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If you've only got a short time, a cultural city break in Bermuda makes for a wonderful experience. Being so compact doesn't mean it lacks an interesting heritage and, with settlement dating back to the 1600s, there's a breadth of history that many of my clients find quite surprising. While no matter where you stay on the island you'll be able to explore a host of cultural attractions, if you're interested in learning more about the colonial architecture of the island I recommend you base your city break in Bermuda in the former capital, St George. The Historic Homes of St George St George held its place as the capital of the island for more than two centuries before it was moved to Hamilton City. As such, many of its original buildings were quite grand in their construction, and even more modest residences have an elegant colonial charm so definitive of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Simply wandering through the quaint streets of St George is a wonderful way to get an overview of the style, with some of the houses still in their original form, displaying features like gabled roofs, wooden shutters, chimneys and grand gateposts. While many have been taken over by commercial enterprise or private residences, some are open to the public. But even their exteriors often offer an insight into the city's storied past. Fanny Fox's Cottage This is probably the best-known historic house in the town, dating back to about 1707. Extremely photogenic (it may even look slightly familiar as it's been the subject of many postcards and artworks) and retaining many of its original features, the cottage has been extended a number of times to enlarge and improve it, but the eastern side is virtually untouched. It got its name in the 1800s after the owner's daughter, whose marriage lasted just one day, moved back to spend the rest of her life alone here. Today it is privately owned under the Bermuda National Trust. Address: 10 Governor’s Alley. Whitehall This former Mayoral residence, which dates back to 1815, was, at one time, the finest mansion in town. The two-storey building's elegant architecture was the design of the mayor John Van Norden himself, and features a slanted roof, wide eaves, broad verandas and quoins (cornerstones) at the junctions of the walls. Inside is an impressive staircase with two welcoming arms carved into the design. Whitehall was the site of many high-society functions and continued as a residence for a number of ensuing mayors. Today it's a private residence for a lucky local family. Address: 12 Clarence St. Bridge House Bridge House is a lovely two-storey former private residence built in the early 1700s overlooking the town square. The original kitchen was in a separate building but was attached during a restoration in the nineteenth century, at which time a porch was also added to the second level. The house has a number of interesting features, including the different sized and shaped chimneys and some beautiful cedar timberwork on the interiors. Today, the lower level is used as an art exhibition space, while the upstairs serves as a private residence under the management of the National Trust. Address: 1 Bridge St. Stewart Hall Stewart Hall, a property of the National Trust, is one of my favourites of all St George's historic homes. It's a prime example of the traditional architecture of the 1700s, with an attractive gable roof offset by two massive chimneys with double flues. While it's set over two levels, there was a single storey addition constructed in the 1800s along with a number of outhouses. Today it is home to the famous Bermuda Perfumery. Address: 5 Queens St. And More… This is by no means an exhaustive list of the town's beautiful historic homes and, if you have time, you should also consider visiting: - Mitchell House
- Buckingham House
- Aunt Nea's Inn
- Durnford House
- Pilot Darrell's House
- The Old Rectory
It is possible to experience a great deal of the island's extensive history and culture on even a short city break in Bermuda. As the closest destination to the airport, and boasting so much wonderful architecture, St George is the perfect place to do it. Author Plate John Dixon is an experienced world traveller and the Managing Director of Prestige Holidays. If you're planning a city break in Bermuda John can help find your perfect accommodation. An expert in luxury accommodation in Bermuda, Croatia, Sicily and many other destinations around the globe for over 30 years, John tries to visit each of the destinations regularly in order to ensure the quality of his properties and stay up-to-date about the latest local news and events. He has a taste for the finer things in life and has an interest in arts, history and culture.
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