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Blue Hole Park Bermuda
Walsingham Nature Reserve
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Blue Hole Park is part of the much larger Walsingham Nature Reserve of Bermuda located in Hamilton parish.
The entrance is where the Blue Hole Hill meets the causeway opposite to the Grotto Bay Beach hotel. There are other entrances to the reserve as well. The entire reserve is spread across 12 acres of land area.
A trail and offshoot paths through the dense woodland area lead to different attractions within the reserve including caves with great stalactite formations and pools.
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There is a mangrove pond that has been restored by the Bermuda Government in 1970. One of the highlights is the Blue Grotto that you can watch standing on a wooden platform. It is filled with deep blue water and looks marvelous. There is a limestone cave mouth called the Causeway Cave.
Blue Hole Park Bermuda
From an observation tower, you can watch variety of birds like the herons stalking crabs on the shore, and finches, cardinals, doves and other birds.
The Walsingham Nature Reserve is also locally known as the Tom Moore's Jungle because this is where the Irish poet Thomas Moore wrote some of his poetic verses under a famous calabash tree in 1844. The tree has been destroyed by Hurricane Emily in 1987. However, branches have been replanted to grow the tree again.
The reserve is owned by a private trust that also runs the Tom Moore's Tavern, a well known restaurant nearby which the Irish poet used to visit as well. There is also an entrance to this reserve from Tom Moore's Tavern. However the Blue Hole Park entrance has the best parking and other facilities.
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There are many caves and subterranean grottos in the reserve area. Water tide here mainly comes from the nearby Castle Harbor. You can see turtles and different kinds of fish in the underwater caves.
The cave system in Walsingham includes many caves including Causeway, Castle Grotto, Blue Grotto, Walsingham, Subway, Deep Blue, Vine, Fern Sink and more. The Walsingham Cave is 200 meters long and once was open to public. You can still see the concrete path and stairs to the cave.
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The castle harbor coast line here is quite nice for snorkeling. The bay is shallow and there are mangroves all around. However, you won't get much beach areas though. Also you need to be a bit careful about the underwater rocks that might hurt your feet.
There is another reserve called the Idwal Hughes Nature Reserve, a nice 1.25 acres woodland area which is also part of the larger Walsingham. This area is managed by Bermuda National Trust and is full of Bermuda cedars, palmettos and unique geological formations. It can be accessed from the road leading to Tom Moore's Tavern off Harrington Sound Road in Hamilton Parish. This part of the terrain is a little difficult and not suitable for wheelchair.
Reaching Blue Hole Park
Take bus #1, 3, 10 or 11 to Grotto Bay Beach Resort. The Blue Hole Park is right across. It is open daily from sunrise until sunset. There is no admission fee. There are car parking and restrooms at the Blue Hole Park entrance. Check out Bermuda Tourist Map to view the location.
Check out Bermuda Parks to know about all the wonderful parks, gardens and nature reserves in Bermuda.
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Check out Hamilton Parish to find out other great attractions in the parish.
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