Visiting Guernsey was one of many highlights throughout my latest cruise aboard the Sky Princess. I used to be so excited to go to this stunning little island and get a style of island life.
Guernsey was the primary cease on my Sky Princess cruise. We departed from Southampton the earlier afternoon and wakened on the sunny shores of Guernsey.
You can learn extra about my departure right here: Cruising from the UK and boarding the Sky Princess in Southampton
Guernsey has a small port so we would have liked to take smaller tender boats from the ship to Albert Pier the place we have been welcomed with dazzling sunshine and a bustling Sunday market.
I immediately fell in love with Guernsey and I shortly knew that visiting Guernsey for an extended journey sooner or later was on my bucket listing.
The small island was a part of the Duchy of Normandy and is simply 48km from France so it has this stunning mixture of French class mixed with British allure.
Guernsey felt nearly like being overseas however with the acquainted consolation of dwelling.
It has British seaside vibes, solely a bit of prettier, a bit of hotter, bluer, clearer and just a bit extra thrilling for this British journey blogger who likes to go overseas!
I shortly realised I may fortunately spend a protracted weekend on Guernsey however we had simply 6-7 hours to go to Guernsey from a cruise ship, so each second counted!
How to get round Guernsey when visiting from a cruise ship
You have a few choices when visiting Guernsey from a cruise ship:
- Book an organised tour by way of the cruise
- Use the native bus service – which might be an important possibility however we visited on a Sunday when buses have been restricted. I like to recommend utilizing Google Maps to navigate the native buses.
- Take a neighborhood tour
- Hire a motorcycle (simply bear in mind that the island is hilly and a few roads are slender)
- Take a taxi
- Take a tuk tuk! (extra on that under)
The predominant concern when visiting Guernsey from a cruise ship is that it’s a must to be again to the ship on time! If you’re late, the ship will go with out you! So simply bear that in thoughts and don’t go too far off the overwhelmed path.
I used to be visiting with my buddy, Jen, and we determined to rent a tuk tuk to see the close by highlights.
Tuk tuks from Tuk Tuk Guernsey have been ready on Albert Pier once we obtained off the shuttle boat and we hopped straight in with our information, Tim. The commonplace tour travels round St Peter Port however we additionally needed to see The Little HCapel, so we requested to increase our tour to go to the chapel too.
This made the tour 1 hour and 45 minutes and value £90 for each of us.
We have been capable of pay by way of card and the tuk tuk had a moveable roof and blankets within the again in case it obtained chilly. Luckily, it was a lovely day and we cherished breezing across the streets of Guernsey with the roof down.
What to do in Guernsey
There are so many issues to do in Guernsey. I’m going to start by sharing what I did and add a few further choices on the finish.
Guernsey’s Victorian Baths
We started by visiting La Valette, Gurney’s Victorican bathing swimming pools. These historic swimming swimming pools have been in use since 1865. They are submerged within the sea they usually’re flushed out with recent water twice a day at excessive tide.
The swimming pools have been not too long ago renovated and a big cafe and altering rooms have been added.
During our latest sizzling summer time (summer time 2022) the water within the swimming pools even reached 20 levels C, which could not appear quite a bit in case you’re visiting from overseas however for us Brits that’s positively tropical!
Mignot Plateau
Our second cease was Mignot Plateau the place we loved unbelievable views throughout St Peter Port and the harbour. This was a stunning place to start and get our bearings and we may even see throughout to the close by islands of Sark, Jersey and we may nearly see France!
Fermain Bay
We whizzed previous Victor Hugo’s home (who famously wrote Les Miserables throughout his 15 yr keep on the island) earlier than visiting Fermain Bay, which was not solely a lovely pebble seashore however a shocking drive down a steep, tree-lined lane. You really need a allow to drive down this steep hill so this was the place the tuk tuk was an enormous benefit!
This felt like an actual hidden gem and a world away from St Peter Port.
The Little Chapel
The Little Chapel was our subsequent cease and was my private spotlight when visiting Guernsey. I’d come throughout this tiny shrine once I learn the novel, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The chapel didn’t make it into the movie adaptation of the guide, which appears a disgrace as a result of it’s such a dainty but unbelievable masterpiece.
The Little Chapel is someplace between a tiny church and a grotto. From a distance you possibly can nearly consider that it’s full dimension however it’s truly tiny!
Building of the chapel started in 1914 by Brother Déodat however that is truly the third model of the chapel. Brother Déodat constructed the primary however it was criticised by his brother so he shortly knocked it down and began once more. His second model of the chapel stood for a couple of years however Brother Déodat was mortified when the Bishop of Portsmouth came around and couldn’t match via the door! Brother Déodat shortly knocked it down and started a brand new chapel with a much bigger door, which is the completed chapel we see as we speak.
It’s superbly adorned utilizing fairly pebbles and bits of damaged china. During development, Brother Déodat truly known as for donations of damaged china and he was inundated with packing containers of China from everywhere in the world.
The Little Chapel was a bit of out of the best way however it was nicely value making the additional effort to go to it.
Church Square
Next up we drove via the gorgeous Church Square which seemed so fairly adorned with bunting and flags.
Our tuk tuk driver, Tim, identified a file breaking pub and church within the British Isles. Look out for this pub and church whose shut proximity makes this the closest pub to a church in all of Britain! Keep your eyes peeled for the gargoyle on the high who ensures the 2 buildings are simply inches aside.
Lunch at Octopus
We left our tuk tuk and strolled over to Octopus, a seaside restaurant only a quick stroll alongside the coast.
The setting for this restaurant is perfection and we loved fish and chips with crisp glasses of rose.
Sunday market
While we have been visiting Guernsey we have been fortunate sufficient that a big and bustling market was arrange. One part was crammed with native crafts whereas the second part was reserved for meals, drink and native musicians. It was an excellent alternative to strive some native meals and absorb the ambiance.
We then had a stroll alongside the coast earlier than returning again to the ship however there are many different issues you are able to do when visiting Guernsey from a cruise ship.
What to do when visiting Guernsey from a cruise ship
That’s what I obtained as much as when visiting Guernsey however if in case you have a bit of extra time then listed below are another nice issues to do in Guernsey.
Visit Guernsey’s seashores
There are a lot of stunning seashores on Guernsey. I hear Cobo Bay is likely one of the finest!
Visit the neighbouring islands
It’s fast and simple to hop on a ferry to considered one of Guernsey’s neighbouring islands. Many folks hop on over to Sark which is a 50 minute ferry trip away and is thought for its white, sandy seashores. Sark is usually thought-about to be the nicest of the Channel Islands and appears stunning.
Visit (and climb) Victoria Tower
While we noticed Victoria Tower from our tuk tuk tour, we didn’t have time to climb to the highest.
This is the place you’ll get the very best views within the metropolis however it’s additionally an uncommon one as a result of it’s a must to gather the keys from the museum in Candie Gardens!
There are 99 steps to the highest and also you’ll get pleasure from unbelievable views over Guernsey.
Wander round Candie Gardens
The Victorian Candie Gardens are spectacular they usually’re only a quick stroll from St Peter Port. The gardens have been established in 1894 they usually’re nonetheless free to enter as we speak.
Visit the German Underground Hospital
The German Underground Hospital was the biggest WW2 construction on the island. There are 75,000 sq. toes of tunnels and it’s a eerie and heartbreaking place to go to however an important reminder of the German occupation on the island.
