Guernsey
Guernsey
Capital city description
Saint Peter Port, Guernsey's capital, is one of the most stunning harbor towns in all of Europe, located on the east coast of the island of Guernsey. The capital of Guernsey has been a busy port since the age of the Romans, and today it is beloved for its picturesque seafront marina and cobbled streets. St. Peter Port is a little town consisting primarily of steep, narrow streets and steps overlooking slopes. It houses an ancient Castle Cornet, also known as Cornet Rock or Castle Rock, constructed early in the 13th century on an offshore tidal islet.
The castle boasts five historical museums and four beautiful period gardens. Each museum conveys a different story aspect: the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum, the Story of Castle Cornet Museum, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum, the 201 Squadron Museum, and the Maritime Museum.
Climate
The climate of Guernsey is oceanic, cool, and humid throughout the year. August is the hottest month in Guernsey with an average temperature of 16.5°C (62°F), and the coldest is February at 5.5°C (42°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 8 in July. The wettest month is January, with an average of 100mm of rain.
Languages spoken
English is the language in use by the majority of the population of Guernsey; however, Guernesiais, also known as Guernsey French or 'patois.' is also a spoken language in Guernsey, a traditional native language of Guernsey.
Fun/Fascinating Facts
- The terrain in Guernsey is primarily flat with a few low hills in the southwest, perfect for walking and exploring its luscious green fields and beautiful coastline.
- Guernsey is well-known for its dairy produce, including milk, butter, cheese, and ice cream. The world-renowned Guernsey cow produces some of the wealthiest and most delicious dairy products globally because of its milk's high butterfat and protein levels.
- Guernsey's tidal range of 33 feet is enormous globally, transforming the coastline every six hours or so. High tides are excellent for swimming, and children love to explore the rock pools at low tide.
- Spring arrives four weeks earlier in Guernsey than mainland Britain, allowing some unique and beautiful flora to grow.
- Guernsey is home to one of the oldest postboxes in the British Isles. The post box in Union Street is the oldest cast-iron pillar-box still in use anywhere in the British Isles.
Unique Customs/Traditions
- Guernsey has a great tradition of Cornish Guernseys and 'knit frocks' – simply another way of saying, 'jumper.' In Guernsey Island, a practice of Cornish Guernsey and knit frocks originated way back in Queen Elizabeth the First. Admiral Lord Nelson made the Guernsey jumper a valuable part of the Royal Navy's uniform during the Napoleonic Wars. And Guernsey jumpers – or 'ganseys' - were even worn at The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. Designed initially for fishers, this is no ordinary jumper.
- Guernsey people are traditionally nicknamed donkeys or ânes, especially by Jersey people. Inhabitants of each of the parishes of Guernsey also have traditional nicknames, although these have generally dropped out of use among the English-speaking population.
- Guernsey traditional cuisines are the Guernsey gâche, a rich fruit bread, gâche mêlaïe, apple pudding, bean jar, a type of cassoulet of pork and beans, and conger soup.
Festivals & Events
Spring Walking Festival
Date: May
During Spring Walking Festival, locals and visitors take to the island’s trails in May for eight days. These walks meander along the coast, and the streets of St Peter Port and are tailored to different fitness levels.
With over 40 walks over both festivals, there is something to suit everyone: morning, afternoon, and evenings designed for all abilities. Walks are guided, and it is the best chance to discover parts of Guernsey you would not likely see on your own.
Guernsey Together Music Festival
Date: May
Guernsey Together Music Festival is the Islands' newest Summer Festival bringing you the best local bands and DJs all in one place. This two-stream family-friendly festival will get you up to 11 hours of 80's electro, Rock n Roll, Dance music, and much more.
With a host of local talent across multiple stages, a more extensive food village, and more entertainment, Guernsey Together Music Festival, is the biggest summer festival in Guernsey.
SarkFest
Date: First week of July
SarkFest is one of the year's fantastic main events in Sark, bringing a weekend of incredible music, great food, and exciting activities. The festival celebrates many genres of music ranging from Folk, country, blues, Acoustic, Reggae, and Rock on three stages for three days.
There is a range of food on offer from local retailers - Dom's lobster shack, Any's local sausages crepes, Te's doughnuts, and a lot more. With children's entertainment, yoga & Tai Chi are also on offer at a stunning clifftop location in the dark skies island of Sark.
Liberation Day
Date: May 9
Liberation Day is the most significant event in Guernsey and commemorates the islands’ freedom from the German Occupation. Celebrated annually on 9th May, the festivities allow islanders to remember the days of Occupation, which played such a monumental role in shaping both the landscape and the lives of the people of Guernsey.
The only part of the British Islands occupied, St Peter Port holds the most significant celebration with fun events and spectacular fireworks.
St Peter Town Festival
Date: July
St Peter Town Festival is one of the liveliest and most fun events for Guernsey locals and visitors.
Carnival is a weeklong festival in July with several events at St Peter Port, including parades, marching bands, street entertainment, and live music.
