Essential Hotels > England > Channel Islands > Guernsey

Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands after Jersey and comes under the Bailiwick of Guernsey along with smaller islands Herm, Sark and Alderney. The island boasts a wealth of impressive scenery, whether that is seen in its beaches, its cliff paths, its towns and villages or its inland countryside. One of the most popular and indeed memorable features of Guernsey is its favourable tax climate which ensures its high profile among offshore banks and the like.

Although Guernsey, as with the other Channel Islands, is very near to France it remains under the British crown. This has been the case since Norman times when the islands first came under English rule; the island is self-governing even still and has its own stamps and currency, as well as distinctively blue post boxes and telephone boxes instead of the traditional red on the mainland. It is possible to use British pounds on the isles within the Bailiwick of Guernsey however.

St Peter Port is the capital of the island and is the only port, welcoming and departing ferries to the other nearby islands as well as to France and Britain. It is also possible to access Guernsey by plane as the island is home to Guernsey Airport. The major sectors of the local economy revolve around fishing, dairy farming and flower growing; Guernsey cows and donkeys are familiar sights on the island with the former producing a rich and creamy milk.

In terms of history Guernsey is home to one of Europe’s oldest manmade structures known as Les Fouillages burial mound. Later the Romans visited the land and left their typical marks on the region before the area became a part of Normandy from 933, and so D’gernesiais has been used as a local language since. As is obvious to assume, the sea has played a substantial role in the history of Guernsey with fishing and shipbuilding prominent pastimes and its location proving ideal for merchants. More recently, the 20th century has seen the likes of poet Victor Hugo come from Guernsey and it was he who wrote famous novel Les Miserables. Other historical features from the last century can be seen in the remnants of the Second World War in the way of a fortifications labyrinth and museums.

Places to visit while staying on this Channel Island include the Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum, the Guernsey Freesia Centre, the German Occupation Museum and Victor Hugo’s House. There are also Walking Festivals on Guernsey if visitors prefer to embrace the great outdoors.