Discover Pembroke Parish: Fort Hamilton and Admiralty House Park

Fort Hamilton tells the story of Bermuda’s harbour defences: the fort was built for this purpose in the 1870s and is considered a historic landmark of Bermuda. In Pembroke Parish, these historical connections meet coastal scenery and nature experiences.

Fort Hamilton and the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity

The construction period of Fort Hamilton provides a specific timeframe for the fort’s history. Those interested in Bermuda’s historic landmarks can explore this background alongside a very different cultural focus: the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is an Anglican church in the Restoration Gothic style and the seat of the Bishop of Bermuda. Its religious role and architectural style make it a distinct subject alongside the fort’s history of harbour defence.

Admiralty House Park: Coast and history

Admiralty House Park lies on Pembroke’s North Shore. Walking trails and a secluded beach surrounded by limestone cliffs define the area. Visitors can snorkel, jump from the cliffs or relax by the water. The park offers different ways to spend time on the coast: walking the trails, enjoying activities in the water or taking a quieter break by the shore.

The park’s historic character also includes ruins and underground passages. They are connected to the site’s former use as a residence for admirals of the British Royal Navy. Admiralty House Park thus brings coastal scenery together with a specific chapter of naval history. If you are planning your trip around activities by the water, it is worth considering the park’s different offerings separately: walking trails, snorkelling, cliff jumping and relaxing by the water are each distinct options.

Art, a park and an event in Hamilton

In Hamilton, Barr’s Bay Park offers seating and well-maintained lawns. The Bermuda National Gallery houses Bermuda’s national art collection and presents exhibitions and programmes. Hamilton therefore offers different interests to explore, from spending time in a park to visual art and cultural events.

Harbour Nights also takes place in Hamilton: on Wednesdays from April into early September. As the event schedule may change, check the dates before your trip. This lets you include this seasonal offering in your plans without assuming that the dates are the same every year.

Bermuda: more nature and history

In the wider destination of Bermuda, Spanish Point Park offers walking trails and is described as a place for walks and picnics. Open green spaces and views across Hamilton Harbour also give the park a scenic appeal. These features are part of the Bermuda destination and should not be confused with the characteristics of any one place in Pembroke Parish.

Bermuda’s gardens and nature reserves also offer a range of nature experiences. The 36-acre Bermuda Botanical Gardens were established in 1898. Plants grown there include roses, frangipani and flowering hibiscus; its areas include a palm garden with native palmetto palms, a subtropical fruit orchard and a sensory garden for blind visitors with Braille signs. The greenhouses house orchid and succulent collections. Spittal Pond Nature Reserve covers 64 acres and is Bermuda’s largest nature reserve as well as an important bird sanctuary. Together, cultivated plant collections and a designated nature reserve offer different perspectives on Bermuda’s landscape.

The history of Bermuda’s forts also varies by period. Fort Hamilton was built in the 1870s to protect the harbour. Fort St. Catherine, by contrast, was built in 1614 and expanded several times in the 19th century. Exhibits and artefacts there show what life in Bermuda was like in the 17th century; visitors can cross the drawbridge and explore tunnels, ramparts and towers.

Other experiences in Bermuda include the Crystal Caves. Tours begin in a lush garden with royal palms; inside the caves, a floating bridge crosses a crystal-clear lake where underwater rock formations can be seen. Visitors can choose between Crystal Cave, Fantasy Cave and combination tickets. As ticket options may change, check them before your trip. These caves, gardens and historic sites offer additional themes for a trip around Bermuda, distinct from the sights and landscapes of Pembroke Parish.

Discover more destinations: Hamilton, Southampton Parish, Sandys Parish, Saint George's and Paget Parish.

View the wider travel guide: Bermuda.