National Parks & Nature Reserves
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Bermuda is small, but it has a surprising number of parks and nature reserves: woodland, marshes, old forts and clifftop walks, most of them free to visit. Some are national parks run by the Government's Department of Parks; others are nature reserves cared for by the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Audubon Society.
We have started with the ones closest to us in Somerset, several of them within walking distance, and then worked east across the island.
Birds of Bermuda »Many of these places are wonderful for birdwatching, especially during the autumn migration. See our full checklist of Bermuda's birds, and the ones you are likely to see right outside the cottages, including Bermuda's own endemic and specially protected birds.
Watford StudiosGovernment parkBermuda National TrustAudubon Society. Tap a number to see its name.
Getting there by bus
Our bus stop is just yards from the cottages, on routes 7 (via South Road and the south shore beaches) and 8 (via Middle Road). Both run between Dockyard and Hamilton. To head towards Hamilton, wait at the pink pole. For places in the east of the island, change in Hamilton. Timetables, fares and a journey planner are on Shorelink, and our Transport page has more tips. If you are not sure where to get off, ask the driver: they are always happy to help.
Parks and reserves, from nearest to furthest
- 1
Mangrove Bay Park
Government national park · SandysThe little public beach and waterfront in Somerset Village, on the same bay as our cottages. Sheltered water, boats on their moorings and lovely evening light.
By bus: No bus needed: a short walk along Mangrove Bay Road into Somerset Village.
- 2
Somerset Long Bay Park
Government national park · SandysA long, shallow, sandy beach on the north-west shore, backed by casuarina trees and open parkland. The calm water is good for children, and it is a favourite spot for sunsets.
By bus: No bus needed: about 1 km (15 minutes) walk west of the cottages, via Cambridge Road and Long Bay Road.
- 3
Somerset Long Bay Nature Reserves (East and West)
Bermuda Audubon Society · SandysTwo small Audubon reserves beside Somerset Long Bay Park. The east reserve has a restored pond with nesting islands, a trail, a bird hide and native woodland. The west reserve is a mangrove pond made from an old rubbish tip in the 1970s; being at the western tip of the island, it is often where newly arrived migrants and rarities are first spotted.
Access: East reserve: open to the public, dawn to dusk. West reserve: view from the fence only.
By bus: Walk: next to Somerset Long Bay Park.
- 4
Gilbert Nature Reserve
Bermuda National Trust · SandysFive acres of woodland with old cedars, next to the Trust's historic Springfield house on Somerset Road and linked to the Railway Trail. Good for woodland birds. The Trust's small Gladys Morrell Nature Reserve, a nesting area for eastern bluebirds, is also nearby on East Shore Road.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free.
By bus: About 1 km on foot, or a bus heading towards Hamilton for a stop or two along Somerset Road (ask the driver for Springfield).
- 5
Bermuda Railway Trail (Somerset section)
Government national park · All parishesThe old railway line, closed to traffic, is now a national park running the length of the island. Through Somerset it passes Springfield, Heydon and Fort Scaur on its way to Somerset Bridge, with woods and water views: perfect for a quiet walk or a bike ride.
By bus: Join it on foot in Somerset Village, close to the cottages. Catch a 7 or 8 bus home from Somerset Road.
- 6
Heydon Trust
Private charitable trust (open to visitors) · SandysPeaceful gardens, fruit groves and paths with views over the Great Sound, run as a bird sanctuary. The tiny Heydon Chapel is thought to date from the 1600s. Heydon is also a good repository of Bermuda’s old roses.
Access: Open to visitors in daylight. This is private land, so please be respectful.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8 along Somerset Road (ask the driver for Heydon).
- 7
Scaur Hill Fort Park
Government national park · SandysA Victorian fort from the 1870s with a dry moat and ramparts, set in a hilltop park with picnic spots and some of the best views in Bermuda, over the Great Sound and Ely's Harbour. The Railway Trail runs past it, and it is a good place for autumn migrants and bluebirds.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8: stop at Somerset Road and Scaur Lane, then a short walk uphill.
- 8
Scaur Lodge Nature Reserve
Bermuda National Trust · SandysSix acres of woodland, old farmland and coast looking over Ely's Harbour, just below Fort Scaur.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8: stop at Somerset Road and Scaur Lane.
- 9
Hog Bay Park
Government national park · SandysOld farm fields, woodland, ruined cottages and a lime kiln, with trails winding down to a little bay on the south-west coast (the beach is covered at high tide). A good place for migrant birds and birds of prey in autumn.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8 over Somerset Bridge onto Middle Road (ask the driver for Hog Bay Park).
- 10
Vesey Nature Reserve
Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Audubon Society · SouthamptonEight acres with part of Evans Pond, two old quarries, a sinkhole, a wooded valley and rocky shore on Little Sound. A self-guided trail leads to a viewing platform that is lovely for a picnic.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8 along Middle Road (ask the driver).
- 11
West Whale Bay Park
Government national park · SouthamptonA grassy hilltop with the ruins of a 19th-century fort above a small south-west beach. Great for sunsets, and in spring you may see whales offshore.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8 to the Whale Bay Road area, then walk (ask the driver).
