Quick search
CTRL+K
Quick search
CTRL+K
St Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey, and its cozy streets with an urban environment offer shopping, café life and cultural events. There are plenty of sights in the city, and from Saint Peter Port, it is a short distance to all the island’s many attractions, not least the omnipresent nature and the many buildings from World War II.
Guernsey, along with the rest of the Channel Islands, is also known as the Tidal Islands, and for good reason. The difference between high tide and low tide is enormous, and it is a phenomenon that is not forgotten when new islets suddenly become accessible on foot after having been isolated in the sea only a short time before.
From Guernsey, it is also easy to get to other islands in the English Channel and spot both similarities and differences. Sark is a great choice, and trips to Jersey and Herm are also available.
Market Square is one of the larger squares in St. Peter Port. It is located in the old part of the city and offers an architectural urban space from the first half of the 19th century.
The town’s first official market was located at the top of Smith Street from 1309, but by the end of the 17th century many traders had settled in the area around the parish church, close to the harbour. In 1726 a new wooden building was completed, but in the 1770s it was decided to build a distinctive new market building in the then parsonage garden by the parish church, and from then on the market grew larger and more houses were added.
Today you can see the imposing facade along Fountain Street, and from Market Square there is access to the arcade “Les Arcades” from 1830; here there is a nice passage in the middle. To the south of the square is the meat market from 1822 and in extension of this the fish market, where between the cast iron columns and the arched roof there is now a supermarket.
Castle Cornet is located on the outer edge of the harbour at St. Peter Port. It was built from 1206 on a former tidal island as a direct response to the division of the Channel Islands from the Duchy of Normandy two years earlier. The castle was completed in 1256.
In 1339, fighting broke out at the fort, whose garrison was defeated by French troops who attacked the island and occupied it for a period.
In the period 1545-1548, Castle Cornet was rebuilt, so that modern cannons became an integral part of the defense of the place, which was the official residence of the Governor of Guernsey until 1672. In that year, Castle Cornet was struck by lightning, causing great damage.
In the early 19th century, the piers from the harbour were built out to the castle, so it became a natural part of the town’s protection from the sea. In 1945, Castle Cornet was transferred from the British Crown to the people of Guernsey, and today several museums have been set up here.
Hauteville House is also known as the residence of Victor Hugo for 15 years; in the period 1856-1870. The house itself was built around 1800 and first owned by the Englishman William Ozanne. The French author bought the house in 1856 after his financial success with the publication of Les Contemplations. By owning the house, Victor Hugo could not be expelled from Guernsey during his exile from France, which had begun in 1851.
Victor Hugo subsequently furnished the house with a wealth of creativity. Furniture and other furnishings were purchased from all over Guernsey, and the rooms of the house gradually became an experience in themselves. In March 1927, Victor Hugo’s family donated the house to the city of Paris, which has since maintained the house exactly as it was in the author’s time.
Until 9 May 1945, the German Navy’s Signal Headquarters operated on Guernsey. It was responsible for radio traffic to and from Germany and between the other islands in the area. The actual naval headquarters was established at the nearby La Collinette Hotel.
The Signal Headquarters was located in a bunker from World War II. It is now a museum with an environment that shows the time during the war. Among the communication tools used was the Enigma machine, whose codes were broken by the British relatively early in the war.
Candie Gardens is one of St Peter Port’s finest parks. Established in 1894, the park is beautifully situated with views over the city’s rooftops and the sea. The lower part of the park is a lovely place to enjoy exotic plants and beautiful arrangements and garden environments. The upper part is a lawn with views of the harbour and islands to the east.
There are several things to see in Candie Gardens; among them a statue of the French writer Victor Hugo. The statue stands in the upper part of the park and is a gift from France. It was unveiled in 1914. At the top of the park, behind the Guernsey Museum, stands a statue of Queen Victoria.
Victoria Tower is erected as a monument to Queen Victoria’s visit to Guernsey on August 24, 1846. It was the first visit to the island by a sitting monarch and was therefore a major event.
