Bernards Township is a residential township in Somerset County, New Jersey, set in the rolling hills of the state's north-central region. The township is best known for its principal community, Basking Ridge, and the surrounding hamlets of Liberty Corner, Lyons, and West Millington. As of the 2020 census the township's population was 27,830, spread across a landscape that mixes suburban neighborhoods, historic farmsteads, and protected open space. The area's history reaches back to colonial settlement, and the township retains a strong sense of place through three designated historic districts — Franklin Corners, Liberty Corner, and the Lyons Veterans Administration Hospital — along with multiple properties on the State and National Registers of Historic Places, including the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church and the Brick Academy. This historic fabric coexists with mature, well-established residential neighborhoods. Bernards Township is closely associated with highly regarded public schools and commuter convenience. The Bernards Township School District serves students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade in six schools, and Basking Ridge Station on NJ Transit's Gladstone Branch connects the township directly to New York City, making it a practical home base for professionals working in Manhattan and Newark. Recreation and open space are central to daily life. Lord Stirling Park, operated by Somerset County, offers trails, natural areas, and an environmental education center at the edge of the Great Swamp, while the township's own parks and recreation programs serve residents of all ages. Housing spans a wide range, from condominiums and townhomes near the village center to large single-family homes on wooded, multi-acre lots, reflecting the township's evolution from farming community to commuter suburb. The combination of strong schools, historic character, and rail access has made Bernards Township one of Somerset County's most sought-after residential communities.