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About Guernsey
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| Attractions |
Guernsey’s many attractions offer something to suit everyone.
St Peter Port’s historic Castle Cornet was the last Royalist stronghold of the English Civil War and is home to some fascinating museums and regular outdoor theatre productions.
Fort Grey, on Guernsey’s rocky west coast, was a formidable Napoleonic bastion and is now the island’s Shipwreck Museum. Step inside and relive the chilling maritime mishaps of this infamous coastline.
Situated close to Guernsey Airport, the German Occupation Museum paints a vivid and moving picture of everyday island life during WWII. Guernsey’s wartime story is also retold in several preserved fortifications.
Les Vauxbelets is the home of the Little Chapel, built by a French monk and decorated with pottery and seashells, which is possibly the world’s smallest church.
Other must-see attractions include Sausmarez Manor, Guernsey’s 750-year-old stately home, Victor Hugo’s Hauteville House, the Guernsey Folk Museum, Sark’s Seigneurie gardens and the Guernsey Tapestry.
Bruce Russell & Son - Gold, Silversmiths & Jewellers
Third and fourth generation Bruce and Simon welcome you to our workshop and showroom where we craft traditional silverware, gold and platinum jewellery. During the last century, we have been commissioned to design and craft spectacular jewellery for Royalty, Heads of State and personal designs for clients worldwide. Feel free to browse in the showroom or walk around our 8 acres of award winning gardens and nature reserve with a superb licensed restaurant.
Open Monday – Saturday 9am-5pm, closed Sundays
Free Admission
Castle Cornet & Its Museums
Castle Cornet, Guernsey’s ancient royal fortress, has stood guard over the town and harbour of St Peter Port for nearly eight centuries. The story of the Castle and other aspects of Guernsey’s past can be found in the four museums housed within the Castle: The Story of Castle Cornet Museum, The Maritime Museum and Hatton Gallery, The 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum, The Royal Guernsey Militia Museum. The Castle is also home to four well-researched ‘period’ gardens. There is a guided tour each morning and the Noon Day Gun is fired daily by soldiers in 19th century costume. A guided tour of the Castle Gardens is available most Sundays (May-Sept) at 2.15pm. On selected days the Guernsey Museums & Galleries ‘History in Action’ company enact stories from Guernsey’s past. With so much to see, plus the Refectory Café and the Castle Shop, a visit to the Castle makes a great day out!
Open Daily 10am – 5pm
Catherine Best
Renowned worldwide for her award-winning jewellery, Catherine Best’s collection of stunning work is housed in her studio at The Mill, a beautiful landmark building in St Martin’s. Catherine’s reputation for high quality and unique creations has won her recognition and accolades across the globe, from both clients and professional institutes. For an extra special personalised piece, Catherine is always happy to meet and discuss individual designs with you and make your dream piece of jewellery a reality. If you are unable to come and meet Catherine and her team in person, you can also visit us online. We look forward to meeting you.
Open Monday - Saturday 9am-5:30pm, Sunday 9:30am-5pm
Free Admission
Dolls' House Collection
The third largest dedicated collection in Britain open to the public, including miniature dolls’ house dating from 1830
Open daily 10am - 3pm
Edwardian Tin & Coppersmith
A working Smithy and shop.
Fort Grey & Shipwreck Museum
Known locally as the “Cup and Saucer”, Fort Grey is a Martello Tower built in 1804 to defend Guernsey’s west coast. Many vessels have come to grief on this beautiful but treacherous coast, and the Martello Tower now houses a Shipwreck Museum with a surprising variety of objects recovered from the wrecks. The information panels tell the gripping stories surrounding the disasters, which date from the HMS Sprightly in 1777 to the Vermontborg in 2003. On selected days the Guernsey Museums & Galleries ‘History In Action’ Company enact stories from Guernsey’s past.
Closed during the winter months
Fort Hommet Gun Casement
Restored gun site, as operational in 1943-45 with full interpretation of Fort Hommet Headland.
Open Saturdays in November 2 - 4 pm, and then closed until 13February. Open from 14 February every Tuesday and Saturday 2 - 5pm
German Military Underground Hospital
The largest construction in the Channel Islands, hewn out of solid rock by slave workers of many nationalities for the German forces 1940-1945.
Open June 10am-12pm, 2-4pm daily, July & August 10am- 12pm, 2-4:30pm
Guernsey Candles Ltd.
