Sandys Parish: An Insider’s Guide to Bermuda’s Western Edge

If you ask a local about Sandys Parish, they won’t start with a check list, they’ll tell you how it feels. Slower, softer, and rooted in community. This is where Bermuda becomes familiar, where you leave the scheduled itinerary behind and just wander. The best moments in Sandys happen somewhere between a quiet lane and a local bar full of top tier recommendations.

Start in Somerset Village

Somerset Village is an area built for exploration, less like a traditional village, and more of an area that extends beyond shops and into the neighbourhood. Notice the rhythm of daily life and don’t be shy, the Somerset people are always looking for someone to tell their stories to, and don’t be surprised if they have you supporting Somerset Cricket Club by the end of the conversation.  

For a coffee and some sustainable merchandise, visit Gotta Go Green, and for a quick bite to eat you can grab a slice at Pomodoro’s.

Local tip: The real Sandys reveals itself in the back lanes where The Railway Trail and narrow paths lead to docks, hidden viewpoints, and the kind of quiet you don’t find on a map. 

Follow the Lanes to the Water

Wander down Mangrove Bay Lane framed by hibiscus and limestone walls, and you will end up on a tiny dock where the water laps gently against the shore and you can choose your pick of watersport adventure at H2O Sport Bermuda.  

Other lanes in Sandys pick up the Railway Trail offering stretches of shade, ocean views, and even a Fort. If you walk or ride the railway trail to Fort Scaur, you must climb the hill to get magnificent views of the Great Sound and Ely’s Harbour.  

Don’t forget to visit the world’s smallest drawbridge, also serving as the entry to Sandys Parish from Southampton.  

Local tip: Early morning or golden hour is the most magical time to see the views from Fort Scaur.    

Somerset Cricket Club 

If you want to understand community in Sandys, come during Cup Match. The Somerset Cricket Club transforms into a full celebration of Bermudian culture, cricket, music, food, fashion, and family traditions. Even if you are not in Bermuda during this time, it is a place of interest, with a sports mural worth looking at on Clyde Best Lane.  

Local tip: There is a vegetarian food truck close to the cricket field called Plant Based Palace and it offers amazing burgers, fries, tofu nuggets and more! 

Find the Peace and Quiet

Somerset Long Bay is a favourite for those who want space to stretch out, but also want the comfort of a local vendor with chairs and umbrellas. Just beyond the public stretch of sand, Cambridge Beaches offers an inviting beach-side bar called Breezes, that can be accessed by the public. 

Local tip: Great for families and small children because the water is usually calm and shallow for about 20m out.  

Ground Your Feet

Take a quiet moment at the small but quaint Heydon Chapel, tucked away and surrounded by stillness and trails in Virginia Park. There are plenty of open spaces and walking trails in Sandys, check out Lodge Point Park on the way to Dockyard and Scaur Hill Park while you are in the area visiting the Fort. 

The Royal Naval Dockyard

Restaurants, shops, museums, and activities make this area a great stop, especially for families. Don’t forget to check out the history that surrounds you, up at the National Museum of Bermuda. You can also swim with the dolphins at Dolphin Quest Bermuda, or go on a Segway Tour around the area to cover more ground. The ferry to Hamilton and St George’s is the fastest and one of the most scenic ways to travel across the island.

Local tip: This is also the area where most tour boat activity leaves from, try to book in advance when it is cruise ship season as most tours get full quickly. 

The beauty of Sandys is the accessibility and the freedom to explore at your own pace. If you experience it as it is supposed to be, you’ll leave feeling like you’ve discovered something quietly special.