About Guernsey

Welcome to Guernsey

Not long haul, but miles away.

The stunning Channel Island of Guernsey may be part of the British Isles, but it’s brimming with French influence.

Nestling snugly in the bay of St Malo and 70 miles from mainland Britain.

This collision of lifestyles has created a unique environment, where familiarity is tempered by the unexpected, but where you’ll always feel very welcome. A special place and one that leaves a lasting impression on all that visit.

Breathtaking cliff walks, fantastic seafood and a rich cultural heritage are all waiting to be discovered.

Despite its relatively small size, there’s a huge variety of things to do in Guernsey. Explore historic St Peter Port, the island’s ‘capital’, recognized as one of the most picturesque harbour towns in Europe, or just take in the wonderful scenery – from wide sandy beaches and rocky coves to peaceful country hamlets.

Guernsey’s great value too. Despite being so close to the north coast of France the currency is sterling, so visitors don’t need to worry about poor exchange rates affecting the cost of their evening meal.

And with short flights and fast ferries departing from locations throughout the UK, getting to Guernsey couldn’t be easier.

More

Discover a community that looks to the future for inspiration but where traditional values still hold sway, where the influence of the Continent is keenly felt but not to the extent that it dents an unwavering loyalty to the British Crown and where dynamism of the global finance industry sits easily alongside centuries old traditions.

In the current economic climate Guernsey is a good value destination, where the currency is sterling and pound still equals a pound. Our target audience is predominantly couples in the 45+ age bracket, however Guernsey does appeal to families with young children or in fact anyone who enjoys great food and beautiful scenery.

Of course for many it is the scenery that makes Guernsey so special and it’s easy to see why. Our 28 miles of cliff paths, coves and commons provide a real treat for walkers and the abundance and variety of our floral heritage will inspire you.

Check out our events list for details of the Walking and floral festivals (link to events list).

Some visitors choose to stay over, but a perfect day out can be enjoyed on our sister islands of Herm and Sark, where the short boat trip is only 20 minutes to Herm and 40 to Sark, both very different but both very unique and a favorite with visitors and locals alike.

The Island of Alderney is slightly further away and most people would choose to visit as a standalone holiday . The short hop is by a small aircraft and takes approximately 20 minutes.

Guernsey boasts a very rich heritage from Neolithic times and throughout the Islands you will find excellent museums that illustrate the region’s history and expose its secrets, as is the Island’s close relationship with the sea.

Guernsey offers a great choice of holiday accommodation with a huge variety of styles and facilities. All are given a star rating designed to reflect the various styles of accommodation that exist within a sector.

Discover the little differences…

Money and Stamps

Guernsey issues its own money and stamps. Its currency is at a par with the UK sterling, but it looks distinctly different and even includes a one-pound-note extinct in Britain since the early 1980s. You can of course use sterling on the Island, as well as coins and notes from Scotland and Jersey. Stamps also look different and have different values to those on mainland UK.

Language

English is the principal language spoken in Guernsey today, but the Island also has a much older indigenous language that is still apparent in local place names and family surnames.

Known as Dgernesiais, this French patois has its roots in Norman French and until recently was most islanders’ first language. It is now only spoken by a few elderly residents, but thanks to the concerted efforts of a number of enthusiasts it is now being taught to a younger generation and its future looks more secure

About the training programme

I hope that our introduction has whet your appetite to learn more. There are two training modules to take and you will be able to download and print a certificate after each one. You may need access to www.visitguernsey.com and www.guernseytrademedia.com but most of the information you need will be in the slide that begins each course.

We hope that you will enjoy learning about Guernsey and her Islands and that the academy will help boost your sales.