4 Star Accommodation in Guernsey 57

Regarded as British Crown Dependencies, yet with their own separate governments and currencies, the Channel Islands are made up of two separate bailiwicks. The largest of the five main islands is the Bailiwick of Jersey, whilst the Bailiwick of Guernsey comprises Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.

The Islands are a gastronomic delight with an abundance of fresh fish, lobsters, crabs, scallops and the local delicacy of ormers, native to Channel Islands’ waters.

And when the time comes for the tide to rise again, you’re ready to dive back in. CHANNEL ISLAND FACTS

With many road and place names in French, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d arrived in France!

Escape to Sark where there are no cars, only bicycles and horse drawn carriages.

Both Guernsey and Jersey’s world-famous cows are renowned for producing the creamiest milk in the world.

Jersey and Guernsey use the British Pound and each Bailiwick still uses their own £1 note.

Beautiful beaches

Hidden coves

Miles of unique coastline

NESS Reservations Advisor

“Although Jersey has some of the best beaches in the world, my favourite has to be St. Brelade’s Bay. I love nothing more than watching my son build sand castles on the pristine white sand as the tide gently laps at the shore.”

GINA Reservations Advisor

“There are some really fun ways to see what Jersey has to offer and one of the most exciting is by sea. Jersey Bus Tours offer a Sunset Boat Tour, when you have your sunglasses on, a glass of wine in hand and the spectacular views you’ll agree that it’s the perfect night out!”

BECKY Reservations Advisor

“I love Guernsey because it’s a great base for Island hopping, with Sark and Herm both within easy reach by boat. There’s nothing like spending a Summer’s day exploring Herm with friends, rounded off with fish & chips and a Rocquettes cider at the Mermaid Tavern.”

Stunning clifftop walks

Island landscapes

You’re never more than 10 minutes from the sea in any of the Channel Islands

Plemont Bay, Jersey

PICTURE PERFECT

There are quaint villages to explore such as the picture perfect fishing harbour of Gorey in Jersey. Set against the majestic backdrop of Gorey Castle, all along the working harbour there are a range of restaurants and cafés to choose from. Kings Mills in Guernsey has granite farmhouses with thatched roofs and picturesque window boxes, brimming with colourful flowers during the summer months.

BEACH LIFE

You’re never more than 10 minutes from the sea in any of the Channel Islands and there are scores of beaches to choose from. The secluded south coast beaches of Guernsey, the wide open sandy bays of St. Brelade’s or St. Aubin’s in Jersey, to the tropical looking Shell Beach in Herm or the frequently deserted golden sands of Saye Beach in Alderney; each island has its own unique spots.

SONIA Reservations Advisor

“Guernsey’s south coast offers a wealth of woodlands, coves, bays and dramatic clifftop views. Stop off for a picnic at Moulin Huet, Renoir’s favourite place to paint!”

LIZ Reservations Advisor

“Jersey Seafaris offer an amazing trip on their RIB to the beautiful Les Ecrehous islands where you can ride alongside dolphins and see lazy seals on your way to picnic on one of the isolated banks.”

UNIQUE COASTLINE

The Channel Islands have some of the highest tidal ranges in the world, making them a fascinating place to discover the rich sea life that inhabits the abundant rock pools. It also allows for a carefully planned visit along the causeway to the tiny island of Lihou, situated off Guernsey’s west coast or Elizabeth Castle just off St. Helier, the bustling capital of Jersey.

The Islands’ top 6 events

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EXPERIENCE THE JERSEY BATTLE OF FLOWERS Enjoy a week in Jersey experiencing one of Europe’s most spectacular floral carnivals. This exclusive holiday package includes a behind-the-scenes tour of floats as they complete their final preparations for the parades, a ticket to the day parade and a ticket to the eye-catching moonlight parade. WITH OUR EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY PACKAGE £489pp (based on Norfolk Hotel)

Call us to find out more and book

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For the full festival and events calendar, see page 15 for Jersey and page 55 for Guernsey.

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BATTLE OF FLOWERS August. Jersey’s Battle of Flowers, is one of the best floral carnivals in Europe. This unmissable event sees a vibrant parade with stunning flower floats, colourful dancers and fun street entertainers.

AIR DISPLAY September. World-renowned aircraft, old and new, perform across the Islands’ skies.

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HERITAGE FESTIVAL April & May. Rejoice and relive the key events that have shaped our unique Islands.

FOOD FESTIVAL September. Celebrate food in Guernsey with markets, shows and promotions.

FÊTE DE NOUÉ December. Local crafts, choirs and parades make up Jersey’s Christmas Markets.

Bring your

appetite

The Channel Islands are a truly a gastronomic smorgasbord of culinary delights, for which all tastes are deliciously catered.

With everything from Michelin starred restaurants, to family friendly diners to individual beach cafés serving the freshest of crab sandwiches and delicious cream teas.

If it’s fresh from the sea you are after, look no further than freshly caught sea bass, mackerel, plaice, crab, lobsters, scallops, oysters, as well as the seasonal local delicacy of ormers.

Who can resist the world famous Jersey Royals, the first new potatoes of the season or juicy Guernsey tomatoes? What about Guernsey gâche, the delicious fruit bread, made even tastier with a generous spread of Guernsey butter? A variety of food and drink festivals take place throughout the year. Plus, each autumn sees the very popular Tennerfest, with over 170 Channel Island restaurants offering competitively priced set menus.

24 2 Jersey has 2 Michelin starred restaurants.

1,500 There are only 24 days during the year on which ormers, also known as abalones, can be fished in Guernsey.

20 The peak of the potato season is May, when up to 1,500 tonnes of Royals can be exported daily.

The Guernsey International Food Festival hosts over 20 events across 10 days each autumn. 24

Jersey’s famous and unique black butter is traditionally made with over 24 hours of continuous stirring!

Given such a varied history, the Channel Islands have eclectic and extensive historical landmarks providing visitors with endless sightseeing possibilities.

As the only part of the British Isles occupied by the Germans during World War II, the Channel Islands have a lot of historical tourist attractions.

The Jersey War Tunnels, the Guernsey Underground Hospital and German Occupation Museum are all worth a visit. German observation towers and bunkers still remain on the islands.

Dating back even further are Elizabeth Castle in Jersey and Castle Cornet in Guernsey, from which the Noon Day Gun is fired during the tourist season, as well as historical re-enactments. Castle Cornet also houses an impressive five different museums. The Islands’ history dates back even further with a range of Neolithic and Medieval places of interest open to visitors.

Past into Present Past into Present

Castle Cornet, St. Peter Port, Guernsey

Liberation Day Celebrations

DISCOVER JERSEY’S PAST WITH OUR HISTORY AND HERITAGE HOLIDAY PACKAGE

Explore up to 4 Jersey Heritage attractions and the worldrenowned Jersey War Tunnels during a fascinating Jersey break. This exclusive package includes entry to the War Tunnels and a Jersey Heritage pass.

£289pp (based on Norfolk Hotel)

Call us to find out more and book

Experience the ‘Guernsey Literary

Potato Peel Pie Socie ty’ and

The film adaptation of the novel ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ set for release in April 2018, will shed a new light on the German occupation of Guernsey and the Channel Islands during WWII.

Directed by the legendary Mike Newell and starring Lily James and Michiel Huisman, the film follows the story of a free-spirited journalist who forms a life-changing bond with the eccentric Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; a book club that united islanders through literature when German soldiers controlled Guernsey.

Literary fanatics and film buffs can experience the Guernsey depicted in the novel and the film on themed tours that encompass locations featured in the story.

Full details of these tours will be available early 2018.