Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Fun of Getting Lost
Many guidebooks contend that you
can't get lost in Bermuda. Don't believe
them! As you travel along the narrow,
winding roads, originally designed for
the horse and carriage, you may go
astray—several times—especially if
you're looking for an obscure guest-
house on some long-forgotten lane. But
don't worry, you won't stay lost for
long. Bermuda is so narrow—only
about 3km (1
3
⁄
4
miles) wide at its broad-
est point—that if you keep going east
or west, you'll eventually come to a
main road. The principal arteries are
North Shore Road, Middle Road, and
South Road (also unofficially referred
to as South Shore Rd.), so you'll usually
have at least some sense of what part
of the island you're in.
7
To explore this tip of the fishhook that is Bermuda, it's best to take a ferry (the fare
is $4). The trip from the City of Hamilton to Watford Bridge takes 45 minutes, and
you can take your bike onboard free (there's an additional $4 charge for scooters and
mopeds). Ferries originating in the City of Hamilton also stop at Cavello Bay, Somer-
set Bridge, Boaz Island, and the Royal Naval Dockyard. The
Visitors Information
Centre
is at the Royal Naval Dockyard (
&
441/799-4842
), across from the ferry
terminal. From May to October, hours are Sunday to Friday 9am to 5pm (closed Sat).
For more information on the ferry service, call
&
441/295-4506
or visit www.
seaexpress.bm.
Gilbert Nature Reserve
In the center of the island lies the Gilbert Nature
Reserve, 2 hectares (5 acres) of unspoiled woodland. It bears the name of the family
that owned the property from the early 18th century until 1973, when the Bermuda
National Trust acquired it (in conjunction with the Bermuda Audubon Society). The
reserve is one of the best places on the island for bird-watching, and it is riddled with
paths that connect to the Railway Trail that crosses Bermuda. In the northeastern
corner of the reserve are the finest examples of mature Bermuda cedars on the island.
Somerset Rd.
&
441/236-6483.
www.bnt.bm. Free admission. Daily dawn to dusk. Organized tours
available. Bus: 7 or 8 from the City of Hamilton.
Scaur Hill Fort Park
On the highest hill in Somerset, Fort Scaur was part of
a ring of fortifications constructed in the 19th century, during a period of troubled
relations between Britain and the United States. Intended as a last-ditch defense for
the Royal Naval Dockyard, the fort was skillfully constructed, taking advantage of the
land contours to camouflage its presence from detection at sea. The fort has subter-
ranean passages and a dry moat that stretches across the land from Ely's Harbour to
Great Sound.
Open to visitors since 1957, Fort Scaur has become one of Somerset's most popu-
lar tourist attractions. The fort has panoramic views of Ely's Harbour and Great
Sound; using the free telescope, you'll see such faraway points as St. David's Light-
house and Fort St. Catherine. The fort sits on 9 hectares (22 acres) of parkland filled
with interesting trails, picnic areas, a rocky shoreline for fishing, and a public dock.
Picnic tables, benches, and restrooms are available.
Ely's Harbour, Somerset Rd.
&
441/236-5902.
Free admission. Daily 10am-4:30pm. Closed Dec 25,
Jan 15. Bus: 7 or 8 from the City of Hamilton.
