Guernsey

Quick Facts

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Local name

Guernesey

Capital

St. Peter Port

Government

British Crown Dependency

Population

65,228

Languages

French, English

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Currency

Pound Sterling

Calling Code

+44-1481

Time Zone

GMT

Daylight Saving

UTC+1

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Introduction

Belle Greve Bay, East Coast

© All Rights Reserved Mikey B

Located in the English Channel close to Normandy, Guernsey is smaller and less touristy than Jersey, but still offers a wonderful holiday destination. Sunsets and sunrises are rendered stunning against the Guernsey backdrop. St Peter Port, the capital and largest town, is a laidback, sunny spot alongside a peaceful bay. The town highlights Guernsey's cultural makeup, which is a combination of English and French influences.

Though it is geographically closer to France, the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency. It is not part of the UK, nor of the EU. The UK is responsible for its defence and external relations. English is the only official language, although a French dialect known as Guernésiais is spoken by a minority. For native English-speakers, this makes Guernsey a good option for those in search of an island destination with cultural and historic interest.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey also includes Alderney, Sark, and a few other islands.

Brief History

Geography

Parishes

sunset, Sark, Channel Islands

© All Rights Reserved Mikey B

Guernsey is divided into 10 parishes

• Castel
• Forest
• St. Andrew's
• St. Martin's
• St. Peter Port
• St. Pierre du Bois
• St. Sampson
• Saviour's
• Torteval
• Vale

Cities and Towns

• St. Peter Port, the capital
• St. Sampson
• St. Anne

Sights and Activities

Castle Cornet

Castle Cornet is a big castle that is a former tidal island, which is now on the breakwater for the capital's harbour. The tidal island was originally fortified between 1206 and 1256 with a castle. With the invention of gunpowder and cannons the castle was upgraded between 1545 and 1548. The castle was the official residence of the governor until 1672 when a disaster happened. A lightening bolt struck the magazine storage area causing an explosion that killed the governor, his mother, wife and a large number of staff. Today the castle incorporates several museums.

Vale Windmill

Vale Windmill is a gracious 5 storey tower windmill that was constructed in 1850. The Germans converted the windmill during World War II into an artillery observation tower, which gave the windmill a three storey extension. This makes the mill tower a total of 21 m (88 ft) high.

Casquets Lighthouses

The Casquets Lighthouses has been lighting the way fro sailors since 1724. The three stone lighthouses were built to give a distinctive light so they would not be confused with French lighthouses. The lighthouses have gone there several incarnations and at present have been converted to electric lights instead of the original coal and natural gas. Today the highest lighthouse is 37 m above average sea level and flashes five times every 30 seconds. The light house can be seen from 24 nautical miles (22 km) away in clear weather!

Other Sights and Activities

• Sark Windmill - Visit this 16th century windmill on the island of Sark.
• Victoria Tower - Go see this wonderful stone tower in the capital.

Events and Festivals

• St Peter Port Carnival

Weather

Getting There

By Plane

Guernsey Airport (GCI) is the only airport in Guernsey. Aurigny Air Services, a state airline, is based here and has flights to and from Alderney, Bristol, Dinard, Jersey, London and Manchester. Blue Islands flies to Alderney, Bournemouth, Geneva, Isle of Man, Jersey, Paris, Southampton and Zurich. Flybe has flights to Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton. Seasonal flights from the Netherlands are also available from Lufthansa and VLM Airlines.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

By Boat

Getting Around

By Car

Although Guernsey only has about 40 kilometers of roads outside the capital, renting a car is good option to travel around at your own pace and visiting more remote places. Cars are available at the airport and in the capital. Traffic drives on the left and you need a national driver's licence or international driving permit.

By Bike

As the island is small, much of it can be explored by bike and this is a popular and relaxing way of getting around and soke it all up.

By Bus

There are two bus lines operating throughout most of the island. They usually originate and terminate in St Peter Port, calling at the ferry terminal, airport, most towns and villages and extensively within the capital itself. For more remote places, taxis are widely available.

By Boat

Besides tours there are no public services.

Red Tape

Money

See also: Money Matters
The currency of Guernsey is the pound sterling with the international currency code GBP (Great Britain Pound). The currency sign for pound is £ (the symbol is derived from the letter L). It is also known to the locals as quid (both singular and plural), which a slang term, so you might hear people say "two quid" instead of two pounds. One pound is divided into 100 pence (singular: penny).

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