St. George's provides four centuries of rich history which is architecturally evident when you do a walking tour through the old town.

The ancient alleyways and streets evolved from the main footpaths of the early 17th century.

According to the National Trust, St. George's became a tourist destination in the 20th century and quaint names appeared on unnamed byways such as: "Printer's Alley, Turkey Hill, Needle and Thread Alley and Nea's Alley, and Old Maid's Lane.'' Most locals are familiar with Ordnance Island, Somer's Wharf and King's Square so this tour is headed north , across from Robertson's Drug Store, and is about a 15 to 20 minute walk at a leisurely pace. You might better take a small bottle of Evian along, particulary if you plan to sketch.

Enter Queen Street , named for King George III's consort, Queen Charlotte.

Continue north until you see a green sign on the left of an old, white wall which reads, " Turkey Hill, Dead End. '' Turkey Hill is a charming area and dates back to the early 1600s. It is highly populated with colourful pastel homes and borders on the northern most side of town adjacent to the St. George's Golf Course.

It is a quaint area, which was once a farming district which exported turkeys, chickens, and Easter lilies prior to about 1930. There is a pink home on this route which has a beautiful vegetable garden.

Turkeys are indigenous birds of North America and archives indicate that they were profitable for the farmers in this area for hundreds of years. Even today there are a few wild roosters, hens and chicks wandering about. Sometimes they travel as a family and other times you may see a hen with her chicks. Don't be surprised if you see one or two flying from tree to tree.

Listen for car horns as there are several very tight lanes along Turkey Hill.

The road has enough room for one lane driving. Some of the off spring lanes are only big enough for a bike or foot travel.

After you have seen this dead end street and explored the lanes, head back and turn on to " Needle and Thread '' which will lead to Printer's Alley .

Needle and Thread was once a popular area for the clothiers of St. George's.

Records indicate that in 1664 Thomas Parrott, tailor, was found guilty at the Assize of abusing his wife and was jailed for a week.

" Stockdale '' is located on Printer's Alley . This orange coloured house was the home of Joseph Stockdale who brought the first printing press to the colony in 1783 and founded the Bermuda Gazette . It is protected by a preservation order which does not allow exterior alteration. The back wing of the home has a scalloped Flemish gable.

Turn off Printer's Alley to the right and you will walk past Aunt Nea's Inn at Hillcrest .

Nea's Alley is a short street connecting Printer's with Old Maid's Lane. The Irish poet, Tom Moore, met his beloved Nea near this area. She is the focus of his poetic verse, "Odes to Nea''. In real live Nea was Hester Louisa Tucker married to her cousin, William Tucker. The couple formed a friendship with Moore.

Formerly known simply as "Hillcrest'', Aunt Nea's Inn was converted into a guest house in 1961 owned by the late Ellen Trew Robinson.

This fine home is a beauty with her expansive stone verandah across the front of the house. Stop and admire the walkway of flowers.

This well appointed property was built on two early land grants. Widow Alice Finney owned a home on the northern side and Daniel Jones erected a tone residence to the south in 1699. Mrs. Finney's daughter married Jones and the two properties merged to form one of the largest lots in St. George's.

Continuing on Printer's Alley you will meet Aunt Peggy's Lane which turns into Old Maid's Lane where you turn left, walk down the hill and you come back on to the main street, Duke of York Street.

If you get twisted around, don't worry there are usually friendly locals walking about. If you live up these parts it is easier to walk into St.

George's than drive.

In the early 1900s the streets were made of packed earth and limestone called, "gaol nuts'' for the prisoners who broke down large rocks into stones.

In 1997 the Corporation of St. George's repaved many streets with cobblestones from Wales.

Now you can head down to King's Square, catch a breeze and enjoy a refreshing drink.

Hidden from town: As the name suggests, turkeys were farmed on Turkey Hill years ago for export.

Quaint: A charming courtyard entrance near Nea's Alley.