The botanic island that's a must-visit for ramblers
The next few months are an excellent time to visit Guernsey. Today is Liberation Day, and the Spring Walking Festival will take place from 20 May to 4 June just as the Channel Island is awash with flowers in bloom. Our Guernsey-based writer has these tips for exploring the stunning region.
Any mention of Guernsey is often preceded by its larger neighbour, Jersey. Both islands are just off the coast of Normandy, but Guernsey is well worth visiting on its own merit, with interesting history and beautiful scenery.
Like Jersey, the island was occupied during World War Two, and still bears the scars of this period of history – the coastline is dotted with well-preserved fortifications built by the German army and there are a bunch of museums that tell the story of those dark days.
However, as the community celebrates the 78th anniversary of the island being free from Nazi tyranny and another summer rolls around, it is an opportunity to showcase Guernsey’s beauty to visitors. Last year Guernsey was blessed with 2,117 hours of sunshine, which is way above the UK average of 1,403 hours, and often ideal conditions for exploring Guernsey’s 50 kilometres of coastline and more than 40 beaches and bays.
It’s easy to do this independently, with the help of the Visit Guernsey app, but for two weeks during the Spring Walking Festival, a series of guided walks, of varying lengths and grades, is offered – one example of these is a leisurely stroll along Guernsey’s country lanes visiting hedge veg stalls, before sampling local produce from the Guernsey Hamper Company.
It is a short journey from both England and France to see the area. The trip takes just under two hours to travel from St Malo via ferry. Alternatively, visitors can fly from various points in the UK with Aurigny, Guernsey’s airline or travel with Condor Ferries from Poole and Portsmouth.
Here are more ways to enjoy this beautiful Channel Island:
Soak up some culture
The author of Les Miserables penned his French historical novel among other classics during the 15 years he spent residing in Guernsey. He was exiled from his home in France following the coup d’état by Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte in 1851. After being expelled from Belgium and Jersey, Hugo made his home in Guernsey. Situated a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal in St Peter Port, the five-storey Hauteville House was opulently designed and furnished by Hugo himself and feels like a work of art. Recently restored to its former glory, visitors can take a one-hour guided tour through the house (this must be booked in advance). The intricate garden is a bonus feature.
As well as Hugo, we are proud to have an association with the artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir who visited the islands in 1883 and created 15 depictions of Moulin Huet. There’s a Renoir Walk along the South Coast where you can discover the views that inspired his paintings.
Relax by the coast
Take it from me, Guernsey’s oceans are not the warmest to swim in during the summer months, but they can provide a refreshing paddle in the hot weather and there are some lovely sandy beaches. Pembroke Bay is a personal favourite, with two kiosks and a stretching coastline. Building sandcastles is not the only activity the Guernsey coast has to offer, however. Companies such as Outdoor Guernsey provide visitors with a variety of options, such as sailing, kayaking and stand up paddle-boarding. For more of an adrenaline rush, rib voyages and coasteering (exploring a rocky coastline by jumping, climbing, and swimming) are available.
If your clients have more time to spend on the island, they can take a day trip to car-free Herm. It is a smaller island, only 15 minutes away via boat, and the crystal clear seas provide a change of scene, as well as access to a large puffin colony, which can be viewed on a Puffin Patrol kayak tour with Outdoor Guernsey (April to July).
And marvel at a Little Chapel
This tiny attraction is situated only a 10-minute drive from the airport in St Andrews parish, and is surrounded by luscious green fields. It was created as a labour of love by a French monk in 1914, and is decorated with an intricate collection of broken china, seashells, and pebbles. Visitors can enter the Little Chapel from 9am to 5pm in the summer months, and it is free to enjoy. Although the doorway is a bit of a squeeze, the chapel has space for a small stairwell and an altar. Much like the TARDIS, it’s bigger on the inside.
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