striking 18 hole golf course in Bermuda. It is about four miles outside the capital city of Hamilton.
This is a streamlined course with a par 70 covering 6017 yards. It is found in the wondrous Warwick Parish. The course was initially a mainstay of the former Belmont Hotel. It was initially conceived over 80 years ago, in 1924 by Deveraux Emmett. It is famous for its stunning tropical scenery, ocean visages and lakes.
This is not to mention utilising the most notable Tiff-Eagle greens. The golf season at The Belmont Hills Golf Club lasts all year round. The course has its own golf pro, along with a club and cart rental facility. This is along with being equipped with a well-appointed restaurant, bar, snack bar and a pro shop amongst other amenities. All in all The Belmont Hills Golf Club is the perfect course for beginners and veterans alike to enjoy a round of golf in the tropics of Bermuda.
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Port Royal Golf Course
Would you like a round of golf in a cutting edge course in Bermuda? Then come to the spectacular Port Royal Golf Course, in the west of Southampton Parish.
This is the golf course which has been acclaimed by Golf Digest and The New York Times. It has been a popular spot for golfers for over 40 years. The Port Royal Golf Course was first designed by the architect Robert Trent Jones Sr in 1970. But it has just gone through a massive makeover, worth $14.5 million. This was overseen by Mr. Robert Rulewich, whom participated in the course’s initial design. The renovation took place to mark the PGA Grand Slam of Golf season in 2009 and 2010.
The Port Royal Golf Course is owned and operated by the Bermuda Government. It has built up a standing as one of the most lauded golf courses on the planet. The course is famous for its stunning ocean views and tropical countryside. It is also renowned for its tranquil and ecological
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The course has holes overlooking views of the Atlantic Ocean. Port Royal is generally considered the most scenic golf course in Bermuda. It has seen the installation of lakes with up to the minute irrigation. The course features the latest TifEagle greens. It has 18m holes and a par of 71 the course has also been enlarged by an additional 281 yards. This makes it, at 6,842 yards, the biggest golf course in Bermuda.
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Bermuda Golf Academy Driving Range
Do you feel like taking a few practice strokes to improve your golf game? Then get in the swing of things down at the Bermuda Golf Academy Driving Range!
It is based at the Industrial Park Road, just off Middle Road on the west of Southampton Parish. This is not a conventional golf course. It is a facility for you to hone your golfing skills. It boasts a state of the art driving range, measuring 320 yards and a practice green. This takes in 18 holes along with the finest Adventure Mini Golf around!
The driving range is furnished with night lighting so you can keep playing when it gets dark. There is 40 practice bays of which, 25, are under cover. The range is fitted with target greens, eight in all, positioned between 75 and 230 yards out. They are fired out by a mechanical automated system.
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The range also has a bunker play section and practice chipping, amongst other facilities. This is the perfect place to refine your golf game while on holiday in Bermuda. You can only get better at golf here!
And while you’re here, why not relax and see the Island on a scooter! There’s driving. And there’s driving!
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Horse Riding at Spicelands Riding Centre
Bermuda is a great island to spend time on, not only for its legendary beaches of sand pink and the clear blue waters, but also for its landscapes.
The sub-tropical climate here is much more clement than in the Caribbean so you can explore the island at any time.
Horseback riding is one of the ways you can move around Bermuda and the Spicelands Riding Centre is one of the two stables on the island. In the countryside setting of Warwick, the island’s premiere equine facility gives you a choice of activities such as trail riding, riding lessons for all ages and levels, and full service boarding facilities.
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The centre is at close proximity of the Railway Trail and its scenic routes leading to the beaches and beach paths. The 18 miles of the former Bermuda railway that closed in 1948 were transformed into a trail in 1984. Ideal for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, the trail offers one of the best ways to discover the varied and beautiful scenery of Bermuda.
The Spicelands Riding Centre offers different types of rides on the Railway Trail along the south shores without any experience being required. There are six ride times to allow everyone to ride at the time that suit them best: 7am, 8.30am, 10.30am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm.
You can take a private ride ($180 per person) with just your group, lasting one hour and a half. The tour can be tailored to your need or level, whether you just want to enjoy a new experience with friends or family or you are experienced riders and want more than just a walk.
The group ride ($80 per person) is a paced walk along the beach that anyone can join and takes you along the trail. The centre can also accommodate a romantic Private Ride for those who want to make their marriage proposal a special memory.
For every ride, protective gear is provided, and it is recommended to wear hard-soled shoes or sneaker.
On Trip Advisor, reviewers write that it is the:
“Best private trail ride ever”, Absolutely loved this ride and will be a memory I’ll never forget. “Great Trail ride in Bermuda”, The trail ride was very scenic and travelled along the beach, just beautiful.
The centre also has a programme of riding lessons for all riders from the age of 4 and that include riding, stable management (care, health, nutrition). Every new rider has to take a private lesson to assess their level before taking part in the group lessons. For children under 6, pony rides are available ($20 for 20 minutes).
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World Class Tennis At Mandarin Oriental
If you are a lover of tennis, then why not play at one of the five beautifully tended courts at Elbow Beach in Bermuda?
The Mandarin Oriental Resort has excellent tennis facilities. All courts are plexi-paved and have flood lights for playing at night time. The resort offers comprehensive lessons for beginners too, which are overseen by the in-house profession.
The Mandarin Oriental resort at Elbow Beach, Bermuda, contains an exceptional Pro Shop, where you can hire and buy the finest rackets and a great assortment of tennis balls. If that’s not all, the shop supplies a stylish line of footwear and sportswear. The Shop also serves excellent food and drink, so you can grab a bite to eat after match point!
For more information on hiring one of our courts, please get in contact. It is strongly advised that you make a reservation in advance, to avoid disappointment. Telephone: +1 (441) 236 3535
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Nightlife
Sometimes it seems as if Bermuda never sleeps. On this party-mad island, it’s perfectly acceptable to dance till dawn, then doze in a shady hammock till it’s time for lunch.
If you can tear yourself away from our diamond-studded night skies, Bermuda offers a world of star-studded clubbing. In some, the beat and the sweat are relentless; others offer a more laid-back vibe oiled by jazz, conversation, and the zingiest cocktails anywhere between London and New York. Want to meet the locals at their most uninhibited? Grab a pair of sharp shoes, a vibrant splash of lipstick, and head for the clubs.
When we’re off-duty, we dive into The Deep at Elbow Beach. It’s fun, funky, and thronging with life. To see Bermuda’s trendiest set at play, try Opus, a sexy urban retreat in the heart of Hamilton. The beat is slower at Shine’s, a live venue owned by one of our leading musicians, Wendell ‘Shine’ Hayward. Shine’s attracts the power elite who dance to a distinctly Bermudian rhythm.
