The Best of St. George, Bermuda

The abundance of tropical flowers and plant life flourishing along Bermuda’s sunny shores makes it a prime location for the creation of fabulous fragrances. The Bermuda Perfumery has been blending essential oils and floral essences into sweet-smelling perfumes, under the Lili Bermuda name, since 1928. Located at Stewart Hall in St. George, visitors can see the perfume-making process, sample different scents, and purchase lavish gifts. All fragrances are developed on the island under the direction of perfumer Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone. Specially blended fragrances represent the natural beauty and floral, citrus, and sea-inspired scents of Bermuda. Whether your fragrance tastes lean toward flirty florals, hints of honeysuckle, or fresh bursts of citrus, there is a scent to suit every body. Exotic concoctions of coconut milk, guava, and sea salt will stir up memories of Bermuda’s tropical location. Men’s fragrances include refreshing aromas of loquat and seagrass as well as masculine mixes of warm Bermuda cedar, rosemary, and lavender. A wide variety of products are available for purchase, including perfume, eau de toilette, cologne, body lotion, and shower gel. Can’t decide between all of the enchanting scents? Try a mix of small, sample-size vials.

The centerpiece of a vast resort, golf club, and residential community complex, Rosewood Bermuda sits on 240 acres of waterfront land overlooking Castle Harbour, Harrington Sound, and the Atlantic Ocean. The recently refurbished resort is anchored by the Manor House, where 88 guest rooms blend classic cottage-style architecture and modern interiors that continue to set the standard for today’s luxury seekers: think canopy and four-poster beds, plantation shutters, and colonial-era antiques, all set against a cool white backdrop. Spring for a deluxe poolside room, which also has access to a private poolside daybed. Just don’t expect too much down time. Three on-site restaurants and two bars are beyond selfie-worthy, treatments at the spa incorporate local ingredients like cedar and juniper, and hotel guests receive membership to the 18-hole Roger Rulewich–designed golf course, tennis courts, and a beach club that sits on an exclusive stretch of pink sand for the duration of their stay.

The first fortification to occupy this spot on the northern tip of Bermuda was built from wood in 1612; it was replaced just two years later by a stone structure. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this fort was rebuilt and expanded several more times over the centuries as the needs of the Royal Navy changed and its presence on Bermuda increased. The final expansion in the 19th century included the addition of military housing and new gun positions. Today the site, which sits between St. Catherine Beach and Achilles Bay, includes a dry moat, numerous stone buildings, and a museum that features antique weapons and a gallery of dioramas that trace the fort’s various iterations.

Owned by the Bermuda National Trust, the Tucker House museum in St. George is a tribute to the prominent family that lived there during the 1700s. Henry Tucker was president of the Governor’s Council and had connections to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. A collection of family treasures such as silver, china, portraits, and antique cedar and mahogany furniture are on display. Learn about the home’s former inhabitants, Bermuda’s history, and island architecture as you take a guided tour through the house. An archaeology exhibit in the basement tells the story of the family through displays and artifacts. Be sure to check out the Rainey Exhibit in the kitchen. Joseph Rainey was a free slave from South Carolina who fled to Bermuda during the height of conflicts in the U.S. He operated a barber shop, presumably off of the kitchen, from 1862-1865. Rainey eventually returned to the U.S. where he went on to become the first African American in the U.S. House of Representatives.

From the outside, with its whitewashed facade and louvered windows, this Anglican house of worship in the center of St. George’s is a postcard British-colonial church. Its founding dates back to the earliest months of English settlement on the island (the town of St. George’s was established by the Virginia Company in 1612), though the oldest surviving portions of the structure are from 1620. It also claims the distinction of being the oldest continuously active Protestant church in the Western Hemisphere. Inside the ancient cedar doors is an homage to Bermuda’s maritime roots: The ceiling, also carved of cedar, echoes the ribs of a ship’s hull. A portion of the cemetery designated for the burial of slaves prior to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1833 is part of the island’s African Diaspora Heritage Trail.

Within its stone walls, the Bermuda National Trust Museum holds exhibits and examples of Bermuda’s link to the Confederacy during the American Civil War. The island’s central Atlantic location made it a prime stopping point for shipments between the Southern ports and England. During the war, the building served as the offices and headquarters of Confederate agent Major Norman Walker. After the war, it saw a second life as the Globe Hotel. Today, visitors can travel through nearly 400 years of Bermuda and maritime history through the exhibit “Rogues and Runners: Bermuda and the American Civil War” and the video presentation “Bermuda: Centre of the Atlantic.” Other historic topics include piracy and smuggling. There are also models of the ships used to transport goods to the southern states on display.

Bermuda’s elegant exterior of pastels, tea time, and perfectly placed palms hides a 400-year-old history of scandalous stories and spooky history. A Haunted History Walking tour of St. George’s is just the ticket for fans of thrills and chills. This 60 to 75 minute walking tour begins and ends at Kings Square in St. George’s, taking you through narrow alleys, down cobblestone streets, and past headstones dating to 1612. Your story teller guide will recount history, gossip, and tales of past residents and sketchy events. You may come across costumed actors along the way as you encounter a bit of entertainment with your historic education. Rest assured, this is a completely family-friendly excursion, and you may find yourself doing more laughing than screaming. Have a large group? No problem. Haunted History offers group tours. Photo by Rian Castillo/Flickr/Creative Commons