Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
THE
best
HISTORIC SITES
See “The Best Old Bermuda Experiences,” below, for a description of the Royal Naval
Dockyard and its showpiece, the Commissioner's House.
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Scaur Hill Fort Park
(Sandys Parish): Fort Scaur and Fort St. Catherine were part
of a ring of fortifications that surrounded Bermuda. Built by the British navy, the
fort was supposed to protect the Royal Naval Dockyard from an attack that never
materialized. During World War II, U.S. Marines were billeted nearby. Overlooking
Great Sound, the fort offers views of some of the island's most dramatic scenery.
See p. 143.
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Verdmont
(Smith's Parish): This 1710 mansion is on property once owned by Wil-
liam Sayle, founder and first governor of South Carolina. Filled with portraits,
antiques, and china, the house offers a rare glimpse into a long-faded life of old-
fashioned style and grace. Resembling a small English manor house, it's the finest
historic home in Bermuda. See p. 157.
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St. Peter's Church
(St. George's Parish): This is the oldest Anglican house of wor-
ship in the Western Hemisphere. At one time, virtually everyone who died on
Bermuda was buried here, from governors to criminals. To the west of the church
lies a graveyard of slaves. The present church sits on the site of the original, which
colonists built in 1612. A hurricane destroyed the first structure in 1712, but some
parts of the interior survived. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1713. See p. 163.
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Fort St. Catherine
(St. George's Parish): This fort—with its tunnels, cannons, and
ramparts—towers over the beach where the shipwrecked crew of the
Sea Venture
first came ashore in 1609 (becoming Bermuda's first settlers). The fort was com-
pleted in 1614, and extensive rebuilding and remodeling continued until the 19th
century. The audiovisual presentation on St. George's defense system helps you
better understand what you're seeing. See p. 164.
THE
best
OLD BERMUDA
EXPERIENCES
Although much of Bermuda is modern, the first settlers arrived in 1609. The follow-
ing places provide insights into the old, largely vanished Bermudian way of life. See
chapter 7 for more details.
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St. David's Island
(St. George's Parish): Though most of Bermuda looks pristine
and proper, you'll still find some vestiges of rustic maritime life on St. David's.
Some St. David's Islanders never even bother to visit neighboring St. George, and
to some locals, a trip to the West End of Bermuda would be like a trip to the moon.
St. David's Lighthouse has been a local landmark since 1879. To see how people
used to cook and eat, drop by Black Horse Tavern (p. 120).
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The Royal Naval Dockyard
(Sandys Parish): Nothing recaptures the maritime
spirit of this feisty island colony more than this sprawling complex of attractions
(with a multimillion-dollar cruise-ship dock) on Ireland Island. Fearing attacks on
its fleet by Napoleon, greedy pirates, or rebellious Americans, Britain began build-
ing this massive fortress and dockyard in 1809. Convicts and slaves provided much
of the construction labor. The Royal Navy occupied the shipyard for almost 150
years, doing much to influence the world's perceptions about everything associated
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