Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the Land & From the Sea
The City of Hamilton should be seen
not only from land but also from the
water. Try to make time for a boat tour
of the harbor and its coral reefs. If
you're visiting from another parish, the
ferry will let you off at the west end of
Front Street, which is ideal if you'd like
to drop by the Visitors Information
Centre (
&
441/234-3824
), which is
right near the Ferry Terminal, and pick
up a map. The staff also provides infor-
mation and helpful brochures; hours
are Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm.
7
they were walking on the grounds. A local named Erskine Burrows was hanged in
1977 after being found guilty of these murders as well as that of Police Commissioner
George Duckett in 1972 and an armed robbery in 1973.
While touring Pembroke Parish, visitors often stop at
Black Watch Well,
at the
junction of North Shore Road and Black Watch Pass. Excavated by a detachment of
the Black Watch Regiment, the well was dug in 1894, when Bermudians were suf-
fering through a long drought.
Another choice spot to visit is
Admiralty House Park,
off North Shore Road at
Spanish Point Road. In 1816, a house was erected here to offer accommodations for
the commanding British admiralty, which worked at the naval base at the dockyard.
Over the years, the house was rebuilt several times. In the 1850s, it gained a series
of subterranean tunnels, plus a number of galleries and caves carved into the cliffs
above the sea. By 1951, the Royal Navy withdrew, and most of the house was torn
down—except for a ballroom, which survives. Today, you can explore the parklike
grounds. The sheltered beach at Clarence Cove is ideal for swimming.
The City of Hamilton
The capital of Bermuda was once known as the “show window of the British Empire.”
Both Mark Twain and Eugene O'Neill, who lived in lodgings that opened onto Ham-
ilton Harbour, cited its beauty.
Named for former governor Henry Hamilton, the City of Hamilton was incorpo-
rated in 1793. Because of its central location and its large, protected harbor, it
replaced St. George as the island's capital in 1815. The city encompasses only 73
hectares (180 acres) of land, so most visitors explore it on foot.
Long before it became known as “the showcase of the Atlantic,” the City of Ham-
ilton was a modest outlet for the export of Bermuda cedar and fresh vegetables. Today,
it's the hub of the island's economy.
More popular for its shops and restaurants than for its attractions, the City of
Hamilton boasts the largest number of dining spots and bars on Bermuda, especially
on and near Front Street. The restaurants have a wide range of prices, and there are
many English-style watering holes if you'd prefer to go for a traditional pub-crawl.
And religion isn't neglected—there are 12 churches within the city limits, the most
interesting being the
Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity
(p. 155).
If you'd like to go sightseeing, follow the plan laid out under “The Best of Bermuda
in 2 Days,” in chapter 3 for a comprehensive view of the City of Hamilton. The only
sights that are worth in-depth visits are
Fort Hamilton,
the
Bermuda Historical
Society Museum,
and the
Bermuda National Gallery.
You can safely skip the
rest if you're pressed for time.
