Carter House, St. David’s
After the Sea Venture’s colonists wrecked on Bermuda’s shores in 1609, they quickly built another boat to continue on to Virginia, to support the colony there. However, three men were asked to stay behind to continue the British legacy in Bermuda. Christopher Carter was one of those men, and his descendants built Carter House in 1640. The old home is mostly in its original condition, having withstood countless hurricanes since it was built.
Originally called Southside House, Carter House is believed to be one of the oldest vernacular farmhouses in all of Bermuda. It has survived largely in its original structure and form for over three centuries. The House is now a museum preserving the one-of-a-kind culture and history of the St David’s Islanders.
Eve’s Pond, Shelly Bay
Once the site of an inland tidal pond from which it gets its name, Eve’s Pond is a recently restored nature reserve near Shelly Bay. There is an extensive underground cave system that once connected the pond to Harrington Sound and the sea, but in the 1940s the pond was filled with sand dredged from Flatts Inlet. Consequently, casuarinas and other invasive species engulfed the property.
In 2020/2021 Buy Back Bermuda restored the site, removed the casuarinas, re-dug the pond, and re-planted hundreds of specimens of native and endemic flora. Habitats include rocky coastline with tide pools, an inland valley and an upland hillside.
Already the pond has proved a magnet to local and visiting birds, and 55 different species having been recorded by local birders. They include all kinds of ducks, grebes, rails and gallinules, diverse shorebirds, including cormorants, herons, and ibis as well as cuckoos, kingfishers, falcons, flycatchers, vireos and nightjars. A large bird hide was constructed in September 2021.
Jeffrey’s Cave, Spittal Pond
Desperate for freedom, a slave by the name of Jeffrey escaped his captors and lived inside a cave at Spittal Pond before he was recaptured and forced back into enslavement. The cave is now named after the man who sheltered there.
Jeffrey spent over a month in hiding, enlisting the help of a younger female slave from the same household to bring him food. Jeffrey survived for so long in this way that searches for his recovery were abandoned – it was thought he had boarded a ship and fled Bermuda. However, his master noticed the younger female slave would leave each night and decided to follow her. Retracing her steps the next day, he found Jeffrey and ended his escape.
Today, you can visit Jeffrey’s Cave at Spittal Pond Nature Reserve in Smith’s Parish. It is part of the African Diaspora Heritage Trail.
Admiral’s Cave, Spanish Point
Admiralty House is one of the few parks outside of bustling Hamilton City in Pembroke. It boasts extensive nature trails, a swimming bay, and diving cliffs. The historic Admiralty House, now a ruin on the property, was the state home for British admirals living in Bermuda and also served as a navy hospital. The cave, however, is often what draws the most attention.
One of the largest dry caves in Bermuda, Admiral’s Cave has one large sink hole entrance and two other smaller entrances. Inside you’ll find stalagmites, stalactites, and several lakes connected to the ocean through underground passages.
The cave is a favorite for visitors jumping from the cliffs just outside. Once they’ve plunged into the turquoise waters below, brave adventurers can swim through the cave and exit via stone steps back up to the cliffs for more fun.
Hidden Beach, South Shore
Perhaps one of the best things about Bermuda beaches is that if you walk far enough, you’ll almost certainly happen upon a secluded beach and have it all to yourself. Hidden Beach is one such spot.
Hidden Beach is indeed appropriately named as you won’t find any signs pointing it out. Explorers can find it between Chaplin Bay and Horseshoe Bay. There is a sandy trail connecting the two large beaches, and along the way you’ll find sandy coastline divided into smaller beaches by the island’s famous large rock formations.
