Southampton Parish is a thin stretch of land at the western end of Bermuda. The northern side is predominantly residential while the south is a popular tourist area with some great attractions and hotels.
The parish covers an area of just over 2¼ square miles and has a population of around 6,500. It takes its name from Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton. He was one of the investors in the company that colonised the island at the start of the 17th century.
Hotels
Hotels and places to stay in and around Southampton Parish include:
- The Reefs Resort and Club
- Pompano Beach Club
- Fairmont Southampton
Attractions & Activities
If you like beaches, then you’ll love Southampton. Horseshoe Bay is one of Bermuda’s most attractive beaches and certainly the most popular. Lifeguards are stationed here in the summer and, in addition to the main beach, there’s a sheltered cove that’s great for small children. Facilities include beach rentals (chairs, umbrellas etc.), a snack bar, decent changing rooms, and plenty of parking. If it’s too busy for your liking you can easily walk to Chaplin Bay on the border with Warwick Parish.
Church Bay is another option. The reef is fairly close to the shore and harbours a good variety of marine life, making it a great place to go snorkelling. A concession rents snorkel gear and sells snacks.
Visit West Whale Bay at almost any time and you’ll find it pretty much deserted. One reason is that it pretty much disappears at high tide (you can check the times in the weather section of the Royal Gazette). Another is that it’s a fair distance from the main bus route on Middle Road. We love it though and the view from the adjacent park is breathtakingly beautiful.
Gibbs Hill Lighthouse was erected by the British in the mid-19th century and is the parish’s most prominent landmark. It still functioning but is now also a major tourist attraction. You can climb to the top for next to nothing and enjoy one of the most panoramic views of Bermuda.
The Port Royal Golf Course is one of the best public courses in the world. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones and recently underwent a multimillion dollar refurbishment to host the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Another course in the parish is Turtle Hill, an 18-hole par-3 course in the grounds of the Fairmont Southampton. It’s a short but challenging course and boasts a scenic setting, steep elevations, and water hazards. To perfect your shot or play a fun round of miniature golf you can visit the Bermuda Golf Academy.
If you want to explore the island’s pristine reefs or shipwrecks you can go scuba diving with Dive Bermuda. The PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre operates from the private beach of the Fairmont Southampton and offers dive trips every day. They also offer scuba courses for divers of all abilities, snorkel trips, and beach rentals (kayaks, floats etc.).
Restaurants & Bars
Places to eat and drink in Southampton Parish are listed below.
The list was last updated on Friday 29th of November 2019.
| Name | Address | Cuisine | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bella Vista Bar and Grill | Port Royal Golf Course Southmpton Parish | Seafood, Italian | $$ | Restaurant in the clubhouse of the Port Royal Golf Course. Amazing views over the golf course and ocean. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Boundary Sports Bar and Grille | Fairmont Southampton Southmpton Parish | Pub, American | $$ | Friendly sports bar at the Fairmont Southampton. Big screen TVs show NFL and Premier League games. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Coconuts | The Reefs Southmpton Parish | Seafood, International | $$ | Romantic restaurant at the Reefs. Great views of the beach and ocean. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Gulfstream | 117 South Road Southmpton Parish | Italian, Seafood | $$ | Casual restaurant near the entrance to Horseshoe Bay (in the building previously occupied by Tio Pepe). Not too far from the Fairmont Southampton. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Henry VIII | 69 South Road Southmpton Parish | Pub, Seafood, Italian, Japanese | $$ | Restaurant and bar in Southampton Parish. Menu includes pub grub, pasta, seafood, steaks, and sushi. Live entertainment and DJs. Close to the Fairmont Southampton, Reefs, and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Jasmine Cocktail Bar and Lounge | Fairmont Southampton Southmpton Parish | Bar, International | $$ | Lounge at the Fairmont Southampton. Live entertainment. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Mediterra | Fairmont Southampton Southmpton Parish | Mediterranean | $$ | Mediterranean restaurant in the lobby of the Fairmont Southampton. Nautical décor. Formerly the Newport Room. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Ocean Club | 101 South Road Southmpton Parish | Seafood | $$$ | Seafood restaurant at the Fairmont Southampton. Terrace offers wonderful ocean views. Reservations recommended. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Rum Bum Beach Bar | Horseshoe Bay Southmpton Parish | Fast Food | $ | Beach bar at Horseshoe Bay Beach. Offers burgers, chicken, sandwiches, wraps, ice cream, beer, cocktails etc. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| The Dining Room | 68 St Anne's Road Southmpton Parish | International | $$ | Small restaurant located in a cottage at Gibbs Hill Lighthouse. Outdoor area offers great views. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Waterlot Inn | 101 South Road Southmpton Parish | Steakhouse | $$$ | Elegant steakhouse in a 17th century cottage. Located on the dock at Jews Bay. Part of the Fairmont Southampton. Reservations required. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
| Windows on the Sound | Fairmont Southampton Southmpton Parish | Breakfast, Brunch | $$ | Restaurant at the Fairmont Southampton. Offers an extensive breakfast buffet and Sunday brunches. [Facebook] [Trip Advisor] |
Shops
The main grocery store in the area is the Heron Bay MarketPlace. Henry’s Pantry is a small store adjacent to the Henry VIII restaurant. It sells beer, snacks, sandwiches etc. and is convenient for visitors staying at the Fairmont Southampton or The Reefs. For locally grown fruit and vegetables you can visit Wadson’s Home Farm Market.
Transport – Buses, Ferries
Middle Road runs the length of Southampton Parish. South Road runs from the east and merges with Middle Road at Barnes Corner.
The number 7 bus service is heavily used by tourists. It travels between Hamilton and Royal Naval Dockyard along the South Road, before joining Middle Road at Barnes Corner. On the way it passes Chaplin Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Fairmont Southampton, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse (10 minute uphill walk from the bus stop), Church Bay, Greene’s Guest House, and the Port Royal Golf Course.
Bus service number 8 also goes from Hamilton to Dockyard but takes Middle Road all the way through Southampton Parish.
Both services are frequent. Some services terminate at Barnes Corner, as indicated on the bus.
Rockaway is the only ferry stop in the parish. Ferries on the Green Route go to Hamilton on weekdays only. The service is really aimed at commuters. The stop isn’t near any major hotels or tourist attractions.
Guests staying at one of the Fairmont properties can use their private ferry service to travel between the Fairmont Southampton and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.
Taxis can be found at Horseshoe Bay and the Fairmont Southampton. You can rent a moped from Smatt’s Cycle Livery (Fairmont Southampton).
Services & Information
Butterfield has ATMs at the Fairmont Southampton and the Heron Bay MarketPlace. There’s an HSBC ATM at the Port Royal Esso gas station.
Public toilets can be found at Horseshoe Bay and Church Bay (portable).
The Southampton Post Office is situated on Church Road. It’s open on weekdays only.
There is no Visitor Information Centre in Southampton Parish. The closest is the Dockyard Visitor Information Centre.
