The Bermuda National Gallery is the ideal introduction to the visual arts and culture in Bermuda. It is the home of the national art collection, showing both Bermuda and world art and is at the centre of the island’s thriving arts scene.
The museum has a diverse collection and exhibition programme of past and present works by local and international artists that tells Bermuda’s history through its fine and decorative arts as well as reflecting Bermuda’s varied multicultural heritage.
The museum opened in 1992 with a core collection works by European masters c.1500 – 1850 including Gainsborough, Reynolds and Murillo donated by Hereward Watlington.
In addition to the Watlington Collection, other permanent collections include the African Collection (African figures, masks and royal regalia), the Contemporary Collection of 20th century work, the Photography Collection (a selection of black and white photographs by Bermudian international photojournalist Richard Saunders) and the Print Collection (which includes Hale Woodruff linocuts depicting powerful images of African-American life).
Throughout the year the gallery hosts an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions. In even years it is the venue for the Bacardi Limited Biennial, a juried exhibition of contemporary art.
The gallery is open 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays and from 10 am until 2 pm on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and national holidays.
A $5 admission charge was introduced in January 2015. Free guided tours are offered every Thursday commencing at 10.30 am.
The Bermuda National Gallery boasts one of the most active events programmes on the island. There are free lunchtime lectures every Wednesday (12.30 to 1.30 pm) and evening lectures by visiting art historians, curators etc. Check the calendar of the official website for the latest listings and ticket information.
The gallery is situated on the second floor of the City Hall, on Church Street in the centre of Hamilton. If you are arriving by bus just exit the Central Terminal and turn right. Visitors arriving by ferry should leave Hamilton Ferry Terminal and walk up Queen Street until they reach Church Street. There are numerous parking spaces for mopeds in the immediate vicinity.
Nearby Attractions
Tourist attractions and things to do near Bermuda National Gallery include:
Nearby Restaurants
Restaurants and places to eat and drink near Bermuda National Gallery include:
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La Trattoria (0.1 miles) - Family-friendly Italian restaurant in the centre of Hamilton. Known for its pizzas; cooked in a wood-burning brick oven.
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Devil's Isle (0.1 miles) - Busy cafe and bar in Hamilton. Hip and casual.
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Angelo's Bistro (0.1 miles) - Italian cafe in the Walker Arcade in Hamilton. Indoor or atrium seating. Italian food with a local twist.
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Hog Penny (0.1 miles) - British-style pub just off Front Street. Cosy wooden interior. Reputed to be the inspiration for the Cheers pub in Boston. Live music in the evenings.
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Barracuda Grill (0.1 miles) - Seafood restaurant in Hamilton, just off Front Street. Specialises in seafood but also offers meat options. Located above the Hog Penny pub.
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The Pickled Onion (0.1 miles) - Bar and restaurant on Front Street, Hamilton. Veranda offers excellent view of Hamilton Harbour. Live music and DJs.
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The Terrace on Front Street (0.1 miles) - Restaurant on Front Street. Outdoor terrace has fantastic views of Front Street and Hamilton Harbour. Formerly Red Steakhouse.
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Flanagan's (0.2 miles) - Irish pub located in a prime spot on Front Street in Hamilton. Veranda offers excellent views of Hamilton Harbour. Incorporates a separate sports bar.
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Rock Island Coffee (0.2 miles) - Coffeeshop in Hamilton known for its delicious baked goods. Walls display works by local artists.
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Ruby Murrys (0.2 miles) - Indian restaurant just off Front Street. Reasonable prices.
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Lobster Pot (0.2 miles) - Seafood restaurant established in 1973. Close to Queen Elizabeth Park.
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The Astwood Arms (0.2 miles) - British style pub on Hamilton’s main street. Friendly staff. Live music and NFL/Premier League games.
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Little Venice (0.2 miles) - Founded in 1971, the Little Venice is Bermuda’s oldest Italian restaurant.
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L'Oriental (0.2 miles) - Asian fusion restaurant in Hamilton’s business district. Best known for its sushi and teppanyaki. Situated above the Little Venice.
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The Dog House (0.2 miles) - Popular bar on Front Street. Live music and Premier League/NFL games. Outdoor terrace.