The tower cost £2,000, raised from the public. Construction was begun in 1848 with a grand ceremony, during which the Governor of Guernsey laid the first stone.
The tower is 30.5 metres high and the viewing platform at the top is accessed via a circular staircase. Access is managed by the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery in nearby Candie Gardens.
The Guernsey Tapestry was created to commemorate the turn of the millennium in the year 2000. This remarkable piece of artwork depicts a thousand years of local history in Guernsey and consists of ten individual, embroidered panels. Each panel represents one of the ten parishes into which Guernsey is divided, showcasing significant events and cultural milestones from each area.
The impressive tapestry took four years to produce, involving the dedicated efforts of numerous local artisans and volunteers. The intricate embroidery and detailed scenes capture the rich heritage and diverse stories of the island, making the tapestry a cherished symbol of Guernsey’s past and present.
There is a 19th-century Victorian atmosphere in many places in St. Peter Port, and one of the best and most intimate places to experience it is in the Victorian Shop & Parlour, which contains many period details.
The building itself dates from the 18th century, but inside there is a fine living room from the 19th century Victorian era. In the shop in front of the living room you can experience a wonderful, old-fashioned shop atmosphere, where you can see and buy a wide range of locally produced goods.
Government House in St. Peter Port serves as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey. This prestigious position represents the monarch and is the highest office on the island. The Lieutenant Governor acts as the crucial liaison between the governments of Guernsey and the United Kingdom, ensuring smooth communication and cooperation on various matters.
The residence itself, Government House, is a symbol of authority and tradition. While it is not open to the public, its presence is a reminder of the island’s historical and ongoing connection to the British Crown. The building and its grounds are maintained with great care, reflecting the dignity and importance of the office it houses.
Old Government House in St. Peter Port is a historic building constructed in 1796 to serve as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, the monarch’s representative on the island. This grand residence was the center of official activities and hosted numerous dignitaries and events. By 1858, the Governor’s residence had moved to a different location, and the house transitioned into a hotel, a role it continues to fulfill to this day.
The hotel has managed to preserve the elegant charm of its past, with its interior reflecting the refined tastes of the era. Guests can enjoy the timeless beauty of the period architecture, complete with luxurious furnishings and intricate details that harken back to its days as a gubernatorial residence. The Old Government House Hotel offers a unique blend of historical significance and modern comfort, making it a cherished landmark in St. Peter Port.
Guernsey Museum, located in the beautiful Candie Gardens, serves as the island’s primary museum, showcasing the rich history of Guernsey through various exhibits. The museum presents the island’s history in diverse ways, including natural history displays and exhibitions on significant man-made events. You can explore a range of permanent collections that provide insights into Guernsey’s past, from its geological formation to its cultural heritage.
The museum also features an art gallery, which showcases works by local and international artists. This gallery provides a space for changing artistic expressions. So whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply looking to learn more about Guernsey, the museum offers a comprehensive and engaging experience for all visitors.
This concert and assembly hall is housed in the former garrison church, named after the apostle James. It was Sir James Saumarez who took the initiative to build it in 1815, and it was completed in 1818. With its opening, the city’s English soldiers could attend English-language church services; At that time, sermons were preached in French in the town’s parish church.
In 1970, St. James became redundant as a church, and after a restoration in the early 1980s, the current center for various events was inaugurated on July 5, 1985.
Vale Castle is now a beautiful ruin on the site of a fortified castle dating back to the 6th century BC. Vale Castle, the ruins of which can now be seen, was built in the late 14th century. A good 300 years later, the castle was expanded to house a larger garrison than before.
Fearing a French invasion, the castle was renovated between 1778 and 1783, and was also expanded as a barracks. However, the fear remained, and no fighting took place.
Until filled in in 1807, Vale Castle was situated at the eastern mouth of the Braye du Valle strait, which extended northwest to the present-day Grand Havre Bay. The strait created the island of Clos du Valle, which formed the north-eastern part of Guernsey. The island belonged to the parish of St. Michel du Valle, and Vale Castle was then called Château St. Michel.
