Attractions

 

Guernsey has over 28 miles of stunning cliff paths offering walkers spectacular coastal scenery along the south coast.

A great way to explore St Peter Port for yourself is to use the following well-worn self-guided tour route:

 

1. Start at the Liberation monument near the harbour and after crossing to the taxi rank, walk up Le Truchot, the heart of the banking industry. Most of the buildings are new, but are in keeping with the pitched roofed warehouses which used to occupy this area of town until the 1980s. Take the first left and left again which takes you into La Plaiderie, the site of the former court house which was demolished in 1929. Moores Hotel on the right used to be the home of Admiral Lord de Sausmarez.

2. Continue up the quaint cobbled street of the Upper Pollet towards the High Street. The building now occupied by Boots was the home of the famous Guernseyman Major General Sir Isaac Brock, who saved Canada for the British Empire but was killed in action at the age of just 42 in 1812 at Queenston Heights, Niagara.

 

3. Take Smith Street on the right and half way up you will see an old water pump on the left dated 1828 and, on the right, one of six stones referred to as Les Barrieres de la Ville, erected in 1700 to mark the position of the original gates of the town, when St Peter Port was a walled town.

 

4. At the top of Smith Street is a War Memorial and on the left are the Royal Court Buildings, Greffe (public registry office) and the States of Guernsey Deliberation Chamber. If you continue up St James Street with the sunken garden to your right, you will find the the former church of St James the Less, wonderfully restored and now a concert and assembly hall.

 

5. Go past the impressive buildings of the Elizabeth College public school and turn right into Upland Road, past the Royal Bank of Canada building. Go left and aim for the impressive Victoria Tower built in celebration of Queen Victoria's visit in 1846. Opposite the tower is the Cimitiere des Etrangers (foreigners' Cemetary), offering some of the most breathtaking views from St Peter Port. At the end of that road is Candie Road. A visit to Candie Museum and its fabulous gardens is a must. Highly recommended also is a view of the Priaulx Library, with its excellent archive records.

 

6. Afterwards, re-trace your steps up Candie Road and turn right towards Cambridge Park and right again at the Duke of Richmond Hotel. This will take you past the former Les Cotils Nunnery which is now a Christian Retreat Centre. The walk will be worthwhile, for at the end of the road, from a site called the Blue Mountains, you will get the most spectacular view overlooking St Peter Port and the other islands including Alderney and Jersey on a clear day. From there you can walk down towards St Julians Avenue and back to where you started.


Port Soif Nature Trail

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Specially designed with the needs of disabled people in mind. Pond, unusual plants, wildlife and pondlife.


Talbot Valley

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Beautiful wooded areas either side of the valley road. Wet meadow, freshwater pond and spring orchids.


Bluebell Woods

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In springtime, the woodland floor becomes a carpet of blue beneath the budding tree canopy.


St Saviour Reservoir

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Important area for the freshwater and woodland habitat it provides for wildlife. The Millennium Walk is a peaceful path around the resevoir.

 

For more information visit the Guernsey tourist information website:

From April to September, why not take a Herm Island Garden Tour led by a Kew-trained island Gardener - contact Trident Travel on 721379.

Website: www.herm-island.com


Sark Garden Tour

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From early May to mid September, you can join a Sark Island Garden Tour - please contact Chris Curtis on 832336.


Victor Hugo Trail

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Victor Hugo was immediately captivated by Guernsey: he was struck by the harshness of its cliffs and the gentleness of the inland scenery. He appreciated both ‘the breath of the ocean’ and ‘the breath of the flowers’. At the same time that he was creating his amazing home, ‘Hauteville House’, he was completing or publishing major works: La Légende des siècles (‘The Legend of the Centuries’), Les Misérables, Les chansons des rues et des bois (‘The Songs of the Streets and Woods’), Les Travailleurs de la mer (‘Toilers of the Sea’), etc.

 

He was led to express his gratitude in the dedication of this novel: I dedicate this book to the rock of hospitality, to this corner of old Norman land where resides the noble little people of the sea, to the Island of Guernsey, severe and yet gentle…’.

