Channel Islands

Summary
Lying closer to France than England, the British Channel Islands have a character all of their own. There are five main islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm – offering lovely, unspoilt countryside, miles of sandy beaches, historic towns and several castles and forts. Uncrowded and safe, it’s a great place for families, while walkers love the endless trails along the coast and inland. Each island has something different to offer, whether it’s the fine restaurants of Jersey’s capital St Helier or the traffic-free peace of Herm (even bicycles are banned), and inter-island ferries mean it’s easy to combine a visit to two or more islands on one trip.

Getting there/around the Channel Islands
There are many flights to Jersey and Guernsey from across the UK with several different carriers. Ferries also operate from Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth to Jersey and Guernsey. There are buses from the airports to the respective capitals of St Helier and St Peter Port. Herm is a 20-minute boat trip from Guernsey and there are ferries connecting Sark with both Guernsey and Jersey. There are no ferries from the other islands to Alderney, but you can fly from Jersey and Guernsey. The only way to get around Herm is on foot, while on Sark you can cycle or enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride around the islands.

Sightseeing on the Channel Islands
Jersey, the largest and busiest of the islands, you’re bound to spend time in St Helier’s chic pavement cafés and world-class restaurants. There are many coastal castles to check out, including the impressive Mont Orgueil Castle. Jersey Zoo, founded by famous naturalist Gerald Durrell, is a lovely place, while there are several museums and galleries for a dose of culture. The north coast is sparsely populated and great for walking or cycling.

Guernsey is quieter and more laid-back with some lovely beaches on the west coast and dramatic cliffs in the south. The capital, St Peter Port, is dominated by the vast Castle Cornet. Among key sights is Hauteville House, where novelist Victor Hugo lived in opulence during his exile from France.

Alderney is the largest, but no ferry service means it’s less frequented by day-trippers. Coastal forts and white sand beaches are the main attractions. Tiny Herm takes just two hours to walk around (no transport’s allowed) and there’s just one hotel, while Sark (Europe’s last remaining feudal state) is ideal for walkers and cyclists with dramatic cliff paths and plenty of pubs for refuelling.