In 1928 the Bermuda Perfumery began creating and manufacturing fragrances from the island’s flowers at Bailey’s Bay in Hamilton Parish. In 2004 the business was acquired by the Blackstone family and moved to the Stewart Hall, a beautiful 18th century house in the historic town of St George.
All perfumes are handmade on the premises and are inspired by local flowers and citrus trees. It’s one of the few products actually made in Bermuda (most goods are imported) and can only be purchased on the island.
Fragrances are available for men and women under the brand Lili Bermuda. A complimentary range of body lotions and shower gels is also offered. The business has drawn international acclaim and has recently featured in the book The Best Places for Everything by CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg, and on the TV show The View.
Visitors are welcome to take a tour of the historic building, learn how perfumes are made, and sample the products. The perfumes are created in the former servant’s quarters, and bottled and packaged on the upper floor of the main house. The lower flower showcases the entire range and features displays illustrating the manufacturing process.
There’s a pleasant walled garden planted with many of the flowers used in the products. On Wednesday and Saturday afternoons local bakery Sweet P offer a fabulous afternoon tea here.
Opening hours are Monday to Saturday, 9 am to 5 pm. Admission to the perfumery and the tour are free.
The Bermuda Perfumery is situated on Queen Street, just a short walk from the centre of St George. To find it head north from the main square (Kings Square) and turn left on to York Street. Walk past St Peter’s Church and Queen Street is the first road on the right.
Visitors can travel to St George by bus or ferry. Four bus services run from Hamilton to St George (routes 1, 3, 10 and 11). All depart from Hamilton Bus Station. The ferry service (orange route) is a seasonal service that operates in the summer between Hamilton, Dockyard, and St George.
My boyfriend and I purchased fragrances 2 years ago and are coming back in September 2015. Can’t wait to smell what is new.
What a rip-off. I purchased Fresh Water fragrance and Fresh Water Lotion. Water should be the correct name. Water has more fragrance! Quite pricey for nothing! Bermuda is a beautiful island but there is nothing beautiful about what I purchased. Maybe the fragrance was omitted from the batch that I purchased. I love light fragrances but this mess is beyond light. It doesn’t exist!
Great little place. Very interesting and informative. Products are great too.