St David’s Lighthouse could be star attraction

The St David’s Lighthouse could hold the key to injecting fresh life into the East End’s tourist trade.

This is the opinion of Rick Spurling who says the landmark and its dramatic backdrop has the potential to offer visitors a front row seat on some of the island’s most historic events.

Mr Spurling, the President of the St David’s Island Historical Society, believes a panoramic map should be positioned at the lighthouse detailing the sites and attractions which lie on the horizon.

He told the Sun the structure needed to be open to the public and better marketed in order to attract more visitors.

Mr Spurling added: “The trouble is that at the moment when visitors go up to the St David’s Lighthouse, they do not really know what they are looking out on.

“What it needs is a panoramic map or a ‘Diorama’ that identifies all the historic attractions that you look out on from the lighthouse.

“This could either be done on the outside of the lighthouse — where you would stand at the base facing a certain direction and the map would tell you what lies in front of you.

“Or you could paint it at the top of the lighthouse — so visitors have a better idea of the landmarks and sites you can see from this great vantage point.”

The St David’s Lighthouse stands 208ft high and was constructed between 1876 and 1879.

And on a clear day it boasts spectacular views over Castle Harbour towards Tuckers Town as well as over St George’s and a string of wreck sites and historic coastal forts.

Mr Spurling said: “It is probably one of the best views in Bermuda.

Historical sites

“We just need to help visitors understand exactly what they can see and how historically important these sites and landmarks are to the island.

“There are numerous wrecks off the reefs, there is Gate’s Bay which is obviously where the Sea Venture first came in.

“Then over towards Castle Harbour — there is Nonsuch Island and the story of the Cahow and the old NASA Base.

“This lighthouse is just crying out for a map or diorama that tells people what they are looking at.

“It seems this historic landmark has been a little bit forgotten in recent times when it still has so much potential.”

A tourist’s perspective

Only a handful of visitors make the trip to the top of the lighthouse in St David’s – especially in the middle of Bermuda’s winter.

But for Patricia and Michael Ognall it was a ‘must see’ landmark on their recent trip to the island.

The couple, who originally hail from Leeds in the UK but now live in Portland, Oregon, had seen a photograph of the structure on a friend’s wall and were determined to take the trip out east.

Mr Ognall said: “We took the bus out here from Hamilton and it was worth the journey.

“It’s a fantastic structure and it’s a breathtaking view from up here. We have been back to Bermuda a number of times over the years and we got married here in 1966. But this is the first time we have ever been up
this way.

“It seems a shame that there is not more of an ‘attraction’ up here – like a café or something like that but I guess it is the off season.”

Unfortunately for the Ognall’s the Lighthouse was locked up when they made it to the landmark. But they had plenty of time to take in the views and have a good walk around before catching the bus back.

Mr Ognall said: “It would have been nice if the lighthouse had been open so we could have gone to the top.

“And there is not much information around to say exactly what you are looking at from up here.

“But it’s a fantastic, colourful old structure and I’m glad that we made the effort to come out here. I guess it’s a bit off the beaten track, but it’s certainly something Bermuda should be proud of and promote more.”