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Fort Scaur and Park: The Complete Guide to Bermuda's West End Fortress

Updated: August 2026

As a Bermuda Tourism Authority certified specialist, I spend a lot of time mapping out the most efficient routes for travelers. If you are heading out to the West End, Fort Scaur is one of the most rewarding stops you can make.

Perched high on Scaur Hill in Sandys Parish, this 22-acre property offers sweeping panoramic views and fascinating history without costing you a dime.

Photo: howderfamily.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

At a Glance

Feature	Detail
Best Time to Go	Late afternoon (around 4:00 PM) for cooler temperatures and sunset views.
Total Cost	100% Free.
Ideal Duration	45 to 60 minutes.
Primary Transport	Public Bus (Routes 7 or 8) or electric micro-car (Twizy/Gem).

Is Fort Scaur Worth Visiting? (Who It's For and Who Should Skip)

If you are a budget traveler, a sunset chaser, or a hiker tackling the nearby railway trail, Fort Scaur is an absolute must-do. The open grassy spaces are perfect for a picnic, and the elevated vantage point provides some of the best photo opportunities on this side of Bermuda.

However, you should probably skip this fort if you have severe mobility issues. The grounds feature steep grassy ramparts and uneven limestone steps that can get incredibly slippery after a quick rain shower.

If you are looking for highly curated, indoor museum exhibits with guided tours, you will want to head to Fort St. Catherine instead.

Fort Scaur Bermuda

Photo: Robyn Fleming, flickr, cc by 2.0

What Surprises Visitors the Most

The sheer irony of Fort Scaur's history always surprises first-time visitors. The British military began building this polygonal fortress in the late 1860s specifically to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard against a potential attack by the Americans.

Fast forward to World War II, and the United States military was actually invited in, using the grounds as a defensive camp.

Today, the massive dry moat has been completely reclaimed by nature. Instead of a stark military trench, it feels more like a lush botanical garden. When you walk through the lower sections, you will immediately notice the distinct, spicy smell of damp earth mixed with wild allspice leaves.

Top Things to See and Do at the Fort

The 22-acre park is expansive, so it helps to know exactly what to look for when you arrive.

Panoramic Views (Great Sound and Ely's Harbor)

Head straight to the upper ramparts where a free public telescope points out toward the water. To the east, you get sweeping views of the Great Sound, and to the west, you can look down over the sheltered waters of Ely's Harbor. This specific spot is heavily featured in my guide to the best places to watch sunset in Bermuda.

The Moncrieff "Disappearing" Gun

You can still see the remnants of the Moncrieff "disappearing" carriage and a massive 64-pound British muzzle-loader. This 19th-century engineering marvel allowed soldiers to fire the cannon and use the recoil to drop the gun back behind the protective wall for reloading.

64-Pound British Muzzle Loader Gun at Fort Scaur

Photo: Seán Pòl Ó Creachmhaoil, cc by sa 3.0

The Moat Walk and Military Graffiti

Take the stairs down into the subterranean passages and defensive galleries. Keep an eye on the limestone walls as you walk. You will spot historic graffiti carved into the soft stone by British soldiers over a century ago.

The Bermuda Weather Stone

Before you leave, look for the quirky "Bermuda Weather Stone" hanging from a wooden frame. The local joke is simple: if the stone is wet, it is raining; if it is swaying, it is windy; if you cannot see it, it is foggy.

Connecting to the Bermuda Railway Trail

Fort Scaur is physically divided by the famous Bermuda Railway Trail. If you are walking or cycling the Sandys Bermuda section of the trail, the fort makes the perfect mid-day pit-stop. You can easily pull your pedal bike or electric scooter off the trail, use the public restrooms, and eat a packed lunch on one of the shaded picnic tables.

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Common Visitor Mistakes

The biggest mistake travelers make is messing up their timing. While the park grounds are generally open from sunrise to dusk, the interior subterranean passages are locked up by the parks department in the late afternoon. If you arrive just before sunset, you will not be able to explore the underground galleries.

Another common friction point is transportation. Do not waste money on an expensive taxi wait-time while you explore. The public bus drops you directly at the bottom of the driveway, making it incredibly cheap and easy to access.

Practical Details for Your Visit

Here is exactly what you need to know to execute your trip:

Admission: 100% Free.

Hours: Park grounds open sunrise to sunset. Underground passages are generally open from mid-morning to late afternoon (check current opening hours before visiting).

Getting There: Take the Route 7 or Route 8 public bus from Hamilton or Dockyard. It's only about 7kms from dockyard (Scaur Hill Fort Park, Somerset Road).

Parking: There is a dedicated, paved parking area at the top of the hill with plenty of space for your rental scooter or electric micro-car (Twizy, Gem, or Bermi).

Amenities: Public restrooms, trash bins, and picnic tables are available on-site. Note that public restrooms are not wheelchair accessible in this old fort.

Pro-Tip: If you are biking the trail and decide to walk up the fort's grassy hills, lock your bike near the entrance. The steep inclines are tough to navigate with a bicycle in tow.

Photo: howderfamily.com, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Fort Scaur Location (Road Map)

Alternatives to Fort Scaur

If you decide this location does not quite fit your itinerary, Bermuda has plenty of other historical fortifications.

If you want a massive museum experience with shipwreck artifacts, visit the National Museum of Bermuda inside the Keep Fort at the Royal Naval Dockyard.

If you want to explore deep, jungle-like moats but prefer to stay close to the City of Hamilton, Fort Hamilton is your best bet. For a complete list, check out my full guide to Bermuda Forts.

About the Author By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya