Hamilton is the
capital and heart of Bermuda. It's the home of most government offices
and the majority of Bermuda’s international businesses. Named after Henry
Hamilton, Bermuda’s Governor from 1788 to 1794, the plans for the town were
laid out in 1790. By 1815 it had grown so much that Bermuda’s capital was
relocated here from St George.
Hamilton, measuring only 185
acres, is one of the smallest capital cities in the world with a population
of 15,000. It is also one of the cleanest, most accessible and
beautiful cities anywhere.
Shopping on Front Street
Hamilton Harbour is located directly in the center of
town, situated on the inner curve of the 'fish hook.' If you arrive by
cruise ship, the entire town of Hamilton is within walking distance of the
pier. In the main shopping area on Front Street, you'll find the ferry
terminal, parade area, banks, liquor stores, stores like Cooper's
(Bermuda's flagship retail store now that Trimingham's and Smith's have
disappeared, closed down for good in 2005), restaurants, taverns and
more. If you plan to venture further out on the island, metered taxis are
readily available. Be aware, however, that taxis in Bermuda are very
expensive. Your best bet while in Bermuda is the public bus/ferry
transportation system. The Hamilton Ferry and Bus Terminal is located just
off of Front Street. Both ferries and buses run to Dockyard, Paget, Warwick,
Somerset all year and to St. George’s from April to October.
SHOPPING IN HAMILTON
-
Shopping is to Hamilton what historic sites are
to St. George's. It's the first activity that many cruise passengers
choose to engage in while in Hamilton. The minute you walk outside the
passenger terminal, you are smack dab in the middle of the shopping district
on Front Street. British goods, such as, porcelain, fine china and crystal,
silverware and fine tableware are all great buys. Imports from Great Britain
and Ireland, such as, Shetland and cashmere sweaters, Harris Tweed jackets
and Scottish woolen goods are exceptional buys. Also, check out the cedar
wood gifts, carriage bells and antiques.
Walking Tour of Hamilton
-
If you can tear
yourself away from the stores, a
walking
tour
of the downtown area is recommended. Meander
through the town observing such local
landmarks as Fort Hamilton, Parliament
Building, and the Bermuda Cathedral. The
charming pastel colored homes and stores
with their distinctive architecture make
this walking tour so unique. Churches of
every denomination and golf courses seemed
to be everywhere!
Rainbow-Row: The
Bird Cage
.... and Colorful
Victorian and
Dutch-style Buildings
Wednesday evenings in
summer Front Street is
closed to traffic for
Harbour Nights; a weekly
evening festival
featuring craft and food
stalls, performers and
late-night shopping.
Turn left on Front
Street, pass the Bird
Cage (a famous traffic
kiosk, usually manned by
a bobby), and stop in at
the
Visitor’s Service Bureau
for some great maps and
friendly island
suggestions. Armed with
your maps, first stop
should be the Historical
Society
Museum
set in the gardens of
Par-la-Ville Park, on
Queen Street. This
pleasant park in the
center of Hamilton was
once the garden of
William Perot, Bermuda’s
first postmaster. His
house, Par-la-Ville, is
now home to Bermuda’s
public library and the
Bermuda Historical
Society Museum.
During the daytime, many
office workers choose to
take their lunch in this
city center oasis. With
its winding paths, shady
trees and flower beds it
offers a welcome respite
from the daily grind.
There are two entrances
to the park. Enter
through the one on
Par-la-Ville Road and
you’ll pass through
Bermuda’s oldest
moon gate, while the one
on Queen Street is
adjacent to the
historically significant
Perot Post Office.
Bermuda
Historical Society
Museum.
Par-la-Ville Park
Continue up Queen Street
to Church Street, take a
right and visit City
Hall, one the most
beautiful public
buildings in Bermuda.
Stop by the Bermuda
National Art Gallery on
the second floor of City
Hall. It's not a huge
collection, but you'll
find paintings by
Rembrandt, sculpture by
Rodin and several other
15th-16th century
European masterpieces in
the opening room.
