Warwick Parish On a Budget
One of the nine parishes of Bermuda, Warwick Parish is named for Robert Rich, 2nd Earl of Warwick, and is located in the central south mainland of the island chain. It occupies an area southeast of the Great Sound, including a few of the islands that lie within the sound itself. Though it covers only about 2.3 square miles, Warwick has much to offer in natural features and islands, as well as activities from water sports and swimming to golfing and horseback riding. As a seaside town, the area can be toured by land or by sea.Sights
Some of the more prominent natural features in Warwick include Warwick Long Bay, Riddell's Bay, Darrell's Island, Hawkins Island, Long Island, and Marshall's Island. The beach at Warwick Long Bay is an ideal beach if you want to escape from the typical beach crowd. It is quiet and secluded, and also great for snorkeling. Riddell's Bay is home to a beautiful Golf and Country Club, while many of the islands have histories significant to the Royal Navy and Air Force. In addition to these sights, the Warwick Parish coastline is home to many other beaches and coves with soft pink sands and aqua blue waters. Harbor Road is an especially scenic drive with views of the nearby islands in the Great Sound, as well as the Granaway deep and Belmont ferry stop.An architectural and historic sight to see in the parish is Christ Churchone of the oldest Presbyterian churches in western hemisphere. It dates back to 1719 and is still active with engaging in the community, opening its premises to help the homeless with free showers and laundry services. Warwick Academy, the oldest school in Bermuda originally built in 17th century, is also something to see. The old two-room school building was the first one to allow black students, and can still be seen in the surrounding palm trees, with tours of the campus on request. With a little bit of history amongst the thriving nature, Warwick Parish has a little taste of everything.
Regions
Warwick Parish is first and foremost known for its pink south shore beaches and national parks and reserves. The scenery and wildlife present on its coastline and islands are pristine and as close to nature as you can get. Beaches like Warwick Long Bay, Stonehole Bay, Jobson's Cove, and Chaplin Bay are wonderfully relaxing, secluded, and great for snorkeling, while a place like Astwood Cove is perfect for birdwatching and picnicking. While there is not really a central neighborhood for shopping and dining, the parish has a few good options for the basics, and has easy access to other parishes with more to offer in these areas. Warwick Parish caters more to the beach experience and outdoor activities.Activities
As mentioned before, Warwick's beaches are great for snorkeling as well as boating and other water activities. Glass-bottom boat tours are another way to experience the wildlife of the area, as well as just lounging on the beach and seeing what kind of native birds fly by.As far as golfing goes, Warwick has two main courses, both 18 holes, at Riddell's Bay Golf & Country Club and Belmont Hills Golf Club. Both also exhibit wonderful ocean views, a pro golf shop, and restaurant in each.
Horseback riding is also available at the Spicelands Riding Center, which offers guided rides along five great trails. One of them is along the coastline of Warwick Long Bay. Be aware that riding on the beaches is generally not allowed in Bermuda during the summer time.
The WindReach Recreational Facility is a great place for families. It features a children's playground, nice trails, picnic areas, and a zoo with animals like guinea pigs, parrots, lambs, goats, and dwarf horses. The Warwick playground is another nice park with rope ladders, swings, tunnels and even a wooden fort surrounded by white sands for the kids. Warwick Railway Trail is a great source for outdoor activity as well. It is part of the scenic Bermuda Railway Trail that goes through Warwick, starts from the Cobb's Hill and goes past the Belmont golf course. This picturesque stretch is ideal for walking, running and cycling. The trail goes past fields of jasmine and fiddlewood, and also passes through limestone quarries, residential areas, and farmlands on the way.
There is even a bowling alley called Warwick Lanes, complete with a bar and restaurant!
Food and Dining
As mentioned before, Warwick is not the hub for shopping and dining, but does have a few good options to choose from. The two top rated on TripAdvisor include the finer dining of the Blu Bar & Grill, followed by a casual lunch stop called The Swizzle, located on the south shore. The swizzle is more of a pub and restaurant serving up pub grub and cocktails like their signature Rum Swizzlewhere the national drink of Bermuda originated. It is a delicious combination of rums including Black Seal, orange, lemon, and pineapple juices, sweet syrup, and secret ingredients that taste like summer. The place even hosts the occasional entertainment with events like trivia night and holiday specials.Transportation
Warwick Parish is crossed from east to west by Harbour Road, Middle Road, and South Road.Bus number 7 runs along the South Road and is convenient for all beaches (Astwood Cove, Jobson Cove, Warwick Long Bay), Clairfont Apartments, and the Surfside Beach Club.
Bus number 8 runs along the Middle Road, past Warwick Pond. Both buses, numbers 7 & 8, operate from Hamilton to the Royal Navy Dockyard/Sandys.
By water, the Hamilton-Paget-Warwick ferry stops at Darrell's Wharf and Belmont Wharf (near Granaway Guest House), right along Harbor Road.
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