Nestled cosily in the bay of St Malo and just 70 miles from mainland Britain, the Channel Island of Guernsey offers a unique environment where French and British influences meet, where you’ll order your meals in English and pay for them in sterling, and where inspiring cliff walks and gentle strolls through floral gardens are never far away.
This is a place of beachside kiosks and fresh, home-grown produce, a place where the tiny hamlets, commons and heritage sites provide an enormous treat for walkers, and the abundance and variety of our floral heritage will inspire you.
It’s a truly special place, one guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. It’s how holidays used to be. We think it’s how holidays should always be.
And everything about visiting Guernsey is easy. You can fly here from nine UK airports in as little as 30 minutes. Fast ferries make the crossing from Poole and Weymouth in around two and a half hours and a traditional ferry sails from Portsmouth. It doesn’t take long to get here, but once you are, you’ll feel a long way from home.
30 miles of coastline, 30 miles of variety
Whether flying into the island or arriving by sea, from the very first moment you arrive, you will not fail to notice the stunning natural beauty. Guernsey is a truly breathtaking sight. But probably the best way to explore is to get out and about on foot. Unwind on our beautiful cliff paths and find shaded woodland carpeted in bluebells every spring, before discovering coves and bays that inspired the great French artist, Renoir. Or spend a morning strolling wide sandy beaches, taking time out for a lunch at a
seaside kiosk, nestled between countless remnants from our rich heritage. And then trek along the coastal paths that wind almost all the way around the island, through hidden country lanes to the cobbled town streets.
And because of Guernsey’s relatively small size, you don’t have to drive for hours to get to it all. So, you have more time to enjoy it.
Neolithic settlers to wartime occupiers
Here on Guernsey, we’re proud of our heritage.
Our landscape offers reminders of the many, often turbulent, events that have shaped the region. As you explore, you’ll discover prehistoric standing stones and burial chambers.
You’ll uncover ancient forts and sea defences that punctuate the landscape and once guarded against French attack. And more recent events are evident in the watchtowers, bunkers and gun emplacements built during the World War 2 German occupation.
We’ve also been home to some famous figures. Most notably, Victor Hugo, who lived here during his exile from France. His St Peter Port home, where he wrote some of his best-known works including Les Misérables, still stands as a well-preserved monument to this eccentric genius.
View over Harbor of Saint Peter Port Guernsey
St Peter Port, the island’s vibrant capital
Widely regarded as one of Europe’s most picturesque harbor towns, with its terraces and tiled roofs clinging to the surrounding hills, St Peter Port is the jewel in our already gem-laden crown.
The gentle bustle of life conducted along cobbled streets and the sound of quiet chats from streetside cafés tumbles down to the port, where yachts bob on the placid harbour swell and where fishing boats are weighed down with the morning’s catch.
Indulge in a little retail therapy before enjoying a delicious seafood dinner in a restaurant overlooking the marinas and Castle Cornet beyond, or stroll through the tiny lanes of our lively and contemporary town that somehow manage to retain the character of a bygone era.
Herm, Sark and Alderney
Guernsey is also the jumping-off point for her sister islands – Herm, Sark and Alderney. Ferries regularly make the short crossings to Herm and Sark while Alderney is just a quick flight or ferry ride away.
Each island bristles with its own unique character. Herm, popular with visitors and locals alike, is a paradise of idyllic beaches, windswept common and small-scale rural scenes. Traffic-free Sark offers an escape from the modern world with its narrow lanes, cliff walks and rocky coves. And Alderney, despite its proximity to France, has evolved free from mainstream tourism and is packed with rich and varied wildlife, combined with a wild and rugged charm.
