Things to Do in Guernsey UK
- Laura
- Sep 2
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
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As the second largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey is a pleasing mix of pastures, cliffs, and country roads. Visit the British bailiwick (territory) to discover its stunning coastal landscapes, fascinating heritage sites, and charming St Peter Port. This blog post summarizes our list of the top ten things to do in Guernsey UK.
Guernsey’s mild climate means that outdoor activities are possible in most months of the year. Biking Guernsey’s shady paths, hiking its towering bluffs, and beach-combing are popular past times. The island is also home to the 800 year old Castle Cornet as well as a number of German fortifications from the World War II era.
To learn more about Guernsey Island, read our travel blog posts: Guernsey Guide and St Peter Port Walking Guide. The island is a popular cruise ship stop and weekend getaway destination. This article gives ideas for fun things to do in Guernsey in one day.
WHERE IS GUERNSEY ISLAND
Guernsey is the second largest land mass in the Channel Islands archipelago. Located in the English Channel, Guernsey is physically closer to Normandy, France (30 miles) than to the southern coast of England (70 miles). The island has an area of around 25 square miles.
HOW TO GET AROUND GUERNSEY
Most visitors will arrive in Guernsey by plane or boat (ferry or cruise ship). Once on the island, visitors have access to a regional bus service, taxis, and car and bike rentals. There are a number of car services providing transfers:
GUERNSEY HOTELS
Guernsey’s cobblestoned capitol, St Peter Port, is loaded with top-notch restaurants, boutique shopping, and gorgeous waterfront views – making it a great choice for lodgings. Outside of St Peter Port, there are a number of luxury resorts along the island’s beaches and dramatic cliffs.
Here are a few well reviewed Guernsey hotels to consider for your stay:
GUERNSEY TOURS
A local guide knowledgeable about the island’s history and geography can direct you toward the best of Guernsey’s beaches, seaside paths, and historical sites. Here are a few well-reviewed tours of island offerings:
THINGS TO DO IN GUERNSEY UK
Explore St Peter Port Guernsey
St Peter Port is a waterfront town with two large quays that bustle with ferry, cruise ship, and fishing boat traffic. Its winding streets are packed with many types of restaurants (all with fresh seafood on the menu). High Street and Market square are lively areas lined with specialty shops, brew pubs, and wine bars
In-town St Peter Port attractions include Castle Cornet, the Victor Hugo House, and the Castle Breakwater Lighthouse. For a free walking route of St Peter Port read our travel blog post, St Peter Port Guernsey Walking Tour.
Visit the Little Chapel
The Little Chapel is one of Guernsey Island’s most beloved attractions. The chapel is a recreation of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Lourdes, France. The tiny 16’ by 9’ church is constructed of pebbles, seashells, and broken glass. It is considered to be the smallest consecrated chapel in the world. The chapel is located in beautiful farmland in the parish of St Andrew. Entry is free.
Trek the Ramparts at Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet is a 13th century medieval fortification that watches over St Peter Port. Once part of the island’s defenses, today Castle Cornet is home to several military museums and formal gardens. The castle’s stone ramparts provide spectacular views of St Peter Port and the neighboring Channel Islands.
The popular attraction is about a 10 minute walk from the ferry and cruise ports. Castle Cornet is open throughout the year. Families love the noon-day gun, costumed re-enactments, and period dancers that often perform onsite.
Visit Castle Cornet on this Guernsey Half Day Small Group Tour.
Take a Hike at Jerbourg Point
Jerbourg Point is a gorgeous spit of land that juts out into the sea on Guernsey Island’s southern shore. The area has several paths that lead to the sea and along the coast. There are benches, beautiful viewpoints, and several German battlements to explore.
When you are finished hiking, the Hotel Jerbourg has a comfy café where you can enjoy a drink and a snack. Jerbourg Point is about a 12 minute car ride from St Peter Point.
Delve into the WWII German Occupation of Guernsey
In World War II, the Channel Islands (Guernsey, Jersey, Alderney, and Sark) were the only British ground to be occupied by the German army. Believing that the Channel Islands were a “stepping stone” in the conquest of Britain, Hitler instructed his army to invade the islands in the summer of 1940.
During the years that the Nazis occupied Guernsey, Hitler’s forces constructed many towers and bunkers designed to be a part of his “Atlantic Wall.” It was five years until the Germans surrendered to British. Several structures on Guernsey explore this period of history:
Germain Military Underground Hospital
The German Occupation Museum
La Vallette Underground Military Museum
German Naval Signals HQ
Pleinmont Observation Tower
Bunkers: Bird Hide, Torteval, Battery Dolman Command Post, and more
Sunbathe on a Beach
Along the coast of Guernsey Island there are many bays with impressive sandy beaches. The island’s tidal ranges (the difference between high and low tide) are some of the largest in the world. At low tide, this results in long golden beaches with dramatic outcroppings of rock and giant tidal pools.
Guernsey’s bus route runs around the perimeter of the island providing reliable, economic transport to these free gems. Try the beaches at Coco, Rocquaine, Vazon, and Pembroke Bays.
Take in the Views from Castle Breakwater Lighthouse
Past Castle Cornet at the end of Castle Pier, explore the Castle Breakwater Lighthouse. Built for the island’s defense in the 1800s, the working lighthouse now functions as safety mechanism for boats navigating the coast. You can’t climb the tower, but there are excellent views of St Peter Port and other Channel Islands from the pier. It’s also fun to watch the local fisherman who gather in the area reel in their catches
Experience the Victor Hugo House
While in exile from France, the writer Victor Hugo made Guernsey Island his home for 15 years in the 1800s. During this period Victor wrote prolifically, including his famous works, Toilers of the Sea and Les Miserables. There are many odes to Hugo around St Peter Port, none more beloved than Hauteville House. Decorated and furnished by the writer himself, today visitors can tour Hugo’s one-time house and gardens.
Explore the Fort Grey Military Museum
Fort Grey sits on a raised causeway at the edge of Rocquaine Bay. Nicknamed the “cup and saucer,” the tower fort was constructed in the 1800s as part of a defensive system against invasion from France. Today, the fort houses a ship wreck museum. Visitors can see remnants of Roman ship timbers and artifacts from other ships that were wrecked off the rocky coast.
Bicycle through Guernsey’s Countryside
Guernsey Island has a well-developed network of “Green Lanes” and bike routes across the island. Cycling is encouraged with low speed limits on roads across the island. Outside of the main parish towns, traffic dissipates and slows. See Guernsey’s famous cows and beautiful fields on a bike trip though the island’s interior. Pedal and e-bikes can be easily rented on the island, with some companies providing bike drop-off and pick-up at arrival locations.
We hope you enjoy choosing from all the wonderful things to do in Guernsey, Laura and Randy
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