In the late 19th century, the barracks were abandoned and the buildings fell into disrepair. In connection with the First and Second World Wars, Vale Castle was partially reinforced, but otherwise around 2000 years of fortification were over, and the site remained as a beautiful and well-preserved ruin.
At the mouth of Grand Havre Bay, the Rousse Tower to the west and Chouet Tower to the east were built as a defence against a feared French invasion. It was in the years 1778-1779 that Grand Havre Bay was the start of a natural strait that made Guernsey’s current north-eastern area an independent island; Clos du Valle. Along the strait there were many landing opportunities, and therefore a strong defence here was important. The channel was filled in in 1807.
Rousse Tower is one of 15 built in 1778-1779. It is nine metres high and six metres in diameter. Inside you can see some posed figures showing some common situations in the life and work of the tower. Rousse Tower was manned by the 2nd Northern Regiment of Guernsey. A captain, a sergeant and twenty soldiers were the full military strength of the tower. The captain was also responsible for three nearby batteries.
Outside the Rousse Tower is the tower’s ammunition depot, the Magazine, where gunpowder could be stored safely from the Rousse Tower itself.
The area around Rousse Tower is a lovely nature area with many walking paths along the water. Here you can also enjoy a very beautiful sunset directly off the coast in the summer. Next to Rousse Tower is the Peninsula hotel, which is a great place to enjoy nature and a couple of times a week a rich buffet with Guernsey’s many lovely fish and shellfish products; not least the Guernsey crabs.
Saumarez Park is named after the Saumarez family, from whom James St. Vincent de Saumarez purchased the property in the 19th century and later had fine gardens laid out. In 1938, the Guernsey government purchased the site, the mansion of which is now used as a retirement home with public access to the ground floor.
The park has been partially preserved from Saumarez’s time; this applies to the rose garden, for example, and since 1993 other parts of the park with formal gardens and fountains have been restored.
The former stables in Saumarez Park house the Guernsey Folk Museum, which houses collections of costumes, furniture and porcelain depicting life on the island, as well as a collection of agricultural tools and machinery.
Fort Hommet has been fortified since 1680. A Martello tower was built in 1804, and later gun batteries and barracks were added. The current structure dates from World War II, when Guernsey was militarily fortified by Germany as part of the so-called Atlantic Wall.
A total of 21 gun casemates were built of the Fort Hommet type, of which four are casemates. The positions were equipped with 105 mm K331 guns. Fort Hommet was built from April 1943, with building materials arriving by a newly built railway from St. Peter Port.
At the end of the war in 1945, the guns were removed, and later all the metal parts. The bunkers, like others on the island, were buried to recreate the coastal landscape. In the 1990s, Guernsey decided to restore the best-preserved of the gun casemates, and it was Fort Hommet that can now be visited.
Fort Grey is a defensive tower located on the rocky west coast of Guernsey. The area has been notorious for the Hanoi Reef, which has been the cause of many shipwrecks. A museum has now been established in Fort Grey, where the history of the area’s many shipwrecks is conveyed; among other things, through an exhibition of salvaged artifacts.
Before Fort Grey, the Château de Rocquaine was located here. In 1803, the castle was demolished and replaced by cannon positions protected by a half-wall. The following year, a tower and other buildings were built there, which through several extensions became the current Fort Grey in 1816.
Fort Grey is named after the Governor of Guernsey from 1807 to 1817, General Charles, Earl Grey of Howick. Locally, the fort is also known as the cup and saucer today, due to its appearance.
The Pleinmont Observation Tower is a concrete tower built and used by German soldiers during World War II. It is five stories high, was built in 1942, and offers miles of views of the sea and the surrounding countryside.
The tower has been restored to its World War II condition, including the original rangefinders. Pleinmont Observation Tower is one of a network of similar observation posts that functioned alongside gun emplacements elsewhere.
In the landscape south of the Pleinmont Observation Tower, you can see other remains of World War II armaments on Guernsey. Here, for example, is a former French cannon set up by the Germans, as well as other military lookouts and installations.