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Level Nightclub Hamilton
If you’re looking for a great night out in Hamilton, where better to go than the latest popular club to pop-up in town, Level Nightclub?
Opened recently in the premises of the former club Square One, the new club Level, as the name and owners admit, takes revellers to a different level when nightclubbing in Bermuda.
It was opened to bring a fresh approach to the nightlife in Bermuda, by allowing the crowd to control what tunes are played – a sort of popularity contest for sounds!
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Slap bang in the heart of Front Street’s bar scene, the new co-owners of Level Nightclub, Barnaby West and Jerome Overbey have moved away from the ‘traditional’ house and techno dance music normally played by ten-a-penny bars and clubs at the weekend and have opted for a crowd- pleasing and crowd-controlled playlist that can easily go from rock to reggae in one song.
Mr West said: “It’s more of a Top 40, hip hop and reggae vibe. We’re going to leave the DJ to play what the crowd wants to hear.”
The club’s appeal is for anyone wishing to have a great night out, regardless of musical tastes and promotes dancing as a necessity for a good time. They’ve even done away with ninety percent of the table and chair space that the previous club had and opened this space up as ‘room for dancing’.
The club has no restrictions for entry that many other clubs seem to have – apart from being over 18 years of age – as it seeks to appeal to a wide range of people from all backgrounds to share the joy that music brings. They promote a fun, safe environment and want to see everyone from 18 or 19-year-olds to 65-year-old tourists enjoying themselves.
So, if you’re bored and stuck on a cruise ship, why not get down to Level Nightclub and taste what’s going on down there?
The inside decor of the club features fresh, blue walls and cafe-style tall tables to rest your drinks when dancing. First-class lighting sets the scene to the music for a wonderful night of dancing and partying. And, the club even has a smoking area outside, so you don’t have to leave the premises if you want to light up. There’s also an outside patio area for clubbers to enjoy the evening air whilst dancing away until 3am.
Staff are well-trained and very friendly, offering advice on drinks if you’re unsure what you fancy. For groups and special occasions, there’s a private room for hire with comfy sofas and tables, large- screen televisions and your own, personal bar service. The private room overlooks the main club so you can keep your eye on the dance floor and watch the others boogie!
Level is situated on Bermuda House Lane, just off Front Street in Hamilton.
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Casey’s Bar Hamilton
Hang out with locals and get down with the beat at Casey’s, one of Bermuda’s best and often- overlooked bars and clubs.
Located in Hamilton and with a door front that is ‘blink-and-you’ve-missed-it’ cool, Casey’s is one of the hidden entertainment gems in Bermuda. Not for the faint hearted, this is party-central and needs no fancy neon signs or big-budget marketing campaign to attract business. Word of mouth makes this place rock. And the locals who frequent it – from students looking for a funky night out with classmates, to cool, hip, young professionals wanting kick off their shoes and tune-in to the tunes after work – will testify to its charming interior, awesome music and sublime coolness.
Friday nights are especially entertaining – and busy – so prepare yourself for a night that may go on for some time in a tight environment. So, if you’re all elbows when it comes to dancing, you may want to find another club.
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Its decor has a certain kitsch value, with old photographs of Bermuda – including obscure shots of ‘catch of the day’ by the fisherman owner of the club. Like any good nightclub that isn’t pretentious and exists purely for the fun of dancing, music and socialising, don’t expect elaborate fabrics and decadent furnishings – if you do, you’re in the wrong place and you need to go home and put your slippers on and have a cocoa.
On Wednesday night, you can enjoy a variety of sounds with the local DJ, who plays a compendium of Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, and Reggae. On Fridays, you can relive old school memories with funky tunes and there’s a happy hour with reduced-price drinks to get you in the mood.
Casey’s offers great cocktails at a great price and there’s a great selection of beers and wines too. Visitors are encouraged to try Bermuda’s very own ‘Dark and Stormy’ drink. Indeed, it is Bermuda’ ‘national drink’ and consists of dark rum, ginger beer and lime. A refreshing drink with a kick and sure to get you on the dance floor cutting shapes like there’s no tomorrow.
Because Casey’s is a one-room lounge and bar, be sure to get there early, particularly at weekends. It is open from 10am to 10pm seven days a week. Staff are particularly speedy in the delivery of drinks, so you won’t need to wait if you’re thirsty and you’ll almost always get change when buying a drink – it’s very reasonably priced and there are many special offers, even out with happy hour.
Dive round to Casey’s at 25 Queen Street in Hamilton for a great time with the locals – and don’t forget to wear appropriate footwear for a day of dancing!
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Hubie’s Bar Hamilton (Closed until further notice)
HUBIES closed until further notice!
Hubie’s Bar in Bermuda has been around for many years, entertaining people who love music and providing a home for many, many, talented musicians.
Live music has been an important part of popular culture in Bermuda for many years and Hubie’s has contributed its fair share of live music, acts and culture making it one of the best known and loved venues on the Island.
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Local musical favourites and international Jazz artists have played and entertained thousands of paying guests for over 30 years. It’s been a hive of cool, live jazz along with long, smooth drinks for some time now – but it wasn’t always so.
After many years of operating at the heart of the jazz music scene at Bermuda, Hubie’s closed down in May 2010. Old patrons became just that, older. And, there wasn’t the flow of new patrons coming through. Changes in tastes and lifestyle had meant that the number of paying guests that frequently Hubie’s meant it simply couldn’t stay afloat and the inevitable happened, it shut its doors. The original owner Hubie Brown had passed away and his wife Molly had no option but foreclosure due to the place losing money. However, an astonishing thing happened. There was such a deep and widespread sadness among Bermudians that Bermuda’s former Minister of Culture Dale Butler, made an hour-long documentary on Hubie’s named Chilled and Shaken. Then other people in Bermuda started rallying together with a pride in Hubie’s and music and passion for a loved place that’s rarely seen these days and Hubie’s opened its doors again under new management.
The new owner Wanda Bremar, was one of the thousands saddened by closing of Hubie’s and she decided to buy the bar and not only keep it alive but reinvent it for a new generation as well as the old.
The Loft at Hubie’s books the best jazz bands on the island for weekly sessions on Friday from 7 to 10. Other kinds of live music might be on the schedule other nights—whatever it is, it’s bound to be good. There’s a $10 cover, which includes a drink.