 

This 'VICTOR HUGO TRAIL' in Guernsey, marked by forty selected stops, is an invitation to discover, in the company of the poet, this Channel Island, its heritage as well as its traditions, as well as references to the islands of Herm, Sark and Alderney.

 

It will perhaps also be an opportunity to delve more deeply into the life and work of the man who lived for over fifteen years in 'wild and pleasant' Guernsey.

 

For a PDF route map click here.


For a PDF detailing more information about walking in Guernsey click here.

 

Fishing Guernsey is the online encyclopedia to fishing off the coasts of Guernsey. Andy Marquis gives anglers and fishermen in-depth information on where to find the best fishing, including open forums for fishing enthusiasts to share their stories and suggestions.

 

From the types of baits to use, to the various species of fish they catch, Fishing Guernsey gives islanders and visitors answers to frequently asked fishing questions. You can charter a boat, learn how to tie rigs and knots, and find out where to fish with Fishing Guernsey's detailed maps.

 

Take a look at the breathtaking pictures that Andy and Bryn have taken of Guernsey's beautiful landscape. You can even hire a shore guide to take you and your fishing party on an educational adventure.

 

For more information contact Andy at www.fishing-guernsey.co.uk

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There is no better way to enjoy the sights and smells of the idyllic Guernsey countryside than heading off on a cycle and seeing where pedal power can take you!

 

There are plenty of quiet country and coastal lanes just waiting to be discovered - and how better to do that than by packing a picnic and designating a day to be spent on two wheels instead of four.

 

Taking the two wheel alternative is not only a healthier option (think of all that fresh air and exercise) but you will also see things that only whiz by you when travelling by car.

Picturesque houses, leafy lanes, beautiful flower filled meadows, sleepy farmyards suddenly come into focus. And you can take time and explore them at your leisure.

Cycling in Guernsey is definitely on the up - more and more locals are joining the ranks - and in recognition of this VisitGuernsey has designed specific cycle routes, which are approved and well sign posted.

 

The cycle guide book which outlines the 11 routes and which gives detailed maps of each route, is produced by VisitGuernsey and can be obtained from local bookshops. For further information you can also contact the Visitor Information Centre at the North Esplanade on (0)1481 723552.

 

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The islands of Guernsey offer some of the most challenging and rewarding racing and cruising conditions in Europe, with steady winds, secluded bays, big tides and world-class marina facilities. St Peter Port, the capital of Guernsey, is a tumbling, picturesque town of cobbled streets with French names and a waterfront of shops, housed in cellars that once stored privateers' booty. St Peter Port is a cosmopolitan cornucopia of fine restaurants and buzzing bars. All this awaits crews in search of a good run ashore. With its surrounding islands of Alderney, Herm and Sark, all set against the backdrop of the neighbouring Normandy coast, Guernsey is probably the definitive location for cruising in Europe.

 

St Peter Port is a busy harbour during the summer months and care should be taken when entering and departing. A red light on the south end of the jetty and inter-island quay indicates that large vessels are underway and prohibits entry and exit of other vessels except boats of 15m or less, under power. On arrival, visiting craft will normally be met by a member of the marina staff receive, who will give directions for mooring along with a Yachtsmen's Guide and a customs form.

 

The Yachtsmen's Guide gives details of the regulations for visiting yachtsmen whilst in the harbour of St Peter Port. The marina staff are on duty 24 hours a day. The Marina Manager should be contacted by the owners of larger craft for confirmation of berthing arrangements, prior to arrival and also by anyone requiring special facilities. The Queen Elizabeth II Marina is primarily for local boats; however, by prior arrangement, larger vessels with draughts up to 3m can berth there. Please contact the Marina Manager/ Duty Harbour Officer.

 

Guernsey Harbour
Website www.guernseyharbours.gov.gg
Email guernsey.harbour@gov.gg

 

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Diving the waters around Guernsey is very different to diving those around Britain. For a start the water is renowned for temperature too is usually two or three degrees above that of the mainland. Because Guernsey is an island, there are plenty of different dive sites to visit ranging from reefs and wrecks to walls, steep pinnacles and open ground. There are literally hundreds of wrecks strewn around the rocky sea bed, some of which date back to Roman times.

 

For more information call Dive Guernsey on +44 (0)1481 714525