Guernsey
| |
| Capital | Saint Peter Port |
| Currency | Guernsey Pound - on parity with British pound (GBP); Jersey notes also accepted, but Channel Island currency not accepted in UK |
| Population | 64,587 (July 2002 est.) |
| Electricity | 230V/50Hz (European plug) |
| Country code | +44-1481 |
| Time zone | UTC |
| Emergencies | 112, 999 |
| Driving side | left |
| edit on Wikidata | |
Guernsey is a group of islands in the English Channel, part of the Channel Islands.
Islands
- Guernsey Island - smaller than Jersey and pretty, with a smaller town but less open countryside than Jersey.
- Alderney - highest number of pubs per head of population in the Islands, and with a lot of accessible open countryside. A centre for e-gambling.
- Sark - the last feudal society in Europe.
- Herm - a tiny, lovely island off Guernsey where Guernsey people go for a day out.
- Jethou a tiny island off Guernsey with a handful of houses on it.
- Lihou - a tiny island off Guernsey reachable by a tidal causeway where there are interesting monastic ruins.
- Burhou - a tiny island off Alderney. A bird sanctuary where the former farmer's cottage can be rented from the Alderney Government.
- Brecquou - a privately owned island owned by two brothers (the Barclays) who are reclusive billionaires.
- Les Casquettes ("The Caskets") - small group of rocky islets formerly inhabited by a lighthouse keeper, now uninhabited and the site of an automatic light.
Cities
Understand
The islands of Guernsey and the other Channel Islands represent the last remnants of the medieval Duchy of Normandy, which held sway in both France and England. The islands were the only British soil occupied by German troops during World War II.
Get in
Guernsey can only be reached by plane or boat.
By plane
Guernsey Airport has flights to:
- The UK - London (Gatwick and Stansted), Southampton, Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands and Exeter. There are seasonal services to Norwich, Edinburgh and Belfast.
- France - Dinard. There is a seasonal service to Grenoble
- Isle of Man
- Jersey
- Alderney
- Netherlands - Rotterdam (April-September only)
- Germany - Stuttgart and Dusseldorf (April-September only)
Flybe link Guernsey to 22 destinations including Scotland (Aberdeen#, Edinburgh, Glasgow# and Inverness#), Ireland (Belfast and Dublin#), England (Birmingham, Exeter, Leeds/Bradford#, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle#, Norwich and Southampton), Switzerland (Geneva#), Germany (Frankfurt#), France (Chambery# (winter only) and Paris CDG#), Netherlands (Amsterdam#), Spain (Malaga#), Isle of Man# and Jersey. (# – need to change planes)
Aurigny link Guernsey to similar destinations to FlyBe, but can sometimes be used as a cheaper alternative; destinations include: Gatwick, Stansted, East Midlands, Southampton, Bristol, Dinard, Grenoble, Alderney, Jersey and Manchester.
BlueIslands are the 3rd airline who operate year-round Guernsey services to and from Alderney, Geneva, Isle of Man, Jersey, Southampton and Zurich.
By boat
Ferries run from St Peter Port to the UK, France and other Channel Islands. There is a conventional ferry year round from Portsmouth, and high speed catamarans from Weymouth and Poole in the summer with a less frequent service in the winter. The conventional ferry runs in all weather, the catamarans can be delayed or cancelled by high seas.
- The UK - Portsmouth, Poole, Weymouth
- France - St Malo (year round), Dielette (summer only), Granville (summer only, infrequent)
- Jersey
- Sark
- Herm
The two ferry operators between the Channel Islands and the UK/France are Condor Ferries and Manche-îles Express.
Get around
There are no trains on the island; roads are small but not busy. The island is 6 miles long x 3 miles wide, so a bicycle is a good way to get around. Alternatively there are hire cars available, taxis and a frequent bus service during the day.
The other Channel Islands can all be reached by ferry from St Peter Port. Jersey and Alderney can also be reached by plane.
Talk
Overwhelmingly English is spoken, but Norman-French Guernesais is taught in schools in a bid to preserve it.
See
- Castles Cornet and Carey in Saint Peter Port.
- The Royal Courthouse in Saint Peter Port.
- The causeway La Coupée between Little and Big Sark.
- Disused silver mines at Little Sark.
- Herm's beaches.
Do
Buy
Economy
Financial services - banking, fund management, insurance, etc. - account for about 55% of total income in this tiny Channel Island economy. Tourism, manufacturing, and horticulture, mainly tomatoes and cut flowers, have been declining. Light tax and death duties make Guernsey a popular tax haven. The evolving economic integration of the EU nations is changing the rules of the game under which Guernsey operates.