Under the new management, it now operates under the name The Loft at Hubie’s. The live house act, ‘The Spirit’, continue to be on the bill on Friday evenings as before. It has now adopted other musical tastes and genres through the week as it just cannot survive on Jazz alone.
As the bar is off the tourist trail, it’s advisable to get a taxi cab when going to Hubie’s if you don’t know the place. It’s well worth it to keep the place alive and it literally will be music to your ears!
Find it at 10 Angle Street in Hamilton, Pembroke.
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The Spinning Wheel Hamilton
If you’re looking for a great night out with live music, tasty drinks and unbeatable company, then the Spinning Wheel in Hamilton is the night spot for you.
Situated on Court Street it has been around since 1970, when it opened its doors to the locals providing ethnic sounds for black people in Bermuda, something until then that just wasn’t available.
These days, it still retains its local roots and has grown into an institution in Bermuda for locals and tourists alike looking for a fabulous night out. You’ll see Bermudians supping away on their favourite local drinks such as Rum Swizzles while enjoying the live music and entertainment in the upper level of the venue.
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The Spinning Wheel is a great alternative to the usual bars and clubs found in Hamilton and ideal to relax and unwind with great bands and great service.
The Spinning Wheels club was founded by Gladwin Ming and Charles Burgess in the seventies and, apparently, named after a song by Blood, Sweat and Tears. They wanted to bring live entertainment to the masses and a place for locals to hang out – little would they have known in the 70s, how the club would develop and grow into the powerhouse and mainstay of entertainment that it is today. Today it is run by Mr Burgess’s sons Steve and Bruce Simmons.
The venue has been host to all manner of nights and festivities including the Black Family Productions event which celebrated those making contributions to the Bermudian economy, to world business, to medicine and to education as well as the Island’s cultural heroes.
The Spinning Wheel has four bars, a night club, a sports lounge and a restaurant that serves up delicious Bermudian cuisine – something that tourists just have to experience, it’s mouth-watering.
Upstairs at the venue, ‘Chewsticks’ provides live musical on Saturday, where you can chill out or get down – depending on your taste – with jazz, reggae, rock and other genres. Chewsticks is also a great showcase for many singers, rappers, musicians, poets, DJs and dancers and provides a platform for local artists to shine. And you can get down downstairs on the lower floor with great DJs spinning funky tunes at the ‘Grown Folks Disco’.
During the week, it is free entry, however, there is a cover charge for entertainment at Chewsticks at the weekend. It is open every day from midday to 3am. Monday to Friday sees a happy hour, where you can get scrummy drinks at a bargain price, as well as tasty bar treats to line your tummy.
You’ll find it at 33 Court Street, Hamilton City. Pop along with friends or go along yourself and mix with friendly locals for a fun, memorable time.
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The Pickled Onion Hamilton
The Pickled Onion is one of Bermuda’s most celebrated restaurants and bars and a must visit for fine dining and a great night out in Hamilton.
It offers an exquisite, modern atmosphere and its highly-skilled chefs prepare world-fusion food that’s so good it featured on the Food Network in a guide to Bermuda and cuisine.
Located on Front Street, Hamilton’s main thoroughfare, its locale is ideal for tourists and sightseers although its dishes are at the fine-dining end of the culinary scale, the prices are very reasonable and don’t reflect the high standard of the food.
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The restaurant uses the finest, fresh local ingredients and some unusual ones too, such as the Canadian Prince Edward Island Roast Mussels. Local Wahoo fish, whenever available, are rubbed in paprika and are garlic-smoked (we don’t know either) to produce an amazing and unique local treat.
Opened in 1998 and renovated again in 2007, it’s a very cosmopolitan bar and serves up numerous cocktails to order as well as its own range of fruity, concocted aperitifs that go down a storm with locals and visitors alike. It is great for a night out that has a bit more class than your usual bar or pub and it is highly recommended to book a table to ensure you won’t be disappointed.
It serves lunch and dinner and carries a full wine menu from cheap house red to sophisticated sauvignon blancs and rather expensive champagnes. The restaurant turns from a food purveyor into a classy bar and club as the night progresses, so if you are looking for a stylized yet relaxed evening out, then you should go for dinner followed by entertainment from the Pickled Onion’s own resident band from Bermuda, the aptly-named ‘Smooth’, or the Canadian duo 5-Star, who play every kind of music available to entertain the patrons through to the small hours.
As the restaurant location is bang in the middle of Front Street, on Wednesday nights, the balcony opens and you can enjoy the hustle and bustle of the street below as it turns into a carnival-style main street during peak season.
According to locals, one of the best experiences in Bermuda is to sip a cocktail at the Pickled Onion balcony while enjoying the harbour view in the evening – and we agree, although please park your scooter for the evening if you do want to enjoy a drink!
The Pickled Onion has won five ‘Best of Bermuda’ awards and one visit will tell you why. It has everything for a perfect day or evening out from food, ambience and music to service and value. It’s one of Bermuda top restaurants and bars.
Check it out on Front Street in Hamilton.
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Frog and Onion Pub Hamilton
The perfect place for a pint in Bermuda is the Frog and Onion Pub in Sandy’s – an old cooperage and a victuallers which is ideally located for a refreshing break from shopping or sightseeing at the Royal Naval Dockyard.
Named so, because it was founded by a Frenchman (the frog) and a Bermudian (the onion), the building is a fascinating and historical place and has been preserved phenomenally well.
The old furnace of the cooperage (an old-style factory where barrels and kegs were made) is the great fireplace and center piece of the pub. The pub’s sheer size include the old victuallers (a word not used much these days which means a source or place of food and other provisions).
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The Frog & Onion was opened in 1992 (the cooperage was built in 1853) and has seen massive success and growth to become ‘Bermuda’s most unique pub’ even if that is self-titled.
The pub also calls itself a victualler which is fitting as it does supply great food and drink and a great testament to the history of the place.
Its location is perfect for tourists as it is in the Royal Naval Dockyard, and a pleasant walk from King’s and Heritage Wharfs and the ferry dock too.
There are four dining areas in the pub and it caters for sports fans, where large televisions screens are installed so fans can watch soccer, baseball, American football, hockey and, well, just about anything – as long as it’s sports!
There are two al fresco eating areas – the beer garden and victualling yard, where you can feel the history of the place in the surroundings of the old stonework. There’s also the Admiral’s Room, which is perfect to hire out for your own private function, and the pub also has its own shop, where you can buy all manner of pub-branded and non-branded goods and gifts.