Workshop where there are many stages before the candle is finished. Enjoy our complex; we have created the all experience shopping, a magnificent candle gift shop where all types of candles are on display, a fabulous general gift shop, with many exclusive lines and a selection second to none. Cat-a-mania is another selective shop for all cat lovers. Guernsey candles, the three in one and completely hassle free.
Open Daily 9am-5pm
Free Admission
Guernsey Clockmakers Limited
Come and visit the largest clock shop in Guernsey. All clocks are an investment in the time taken in there making. Original designs or reproduction styles are hand-made by caring craftsmen using well tried techniques tested by generations of use. Since these clocks are hand-made no two examples are identical, and because of the time and care spent in their making, production is limited. An experience not to be missed.
Open Monday – Friday 8.30-5.30, Saturday 10.00-4.00
Free Admission
Guernsey Diamond Museum
A fascinating insight into the sparkling world of diamonds from their origins to their setting in jewellery.
Open Monday - Saturday 9am - 5:30pm
Free Admission
Guernsey Freesia Centre
2 acres of freesias under glass, in bloom at different stages. A chance to see the planting, picking, bunching and boxing of these beautiful flowers.
Open 9am–5pm.
Free Entry
Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery
Designed around the old Victorian bandstand in the recently restored Victorian Candie Gardens, Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery houses a variety of Exhibitions. ‘The Story of Guernsey’ shows the development of the Island and its people. Artefacts from Victorian Collectors are displayed in a Victorian style Gallery. A changing programme of temporary exhibitions is held in the Rona Cole and Brian White Galleries. On selected days the Guernsey Museums & Galleries ‘History In Action’ Company enact stories from Guernsey’s past. There is also a programme of Concerts on the Terrace (May – Sept) Sundays at 3pm. The Museum gift shop stocks a variety of quality books and souvenirs. Café Victoria offers light snacks and lovely views over the harbour and outlying Islands. Free Entry to shop and café.
Open November & December 10am - 4pm (Closed 25/26 December). Closed 1 January - 3 February, Open from 4 February 10am - 4pm.
Tickets for Museum & all Exhibitions from £2.50. Children & students FREE
German Naval Signals H. Q.
The Headquarters of the German Naval Commander Channel Islands was established in the nearby La Collinette Hotel, and the Signal HQ was responsible for all radio traffic to and from Germany and the other Islands. Visit the last operational Signals HQ that was running up to 9th May 1945, using the Enigma code machines that were being decoded by the staff at Bletchley Park.
Open April until October Monday, Thursday and Saturday Afternoons 2 - 4:30 pm
German Occupation Museum
A unique experience of life in Guernsey 1940-1945, authentic occupation street. Maritime history and fortifications.
Guernsey Pearl & Coppercraft Centre
Guernsey Pearl is a retail outlet specialising in local cultured pearls. There is also a coppersmiths and an 80-seat restaurant open daily.
Open daily.
Free Admission
Guernsey Tapestry
‘Excellent’ ‘Stunning’ ‘Superb’ ‘Truly remarkable’ ‘Brilliant’ ‘Amazing’ ‘Fascinating’ ‘ Magnificent’ ‘Wonderful’ ‘Outstanding’. ‘Excellent guide to the history of Guernsey and a remarkable tapestry’. ‘One of the most imaginative embroideries I have ever seen - exquisite’. Just a few of the comments from our visitors book. The Bailiwick of Guernsey Millennium Tapestry illustrates 1000 years of history in 10 embroidered panels. A permanent exhibition housed in a purpose built, award winning Gallery, complete with audio guide (English, French or German). An enjoyable introduction to the history of the Islands, for adults and children, stitchers and non-stitchers, alike. There is also a gift shop selling unique souvenirs.
Winter opening: Thursdays only 10am - 4:30pm.
Guernsey Telephone Museum
Do you remember how heavy the first ever mobile phones were? Or have you ever wanted to be a telephone operator, or pondered on what happened to the old Mickey Mouse phones? Make a call down memory lane in this quirky museum that includes hands-on exhibits in a fascinating display of the telephone in Guernsey since 1898.
Closed during the winter
Free Entry
Guernsey Woodcarvers - the World of Wood
A family run business dealing in the manufacture of wooden gifts and fine furniture, antique restoration, repairs, carving, wood turning, cabinet making and French polishing and modern finishes. Over 60 different woods are used in their work. Browse around their well stocked shop. If you can’t find what you are looking for they will endeavour to make or find it for you. Free parking at adjacent Strawberry Farm.