Guernsey Pound on parity with British pound (GBP); Notes from Jersey are also accepted. Note - Guernsey pounds are not accepted in the UK and should be changed for UK pounds before leaving the islands. ATMs generally describe which currency is being dispensed - 'Local' or 'Sterling'. Although UK pounds can be used in Guernsey.
Eat
Most international cuisines are represented with, not surprisingly, fresh local seafood taking centre stage. For nice views and good food head for L'Auberge de Jerbourg, La Fregate, La Nautique, Pier 17, Sawatdi (Thai) or Mora's. The Crow's nest has good views but is overpriced. Le Petit Bistro and L'escalier for French and Da Nello's for Italian.
Summer in Guernsey is all about al fresco dining, with long cliff top lunches and leisurely gatherings at old farmhouse restaurants. One of the locals’ best-kept secrets is fresh fish and chips and chilled local cider on the wall outside the Rockmount Cafe at Cobo Bay, the locals' favourite for sun set. Crabby Jack's is another good sunset location on the west coast; caters for families and large groups and around 11pm the dance floor fills up for some old fashioned rocking to all time favourites (NB not for a romantic meal a deux!).
Guernsey’s beach kiosks are a gastronomic odyssey in their own right. The Fermain Beach Cafe started life as a kiosk and evolved into a bistro-cafe specialising in seafood. You can work up an appetite (or work off lunch) with a stunning clifftop walk and then sit down to local crab sandwich, scallops with bacon or locally caught monkfish or sea bass with a view of Guernsey's prettiest bay. In summer, you'll need to book two weeks in advance tel 01481 238636. For a wooden basket of traditional cream tea (to take to the beach) head for the kiosk in Saint's Bay or Portelet Bay (the latter more accessible for wheelchair users).
Picnics are also popular. For the ultimate spontaneity, pack fresh French bread and cheese, local tomatoes and paté and a bottle of wine and head for the cliffs. There’s a view from a bay or winding path that really is yours alone. Alternatively check the diary of castle Cornet http://www.museum.guernsey.net/outdoor_theatre.htm for outdoor theatre or, in summer, live music on Friday nights (usually free). Come early and eat your picnic on the top lawns of the castle, descent with your bottle of wine to watch outdoor theatre or life music in a great medieval setting. (NB dress warm!)
Breakfast: Bacon butties from Nelia's Bakery, Continental style breakfast at Victor Hugo's, fry ups at White Rock cafe, Halfway Cafe or Half Moon cafe.
Guernsey cream teas: The OGH hotel is an excellent location for wintertime cream teas. The Victoria Cafe in Candy gardens has excellent views (but you mustn't be in a hurry). Cobo tea room on the west coast has excellent home made cakes. Or sample a piece of coffee cake from the kiosk at Port Soif; no real indoor space there but a lovely sheltered garden to hang out in.
- Market Kitchen, Market Square, St Peter Port (5 mins walk from Harbour seafront), ☏ +44 1481 712249. Good coffee with a slice of homemade cake. Milkshakes for kids. Wine, beer and local cider for the adults. Very pleasant indeed. Sit outside in the al-fresco area, there is sometimes live music and you are in Guernsey's only public square watching the world go by. Worth a visit.
Drink
There are lots of pubs to be visited all over the island, in St Peter Port the pubs are easy to find and are mostly along the waterfront. Laska's has an enormous list of cocktails and is a popular spot. Start here and work your way north along the waterfront, ending at the taxi rank.
Sleep
- Ellingham Cottages, Camps du Moulin, St. Martins, ☏ +44 1481 239360. Check-in: 2:00, check-out: 10:00. Highly recommended well appointed cottages rated 4 Star by Guernsey Tourism. Operated to high standard of presentation and cleanliness. The owners take great pride in welcoming their guests to Guernsey and provide hospitality and services well above most establishments. Situated in the parish of St. Martins, the Cottages are a ten minute walk from Guernsey's dramatic cliffs and beaches and a short two minute stroll to the village centre, pubs, restaurants and shopping. Fans of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will find many locations referenced in the book within walking distance from the cottages. Seasonal discounts and last minute deals are available on website. Noted for a high level of customer service and attention to detail. 75 Sterling.
Learn
There are plenty of opportunities to learn in Guernsey with everything from ceramics to surfing on offer. If you, or your child, want to try something creative while visiting there is a good gallery with art workshops in the older area of town. The Gallery (www.thegallery.gg) is at the top of a cobbled hill (Mill Street) which goes up from the old markets. There you can sign up for pottery, mosaic, painting and photography workshops. There are also plenty of fun and unusual things on offer for children.