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Parish · Central Parishes
Devonshire
Devonshire, the green parish in central Bermuda: the Arboretum, Palmetto Park, the Devonshire marsh, and Devonshire Bay.
In the photo: Devonshire Bay cove, in the parish of Devonshire.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The parish
Get to know Devonshire
Devonshire lies at the geographic center of Bermuda, between Pembroke, Paget and Smith's, and stretches from the north coast to the south coast. It is a parish of green hills, residential neighborhoods and sports fields. The name honors William Cavendish, Earl of Devonshire, one of the shareholders of the company that colonized the island in the 17th century.
Green spaces are the main reason to stop here. The Bermuda Arboretum, maintained by the government, has lawns, a lake and native and introduced trees from other parts of the world, with paths locals use for walking and running. Palmetto Park protects an area of native Bermuda palms, the palmito-das-bermudas, which exists only in the archipelago.
Inland is the Devonshire marsh, one of the largest wetlands on the island, important for birds and for the vegetation that covered Bermuda before settlement. The Old Devonshire Church, an Anglican church of colonial origin, stands beside Middle Road.
On the south coast, Devonshire Bay is a small, sheltered cove with a park and the remains of a 19th-century military battery. Because it sits in the middle of the island, the parish is a route for people traveling from Hamilton to the east or to the south coast beaches.
When to go
The parks and the Arboretum can be visited year-round. In spring, March to May, there are more flowers and the heat is still moderate. From June to October it is hotter and it’s better to walk early in the morning or late in the afternoon. From December to March the air is mild, with strong winds on some days.
Getting there
Devonshire is only minutes from the town of Hamilton. Buses that leave the central Hamilton terminal via North Shore Road, Middle Road and South Road cross the parish. L.F. Wade airport, to the east, is also reachable by taxi. Electric minicars and rental scooters are another option for getting around.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Devonshire
What to see in Devonshire, Bermuda?
The Bermuda Arboretum, with lawns, a lake and trees from various parts of the world; Palmetto Park, with the island’s native palms; and Devonshire Bay cove on the south coast. These are short outings that pair well with a day in Hamilton.
What is the palmito-das-bermudas?
It is a fan-leaf palm that exists only in Bermuda, called the Bermuda palmetto in English. Before colonization it covered much of the islands, and its fronds were used for roofing and weaving baskets. It can be seen in Palmetto Park and in the island’s nature reserves.
Is Devonshire a good area to stay in?
The parish is mainly residential and has few accommodations. The advantage is its central location: it’s close to Hamilton and midway between the south coast beaches and the east. Travelers looking for full hotel services and beach access usually choose Paget, Warwick or Southampton.
Does Devonshire Bay have a swimming beach?
It is a small, rocky cove with sheltered water on calm days, more frequented by locals than visitors. It has no beach facilities or lifeguards. For a full beach day, the better options are on the south coast, further west.