The pub is Bermuda’s only on-site brewery, the Dockyard Brewing Company, which ferments all sorts of delicious home-made beers. It really is a great place to visit for real beer enthusiasts. It currently has five brews on the go:
A Whale of a Wheat Light and refreshing German-style beer with German only hops. St David’s Light A Pilsner style beer, it is crisp and dry with euro-flavoring. Ideal with light snacks. Somer’s Amber Ale The company’s proudest output. It’s a traditional English Bitter and can be enjoyed with friends – or alone! Trunk Island Pale Ale An IPA (Indian Pale Ale), a style of beer that is rather British but first brewed in India for British soldiers. It goes with any food. Black Anchor Porter A rich, dark ale with a history as old as Britain itself. Goes extremely well with meat dishes.
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The pub also has a great pub-food menu and offers a menu with a particularly British feel. Fish and chips, pies and sausages are plentiful, and there are plenty of seafood dishes. There’s also other- than-British dishes which include pizzas, pastas and fried chicken. They offer a vast selection of sandwiches and salads and there’s a particularly great children’s menu too.
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Docksiders Pub in Hamilton
If you’re looking for a fun night out in Bermuda, then Docksiders pub in Hamilton is the place to go!
Docksiders – or Dockies as locals call it – is one of the best pubs on the Island and has entertained locals and visitors for years.
From theme nights and celebrations to great food and excellent beer, Docksiders has something for everyone and is a hub of fun and frolics and fab food.
In the main room, a long cedar wood bar makes for a homely welcome and the hospitable, friendly staff will make your time at Docksiders seem like you’re in your own pub in your own home town – if you have a local that is. You’ll never feel like a stranger in Docksiders and if you are a visitor to
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Bermuda, then the regular party nights are a great way to unwind and enjoy a few drinks after a day of sight-seeing and adventure.
At weekends, you can mix with local people who go to unwind after their working week and find out first-hand what Bermuda is all about for tourists – good, hospitable people who love their country and don’t mind sharing it! At the weekend, the bar can get quite busy and this is where the second, more relaxing, wine bar can come in handy.
If it’s a quiet drink you’re looking for, then this is the place for you too – particularly if you want to be able to have a conversation without shouting! The Dockers caters for wine-lovers too and offer a great selection of reds, whites and rosé.
The bar also shows live sports on the many large flat-screens and projectors dotted around and fans of American football, soccer/football (delete appropriately depending where you are from!), golf, baseball, cricket, motorsports and horseracing can certainly have their fix. For those who like to play sports there’s beer pong, pool tables and darts and dartboards too.
The bar also houses some of the best live bands around which you can enjoy on Wednesday and Friday nights and you can enjoy the DJs too. TripAdvisor comments clearly show how popular the bar is with many citing it as Bermuda’s best bar and club.
Food-wise, Docksiders serves up great, filling meals and snacks. It’s ideal if you want a formal dining experience or just to grab a snack before a long party night out. It serves up great appetizers, sandwiches, pizzas and pasta, salads and soups, in addition to old-school classic favourites including fish and chips, burgers, curries and bangers and mash.
It’s open daily and at weekends has a late licence until 2am. The dress code is casual and you don’t need a booking or reservation for food.
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Robin Hood Pub Hamilton
If you like beer, beer and more beer, or if you just like orange juice and a great atmosphere, then the Robin Hood pub in Hamilton is your perfect match.
One of the most popular pubs in Bermuda, it is located on the outskirts of the City of Hamilton and is frequented by locals and visitors alike.
Known as the ‘Hood’ to locals, it is a British-style pub and therefore purveys lots of different beers and lagers. It also has a huge variety of spirits or shooters and one curiously named ‘Buffalo Sweat’ which we’re led to believe will ingratiate you to the local bar-stays should you buy and drink one yourself!
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It is a favourite for sports fans and televises live sports from around the world including soccer from England and Europe, world rugby, hockey and American football.
There’s plenty of room in the bar – although it can very busy during specific televised sporting events – which means you can easily get a table during the day or in the evening. It’s known as a proper drinking pub, so it’s ideal if you’re out for the night, in large groups, or want to ‘get a couple of drinks’ at a reasonable price.
Most nights have some form of entertainment – although it’s normally sport – and on Tuesdays there’s a popular quiz night. Each week brings a different quiz theme, such as pop music, sport, general knowledge, and all are welcome to join in the fun. On a Friday evening there’s a drinks happy hour which is fills the place with locals looking for a refreshing end to their working week and the pub puts on a complimentary food buffet.
The Robin Hood food offers customers traditional pub fair including, apparently, Bermuda’s favorite pizzas. Other mains are burgers, curries and steaks. It also carries English favorites like Fish and Chips and Bangers and Mash. And they’re all priced very reasonably.
The pub and its locals are very well intertwined. The locals love it so much that they famously have their own soccer (football if you don’t want to get on the wrong side of them) team. All are welcome to join the team on their infamous travels to games at home and away, and, if you are any good with a ball, we’re led to believe that you may actually get a start in the team! (Also, going by what we’re led to believe, the team are rather quite good, so you may have to bribe the team coach with one of the Buffalo Sweat shots to get a match if you met him.)
The pub is large enough and capable enough to serve a lot of people swiftly and en mass, so there’s no need to book or reserve a table to miss out on dining. However, If you have a large group for food, it’s always a good idea to give them a call and they’ll reserve some tables for you so you can all sit together.
Throughout the year, the pub celebrates local and international holidays including Halloween and various patron saints’ days and can cater for birthday parties and other celebrations. Just ask if you are unsure.
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Chewstick, For Live Music
Bermuda and music goes hand-in-hand and it is a favourite way of the inhabitants of the island to express them. Whether you like to listen to it, make it or just take part in a live performance, there are many places on the island where you can go.
The weekend nights are the best time for the creative ones and those who like to hear them, and pubs and bars usually feature live bands and open-mic events.
Amongst all the places where you can listen or participate into live music events, the Bermudian has given the Best of Bermuda Award 2011 for the place to hear live music to Chestwick. This place which full name is the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge, it the place where the Chewstick Neo-Griot Movement hold its musical events.
This movement was created in 2002 with the prime purpose of breaking down barriers and giving everybody a way to express them. What started as a single event put on by seven life-long friends
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It is one of the popular events put in place by the movement in its lounge located in Hamilton.Every Sunday during the summer months, and every other Sunday during the winter, from 8pm to midnight, everyone is welcome to sing, rap, play music, read poetry, dance or perform any type of art. The own Chewstick band backs those who need music. It is one of the most eclectic and diverse event and is a true reflection of Bermuda’s diversity.
The name of the movement comes from the Bermudian word griot that means storyteller and because the founders considered they belong to the griot family. But more than storytelling, the movement has the ambition to be a creative, spiritual and uplifting collective with a focus of the exploration and refinement of the human expression.
