Where is it? 

Guernsey makes up one of the many Channel Islands and is governed by its own parliament.  An interesting fact that you may not know is that Victor Hugo chose Guernsey as the place he wished to spend his exile.  Being so close to France it was a good choice and somewhere where he could be understood.  Guernsey also takes pride in commemorating those lives lost during the German occupation and you can find out all about that through various museums on the island.

Where should I be heading?

There’s no shortage of things to do in Guernsey so a good few days to a full week is definitely recommended if you want to explore the whole island.  First port of call should be the shops however…tax-free shopping always comes before sightseeing!  St Peter Port is where the main hub of activity takes place; being right by the harbour you have excellent sea views as well as being only a stones throw away from other secluded bays and beaches.

Entry requirements:

Although Guernsey is technically part of the United Kingdom and you shouldn’t need a passport, they do ask for some form of photographic identification at the airport.  Seeing as ID cards are a taboo subject at the moment and non existant – it’s just best to take your passport if flying from the UK.  Incidentally it only takes 40 mins by plane from Gatwick.

Health:

Sun screen, sun screen…did I mention sun screen?  Oh…and sun block!

Top 5 things to do:

1. Castle Cornet – This is a whole day out in itself.  The castle, which stands at the end of a long pier, boasts at least four museums that are crammed packed with artefacts, trivia and uniforms.  The maritime museum is the best and has lots of information to absorb.  Throughout the summer months, re-enactments of real life historic events take place in the grounds also.

2. The Underground Military Hospital – This is probably the only place that you can escape the blistering heat for a while during the summer.  The winding, dank, dark corridors of the German Underground Military Hospital tucked away in the rural countryside, provides an insight into the conditions injured Germans were brought into from the front line.  The German occupation lasted five years, yet as you will see down there, some of the tunnels were never completed and captured POWs died through forced labour.  The spookiest part was seeing the actual bed frames still lined up in what would have been one of the designated wards.  Signage on the walls like “Verboten” and “Achtung” made the experience ever more haunting.  Principally however most of it was used as an ammunitions storage base.

3. The Little Chapel at Les Vauxbelets – The Little Chapel is certainly worth the trek there if you don’t take the bus from St Peter Port.  What is said to be the smallest church in the world, was crafted and built by Brother Deodat of the de la Salle Brothers.  What makes it so different is that the entire inside and outside is decorated with china pieces, shells and pebbles.  It has to be seen to be believed.  Each piece looks like it’s meant to be there rather than just as a random piece on a collage – it’s amazing.

4. Sausmarez Manor – In the Parish of St Martin, which is easily accessible by bus, Sausmarez Manor provides the perfect setting for a day out.  The Manor itself is often open but you need to check times locally, however the gardens are the best feature.  A small fee is required but there is a vast sculpture park to be seen.  Some of the creations are totally innovative and can be purchased – if you have a spare £15000 or so going that is!

5. Fermain Bay – Guernsey seems to be full of hills and long descents and even longer ascents!  The actual bay itself is like something out of a postcard.  It is definitely worth the hike.  It can get a little busy in the summer though so get there early and stake your place on this pebbly beach with wonderful sea views.

Is it expensive?
Good bed and breakfasts can be quite expensive and charge per person per night in a lot of places, so it’s wise to shop around.  Don’t be fooled either by the pay more get more motto, where we stayed I had to complain because the staff were having a party in the bar at 2.30 in the morning on a weekday!
What's the food like?
The big focus is on seafood being so close to the water.  There are a lot of Italian places around and more general bars and bistros that cater for most tastes.
What are the toilets like?
Not too bad on the whole. I managed to find some when I needed them!
What to wear:
A good pair of shoes is recommended if you want to do a bit more exploring outside of St Peter Port. You can get the bus but it’s often nicer to see a bit of the countryside, especially if you’re coming from London!
Best time to visit:
Undoubtedly summer.
Don't miss:
Don’t miss out really. There are loads of places we didn’t get round to seeing like Victor Hugo’s house and the Victorian shop/building – so make sure you have a good plan of what you want to do during your time there.
Most overrated thing:
The buses. It may only cost you 50p for a single journey but you have to wait ages. Most go on an hourly basis which is not good when you’re stuck in another parish not knowing where the heck you are and then you end up walking miles back to St Peter Port! Oh yes, been there, done that!  Advantages though are that one goes directly to the airport. If we’d known that then we could have saved ourselves the taxi fare.
(5/5)

Photos: Mojo

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