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Portofino (0.2 miles) - Established Italian restaurant in Hamilton’s business district.
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Mad Hatters (0.2 miles) - Innovative restaurant offering an eclectic menu. Restaurant is loosely theme around Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Diners can don one of their wacky hats for the night. Located in Pembroke, near the Robin Hood pub, and just a short walk from Hamilton.
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Bolero Brasserie (0.2 miles) - Upscale brasserie on Hamilton’s main street. Chef owned. Offers a small balcony with view of Front Street and Hamilton Harbour.
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Robin Hood Pub and Restaurant (0.3 miles) - Popular pub on the outskirts of Hamilton. Shows Premier League games.
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Bouchee (0.3 miles) - French bistro at the western end of Hamilton, close to the Hamilton Princess. Formerly Monty’s.
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Docksider (0.3 miles) - Pub and restaurant at the eastern end of Front Street. Menu offers pub grub, burgers, sandwiches, and pizza. Popular watering hole. Live sports, DJs etc. Reasonably close to Fort Hamilton.
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Rosa's (0.3 miles) - Established Tex-Mex restaurant in Hamilton. Offers burgers, burritos, quesadillas, tacos, fajitas, steaks etc. Located above Docksider.
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House of India (0.4 miles) - Indian restaurant at the northern end of Hamilton. Specialises in Tandoor-cooked dishes. Takeaway service available.
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Harry's (0.4 miles) - Restaurant and bar overlooking Hamilton Harbour. Close to the Hamilton Princess.
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Huckleberry Restaurant (0.4 miles) - Restaurant at the Rosedon Hotel. Named in honour of Mark Twain, a frequent visitor to Bermuda. Seasonally-inspired menu. Gorgeous terrace.
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Ascots (0.5 miles) - Long-established restaurant at the Royal Palms Hotel. Situated in Pembroke, within easy walking distance of Hamilton.
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Marcus' (0.5 miles) - Marcus Samuelsson's restaurant at the Hamilton Princess.
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1609 Bar and Restaurant (0.6 miles) - Harbourfront bar and restaurant at the Hamilton Princess. Alfresco dining with fantastic views of Hamilton Harbour.
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Harbourfront Restaurant (0.7 miles) - Restaurant at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute. Offers a sushi and tempura bar. Stunning views of Hamilton Harbour.
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Beau Rivage (0.7 miles) - French restaurant at Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort and Spa. Awesome views of Hamilton Harbour.
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Art Mel's Spicy Dicy (0.8 miles) - Takeaway renowned for its fish sandwiches. Located a fair distance from the centre of Hamilton.
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Ice Queen (1 miles) - Takeaway in Paget Parish. Offers burgers, chicken wings and nuggets, fries etc. Open late.
Nearby Hotels
Hotels near Bermuda National Gallery include:
- Royal Palms Hotel (0.4 miles)
- Rosedon Hotel (0.4 miles)
- Hamilton Princess (0.5 miles)
- Newstead Belmont Hills Golf Resort & Spa (0.8 miles)
Nearby Transport Links
Transport links near Bermuda National Gallery include:
metrolink transient does not exist,
The Bermuda National Gallery have introduced a $5 entry fee for non-members. Entry was previously free.
You’ll enjoy it here so long as you don’t go with expectations of it being something like the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It was an interesting enough place to spend an hour on a tour of Hamilton.
I visited this gallery in summer 2013. It’s free to enter so that put me in a good mood. It’s not a huge gallery, but I wasn’t expected it to be. After all it’s not the main gallery in New York but the national gallery of a small island. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time there and it was a good place to spend an hour. There was a very interesting photography exhibition exploring poverty and other social issues around the world and, somewhat surprisingly, in Bermuda too. If you’re in Hamilton, I’d thoroughly recommend it. The gallery is situated in the large white building next to the bus terminal. I didn’t see any signs, so you wouldn’t know it was there otherwise.
The gallery is a welcomed respite from the heat in the city. The art is historical, interesting and when we saw the Biennial, some works were quite provocative. The sculpture park is nearby too.
The gallery is just next to the bus station. There’s some delightful water fountains and sculptures out front.