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Historic Town of St George
Half Day Bermuda Heritage Tour
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Town of St George Bermuda is a world heritage site. If you plan to walk and enjoy, budget some 2.5 hours plus the time you will spend at each site.
Otherwise, you can take a horse drawn carriage or other Bermuda transport to complete this heritage tour in a shorter time.
Start at King's Square at the water front, originally known as the Market Square. At Kings Square, you will find the Visitors Service Bureau.
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You can collect all the information about the day's activities from here. Actually you don't need much information about St George Bermuda if you are following my tour guidelines here.
St George Kings Square
On the east side of the square is the Town Hall which dates from 1782. It has wonderful cedar wood floors and ceilings. Here you can find out about lord mayors and also see a "Charles & Diana" signature.
At the north-west corner of Kings Square is the Bermuda National Trust Museum. This 17th century building was constructed by Governor Samuel Day, who arrived from England.
After this, you will see a small bridge leading to Ordnance Island, a tiny island only 9 meters offshore, used today as a cruise dock in summer months. The island was so named for the guns once kept there. This place was used also to hang prisoners.
Today Ordnance Island has two important monuments dating back to the birth of British colony in Bermuda.
Replica of the ship Deliverance
To the left of the bridge, there is a full size replica of the ship Deliverance, one of the two vessels that Sir George Somers and his group of men rebuilt after the "sea Venture" got shipwrecked in 1609.
To the right of the bridge is a sculpture of Somers, created by a leading Bermudian artist, Desmond Fountain. It depicts a sea-breeze swept Sir George with arms out-stretched.
Get back to Kings Square. Around this area, there are a number of attractions that tell the story of St George Bermuda starting from the early 17th century settlement to the changes that have taken place over time.
To the left of Town Hall, is a walkway leading to Kings Street and two important historical buildings.
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The first is Bridge House, an L-shaped building which is the oldest inhabited structure on the island. But surprisingly, it is still in a great condition.
It is named Bridge House since it's opposite a small wooden bridge that once led to the harbor. The house now owned by the National Trust of Bermuda, is split up into apartments that can be visited only on certain days of the year.
Part of the building houses a commercial gallery selling Bermudian art, called the Bridge House Gallery. Many of the earlier Governors of Bermuda lived in the Bridge House.
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At the top of Kings Street is State House, built in 1620s to house Bermuda's assembly. This is the oldest stone building on the island. The walls were designed to withstand hurricane and summer humidity. It was used till 1815 when island's capital was moved from St George to Hamilton city.
Water Street runs from Kings Square to the west of St George Bermuda. It has a number of shops selling tax free goods. By the way, Bermuda does not impose sales tax on any merchandize. In St George Bermuda, it really looks strange to see modern shops housed in old buildings. You can wander along traffic free roads to do some leisurely souvenir hunting.
Tucker House Museum Bermuda
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On the right watch out for Tucker House Museum, the house of Henry Tucker, the President of Governor's council.
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The Tuckers were one of the most influential families in Bermuda, the first family member having arrived in 1616. The kitchen area at the Tucker House, originally separated from the main building, was once a barber shop. It was operated by Henry Raine, a black man who came to Bermuda to escape the worst of American Civil War. Once the war was over, he and his family returned to the US. On his return, he became the first black member to the House of Representatives.
Across the street is the Carriage Museum. Until the 1940s, horses and the carriages were the only mode of transport permitted along the narrow Bermuda roads. Almost every well-off family had a horse drawn carriage. However, all these disappeared once the road rules were relaxed in 1940s. At the Carriage Museum, you will still find the beautiful collection of those carriages.
St Peters Church is located on Duke of York Street, now the main route through the town of St George Bermuda. Originally built in 1612, this is the oldest Anglican Church in the western hemisphere.
Now, take Duke of Kent street north from the town center to reach a number of attractions in St George Bermuda. Almost immediately to the left is St George's Historical Society Museum. Walk up the staircase and step into the great treasure store.
Furniture, clothing and works of art are all part of the fascinating collection. Here you will find from buttons to bottles to old bath tubs. The kitchen at the back of the house is filled with authentic pieces like earthenware jars for storage, copper cups for measuring, iron pots for cooking and so on. The admission fee here includes tea and Bermudian banana bread.
Unfinished Church Bermuda
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Continue along Duke of Kent street, you will reach Bermuda's Unfinished Church. This is an elegant edifice begun in the 1870s when the St Peters Church was badly damaged by a storm. But it was never completed. Find out why.
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Continue to the right of the Unfinished Church, up Government Hill Road and through the fairways of St George Bermuda Golf Course, until you reach the coast.
Here you will find Tobacco Bay beach, one of our top favorite beaches in Bermuda. It's a small stretch of sheltered beach very popular with the cruise passengers whose ships dock at St George Bermuda. It's a great beach for sunbathing and snorkeling.
By the way, if you don't want to walk, you can always take a taxi right up to Tobacco bay. About $7 for the cab or take the minibus service from the town square.
Well if you want to explore further and have more time in hand, then follow the directions below to discover some great forts.
Go past the sheltered inlet of Coot Pond and reach Fort St. Catherine. You can also take a minibus from the Kings Square to the fort that runs every 15 minutes. The setting of the fort on a rocky elevated land with sandy beaches on both sides is spectacular, with strong walls rising on all sides.
There is another small fort called the Gates Fort that sits at the Town Cut, the route for ships entering St George Bermuda harbor. The site once stopped suspects and enemy boats from entering the harbor.
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If you have time to take a short bus ride, try Swizzle inn located in the adjacent Hamilton parish. This is the oldest pub in the island that has created the well known drink, the Rum Swizzle and essentially serves pub food.
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If it's a Tuesday and your ship is docked at St George, then you can plan to come back later in the evening for the St George Market Nights at Kings Square. Many vendors come and display unique products, there is Gombey dancing and much more. It's like a celebration that you will enjoy.
Check St George Parish for full details about the parish of St George where the St. George's Town is located.
Been to St George Bermuda?
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