The island of Herm is the first larger island east of St. Peter Port. With its few inhabitants, no cars and extensive and richly varied nature, it is an oasis that many locals also use as an excursion destination and place to relax.
From the harbor in the southwestern part of Herm, you can start a hike around the island along the varied coasts. It takes about two hours and offers everything from the southern bird cliffs to the wide beaches to the north. There are cafes at several places along the way, but apart from them, you are mostly surrounded by nature.
Sark is a 5.45 km² island east of Guernsey. There are about 600 inhabitants on Sark, which in the local language, Sercquiais, is called Sér. Sark consists of Great Sark to the north and Little Sark to the south. The two parts are connected by the narrow isthmus, La Coupée. Sark is a self-governing island that also has jurisdiction over the island of Brecqhou, which lies immediately west of Sark.
There are no cars on Sark. Instead, local transport is handled by tractors, and tourists ride bicycles or take tours in the island’s many horse-drawn carriages. However, the island is not so large that you can also get around on foot.
The main street is immediately in front of you when you come up from the harbour road, and it has many restaurants and shops. It is also from here that the horse-drawn carriages depart. A few minutes’ walk west along the main street brings you to the island’s church, St. Peter’s Anglican Church, built in 1820. In this direction you also reach Sark’s highest point, measuring 114 metres, where the remaining part of the island’s mill stands.
Nature and farmland are omnipresent on the island, which is also a good starting point for sailing trips to bird cliffs along the steep coasts.
Until 2007, there was a kind of feudal rule on Sark, where the so-called seigneur administered the island as a fief on behalf of the crown. The seigneur is thus the island’s practical head of state. The seigneur’s compensation included being able to provide 40 armed men, and therefore the island was originally divided into 40 lots, of which the seigneur’s residence has been La Seigneurie since 1730.
There is no access to the characteristic building, La Seigneurie, which was built on the site of a monastery established in the 6th century. The house was built in 1675 and has been continuously expanded since then, including the observation tower from 1854. The tower was intended to function as a signal post for communication to Guernsey.
The house itself is not the main attraction. It is the house’s garden, La Seigneurie Gardens, which is considered one of the finest formal gardens in the Channel Islands. The garden is set within a wall that protects it from the wind and ensures extra good growing conditions for the many exotic plants on site. Lots of flowers are some of the things you can enjoy here. A beautiful rose garden and a planted maze of hedges are just a few of the special features.
You can also visit La Coupée, which is the 90-meter-long connection between Great Sark and Little Sark, where there was no railing until 1900. At that time, the narrow road on top of 100-meter-high cliffs on both sides was also somewhat narrower than today, so it was not without reason that children climbed over in windy weather.
During World War II, La Coupée was expanded and built as a proper road, and the result is what you see today. The road itself curves through nature and is picturesque, as are the views on both sides of the connection.
High Street
marksandspencerguernsey.com
Market Square, High Street, streets around Market Square
Victoria Avenue, St Sampson’s
theislandbowl.com
La Vallette, St. Peter Port
Les Petites Capelles, St Sampson’s
Victoria Avenue, St Sampson’s
kartingguernsey.co.uk
Camp du Roi, Vale
Les Gigands, St. Sampson’s
Guernsey’s history as an island dates back to around 8,000 BC. Before the end of the Ice Age at this time, the area, like the rest of the Channel Islands, was connected to the present-day French mainland. Findings show that farmers are thought to have settled around 1,500 years later, and from this Neolithic period many relics such as dolmens can be seen around Guernsey today.
Guernsey, along with the other Channel Islands, was part of the Roman Empire, and excavations in the capital, St Peter Port, have found evidence that the site was used as a Roman trading post from around AD 50. It is believed that the Romans were active on the island for around 250 years.
With the gradual decline of the Roman Empire, the Britons slowly took over the island, arriving in greater numbers in the 5th and 6th centuries during their migration to the present-day British Isles. It was during this period that Saint Sampson brought Christianity to Guernsey.
