Bermuda Shopping Tips by 850prc Top 5 Page for this destination

The Irish Linen Shop, Hamilton: One of the worlds best linen collections

The Irish Linen Shop in Hamilton has now been in business for well over 50 years, and they advertise that they have one of the most diversified collections of linen in the entire world. While I am FAR from a linen expert, it's easy to see that the collection of finery on Front Street is something very special. It reminded me of fancy shops I'd visited in Switzerland.

What to buy: The Irish Linen shop stocks one of the worlds most diversified linen collections, which includes 'Damask' from Ireland and Yves Delorme bed linens from Paris. And of course, they stock a varied selecdtion of "real Irish linens". They feature bed and table linens, accessories, and heirloom infant outfits and such. My parents would call this "an old ladies shop", and to some extent, it could be true. But, if you enjoy exploring the best in the world on anything, visiting the Irish Linen shop will add to your personal knowledge and repertoire.

What to pay: There is a wide variety of prices, and as you'd guess...this is quality stuff and is NOT cheap. From the ILS's website, here's a bit of pricing comment:

When asked the price of a tablecloth, the answer given is “From $50 to $3,650.00”!

The owners of the shop also enjoy completing special requests or challenges. This place IS all about quality and personal service.

And from a historical standpoint....MY mom bought a little linen "suit" for me at the Irish Linen Shop back in 1957, when we lived in Bermuda. I was one year old at the time.

Address: #31 Front Street, Hamilton

Directions: At the corner of Front and Queen Streets, harborfront Hamilton

Phone: (441) 295-4089

Theme: Other

Website: http://www.theirishlinenshop.com/

Various shops in Hamilton and St. George: If it's not Scottish, it's CRAP

Does anyone remember the old "Saturday Night Live" skit? The two old Scottish guys running a store and they always say "if it's not Scottish, it's CRAP". OK, just reliving my young adulthood.

There are several fine stores in both Hamilton and St. George that feature the finest in Scottish tartan clothing and haberdashery. You'll pay a pretty penny for such items, but you'll be getting the best woolen garments and cloth in the world.

What to buy: Coats, wraps, winter wear (!!!), slippers, socks, etc.

What to pay: It won't be cheap. But, it'll be excellent quality.

Address: Front Street, Hamilton & around St. George

Theme: Other

Bermuda Craft Market/Bermuda Arts Center: Maps, cedar, jewelry and other goodies

The Bermuda Craft Market and the Bermuda Art Center are excellent places to peruse and perhaps purchase local crafts. Some are more along typical tourist items...rum cakes, wonderful English jellies, sherry pepper sauces and such. But, ypu always have to pick up a few of those things, right?

And, there are some higher end items of interest as well. Specifically, I enjoyed the section of historic nautical maps. There were several framed maps and charts that were well over a hundred years old. Sure, they're a bit pricey, but for me, THIS is a great tourist buy.

There's also an area in the art center dedicated to the handmade Bermuda Cedar furniture of well-known local artist Chelsey Trott. Mr. Trott's handicrafts are gorgeous, but I have to admit that they were just beyond what I was looking to spend. $1000 for a table lamp isn't going to pass the "OK with the wife test". ;)

What to buy: My daughter enjoyed the jeweler on duty, as he gave her a great demo. He had all sorts of clever items for $20-$300 or so in price. Sara bought a pair of earrings.

The maps were definitely cool. Most of the historic maps are in the $200-$500 price range.

On the less-expensive tourist end of things, tasty jars of English lemon curd (GREAT on cheese scones in the morning) were about $8. Sherry pepper sauces were about $7-8 or so. There were quite a few native batik dresses and swim cover items, most were in the $40-$50 price range.

And on the truly low end, there are t-shirts, dolls, candles and other locally-made offerings.

What to pay: See above. Depends on what you want. If you need to get some tourist stuff for friends, you can do so for $10-15 each. And if you want to furnish your drawing room with Chelsey Trott original cedar furniture, you could probably spend about $30,000. :)

Address: Maritime Lane, Dockyards

Directions: Entrance is right across from the Bermuda Maritime Museum. (It's right next to the Frog and Onion Pub/Dockyard Brewing Company entrance)

Phone: 441-234-2809/441-234-3208

Theme: Local Craft

The Book Cellar: An old-time bookshop in St. George

OK, one more shopping tip on books... this one is for the historic town of St. George on Bermuda's east end. This is literally a little "cellar" shop, located a few steps below the street level on Water Street in old St. George.

There are items of interest to tourists, including nautical and historical titles. And, the Book Cellar has a delightfully musty little collection of used and darn-near antique books as well. For the true bookworm in your group, it's worth a stop.

And, if it happens to be raining outside, as it was when we were there, it's more than "any port in a storm", so to speak. Please leave your umbrella by the door.

What to buy: Books, local items of interest. And you should especially look through the used collection for that undiscovered gem.

What to pay: From little more than a dollar to $50 or so. Most of what's for sale here is quite inexpensive.

Address: Water Street, St. George

Other Contact: FAX (441) 297 4072

Phone: (441) 297 0448

Theme: Books

The Bermuda Book Store: A place to turn pages in Hamilton

I don't know, maybe it's my "second career" working for ForeWord Magazine. (www.forewordmagazine.com if you'd like to know more) But, when I travel, I'm especially apt to notice local independent bookstores.

If you have a need for reading material while in downtown Hamilton, make a turn onto Queen Street and look to your left. The Bermuda Book Store has a nice little collection of bestsellers, along with titles geared to Bermuda and its history.

The folks here are friendly and helpful, and although the Bermuda Book Store isn't a very BIG bookstore, it had something in common with almost every other bookstore in the world during our July visit... they were out of the new HARRY POTTER title.

What to buy: Hmmmm, I'd try books.

What to pay: Bargains starting at only a few dollars, up through stylish and stunning art/photographic "coffee table" books for closer to $100.

Address: Queen Street, Hamilton.

Directions: From downtown Hamilton, turn onto Queen Street from Front Street. Go about 1/2 a block and look on the left side of the road.

Phone: 441-295 3698

Theme: Books

Website: http://www.bermudabookstore.com

Dockyards Glassworks: Classical Glass

I have a separate tip describing the artisan demonstrations at the Dockyards Glassworks. And as I mention in that tip, I'm always in awe of glassblowers. Such a graceful craft.... if it weren't a certainty that I'd end up with 3rd degree burns all over my body, I might give it a try myself.

The Dockyard Glassworks has a wonderful selection of "classy glass" for sale. Plates, pitchers, objects d'art, jewelry. They have it all. And, it's all so beautifully colorful.

If you visit the shop first before watching them working in the studio, you'll probably find the prices a bit high. However, once you get an additional feel for the intensive labor required to create these treasures, you'll be more willing to summon your American Express. :)

What to buy: They have all sorts of things, from heirloom quality objects d'art to simple glass jewelry.

At the low end of the scale, there are little glass frogs, fish, etc. priced from $10-$25 or so. You know the item style...filled with color sand, etc.

Or, looking more at plates, pitchers, glasses and such, you're talking more into the hundreds of dollars. It all depends on what you buy.

What to pay: $10 up to hundreds of dollars.

Address: Maritime Lane, Dockyards

Directions: From the dockyard ferry stop, walk around the shopping arcade, past the Maritime Museum entrance. As you go around the "end" of the arcade, look on the right for the Dockyard Glassworks/Bermuda Rum Cake Company building.

Phone: 441-234-4216

Theme: Local Craft