Flatts Village

Flatts sits on the narrow inlet where Harrington Sound drains to the sea, and the tidal flow through that gap is fast enough to be a feature in itself. The village was a smuggling harbour in the eighteenth century, far enough from St George's for cargo to be landed without the authorities noticing, and it kept a reputation for it. It is now a quiet cluster of houses and small businesses around the bridge, with the aquarium at one end.

History

Flatts is one of the earliest settled areas of Bermuda and was once a useful harbour, though sand has since made the inlet too shallow for large vessels, valued, it is often said, for being far from the old capital of St. George's and its customs officers. The island's parliament sometimes met here, though the seat of government stayed at the State House in St. George's until it moved to Hamilton in 1815, and old warehouses and prominent houses survive from its busier past (Wikipedia, Flatts Village, Bermuda).

What you'll find

• The inlet - the narrow gap where Harrington Sound drains, with fast tidal flow.
• The bridge - the crossing at the centre of the village.
• The smuggling history - the eighteenth-century trade the village was known for.
• The waterfront houses - the buildings around the harbour.

When to go

March to November is the most comfortable. The tidal race through the inlet runs on every tide. Hurricane season runs June to November.

Practical notes

The village is very small and a short visit. Swimming in the inlet is dangerous because of the current. Facilities are limited.

Nearby

The Aquarium is at one end, and Blue Hole Park is east.

Key facts