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Rocquaine Regatta
Date: 30th July
The Rocquaine Regatta is a fun-filled event at Rocquaine Bay on the west coast of Guernsey. The festival hosts unique boat races throughout the day, with fishing boats, small sailing boats, and motorboats participating in casual yet highly competitive races.
Pavement artists, the Guernsey Majorettes, and live music will accompany participants, spectators, and visitors all day, and an evening barbecue will complete a fantastic day of fun.
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Guernsey North Show and Battle of Flowers
Date: August
The Guernsey North Show and Battle of Flowers are famous events in Guernsey. Organized by the Northern Agricultural and Horticultural Society, the event takes place in the beautiful leafy setting of Sausmarez Park and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
The program of arena events includes showcasing local and off-island talent, a funfair, and numerous stall-holders providing refreshments and other items for sale throughout the two days.
Alderney week
Date: August
Alderney plays host to the most significant annual carnival in the Channel Islands annually in August.
The festival offers loads of live music and entertainment for the kids, along with parties, carnivals, and wild and wacky events for the whole family!
Attractions / Top Sights
Castle Cornet
When to visit: May to October
Castle Cornet is Guernsey’s ancient harbor fortress, isolated upon a rocky islet until the construction of a breakwater and bridge in the 19th century. The Castle features five fascinating museums which tell the story of Guernsey’s military and maritime history and four well-researched “period” gardens. The exhibits interpret the history of Castle Cornet using a variety of reconstructions, replicas, models, and original artifacts.
The Noon-day gun is one of the most famous and impressive spots. It is fired daily throughout the season by keepers clad in scarlet costumes who will stay and pose for photos with you after every firing.
Candie Gardens
When to visit: Spring
Established in the 19th Century, Candie Gardens is an exquisite garden in the heart of St Peter Port offering sensational views over the harbor and neighboring islands. A stunningly beautiful restored glass greenhouse, probably the oldest in the British Isles, hosts a unique collection of Guernsey Lilies. Candie Gardens provide a cozy environment to enjoy at any time of day.
Found within the garden grounds are the Guernsey Museum, which showcases the island's history, The Priaulx Library, where Guernsey's archives are kept, and, famously, a statue of Queen Victoria and one of Victor Hugo who lived in St. Peter Port for fifteen years.
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Fort Grey Shipwreck Museum
When to visit: May to October
Fort Grey is home to a Shipwreck Museum, telling the stories of many of the vessels that have come to grief on this beautiful but treacherous coast.
The museum contains many artifacts salvaged from the wrecks. From their fascinating information panels, you will learn the gripping tales surrounding the disasters from the HMS Sprightly in 1777 to the Vermontborg in 2003.
La Seigneurie Gardens
When to visit: May to September
La Seigneurie has been home to Sarks' Seigneurs. La Seigneurie Gardens provide a peaceful contrast to the windswept wildness of the island’s stunning coast. The beautiful gardens at La Seigneurie comprise a walled garden, a fruit, and vegetable garden, a sensory garden, rose beds, and a maze, amongst other horticultural delights.
The walled garden is overflowing with fascinating flowers and shrubs, and the stunning granite walls shelter many plants that can only survive under glass in other parts of the British Isles.
Lihou Island
When to visit: May to October
Located off the west coast of the island of Guernsey, in the Channel, Lihou Island is a stunning little tidal island sanctuary to many nesting birds and rich marine wildlife. Houses to Oyster Catchers, Ringed Plovers, and Peregrine Falcons are amongst the species you will spot.
This site is of great environmental importance, protected by the international RAMSAR convention. The island belongs to the States of Guernsey with The Lihou Charitable Trust looking after the house and its grounds.
Market Square
When to visit: May to September
Built in the 1770s, Market Square buildings provide the perfect Victorian backdrop for whiling away the hours at café restaurants with internal and alfresco tables, offering a mixture of shopping experiences & dining Marketplace hosts musical ensembles throughout the summer months and several events such as the Guernsey Literary Festival, the clowns, Punch & Judy, and opera singers of the annual Town Carnival.
Furthermore, Market Square is also the island’s Fresh Friday market, seeing local traders set up shops selling fresh produce & street food. Fresh Friday market can be found within the Inner Street of Market Buildings during the winter months.
Sausmarez Manor
When to visit: In summer
Sausmarez Manor is one of Guernsey's most beautiful and historical places. It houses architecture, artifacts, and art relating to family members who have been Sailors, Soldiers, Inventors, Adventurers, Explorers, Judges, Generals, Admirals, Artists, Governors, Privateers, Sportsmen, Teachers, Diplomats, Merchants, and collectors. Parts of the Manor are thought to date back to the early 13th or late 12th centuries, and the front of the house is regarded as the finest example of Queen Anne Colonial architecture in Britain.
Sausmarez Manor hosts regular exciting events such as Farmers Market every Saturday, Evening Ghost Tours, Manor Railways Ride-on Train, and many more.