British Channel Islands

I’ve been to Guernsey (for work rather than a holiday) and it’s lovely. Kind of Cornwall meets Normandy. There are interesting reminders of WW2 (the Channel Islands have a tough history).

They’re perceived as quite wealthy - traditionally a bit of a tax haven, although I think that’s changed a bit.

Very relaxing. Beaches, nice little towns.

Warning: flights to and from Guernsey are notoriously often delayed by fog. I spent eight hours at Guernsey Airport waiting for a flight home - I think it was July - and there are barely any facilities there. They gave us all a pack of sandwiches and a bag of crisps. It’s that experience that makes me slightly reluctant to return.

Thank you so much. That is great information. I will look at ferry crossings from France instead of flights.

The major ferry operator is Condor- who operate from St Malo- https://www.condorferries.co.uk/

Jersey tends to work better from St Malo, rather than Guernsey.

Alderney is the most British of the islands but you pretty much have to fly in there- on Aurigny. There is no effective ferry service. For the first time this year they have flights from Paris CDG to Alderney on Monday and Friday.

These are small turbo prop aircraft.

From Guernsey there are also ferries to the other main isles of Sark and Herm. Sark is famously a car less island. It is essentially a feudal community with it's own laws and parliament- probably a day visit.

Herm is another car less Island, more of an away from it all holiday island. One company- Herm Island- run everything on the island.

I spent time on both last year - it was a nostalgic visit as it was 50+ years since I was last there! I loved it. The Islands have a completely different feel to the rest of the UK and a very relaxed atmosphere. Each of the individual islands has its own unique character too, so it makes sense to try and do both Jersey and Guernsey if possible. Both have an excellent (and cheap) bus service so you may not need to hire a car. once there. Roads are pretty narrow. The maximunm speed limit on Jersey is 40mph and 35 on Guernsey. You wouldn't want to go much faster!

Both Islands have very strict regulations on people wanting to come and settle. This helps control increase in population numbers and also new buildings. Both islands still have a lot of agricultural land. (Jersey Royal potatoes have a well deserved reputation.) You will find small honesty boxes throughout the island selling home grown produce. Depending on when you visit there should be lots of wild flowers in the verges too.

There is information about some of the different places on both here.

Jersey and Guernsey both have castles as well as Loophole towers (often incorrectly called Martello Towers) built in the late C18th in response to a danger of a French invasion as well as all the WW2 defences. There is a lot of history to discover, starting from the Stone age! There are some superb sandy beaches. Both St Helier and St Peter Port are attractive towns with a good range of shops. Other settlements are much smaller and often not much more than a collection of houses.

Sark and Herm can be done as day trips from Guernsey and it is worth trying to fit both of these in too. (Make sure you pick a dry day as there is no shelter on Herm and not much to do if it is raining.) If time allows, you might want to build in a two night stay on Sark. Daughter did this a few years ago and said it was a fantastic experience.

Alderney is the outlier although it does have a daily ferry service from Guernsey which takes about an hour (but can get cancelled in bad weather.)

If you have chance, definitely go for it!

I was just on Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney in April. I had a wonderful time. The islands are all beautiful, and the water is a gorgeous turquoise. There’s so much history — everything from Neolithic to WWII. Just fascinating. I loved the small islands the best, so don’t rule them out. They are quieter, prettier and more charming.

Although the islands are British, there is a strong French influence, especially in the names and food. Any place that has fish and chips and French bakeries is my kind of place!

We flew to Guernsey from Gatwick, and flew from Guernsey to Alderney. All four flights were on time. We ferried to Herm and Sark. One of the ferries was a half hour or so late. Perhaps we were lucky; I know weather can be a factor.

We've visited Guernsey 7 times and, obviously, we love it. It's a very inviting place and we've always been warmly welcomed. We've always flown from Gatwick and never had a delayed flight. We've not hired a car--the bus service is very good throughout the island. The history of the German occupation is fascinating, with museums such as the La Valette Underground Military Museum (within easy walking distance from St. Peter Port) and the huge fortifications built by the Nazis. The best selling novel and movie, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, tell the story of the occupation in a wonderful way. So many things to explore. Message me if I can be of any help.

@ Carole

If you go to Jersey, you could try Bean Around the World for coffee, pastries, and other bakery foods. It is close to the center of town.

You could mention to Dave Stokes, the owner, that you received a recommendation from a couple of louts in Margate Tasmania. His father-in-law, Dave (how strange to share the name) and his dodgy mate, Ron. He will probably tell you honestly what he thinks about us.

Regards Ron

I went to Jersey, Guernsey and Sark many decades ago and returned to Jersey in 2017. Over the course of those two trips (both during good-weather months), I had five major ferry trips planned (excluding the Guernsey-Sark day trip). Two of those sailings were canceled (St-Malo to Jersey ages ago and Jersey to Poole in 2017. The Jersey-Poole sailing was canceled three days running. Folks say I've been very unlucky; I say I'd be very reluctant to plan a ferry trip in that area if I had a tight itinerary.

I did enjoy both my trips, and I'd be glad to return. I'd make sure I didn't have costly hotel reservations I risked not bring able to use, though.

Thanks to all for sharing your experiences. Your input has convinced us that we should plan 8 to 10 days in the islands. Happy travels!!
Carole B

Proud Guernsey girl here!
My top recomendation is Hauteville House, Victor Hugos home for 15 years, he published Les Mis here and wrote Toilers of the Sea about the island. The house is truely amazing, unique. Our French visitors pilgrimage here like the English do to Stratford. He was also a massove social campaigner and got the death penalty revoked in the island 80 years before it was in the UK.
If I can be of any help please do let me know