St. George's Landmarks and Monuments

(St. George's, Bermuda)



Photo showing the Town Hall on King's Square, St. George's, BermudaSt. George's is a treasure trove of historical monuments, attractions and sights, many of which were the first of their kind in the Western Hemisphere.

The very best place to get a feeling for the old town and the landmarks that St. George's has to offer is from King's Square. This is where the Old State House and similar sights are found. From here, it's possible to walk towards Castle Harbour and admire the Nonsuch and Castle Islands, both of which are havens for birds and other wildlife.


Additional picture taken on King's Square, showing the Butterfield Bank attraction and its old stocks

King's Square

Address: King's Square, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
This waterfront plaza forms the centrepiece of the town of St. George, from which the entire town was originally laid out. King's Square hosts the Town Hall and the tourist office, and has replicas of the 400-year-old whipping post, stocks and pillory that were once employed here. During the May to September high season, the square is populated with actors in period costume. The re-enactments inevitably involve someone getting sent to the stocks, or the ducking of a local 'wench', generally for the benefit of the visiting tourists. During the winter months, regular walking tours depart from King's Square.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: free

Image of the white-washed Old State House, a popular tourist attraction in St. George's

Old State House

Address: St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Tel: +1 441 292 2480
The oldest stone building in Bermuda is the Old State House, which lies behind the Town Hall on Princess Street and is known for its distinctive square roof. Previously home to the local parliament, before this power relocated to nearby Hamilton, the State House now belongs to the Scottish Free Masons and is more of a handsome landmark than an actual tourist attraction. However, stopping by in mid-April can be fun, as the Free Mason's stage a grand event to pay the agreed-upon rent for use of the building. They turn over one peppercorn to the national government. Of interest, the Old State House enjoyed much renovation work in the late 1960s and was officially reopened in 1970 by Prince Charles.
Open hours: Wednesday - 10:00 to 15:00
Admission: free

Photograph of Castle Island

Castle Island

Address: Castle Island, Castle Harbour, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Castle Island is one of the main islands found in Castle Harbour and is considered to be a part of St. George's Parish. Remnants of an early 17th-century fort still stand here, and these are included in the UNESCO World Heritage inscription of the town. Today, the island doubles as a nature preserve, casting the rubble of the fort as a folly overtaken by nature.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: free

View of the Nonsuch Island wildlife sanctuary

Nonsuch Island

Address: Nonsuch Island, Castle Harbour, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Nonsuch Island is a wildlife sanctuary that lies to the east of St. George's. This a landmark that visitors will see from anywhere in town, but tourists rarely go to the island as the situation is tightly regulated. Bird watchers hoping to catch sight of the Bermuda Petrel, a ground-nesting seabird also known as the Cahow, may be able to organise a visit through the Bermuda Audubon Society.
Open hours: daily - 06:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Photo of tourist train crossing the Ordnance Bridge

Ordnance Island

Address: Ordnance Island, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Ordnance Island lies just a short distance offshore, where it is linked by a small bridge. This tiny island previously operated as an ammunition store, when Bermuda was first being settled, and is now used as a busy terminal for arriving cruise ship liners. Several attractions are dotted around Ordnance Island, including a prominent statue of Admiral Sir George Somers, who is depicted pointing towards the town itself. There is also a recreation of his ship named the HMS Deliverance (see below), which Somers constructed so that he could continue his journey to Virginia.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Picture of HMS Deliverance, a major Ordnance Island attraction

HMS Deliverance

Address: Ordnance Island, St. George's, Bermuda, BM
Tel: +1 441 297 1459
This is a replica of a ship that the survivors of the Sea Venture built in the early 17th century. They used it to travel on to Jamestown, Virginia, and let the world know that they were, in fact, still alive after their shipwreck. The ship dutifully reflects life at sea in the 1600s, and the employees that look after its maintenance wear period costumes to add to the atmosphere. As you explore the HMS Deliverance, try to imagine how cramped it would have been with some 150 people on board.
Open hours: April to November, daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge