You don’t have to scratch too far beneath the surface to experience Guernsey’s rich and multi-layered past. Guernsey’s unique history has been moulded over time by Ice Age visitors, occupying forces, a mix of languages and local traditions. You can experience major historical sites dating back thousands of years, which are now open to the visiting public. From World War II bunkers to ancient burial grounds, farm houses, castles and caves. Here's just a few places where you can delve into the island's colourful past.
The Little Chapel
The Little Chapel was a work of art and labour of love built by Brother Déeodatm who wanted to create a miniature version or Lourdes in France. Decorated in pebbles and broken china, the Chapel remains a highly popular tourist destination to this day, and its striking décor and charm is always a real talking point.
La Valette Underground Military Museum
This museum covers Guernsey's military history, including World War One and the German Occupation of the island from 1940-1945, as well as the island's own milita. Set in a complex of air-conditioned tunnels that were built by German forces as a fuel storage for their U-Boats.
Hauteville House
The French writer, Victor Hugo, spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey during the 19th century and his St Peter Port house is well worth a visit. The gardens have also been faithfully renovated and include a kitchen garden, fruit trees and Hugo’s United States of Europe Oak.
Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society – 3.5 hours
Experience the locations featured in the best-selling book, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, written by Mary Ann Shaffer and her niece, Annie Burrows. Depart Stand A and proceed to the Jerbourg. Here, on the southeast cliff-top, many scenes from the book are set. See where Dawsey. Amelia & Isola "lived", as well as the lanes, meadows, and farmhouses where the colourful characters conducted their lives. Walk to the viewpoint for splendid views of the other Channel Islands and France on a clear day, where Elizabeth met her German lover Christian and watched the German warplanes flying over to drop their bombs on London. On route to various locations, the driver guide will recount real-life tales of heroism, triumph over adversity and sheer determination shown by the Guernsey people during the long period of German occupation. Re-board the coach and drive to the Little Chapel that Dawsey took Juliet to see. Built by Brother Deodat, it is now regarded as the smallest consecrated church in the world. To impress his Bishop, Brother Deodat decided to cover the Little Chapel with many different types of shells and broken pieces of pottery. Leaving the Little Chapel, drive down to the west coast for a local refreshment of tea or coffee and a piece of Guernsey Gache at the Guernsey Pearl. Continue along the west coast and around the north of the Island on your way to the White Rock Pier. En route to the pier, see the many German fortifications as well as the Witches' Stone and Les Trepieds Dolmen that Dawsey showed Juliet. The Harbour played host to one of the darkest days in Guernsey’s history. German aircraft dropped bombs on vehicles that they thought were carrying troops, but were actually just trucks filled with tomatoes, causing the deaths of 34 innocent civilians. Opposite is a memorial dedicated to local residents who perished in the raid. The harbour is also the site where Eben describes to Juliet, the difficult decision many islanders had to make in whether to evacuate their children to England or keep them with them in Guernsey.
Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet is Guernsey’s ancient harbour fortress which has guarded the harbour for 800 years. There are children’s trails, garden tours and noon-day gun which is fired daily throughout the season. There is four museums housed within the castle and plenty to explore in the grounds. A must-see at midday is the Noonday Gun being fired by gunners in 19th century costume.
St James Concert Hall
This bustling cultural centre is a former church and plays host to a dazzling array of events ranging from live music to club nights, classical performances, community-based events and visual art exhibitions.
Fort Grey & Shipwreck Museum
Known locally as the 'cup and saucer' Fort Grey is a Martello Tower built in 1804 to defend the west coast. It now house a Shipwreck Museum telling the plight of the many vessels that have come to grief on this beautiful, but treacherous, coast.
Victoria Tower
Climb the stairs to the highest point in St Peter Port at Victoria Tower and you are rewarded with panoramic views across the west, north and east coasts of Guernsey.
German Military Underground Hospital
The underground hospital was carved out of solid rock by slave workers who had been captured by German forces during the occupation of the island in World War Two. The hospital is the largest construction in the Channel Islands at 7,000 square metres.
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About Channel Islands Direct
Channel Islands Direct is a privately owned, independent tour operator based in Jersey. We have been operating holidays to the Channel Islands since 1979 and are pleased to offer the widest choice of accommodation and travel options to Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm.
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