With an appealingly mild climate, a determinedly ‘green’ environment and clear French influences everywhere, Guernsey offers an easy place for a relaxed break at any time of year. It’s also a delightful island for doing business, with none of the stress of a mainland city, and sights and attractions round every corner.
St Peter Port
Guernsey’s charming capital is built around an appealing harbour and castle, with a relaxed seaside ambience and plenty of shops, bars and restaurants on the characterful streets that lead up from the waterfront. From here you can catch water taxis to the undeveloped beach island of Herm.
St Peter Port’s harbour is dominated by the stronghold of Castle Cornet on its own tiny island. In the heart of the town you can find the main church for the whole island, simply called Town Church. Inside this medieval building you’ll find the flags of local garrisons over the centuries and memorials to prominent naval officers.
The coast
With a sequence of long, sandy beaches, pretty islands and rocky coves, the 38-mile coastline of Guernsey is one of its biggest attractions. Look out for fortifications ranging from Napoleonic defences to relics of the German occupation of the island during World War Two, while looking out for two old lighthouses at different points off the shore.
You can walk round the coast of Guernsey in a day if you’re feeling particularly energetic. A more leisurely approach is to tackle shorter sections of the path, taking time to enjoy wild cliff-tops, seabirds, wildflowers and stunning seascapes.
The south coast is more rugged, with sandy stretches backed by dunes along the west and north coast. The gardens and buildings of St Peter Port dominate the eastern shores. At the most westerly point, the tiny island of Lihou used to be a retreat for monks. Now it is accessible to visitors – but only at low tide.
To the Manor born
One of the island’s grandest buildings, Sausmarez Manor, stands in the hamlet of St Martins in the south-eastern corner of the island. This elegant, granite four-storey Queen Anne mansion stands amid landscaped parkland and subtropical gardens where ginger, yams and bananas grow outside.
It’s one of the island’s top family-friendly attractions. You’ll also find there’s an open air sculpture park, a small golf course, tearoom and children’s train ride too.