For everyone who has something to say, in whatever form it is said, the Chewstick Neo-Griot Movement is the best channel to do so. It has allowed the development of a rather large family of artists as well as socially conscious people. The movement has also created the Beachfest Emancipation Celebration, a music festival developed as an alternative to the lack of activities for the island’s youth during Match Cup day. It followed the spontaneous meeting of young people on the Horseshoe Bay Beach during the Emancipation weekend and is now the most important event organised by the Chewstick Movement.
From 2006, the Chestick Movement became to think that it needed a structure to support it as well. This is a way to extend its influence. After researching every way to do it, the founders chose to create the Chewstick Foundation, a registered charity, in 2009. The foundation organises programs within the community such as T.W.I.G.S., the youth open-mic jam session; or the Chew FC, a Sunday morning sports program.
The Chewstick Neo-Griot Movement is more than just an open-mic session but the music and the human expression is at the heart of its work. Nights at the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge are definitely the best for live music in Bermuda.
Chewstick, Bermuda - 28 Elliot Street, at Court Street, Hamilton, HM11; (441) 292-2439
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Creative Cocktails at Barracuda Grill
These days, many places are trying to pass drinks as cocktails by throwing a paper umbrella in the glass and giving it a fancy name. But those who like cocktails know that it takes more than that to deserve this name and that the best cocktails are the creative ones.
Indeed, a cocktail is as much about its presentation as its taste. It is a festive drink and you want it to make you feel festive when it is brought to your table. There is nothing more depressing than a table full of boring and dull cocktails when you were expecting some sparkles and an explosion of colours!
Bermuda has many great bars and as we, and our visitors, like to party, many are specialised in cocktails. Amongst them, the Barracuda Grill was voted to have the best creative cocktails in 2011 by the jury of The Bermudian’s Best of Bermuda Awards.
This restaurant located on Burnaby Hill, Hamilton was already reputed for doing the best martini on the island as well as being host to the innovative and creative Bermuda Bellini cocktail, the Kiwitini
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Because the décor is as important as the quality and look of the cocktail, Barracuda Grill adds another dimension to your drinking time. It is certainly one of the most stylish and contemporary looking places in Hamilton since it was redesigned in 2002 (it was formerly known as the Fisherman’s Reef). The lighting design is ultramodern and consists of dozens of designer hanging lamps that make for a more flattering light for everyone. It has mahogany furnitures and etched glass partitions between booths.
The cocktail bar gives the tone of what you can expect with a top made of an amber colour resin and lighting from beneath creating the perfect ambiance. Other than great creative cocktails, the bar has an extensive selection of wine to be had by the glass. This is a great place to wait for your table and it is recommended to come early as to give you an excuse to sit at the bar.
Barracuda Grill occupies the first floor of a building in downtown Hamilton and it is separated in two dining rooms. Ideal for families as well as couples, it even has a more private corner with only tables for two, providing a perfect setting for romantic dinners.
The food here is an interesting type of international fusion with lunch and dinner menus. You can get great sandwiches for lunch like a filet mignon naan wrap or grilled wahoo fajitas; entrees such as poached lobster fettucini or seared fresh scallops; and a selection of appetizers and desserts.
For dinner, you have a great choice of fresh seafood, with the catch of the day changing depending on what they can get from the local fishermen, and chops and poultry. Some of the favourites are pan seared Bermuda rockfish, grilled local yellowfin tuna, foie gras burger, or Kobe beef.
Desserts are also wonderful and if you can manage some, try the ginger bread toffee pudding, the chocolate banana bread volcano, or the chocolate sampler. It is not only the cocktails that are creative at Barracuda Grill, but also the food, all of it topped by an impeccable service and a friendly atmosphere.
Barracuda Grill in Bermuda - 5 Burnaby Hill, Hamilton, HM BX; (441) 292-1609
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Café Ten
There is probably a lot of places in Bermuda which call themselves cool, when most of the time they are just trendy or too cool. Because indeed being cool takes a lot of effort, but too much effort is actually uncool! Yes, being cool requires a subtle balance between doing too much and not enough.
If you are now confused and not quite sure what being cool is all about, you only need to pop into Café Ten, on Dundonald Street, Hamilton, in Bermuda, to get the perfect idea.
The establishment is the first winner of the coolest café category of the Best of Bermuda Awardsorganised by The Bermudian. The location is perfect, a 10-minute walk from Front Street, the seafront overcrowded by tourists. As they have a tendency to stay in a very close perimeter to the main downtown, the atmosphere of Café Ten stays local and authentic.
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It is one of the preferred café to start a night out at the week-end because at the evening it turns into a wine bar and is full of young professionals and 30-somethings. The style here is best described as casual elegant, whether it is the dress code, the design or the food and drinks. The décor is a clever mix of Asian and post-industrial Spanish red interior, featuring mesh metal blinds as well as an immense baroque oil painting hanging over the bar.
The ambiance is relaxed and warm, nothing to high-brow. Locals are here to meet up and catch up with their friends and those in quest of a party will leave later on. Café Ten usually get busy from 4pm, when the “5 for $6 til 7 @ Ten” gets underway. Then it is even busier after 5 when they start serving appetizers (available until 7pm) such as flat bread pizza with basil pesto, oven dried tomatoes and goats cheese; seared prawns with burnt orange and chilli and crispy noodles; or the Asian spiced pork ribs served with cucumber slaw.
The cocktail list is a mix of classic like Cosmo and Strawberry Mojito, and more exciting creations such as the Teeny White Bellini (Prosecco and white cacao liqueur) or the Ginger Caipiroska (vodka, ginger liqueur, sugar and lime).
The place also serves dinner and the great taste of a yet simple food is a cool factor. Try for example the mushroom and Gorgonzola tart with grain mustard pesto, the lobster sausage prosciutto wrapped served with pear salsa, or the seared scallops with avocado and roasted pepper molé and citrus relish.
There is of course an extensive wine list with wines from the USA, France, New-Zealand, South Africa, Italy, Portugal, Spain and South America. They can be matched perfectly with the brilliant selection of cheeses, mainly French and Italian. Very cool indeed!
Café Ten is not only a cool place in the evening. During the day it is a cool café that does breakfast, brunch and lunch. For breakfast, the favourites include Breakfast Panini with egg, cheese, sausage and mayonnaise; pancakes with whipped cream, fresh fruits and maple syrup; and warm bagel with ham, egg and Swiss cheese.
