We had four days in Bermuda and we stayed just outside the boundary of Historic St. George. With just a short walk via Penno's Wharf you enter the inscribed town through a small lane with a modest UNESCO sign. With plenty of time for St. George, I was able to research what fortifications were the most accessible and worth visiting. Starting with our reviews, I knew Fort St. Catherine and Gate's Fort / Alexandra Battery would be on my itinerary. Doing a bit of research, I learned more about the Railway Trail and this led to my plan to take the scenic walk to Martello Tower, which proved to be one of our most rewarding experiences in Bermuda. In the end, we visited 9 of 23 fortification components.

Sunrise at Fort George

My accommodation was nearby, so it was really only a 5 minute walk to Fort George. Visiting during sunrise offered some photography perks, the cannon (RML 11 inch 25 ton gun) overlooks St. George Island Harbor, while the North-facing canon commanded a position toward the open Atlantic. The morning light fell on the fort, which has a 'rewilded look' since the bottom 2/3 is in a state of abandonment. The Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre is now housed directly on top of the old fort.

Keep in mind, you cannot enter any of the fortress building, but you can walk around the square fort and see the cannons up close. Typically, during my two visits 1-2 staff operated the Maritime Operations Centre and friendly greeted visitors with a wave.

Old Railway to Martello Tower (Ferry Point Park)

The Old Railway, which operated from 1931 to 1948 is now a scenic trail across much of Bermuda and a highlight for many visitors. You can actually walk directly from St. George and fairly quickly access the Old Railway Trail, unfortunately there is a disconnected portion because of the Oil Docks Restricted Area, which effectively split the trail. Thus its best if you join the trail just off Ferry Road. For the next few kilometers you will have access to some of the most beautiful parts of Bermuda, dramatic coastal views and Lover's Lake Nature Reserve (Ramsar Wetland).

Arriving at Martello Tower provides access to four components of the world heritage site. Martello Tower has recently been renovated according to the ICOMOS 2024 Advisory Mission Report (it does look well-preserved). Effectively a gateway to Castle Harbor, Martello Tower protected access to St. George Parish. Nearby is the Ferry Reach Magazine, which is largely intact and reportedly could store 220 barrels of gunpowder. The other two fortifications (Burnt Fort Point and Ferry Island Fort) were abandoned much earlier and thus are less intact. Nonetheless all components offer scenic views of the harbor they once protected.

African Diaspora Heritage Trail

Supported by the World Heritage Fund and part of the UNESCO Slave Route Project, St. George has a few relevant sites to highlight. Adjacent to St. Peter's Church is the 'Burial Ground for Slaves and Free Blacks' and the other notable place is the home of Pilot James Darrell, who is considered the first known Black person to own land on the island. Blue signs mark historic properties like Pilot Darrell's House (private) and the Tucker House.

Besides the often photographed, commercial York and Water Streets, the smaller lanes away from the harbor were often charming. Whether it be Old Maid's Lane, Printer's Alley, Featherbed Alley, Turkey Hill, or Needle and Thread Alley. Now a local landmark, the abandoned house on Turkey Hill is worth seeking out.

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