Channel Islands UK

Geographically speaking, the Channel Islands are closer to the coast of France than England. Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm are the main inhabited Channel Islands. Jethou, Brecqhou and Lihou are inhabited, but more off the beaten path. The islands became British Crown dependencies (bailiwicks) as a result of the Norman conquest. In 1204 Norman English possessions in France were taken over by the French, except for the Channel Islands.

Travel to the Channel Islands is usually by ferry commonly departing from Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth.

Guernsey

Two of the attractions on Guernsey are Castle Cornet and the German Occupation Museum.

Castle Cornet was started in the mid 13th century as a defence for St. Peter Port. It has undergone many changes since then and is now a museum.

The Channel Islands were the only British possession to be occupied by the Germans during WWII. The German Occupation Museum shows life in Guernsey from 1940-45.

Jersey

Jersey has 12 sea access parishes with names based on saints, such as Saint Helier, Saint Ouen and Saint Lawrence. Two key attractions are Elizabeth Castle & The Hermitage in St Helier and Mont Orgueil Castle in St. Martin.

Elizabeth Castle was built on a rocky islet in the 1590s. Sir Walter Raleigh named the castle after Queen Elizabeth I while he was Governor of Jersey, which might have been his way of saying thanks to her for reversing his death sentence. The Hermitage is a small chapel that has been a holy place since the 12th century.

Mont Orgueil Castle was built in the thirteenth century to protect against French attack. The castle towers over Gorey harbour. It is one of the best preserved castles in the UK.

Plan a trip to the Channel Islands and learn more about this corner of the world.