Vikings came to the region from the 8th century, but the island’s political ties remained with England until 933, when Duke William I of Normandy conquered the Cotentin Peninsula and the Channel Islands. In 1066, Duke William II defeated the last Saxon king of England, Harold II Godwinson, and became King of England. However, he ruled the Channel Islands separately.
1204 was the year of the Duchy of Normandy’s fate. King Philip II Augustus of France won the area from King John of England, but in that event the Channel Islands were separated from the continental part of Normandy and were given the status of a self-governing entity directly under the English crown; a status that still applies according to the wording of the Constitutions of King John (John).
After 1204, the Channel Islands were a potential point of contention between England and France, and their proximity to France meant that the French king claimed the islands until 1259, when the claim was abandoned by the Treaty of Paris. At the same time, the English king abandoned his claim to the possessions on the French mainland of the former duchy, which had been lost in 1204.
Following the Treaty of Paris and the Channel Islands’ status directly under the Crown, the King introduced a form of government in which government was carried out by a bailiff and a direct representative of the King, the present-day Lieutenant Governor. At this time, the division into Jersey and Guernsey as separate territories with their own self-government also took place.
Despite its self-government and the agreement with France, Guernsey was attacked and captured several times throughout the 13th and 14th centuries. For example, Castle Cornet was in French hands for six years during the Hundred Years’ War in the mid-14th century. During the Wars of the Roses between factions within the English royal family, France occupied the Channel Islands from 1461 to 1468, before Sir Richard Harliston claimed them back for England.
During the English Civil Wars, 1642–1651, the majority of Guernsey sided with the Parliamentarians, in contrast to the Channel Island of Jersey, which sided with the Royalists. The Royalists held their stronghold at Castle Cornet, which capitulated on the Royalist side in 1651.
In the 17th and 18th centuries, piracy increased from Guernsey, and with royal permission, it brought a great deal of prosperity to the island, which had traditionally lived not least on wool exports.
After the French Revolution, a number of wealthy French people settled on Guernsey, and some construction work was undertaken. With the Napoleonic Wars raging in Europe, Guernsey’s defences were also expanded, and from that time a number of fortress towers still stand, designed to defend against a French invasion. The threat of war also had an impact on the economy, which suffered greatly from the largely halted trade.
Later in the 19th century, times became calmer, and major construction projects were initiated. Roads and harbors brought new trade opportunities, and in 1879 the infrastructure was strengthened by trams. The economy generally improved greatly throughout the 19th century, with quarrying and shipping experiencing great growth and success.
During World War II, Guernsey was occupied by German troops from 1940 to 1945, and the Channel Islands were the only British territory to be conquered by Germany. Guernsey was heavily fortified during the war, and the island became part of the German Atlantic Wall, which was intended to protect mainland Europe against an Allied invasion. The many defensive works can be seen in many places on the island today.
In the years after World War II, Guernsey has experienced a development of tourism as a new industry, and every year, the island’s war history and the large difference in tides attract many visitors.
Saint Peter Port, Guernsey[/caption]
Overview of Saint Peter Port
St Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey, and its cozy streets with an urban environment offer shopping, café life and cultural events. There are plenty of sights in the city, and from Saint Peter Port, it is a short distance to all the island’s many attractions, not least the omnipresent nature and the many buildings from World War II.
About the Whitehorse travel guide
Contents: Tours in the city + tours in the surrounding area
Published: Released soon
Author: Stig Albeck
Publisher: Vamados.com
Language: English
About the travel guide
The Whitehorse travel guide gives you an overview of the sights and activities of the Canadian city. Read about top sights and other sights, and get a tour guide with tour suggestions and detailed descriptions of all the city’s most important churches, monuments, mansions, museums, etc.
Whitehorse is waiting for you, and at vamados.com you can also find cheap flights and great deals on hotels for your trip. You just select your travel dates and then you get flight and accommodation suggestions in and around the city.
Read more about Whitehorse and Canada
Canada Travel Guide: https://vamados.com/canada
City tourism: https://visitwhite-horse.ca
Main Page: https://www.vamados.com/
Buy the travel guide
Click the “Add to Cart” button to purchase the travel guide. After that you will come to the payment, where you enter the purchase and payment information. Upon payment of the travel guide, you will immediately receive a receipt with a link to download your purchase. You can download the travel guide immediately or use the download link in the email later.
