St. George's Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing
(St. George's, Bermuda)
While the city of
Hamilton offers a comfortable and lightly cosmopolitan holiday, St. George's is devoted to history and firsts. Many of the local tourist attractions are related to the wreck of the Sea Venture, a vessel whose sinking turned out to be much more auspicious than it originally seemed.
Admiral Somers looked after the survivors and ultimately founded the second installment of British colonisation in the Western Hemisphere (Jamestown was the first), and his heart is buried in Somers Garden. There's also some popular
beaches around the St. George's Parish that lure tourists in from across the northern half of the island, while other attractions include St. Peter's Church, the Unfinished Church and the Old Rectory.
Unfinished Church
Address: Blockade Alley, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
The building of this Gothic-style church began in the 1870s, and its developers intended this place of worship to replace St. Peter's. However, a shortage of funds, a spell of stormy weather and a split in the congregation further complicated the issue. As it is, St. Peter's is still in operation, although the construction of this church was never actually completed. The 'Unfinished Church', as it soon became known, appears all the more atmospheric, since these ruins are surrounded by various pristine town buildings.
Open hours: daily - 08:00 to 16:00
Admission: free
St. Peter's Church
Address: Duke of York Street, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Tel: +1 441 297 8359
This is the most historic Anglican house of worship in the entire hemisphere, built at a time when the British Empire was only just starting to establish a presence in the New World. Standing above King's Square and now whitewashed, this church dates as far back as 1612 and was first built of cedar, being later destroyed by a hurricane and rebuilt in the early 18th century. Today, St. Peter's Church is something of a cross section of architectural styles, as it has been restored and renovated multiple times since the 18th-century.
Open hours: daily - 10:00 to 16:30
Admission: free, but donations accepted
Old Rectory
Address: St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Tel: +1 441 297 4261
The Old Rectory has an interesting story that centres on the exploits of a pirate who cleaned up his act. He built this house in 1699, making it one of the oldest still standing on
Bermuda. Today, it's owned by a private family and overseen by the Bermuda National Trust, and tourists are welcomed to visit the art gallery inside.
Open hours: November to March, Wednesday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: free, donations accepted
Somers Garden
Address: Duke of York Street, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Admiral Sir George Somers deliberately ran his ship - the Sea Venture, into a reef offshore of Bermuda in order to buy the crew and passengers time to evacuate an already-sinking ship. He oversaw the building of the first houses and church here, inadvertently founding the colony that became the 'Showcase of Great Britain'. Later in life, he returned to Bermuda, became ill and died. On his own request, his heart was buried Bermuda, with the rest of his remains returned to England for burial. Somers Garden was later built around the burial site and soon became an established subtropical park, filled with palm trees, flowers and colourful butterflies.
Open hours: April to November, daily - 07:30 to 20:00; December to March, daily - 07:30 to 17:00
Admission: free
Gates Fort Park
Address: St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Gates Fort Park is a charming small battery and the perfect place to sit back and enjoy views of the numerous tug boats sailing out around the harbour, through the rather narrow Town Cut waterway. A few guns remain around Gates Fort Park, offering a glimpse of its strong military heritage. If you are looking for a pleasant place to sit back and take in some sweeping ocean views, head to the large rocks directly to the front of the battery and enjoy the scenery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free