Why Guernsey’s a winter top seller
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I visited the Channel Islands almost every year as a child and have many fond memories of both summer and winter family trips to this unique collection of islands in the English Channel.
I’m not ashamed to admit that my outright favourite is the second largest island in the archipelago, Guernsey, followed by one of the smallest and quaintest, Herm. Last week I re-visited these little gems after a hiatus of more than 12 years.
It gave me a chance to introduce my husband and two young children aged five and three to this timeless destination for the first time. It was an opportunity I truly relished.
We travelled on Condor Ferries’ new £50 million trimaran, Liberation, which came into service earlier this year and promises passengers a smooth and speedy three-hour sailing from Poole in Dorset across the channel to Guernsey’s pretty cobbled-street capital, St. Peter Port.
As we sailed past Alderney (the third largest Channel Island), pointed out by our friendly and informative Condor captain, Guernsey’s familiar coastline suddenly appeared on the horizon, dazzling in the sunshine, and I grinned from ear-to-ear at the thought and excitement of returning to all my favourite island hotspots.
I was not disappointed. Guernsey in many ways is an island that never changes.
Proud islanders look after their homes and the roads, most of them extremely narrow, are lined with pristine stone cottages and pretty manicured gardens, with no litter or graffiti in sight. The must-visit beach and coastal destinations remain unchanged, from the vast stretch of golden sand at Vazon Bay where we stayed (at Waves Apart-Hotel) to the rock pools at Portelet Harbour, home to many of Guernsey’s famous succulent crabs.
And there’s also the plethora of tourism attractions dotted all over the island that repeat visitors to Guernsey like myself never tire of, from the Little Chapel in Saint Andrew, which is a miniature version of the grotto and basilica at Lourdes, decorated in ornate crockery including donated Wedgewood pieces, to the fascinating German Occupation Museum, which tells the story of the island’s trials and tribulations during World War II.
And then, of course, there’s Guernsey’s outstanding gastronomic offering, from its creamy dairy products (milk, cream, ice cream, you name it), straight from the island’s famous sandy-coloured cows, to the freshly caught seafood (crab is top pick), not to mention a cheeky slice of Guernsey Gâche – a local dish made with special bread packed with raisins, sultanas and mixed peel, that’s the perfect accompaniment to a morning or afternoon tea.
My list of Guernsey ‘musts’ is endless and last week I enjoyed only a handful of them, so I intend to return very soon, but in the meantime, the island is gearing up for a busy autumn and winter season with a number of events, two of which are food focused.
If your clients are looking for a quick getaway before Christmas, Guernsey is a perfect solution given the island is hop skip and a jump away from mainland Britain – it’s just a 30-minute to one-hour flight from many cities across the UK plus the Condor Ferries service is a good option for travellers based ‘down South’.
If you still need convincing, here are my top five reasons to sell Guernsey this autumn/winter.
The first Guernsey International Food Festival
There are still spaces available at various events taking place during the first Guernsey International Food Festival from September 18-27, as well as fantastic value late deals with Premier Holidays. The festival will showcase Guernsey’s delicious local produce and unique dishes with special dinners, tours and interactive events as well as guest appearances from celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli and cook Prue Leith.
Tennerfest
Running immediately after the food festival, another culinary celebration, Tennerfest, will take place on Guernsey from October 1 to 11. Now in its 18th year, the event will see more than 170 restaurants in Guernsey and its sister island of Sark offer three-course menus starting from £10 (with £12.50, £15, £17.50 and £20 menus also available). These special menus represent savings of almost 50% on normal prices and include Guernsey’s fresh seafood and locally grown produce. This is an ideal time to visit for those looking for fantastic seafood at rock bottom prices.
Making the most of autumn waters
UK waters are at their warmest in the autumn months of September and October, when they have been heating up all summer. Many parts of Guernsey are best seen from the water. Outdoor Guernsey (outdoorguernsey.com) is the biggest activity operator on the island and organises kayaking trips around the south coast. This allows access to hidden coves and caves invisible to those on land. For the more adventurous, coasteering trips are also available, where top cliff spots are located for jumping into the sea! Activities are available until the end of November.
Coastal walks and beaches to yourself
Guernsey has 39 miles of coastline and 27 beaches, perfect for rambling enthusiasts, particularly in the autumn months when there are fewer visitors and the paths and beaches are generally clearer. The south coast is highly recommended for its clifftop walks with incredible views that inspired Impressionist painter Pierre-Auguste Renoir as well as Victor Hugo. The west coast is recommended for its vast expanses of beaches.
Incredible history
2015 marks 70 years of liberation from the occupying German forces during WWII. Reminders of the occupation are evident all over the island, from Nazi fortifications can be seen along the coastline such as the Pleinmont Observation Tower, which was built by the Germans in 1942 as a part of a series of similar towers and Fort Hommet, originally built in the Victorian era as part of the anti-French defenses but later added to by the Germans in 1942. The German Occupation Museum is a must see, dedicated to relics from this time. Also not to be missed is La Valette Underground Military Museum, the entrance to which is a simple concrete lined opening in the cliffs , which leads into a complex of tunnels built by slave labourers during the occupation. The tunnels served as a refueling station for U-boats and one of the huge fuel oil storage tanks has survived. The museum is packed with military and civilian memorabilia including some Red Cross food parcels delivered by a Swedish ship and posters detailing arrangements for the evacuation of the island in 1940.
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