Best Of The West

Exploring Somerset Village & Royal Naval Dockyard

By Brigitta Wohlmuth

Welcome to the West End – home to the smallest drawbridge in the world, and some of the most gorgeous sunsets on earth. From Scaur Hill Fort to the Royal Naval Dockyard there are a lot of interesting sites along the way that should be added to your itinerary.

Scaur Hill Fort & Park

For those travelling by bus, moped or electric car, be sure to visit the Heydon Trust Property, the Springfield & Gilbert Nature Reserve and Daniel’s Head Park.Then make a pit stop in Somerset Village. Quiet streets and charming old buildings make up this quaint country village, and there are several shops and restaurants where you can dine near the water’s edge. A nice place for a casual meal in the village is the Somerset Country Squire. This traditional Bermudian restaurant is a popular hangout for locals and visitors alike, blessed by the scenic tranquility of Mangrove Bay. Enjoy a relaxed lunch on the outdoor patio, and watch the boats come and go. With plenty of fisherman in the area, here you can try local seafood specialties like Fish Chowder and Curried Mussel Pie, with confidence that it’s the real deal.

Somerset Country Squire

Next stop is Royal Naval Dockyard, the launchpad for all action happening this summer. This former Naval Base was reconstructed in the 1800s, and is now one of the most visited attractions in Bermuda. Explore the charming Clocktower Mall and peruse for unique gifts and treasures. Let the kids run wild at Snorkel Park or tee off a few rounds at the adjacent Bermuda Fun Golf.

Snorkel Park Beach

Bermuda Fun Golf

Within the Keep, you can swim with dolphins at Dolphin Quest and learn about Bermuda’s fascinating Maritime History at the National Museum of Bermuda. And art lovers will adore the Bermuda Arts Centre Dockyard, a working studio featuring rotating exhibits by the Island’s professional artists with many prints for sale.

Dolphin Quest

The historic Cooperage, completed in 1853, was converted to five storehouses in the 1940s. It houses the Bermuda Craft Market, where you can chat with local artisans selling handcrafted wares, like cedar pens, sea glass jewellery, banana leaf dolls, and bottles full of tasty jams and local honey. Right next-door to the market is the Frog and Onion – a British style pub created by a Bermudian and a Frenchman in 1992. With the pub serving great comfort food like Fish and Chips, Yorkshire Pudding, even German-Style Soft Pretzels, it pairs perfectly with an ale from Dockyard Brewing Co. Bermuda’s only microbrewery shares their premises with this popular restaurant, offering diners a wonderful selection of artisanal ales and beers to enjoy with their meal.

Those taking the ferry over to Dockyard need look no further than Bonefish Bar & Grill. This popular waterside restaurant brings the Mediterranean to the Atlantic, offering authentic Italian dishes with a local twist. Enjoy a zesty Seafood Salad, sumptuous Fish Tacos or Pizza By The Foot while soaking up some sun outside on their spacious patio. Their menu also boasts a long list of creative cocktails, accompanied by live weekly entertainment. Salsa Mondays from 8pm to midnight feature a variety of music genres and dancing with your dinner. Live entertainment is available nightly from Spanish Guitar, Reggae, Calypso and Live DJs.