Georgetown, Capital settlement on Ascension Island, United Kingdom
Georgetown sits on the western coast of Ascension Island and contains administrative buildings, a pier, a hospital, and Saint Mary's Anglican Church. The settlement has a simple layout with structures spread along the shoreline that form the core of island activities.
The Royal Navy established the settlement in 1815 as a strategic outpost to block French attempts to rescue Napoleon. Later it became an important hub for telegraph communications and naval operations in the South Atlantic.
The local museum displays objects related to telegraph history and documents the island's military presence over time. You can learn how this settlement connected with the world through communication technologies and naval operations.
Access to the settlement requires special permits from authorities, as the area has restricted access due to military installations. Visitors should plan ahead and allow time for the permit process before traveling there.
The area serves as a nesting ground where hundreds of green sea turtles lay their eggs between December and March. This breeding site offers visitors a chance to witness an important part of the marine ecosystem.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