- 12
Seymour's Pond Nature Reserve
Bermuda Audubon Society · SouthamptonThe Audubon Society's first reserve (1963): a slightly salty pond, linked by caves to the sea, with ducks, herons and egrets, a nature trail and a bird hide.
Access: Open to the public, with a nature trail and bird hide.
By bus: Routes 7 or 8 to Barnes Corner on Middle Road, where the two routes meet.
- 13
Church Bay Park
Government national park · SouthamptonA small south-shore cove famous for snorkelling, with the reef close to the shore.
By bus: Route 7 (South Road); ask the driver for Church Bay.
- 14
South Shore Park: Horseshoe Bay to Warwick Long Bay
Government national park · Southampton and WarwickBermuda's best-known coastline: Horseshoe Bay, Chaplin Bay, Stonehole Bay, Jobson's Cove and Warwick Long Bay, joined by trails over the dunes and clifftops. Pink sand, turquoise water, and longtails over the cliffs in spring and summer.
By bus: Route 7 (South Road): stops for Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay.
- 15
Astwood Park
Government national park · WarwickA clifftop park on the south shore with lawns, picnic spots, sweeping sea views and a little cove below.
By bus: Route 7 (South Road); ask the driver for Astwood Park.
- 16
Sherwin Nature Reserve (Warwick Pond)
Bermuda National Trust · WarwickWoodland and a self-guided trail around Warwick Pond, one of Bermuda's largest freshwater ponds. Herons and shorebirds in early autumn, and kingfishers in winter.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free.
By bus: Route 8 (Middle Road, Warwick); ask the driver.
- 17
Paget Marsh Nature Reserve
Bermuda National Trust and Bermuda Audubon Society · PagetAn ancient peat marsh with native cedar and palmetto forest, mangroves and sawgrass: a glimpse of Bermuda as the first settlers found it. A wheelchair-accessible boardwalk with information boards takes you through it. Look for herons, gallinules and coots.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free. Entrance on Lover's Lane, Paget.
By bus: Route 8 (Middle Road, Paget); ask the driver for Lover's Lane.
- 18
Bermuda Botanical Gardens
Government national park · PagetThirty-six acres of gardens, woodland and greenhouses, first opened in 1898. Camden House, the Premier's official residence, and the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art are in the grounds. Don’t miss the lovely walled rose garden behind Camden House: see our page on Bermuda’s old roses.
By bus: Route 7 (South Road) passes the gardens; ask the driver.
- 19
Spittal Pond Nature Reserve
Bermuda National Trust and the Government · Smith'sBermuda's largest nature reserve and its best bird sanctuary, especially during spring and autumn migration. A loop trail runs past the pond, woodland and dramatic clifftops, to the "Checkerboard" rock formation, Jeffrey's Cave and Portuguese Rock, carved by early Portuguese visitors.
Access: Open dawn to dusk; free. Car parks at the east and west entrances on South Road.
By bus: Route 7 or 8 to Hamilton, then route 1 along South Road (ask the driver for Spittal Pond).
- 20
Blue Hole Park and Walsingham Nature Reserve ("Tom Moore's Jungle")
Government park, with a private nature reserve open to the public · Hamilton ParishMangrove ponds, caves, grottoes and sinkholes in some of Bermuda's oldest rock, linked by woodland paths. Tom Moore's Jungle is named after the Irish poet who visited in 1804. The ground is rough, so wear proper shoes; not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs.
By bus: Route 7 or 8 to Hamilton, then route 1, 3, 10 or 11 towards St. George's (ask the driver for Blue Hole Hill).
- 21
Ferry Point Park
Government national park · St. George'sThe western tip of St. George's Island and one of the loveliest stretches of the Railway Trail, past Lover's Lake (a mangrove pond), woodland, old forts including a Martello tower, and quiet coves. Good for migrant birds in autumn.
By bus: Route 7 or 8 to Hamilton, then route 1, 3, 10 or 11 towards St. George's; ask for Ferry Road and walk in.
- 22
Fort St. Catherine
Government national park · St. George'sA fort and museum on the island's north-east tip, above the beach where the shipwrecked Sea Venture settlers came ashore in 1609.
Access: Check opening times on gov.bm before you go.
By bus: Route 7 or 8 to Hamilton, then route 1, 3, 10 or 11 to St. George's; then a walk or taxi (about 1.5 km).
- 23
Cooper's Island Nature Reserve
Government national park · St. David'sA former military and NASA site returned to nature, with woodland trails, a boardwalk, a lookout tower and quiet beaches including Turtle Bay, next to Clearwater Beach. Good for shorebirds, and in November evenings you may glimpse cahows offshore.
Access: Cars are kept out; walk in through the pedestrian gate. No dogs.
By bus: Route 7 or 8 to Hamilton, then route 1, 3, 10 or 11 to St. George's, then route 6 to Clearwater Beach.
In all parks and reserves, please keep to the trails, take your litter home, and leave plants, birds and their nests undisturbed: almost all of Bermuda's wild birds are protected by law. Opening arrangements can change, so check the Department of Parks, Bermuda National Trust or Audubon Society websites before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.