Café Ten, Bermuda - 10 Dundonald Street, Hamilton, HM10; (441) 295-0857
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Café 4 Bermuda
Everywhere in the world, at least where the weather permits it, people-watching is a pastime that is best practised at the outdoor terrace of a café.
Thanks to the fabulous weather that we are enjoying here in Bermuda, people-watching is popular especially during the summer when many tourists visit the island. Whether you want to get a feel for the rhythm of the Bermudian eclectic community, understand how to look the best possible with Bermuda shorts, observe what the casual style mean here or just try to guess the story of people watching by, a good spot is essential for this.
In this year’s Best of Bermuda Awards, The Bermudian voted Café 4 as the best people-watching perch in Bermuda. This might seem like a strange category but the fact is that people-watching is pretty much a national pastime in Bermuda. It is a reflection of the laid back and sociable lifestyle
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Most of these places have terraces where you can enjoy the sun until it sets and miss nothing of the vibrant community that is Bermuda. The good thing for people-watching here is that it is not the Caribbean and so people are behaving. You will not have your time with your friends spoiled by herds of drunken and loud groups. Everyone is friendly and expected to look presentable when in a city.
Of course, there are not only holidaymakers in Bermuda and you will be surprised to see business people wearing Bermuda shorts and mixing with those here to have a good time. There is very little cars on the island because only residents can own one and visitors can’t rent any. Instead, you can add the scooters zigzagging between cars and pedestrians to your people-watching.
But you will want more than just a terrace to practise people-watching. A place that serves great food with a casual style is the perfect setting to enjoy some time with your friends while people- watching. Fortunately, this is exactly what Café 4 offers and the reason why it was voted the best people-watching perch.
Despite its name, Café 4 is not just a coffee shop. Its owners wanted it to be a combination between a modern sushi bar, a take-out shop with style and sophistication and a dining facility offering indoor and outdoor seating. You can have breakfast, lunch or even afternoon tea with the delicious and renowned Fourways Gourmet Pastries. Indeed, the Café 4 is part of the Little Venice Group along some of the finest restaurants in Bermuda. Their food is created by the group award- winning chef Tommy Poh and their staff is from the Fourways Inn, a first class venue.
During the day, the place offers 3 set lunch menus, the Carvery, the Western, and the Asian, each changing each day of the week, from Monday to Sunday.
The best people-watching perch turns into a top meeting place at night with only the sushi bar remaining open and with music, wine, cocktails, snacks and a full bar. With a fun and relaxing atmosphere, a friendly service and great innovative food, Café 4 is definitely the place from where to see and where to be seen!
Café 4 Bermuda - Windsor Place, Queen Street, Hamilton, ; 441 285 8444; http://www.cafe4.bm/
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Café Cairo
Bermuda is not just a pretty island with pink sand beaches and luxurious resorts where couples come for some well-earned vacations or wonderful honeymoons. Nor is it just for golfers travelling from all around the world for the privilege to play on some of the best courses on the planet in some of the best conditions. Bermuda is also an island where people come to party!
But don’t think it is the type of party you can see in the Caribbean. Bermuda is a classy place and party with class. You can go anywhere for a drink or a dance, mainly for both, on the island and
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For those who are in on a girlie or a lad’s holiday, there are many places to spend the night dancing away after a lazy day around the swimming pool or by the sea. But which of them is the best place to meet single people in search of fun and adventures? Well, for the second year running, the Best of Bermuda Award of The Bermudian for the best pick-up bar was given to the Café Cairo.
This suave and sophisticated restaurant/café underwent a complete renovation to stay the best nightlife spot in Front Street, Hamilton. It is a place with its own special atmosphere and with a philosophy contained in its dress code: dress to impress. Located on the second floor of a decorated waterfront building, the Egyptian themed café is a favourite of the locals and has two faces. Until 10:30pm, Cairo Café is a restaurant and café serving traditional Middle East cuisine in a North African décor of hand-carved Egyptians chairs and tables made of inscribed copper bed frames. The place serves lunches between 12noon and 2:30pm, Monday to Friday, and dinner from 6:30pm to 10:30pm, Monday to Saturday. There is a wine bar open from 5pm to 1am, Monday to Saturday.
There is also a Bedouin-style dining room with plush cushions for those who want a relaxing yet authentic dinner. For even more North African authenticity, the Café Cairo has a hookah lounge, a covered outside area where you can smoke at the fruit-flavoured tobacco pipes.
After 10pm and until 3pm, the Café Cairo turns into a night-club and the atmosphere gets jumping. You can still get food as it served late at night, but most people turn their attention to the dance- floor. It can become absolutely packed on the week-end because it is the place where everyone wants to come and finish the night. Given the popularity of the place and to keep it friendly, it is recommended for men to be accompanied by a woman to ensure they will get in.
It is definitely the most hip place in Hamilton and a place where locals and holiday-makers are mixing until 3am and sometimes later. The hookah pipes that are located at the back are a popular features while the dance-floor gets barely empty thanks to a DJ playing dance music and R&B tunes all night.
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The Cairo Café might be the best pick-up place in Bermuda but that’s not all it is: a great restaurant, a great night-club and a very lively place.
Café Cairo, Bermuda - 93 Front Street, Hamilton, HM12; (441) 295-1555
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Friday Night Happy Hour at Harry’s
Yes! It’s Friday! Its Friday happy hour at Harry’s!
Friday, every week, is time to relieve the pressure of the week and to step without waiting into the blessed time that is the week-end. Bars and restaurants get ready for their biggest night of the week – and herds of workers invade them, joining the students in Bermuda, to celebrate the prospect of two nights in a row devoted to partying!
For them, the best invention after Friday is the Friday night happy hour. There is nothing better to get everyone in a good mood and quickly forget the last five days than a good happy hour!
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The judges at The Bermudian Best of Bermuda Awards have found the Friday night happy hour at Harry’s to be the best on the island in 2011.
Located in The Waterfront, on Pitt’s Bay Road, Hamilton, this family-run restaurant has a bar and an outside waterside patio where the crowd rushes every Friday after the offices are closed to gather around the huge marlin statue with a well-deserved drink. Thankfully, the people at Harry’s have not taken the expression happy hour literally and instead are offering a blasting five hours of it, between 5pm to 10pm. The event features the famous Martini Madness which name will provide many an explanation of their hangover on Saturday.
There are many Martinis on Harry’s drink menu, such as the Lychee Martini (lychee liqueur, strawberry purée and champagne) and the Pomegranite Martini (Van Gogh vodka, Pama liqueur and champagne) for the classy people; the Lemon Drop Martini (Absolut Citron vodka, lemon juice, triple sec and sugar) for the zesty ones; or the White Chocolate Martini (vanilla vodka, crème de cacao and white Godiva liqueur) and Espresso Martini (Van Gogh vodka, espresso, Bailey’s and milk) for those in need of a sugar rush.