Open Monday – Friday 8am - 5pm, Saturday & Sunday 10am – 5pm
Free Entry
La Vallette Underground Military Museum
Military museum covering all aspects of Guernsey’s history in a well-lit, air-conditioned German Tunnel complex
Open daily 10am-5pm, Closed from mid-November.
Little Chapel
A work of art and a labour of love, the Little Chapel is possibly the smallest chapel in the world. It was built by Brother Déodat who started work in March 1914. His plan was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France. Guardianship of the Little Chapel now rests with Blanchelande Girls College, which is run by a Charitable Trust. The Little Chapel is beautifully decorated with seashells, pebbles and colourful pieces of broken china and the College has an ongoing programme of repairs and improvements. There is no charge to enter the Chapel it relies totally on public donations.
Open daily
Free Admission
National Trust of Guernsey Folk Museum
Set in stables of an old country house in Guernsey’s largest park, the Folk Museum depicts life as it used to be around 100 years ago. Displays include domestic life, farming, trades, transport, fishing and seafaring, with a new temporary exhibition in 2005 entitled ‘The Sea in Our Blood’. In the summer months of July, August and September, the Folk Museum has a programme of small scale local crafts demonstrations on Wednesday afternoons, with the opportunity to try out some of the crafts hands on.
Closed for the winter
National Trust of Guernsey Victorian Shop & Parlour
26 Cornet Street is probably the earliest remaining complete building within the Town’s medieval boundaries. The National Trust of Guernsey has restored this exquisite 18th century house as a Victorian shop and parlour. Enter into a bygone age where sweets come from jars and are measured in pounds and ounces. A great attraction is the Heritage Seeds. These are very popular, as they are old type vegetable seeds and cottage garden. Also, on sale, are a selection of gifts, souvenirs and confectionery. The parlour and working gaslights with their fragile mantles are also memories of a bygone age.
Open 2, 3, 8, 9. 10. 15. 16, 17 December, closed until April
New Strawberry Farm
The Strawberry Farm features man-made chocolates, Guernsey Fudge, silversmiths, pottery, craft and gift shops, children’s play area, 200 set restaurant and of course strawberries.
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Free Admission
Oatlands Village
Oatlands brick kilns, situated in the North of the Island, stand as reminders of a thriving brick making industry that once existed in Guernsey. Built in 1892 and recently restored these kilns now form part of one of Guernsey’s most popular tourist attractions. The Oatlands site now includes several shops, an award winning Brasserie and café, a chocolate shop, a children’s play area and picture framers. Popular with locals and tourists alike, Oatlands is well worth a visit.
Open Daily
Free Admission
Pleinmont Observation Tower
Unique five-story naval observation tower used by Germans 1942-45. Original rangefinders can be used. Access to battery dolman gun-site nearby.
Open Sundays in November - 2-4pm, then closed until 15 February. Open from 15 February every Wednesday and Sunday 2-5pm
Priaulx Library
Standing in its own beautiful grounds on the outskirts of St. Peter Port, the Priaulx Library is Guernsey’s premier centre for local studies and family history research and holds important collections of newspapers, documents and photographs. Winner of the JPC Historic Attractions of the Year award in 2005, it is a wonderful place for tourists and clients alike to browse in the atmosphere of a Victorian library. Free admission at all times and open six days a week throughout the year.
Open 9am–5pm.
Free Admission
Sausmarez Manor
Possibly one of the most interesting, beautiful and varied places on the island, encompassing as it does so many different things to see and do. There are conducted tours talking about the excitements of the centuries. Along with Britain’s 3rd largest Dolls House Collection, a delightful selection of wildfowl and a lakeside café as well as a working Edwardian tin and coppersmith. There is also Happy Hollow 9 hole par three Pitch & Putt course, open daily during the season, as well as subtropical gardens and an art park, exhibiting works by more sculptors than anywhere else in Britain. The ‘Ride on Train’ goes through the enchanting woods at Sausmarez Manor.
Victor Hugo House
In this house, well preserved in its original state, the famous French writer spent fourteen years in exile decorating it personally and writing his masterpieces. (Guided tours recommended by appointment).
Closed for the winter
External Links
Craft Centres
Historical Attractions
Military History Attractions
Special Interest Attractions
PTGH wish to thank Visit Guernsey for their help in providing the above information. 22/11/05
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