Use the travel guide
When you buy the travel guide to Whitehorse you get the book online so you can have it on your phone, tablet or computer – and of course you can choose to print it. Use the maps and tour suggestions and you will have a good and content-rich journey.
Victoria Tower is erected as a monument to Queen Victoria’s visit to Guernsey on August 24, 1846. It was the first visit to the island by a sitting monarch and was therefore a major event.
The tower cost £2,000, raised from the public. Construction was begun in 1848 with a grand ceremony, during which the Governor of Guernsey laid the first stone.
The tower is 30.5 metres high and the viewing platform at the top is accessed via a circular staircase. Access is managed by the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery in nearby Candie Gardens.
The Guernsey Tapestry was created to commemorate the turn of the millennium in the year 2000. This remarkable piece of artwork depicts a thousand years of local history in Guernsey and consists of ten individual, embroidered panels. Each panel represents one of the ten parishes into which Guernsey is divided, showcasing significant events and cultural milestones from each area.
The impressive tapestry took four years to produce, involving the dedicated efforts of numerous local artisans and volunteers. The intricate embroidery and detailed scenes capture the rich heritage and diverse stories of the island, making the tapestry a cherished symbol of Guernsey’s past and present.
There is a 19th-century Victorian atmosphere in many places in St. Peter Port, and one of the best and most intimate places to experience it is in the Victorian Shop & Parlour, which contains many period details.
The building itself dates from the 18th century, but inside there is a fine living room from the 19th century Victorian era. In the shop in front of the living room you can experience a wonderful, old-fashioned shop atmosphere, where you can see and buy a wide range of locally produced goods.
Government House in St. Peter Port serves as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey. This prestigious position represents the monarch and is the highest office on the island. The Lieutenant Governor acts as the crucial liaison between the governments of Guernsey and the United Kingdom, ensuring smooth communication and cooperation on various matters.
The residence itself, Government House, is a symbol of authority and tradition. While it is not open to the public, its presence is a reminder of the island’s historical and ongoing connection to the British Crown. The building and its grounds are maintained with great care, reflecting the dignity and importance of the office it houses.
Old Government House in St. Peter Port is a historic building constructed in 1796 to serve as the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey, the monarch’s representative on the island. This grand residence was the center of official activities and hosted numerous dignitaries and events. By 1858, the Governor’s residence had moved to a different location, and the house transitioned into a hotel, a role it continues to fulfill to this day.
The hotel has managed to preserve the elegant charm of its past, with its interior reflecting the refined tastes of the era. Guests can enjoy the timeless beauty of the period architecture, complete with luxurious furnishings and intricate details that harken back to its days as a gubernatorial residence. The Old Government House Hotel offers a unique blend of historical significance and modern comfort, making it a cherished landmark in St. Peter Port.
Guernsey Museum, located in the beautiful Candie Gardens, serves as the island’s primary museum, showcasing the rich history of Guernsey through various exhibits. The museum presents the island’s history in diverse ways, including natural history displays and exhibitions on significant man-made events. You can explore a range of permanent collections that provide insights into Guernsey’s past, from its geological formation to its cultural heritage.
The museum also features an art gallery, which showcases works by local and international artists. This gallery provides a space for changing artistic expressions. So whether you’re interested in history, art, or simply looking to learn more about Guernsey, the museum offers a comprehensive and engaging experience for all visitors.
This concert and assembly hall is housed in the former garrison church, named after the apostle James. It was Sir James Saumarez who took the initiative to build it in 1815, and it was completed in 1818. With its opening, the city’s English soldiers could attend English-language church services; At that time, sermons were preached in French in the town’s parish church.
In 1970, St. James became redundant as a church, and after a restoration in the early 1980s, the current center for various events was inaugurated on July 5, 1985.
Similar to Saint Peter Port Guernsey Travel Guide