Spend some time in
Victoria Park off
Victoria Street.
This park occupies a
whole block
and features a sunken
garden, ornamental
shrubbery, and a
Victorian bandstand. The
4-acre park was designed
in honor of Queen
Victoria's Golden
Jubilee in 1887. Outdoor
concerts are held here
in summer.
City Hall
Victoria Park
Exit the park and
continue along Church
Street to the Bermuda
Cathedral close by.
The Cathedral of the
Most Holy Trinity was
consecrated in 1911
after a fire destroyed
the previous structure
in 1884. The
Cathedral is constructed
of native Bermuda
limestone, and has an
impressive array of
stained glass windows.
The style is early
English, with a tower
rising 143 ft. that can
be seen from your ship.
The Cathedral of the
Most Holy Trinity as
seen from the ship and
from Church Street
The Sessions House (House of Assembly)
The Cabinet Building and gardens
Continue on down
Church Street until you come to the Georgian-Italianate edifice of the
Sessions House,
between Parliament Street and Court Street,
where visitors are invited to watch the grand old-fashioned British-style
proceedings.
The Supreme Court and Court of
Appeal are at Sessions House on Parliament Street. The Chief Justice
and other officers of the Court wear wigs and gowns. Courts are open to the
public on weekdays when in session.
Down the
hill from Parliament is the Cabinet House. The Cabinet Building is where the
Senate – the Upper House of Bermuda’s Parliament – meets. In front is a
flag-draped memorial to veterans of various wars, the Cenotaph, which is
often adorned with flowers.
Fort Hamilton
Turn left on Front Street
and explore Fort Hamilton via King Street.
Situated on a hilltop on the outskirts of Hamilton this pentagonal fort
makes a pleasant retreat from the bustle of the city. Built in the mid 19th
Century during a time of rising tension between Britain and the United
States is the large Victorian fortress of Fort Hamilton. Today, the Fort
offers an amazing panoramic view of Hamilton Harbour. However, its main
attraction is its unique gardens. The fort has plenty of cannons, gun
emplacements and ramparts to keep history buffs occupied. But the 30 ft wide
dry moat which surrounds the fort has been transformed into a woodland
garden. A meandering path leads through a thick forest of soaring bamboos,
palms, palmettos and allspice trees. It contrasts perfectly with the formal
order of the terraced gardens lying within the walls above.
Much of the credit for this peaceful oasis can be
contributed to one man; George Ogden. In the 1960’s the fort and its
surrounding moat had become a dumping ground. The newly appointed parks
superintendent began the laborious task of removing the rubbish and creating
the lush landscape we see today. In recognition of this and other momentous
achievements George Ogden has received honors from both the Queen and the
Royal Horticultural Society in London.
If you visit Bermuda between November and March try to visit
here on Monday at noon. The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band gives a colorful
skirling performance featuring Scottish bagpipes, drummers and dancers.
(Happy Valley Rd., off King St., 8 a.m.–sunset daily, free admission).
"Harbour Nights" in Hamilton.
If you are in town on a Wednesday night in summer
you can join the crowds for this celebration. Basically, Front Street
is closed throughout the harbor area. Flea market vendors selling artwork,
island music, food and all sorts of other activities take over the downtown
area. There will be a performance by the local Goombay Dancers, who do a
energetic style of dancing unique to Bermuda
Bermuda Underwater
Exploration Institute -
From Hamilton one can
take a 15-minute walk to one of Bermuda's more recent attractions, the
state-of-the-art Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. This is a
multi-million dollar institute built to showcase the natural wonders of the
surrounding oceans. The Institute offers a simulated dive in a capsule and
interactive exhibits detailing local reef wrecks, plant and animal
life. This is the place to find a wellspring of oceanographic information.
Check out exhibits enhanced with video, touch screens, and sound and
lighting effects. Discover the history of underwater exploration, marine
life and Bermuda's many shipwrecks. You'll also find examples of underwater
craft including the famous bathysphere first used by William Beebe off
Bermuda in 1934. Call for details. Admission is free for children six and
under.