But there is much more to drink at Harry’s and not everyone is keen on cocktails. So to start your week-end in your own style, you can choose some wine, some champagne and sparkling wine, or some beer. Because there are so many ways to celebrate Friday, or any other occasions for that matter, Harry’s sells some cigars too, Montecristo No 2and No5, Montecristo Club and Cohiba Club.
Harry’s is not just a bar though, it is also a restaurant and you can come here every day of the week, except on Sundays when the staff takes a deserved rest. It is a modern place with leather chairs and dark wood panelling that will not distract you from the creative menu. It is a steakhouse with the beef being matured for 21 days and flavoured to give you the best steak possible. There is also a great choice of fresh seafood and an extensive cellar with over 2,000 bottles from around the world to match perfectly your drink with your taste and your food.
In the middle of the restaurant is placed the private dining room where you can get up to ten people in a complete privacy, in a space surrounded by the temperature-controlled wine cellar.
Friday Night Happy Hour in Bermuda at Harry’s - 96 Pitt’s Bay Rd., Hamilton, HM08; (441) 292– 5533
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Pompano Beach Club
Bermuda is not a very big island and unless you go in the middle of the Ocean or somewhere very difficult to access, you will find it hard to be alone with someone.
Even worse, the universal rule wants that as soon as you try to avoid being seen, you will be spotted by the last person you wish to be seen by! Fear no more, the Pompano Beach Club is here for you! The club was given the best Discreet Rendezvous award in the Best of Bermuda Awards 2011, making it the best place for a romantic dinner or a week-end retreat without the whole of the island knowing about it.
Located on Pompano Beach Road, in Southampton, this luxurious resort was once the first fishing club of Bermuda. From the top of a spectacular cliff, Pompano Beach Club offers some of the most
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Elbow Beach Cycles: 60 South Shore Road At Elbow Beach Bermuda Resort & Spa, Paget, PG06 BERMUDA breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean and amazing sunsets. The intimate and secluded location of the resort has made one of the 100 best resorts in the world for honeymoon.
The Pompano Beach Club has 75 rooms, 70 of them with panoramic ocean views, located in one and two storeys villas. The pink buildings are scattered on a hillside by the Ocean and surrounded by lush tropical vegetation. It even has a two-storey, two-bedroom and two-bathroom townhouse, located at the top of the hill for those who want to spend the best time possible in Bermuda.
The resort has dramatically changed since its creation as a fishing club in 1956 by American Tom Lamb and Bermudian Ewing Trott. Called after the popular fish find on the sand flats in front of the club, it was a small fishing lodge where guests would bring their fish back to be cooked and eaten by all.
It was quickly bought entirely by Mr Lamb and extended to develop into a small hotel in the early 60′s before the term beach was added to the name to become the Pompano Beach Club. The fishing heritage of the club has been maintained by giving to every accommodation the name of a local game fish.
A discreet rendezvous at the Pompano Beach Club will not mean you will have to stay in your room all week-end even if it is tempting to do so give the great amenities of every room.
Not only are they individually temperature-controlled, they are decorated in a splendid tropical décor, have a carpeted floor, ceramic-tiled bathroom, and wicker or rattan furniture. They also have either a private balcony or a private patio from where you can spend endless hours admiring the Atlantic Ocean, especially at sunset.
The resort has a private beach of course and many leisure activities for its guests. It is also located right next to the Port Royal Golf Course, one of the best public courses in the world. Some rooms even have a view of the famous 8th hole.
What makes the Pompano Beach Club a ideal location for a discreet rendezvous is that it seems to be far from any busy place in Bermuda. In fact, it is only minutes from the main road of the island and the most famous beaches such as Horseshoe Bay. The views from the resort is even better than from these beaches and without doubt one of the best beachfront settings in Bermuda. Even
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Pompano Beach Club Bermuda - 36 Pompano Beach Road, Southampton, SB03; 441 234 0222; http://www.pompanobeachclub.com/
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Tom Moore’s Tavern
The reception plays an important part in a wedding and the choice of the location is not something to overlook. Bermuda is a first choice destination for weddings and there are many venues to choose from, whether you are looking for something classy, luxurious, uncommon or unforgettable.
The winner of this year’s Best of Bermuda Awards by The Bermudian in the category reception location is somewhere with an old-world romance feeling for a wedding a bit different.
The Tom Moore’s Tavern is the oldest restaurant of the island and is often referred as a very appealing place as well as a poetically evocative one. It was named after Tomas Moore, the Irish poet who stayed there when he came to the island as Registrar of the Court of Vice-Admiralty in 1804.
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At this time, the tavern was a private home belonging to the Trott family. Built in 1652 by Robert Walsingham, the man in charge of the Sea Venture, it took the name of the Walsingham House.
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Reputedly, Thomas Moore wrote many of his famous poems while staying in the house and the calabash tree he referred to many times is still standing 180 metres away from the tavern. The building is also one of the finest examples British Bermudian colonial architecture and still in its original state. Inside you can still find some amazing casement windows and an outstanding dining room fireplace so unusual that a replica was built in the United Kingdom for the Empire Exhibition of 1924.
These features added to some great joinery made in shipbuilder’s cedar contribute to the sense of history of the place, making it the best reception location. A wedding’s reception in Tom Moore’s Tavern will without doubt be wonderful and romantic and one that guests as well as the couple will remember for ever. There is enough room for 200 persons to dine or 300 to take part in a cocktail party. Depending on the weather, the reception can even be held on the outdoor terrace..
Of course, a venue on itself is not enough to guarantee the perfect reception and Tom Moore’s Tavern has the advantage to offer great food in English silver, Luxembourg china and German crystal, all of this on top of a poetic and historic setting. The tavern is specialised in classic French, Italian and continental cuisine, and more specifically in seafood. If you come here during the summer, you will be able to pick your lobster in the big tank outside.
Expect to find every top-notch dish you would want to eat on the menu. Mussels, salmon, scallops, pasta of the day or foie gras are amongst the choice of first courses. There are also salads and soups including the famous Bermuda fish chowder served with black rum and sherry pepper.
Some of the main courses are reputed to be a bit rich but the Chef specials are just too good to be missed. Anyone liking great food will be delighted with the quail filled with goose liver, morels and truffles, baked in puff pastry. For dessert, the baked to order soufflé of the day is always a success as are the ever changing cheesecakes.
