Guernsey Travel Guide - Overview

Think all the quiet charm of Jersey with fewer of the trappings of mass tourism, and what you have is the tranquil island of Guernsey. Indeed tranquil in this case really does mean bucolic: wooded valleys, sunsets over the Atlantic Ocean, botanical gardens, secret coves and cliff-top walks are amongst the island gems that will guarantee relaxation. And this is all available with the added bonus that Guernsey is incredibly child-friendly and an ideal family holiday location. Safe beaches with gorgeously blue water await you.

Beyond the beach, Guernsey has wonderful facilities for activities such as cycling and golf. It also has oodles of history. As far back as the 11th century, Guernsey and the other Channel Islands (les Isles Normandes) were part of the Duchy of Normandy. When William, Duke of Normandy, conquered England, they were incorporated into the combined realm of both England and Normandy. King John of England lost mainland Normandy to the French 140 years later but the Channel Islands stayed loyal to England.

Today, Guernsey enjoys a large degree of internal self-government, having developed its own legal and political institutions, and is also responsible for the government of neighbouring Alderney.

History is apparent all around the island. Evidence of Neolithic man is everywhere, in burial chambers and defensive earth works, long excavated and unveiled. Fortifications, testament to Guernsey's many attempts throughout history to repel invasion, can be seen in edifices like Castle Cornet, now housing an excellent museum. Germany briefly occupied the islands during WWII, and left its mark in bulwarks and buttresses.

Guernsey's sea air encourages a hearty appetite, and the island's fertile sea and soil provides the island's cuisine with a host of ingredients, from seafood to locally grown vegetables. Whether you decide to eat in Guernsey's gourmet restaurants or simply at a beach kiosk, you will be very well catered for.