Tom Moore’s Tavern has a unique charm made of a great decor, outstanding service and world- class cuisine. Without doubt, the best reception location for the wedding of your dream.
Tom Moore’s Tavern – 7 Walsingham Lane, Harrington Sound, Hamilton Parish, CR04; 441 293- 8020; http://www.tommoores.com
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Opus Cafe & Lounge In Hamilton
Are you visiting Bermuda on holiday or business? How would you like to hang out in a hip, sexy coffee shop in Hamilton? Then pull up a stool at the one and only Opus Café & Lounge.
The premises are situated in the super cool corner of ‘Restaurant Row’ in the capital city Hamilton.
The lounge interior boasts the latest in contemporary styling. It is housed in an elegant 21st Century space and features an outstanding choice of teas and coffees. It also offers an exceptional range of tapas, salads and patisseries made right here in Bermuda. The versatile Opus Café & Lounge is a wonderful top quality cafe and coffee shop in the daytime and, when night falls, it turns into a chilled out lounge area with a fully stocked bar. The lounge is also known for its vast wine list. Do
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4 Bermudiana Road Hamilton HM 12 (441) 292-3500
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Deep Night Club And Lounge
The Deep Lounge and Club is a cool, chilled out nightspot at Elbow Beach in Bermuda. Known for its spectacular interior, it’s where tourists go to enjoy an awesome atmosphere and have a delicious cocktail.
A premiere place to kick back, have a drink and enjoy the nightlife, it’s especially sweet after a day lounging on the beach. The club is lauded for its incredible music and cool lighting. You can listen to salsa music, dance and then chill out and relax on its comfortable leather couches.
The club is open 12 hours a day, from 12 noon to 12 midnight, serves food and caters for private parties. When looking for a special night out in Bermuda, then dive right into The Deep.
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60 South Shore Road, Paget Parish, Bermuda, Telephone: +1 (441) 236 3535
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The Swizzle
Feel like wetting your whistle on holiday in Bermuda? Then why not pull up a stool in the longest running and most widely known pub on the island?
It is the globally renowned establishment called The Swizzle Inn. The place thought to go as far back as an amazing three centuries ago. The pub chain caters to every taste and is open in two hot sites around the island.
The inaugural The Swizzle Inn Pub & Restaurant was located in Baileys Bay in Hamilton Parish. Then The Swizzle on South Shore opened its doors. The pub chain is quoted around the island for its incredible food and drink at knockdown prices. They open from 11 in the morning to 1 am, every day of the week. Why not try one of their mouth-watering steaks, cooked on an outdoor grill, every Friday and Saturday. The pub also has a wonderful kids menu to choose from.
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This is along with offering customers the unique opportunity to pick up a bargain in the in house Swagger Out Gift Shop. It stocks the most stylish line of Swizzle Inn and swagger Out clothing, not to mention other pieces of merchandise.
Why not stop at The Swizzle? There you can sample our one of a kind rum swizzle? It’s the perfect way to toast your trip to Bermuda.
Swizzle Inn, Baileys Bay 3 Blue Hole Hill Baileys Bay CR 04 Bermuda Telephone: (441) 293-1854 Fax: (441) 293-4422
The Swizzle, South Shore 87 South Road Warwick Bermuda 441-236-7459
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Light Nightclub Bermuda
Located inside The Whitehorse in St. George’s, Light nightclub is a must for all party-goers during weeknights in Bermuda.
With state-of-the-art sound and lighting that helps make a night out clubbing more special, Light Nightclub at the Whitehorse is one of the top clubs on the Island is home to some of the best DJs around playing the latest dance and chart-topping tracks from around the world.
The Whitehorse is located on the waterfront across from Ordnance Island and is particularly handy for the cruise ships that arrive in the docks at St. George’s in the north-east of the Island.
As it’s on the water’s edge, make sure if you’re partying late into the night and have a drink or six, you don’t think that late-night/early morning swimming is a good idea. It’s not!
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Weeknights at Light are themed and designed to attract party-goers and there are great offers to be had. On a Monday, you can enjoy drinks specials all night long on certain selected brands and the first 20 females in the door after 10pm get a complimentary drink – not bad for just turning up early! And, if you work for Celebrity cruises, your happy hour lasts from 10pm until 3am – that’s something to drink to! Tuesdays is ladies’ night and as such girls pay no cover charge. There are also special drinks promotions. Wednesdays are ‘Crew’ night and the club offers Celebrity and Norwegian cruise staff great discounts on drinks. There’s also music from around the world and prizes and giveaways all night. Thursday sees discounts for Norwegian cruise line staff and also for ladies. There’s also a late dinner menu.
The club attracts a large crowd and as well as cruise staff, you’ll find students and professionals out enjoying themselves as if it’s the weekend – the club is open until 3am.
During the daytime, the Whitehorse is a great restaurant and bar and the building is one of the local landmarks. It is a very lively bar and offer great pub food and entertainment. It has one of the largest drinks menus available in Bermuda and you can enjoy cocktails such as margaritas and mojitos as well as an enormous wine list. It carries all the main brands of beers and then some.
A recently updated menu provides all sorts of food from Bermuda to Asia, England to Australia and you can get seasonal seafood, first-class graded beef including sirloin steaks, superb entrees or starters and large as well as heart-healthy portions. Fresh salads are available all day as well as soups and snacks.
It also offers live sports via satellite television and you can watch your favourite team, regardless of sport on the many screens throughout the bar.
Light Nightclub has such a dedicated following that few nightclubs have opened in the area in recent years and often it is the only place to go, particularly mid-week. It comes highly recommended by many. Why not check it out as the price deals can mean a cheap night out.
8 King's Square St George's Parish GE 05(441) 297-1838
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Bermuda Scooter Rental With A Smile
Explore hidden coves… swim in clear blue waters… discover long-lost treasures… and dance beneath diamond-studded night skies. Bermuda, our island paradise awaits. Make Bermuda yours.
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To discover the hidden gems that the tour buses never reach, travel by scooter and hybrid electric bike. Away from the bus queues and the fat cab fees, you're free to explore paradise at your own pace.
We've been renting bicycles, scooters, and mopeds since 1945. Guests keep coming back because ours is a family business based on traditional service. They like our can't-do-enough approach and warm Bermuda smiles.
Over half a million riders can't be wrong. And over 60% are repeat guests. They come back to us year after year because we help to make Bermuda feel like home. Join the family!
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Enjoy Your Trip To Bermuda!
Do drop into Elbow Beach Cycles!
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Book online for a 10% Discount or call + 1.(441).296.2300
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