A short hop from London Heathrow, Guernsey is a sun-soaked Channel Islands escape that surprised me in the best possible manner
When contemplating brief flights from Britain, the frequently damp Scotland and Ireland likely come to mind first.
However, what if you discovered you could fly to a sun-drenched haven in under an hour? This isn’t some far-fetched claim – it’s now possible thanks to a new British Airways year-round service to Guernsey. Dubbed the sunshine island, this Channel Islands destination can be reached in just 35 minutes from London Heathrow.
My mother and I were fortunate enough to secure places on the maiden flight to discover what the island has in store. “This is a big deal for Guernsey and puts our wonderful island back on the map,” said Visit Guernsey’s lead marketing officer Zoe Gosling as we boarded the plane.
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It marks the first occasion the carrier has served the island since the 1980s, creating an electrifying atmosphere on board. As we ascended into the sky, applause rang out and one delighted couple brandished Guernsey flags. Before we’d managed to finish our complimentary champagne, we were hurtling along the tarmac in the capital St Peter Port. Our journey had commenced, reports the Mirror.
The six-mile-long bailiwick of Guernsey lies in the heart of the English Channel, merely 30 miles from the Normandy coastline. Its southern location places the island within reach of the Mexican Gulf Stream, meaning it benefits from a considerably milder year-round climate compared to mainland Britain. We chose the four-star Duke Hotel as our base, which proved delightful, though numerous more affordable accommodation options exist locally. St Peter Port sits within easy reach of an array of stunning vistas, cultural treasures and engaging day excursions. History enthusiasts will find the imposing Castle Cornet absolutely essential viewing. Positioned at the harbour entrance, the 800 year old fortification provides a captivating glimpse into the island’s past and present.
We spent several leisurely hours wandering through the four museums and historic gardens, though steered clear of the tea rooms, which seemed nearly as ancient as the castle itself (picture pine furnishings and Victoria sponge beneath a discoloured sneeze guard). Yet what the attraction lacks in contemporary dining offerings, it compensates for with spectacular panoramas across the Channel.
A comparable old-world atmosphere awaits at the neighbouring Guernsey Museum at Candie, where educational exhibits meet generous amounts of dusty taxidermy. However, don’t overlook a trip to the adjacent Victoria Tower, where legend suggests Les Misérables author Victor Hugo would clandestinely rendezvous with his mistress. Request the key from museum reception, and you’ll gain exclusive access for up to 30 minutes.
The 99-step climb left us exhausted and overheated, making a swim at the nearby Valette bathing pools the perfect next stop. Constructed during the height of Queen Victoria’s reign, the four pools fill with sea water at high tide and provide islanders with year-round access. Mum and I are keen sea swimmers, so the early April water temperature was just about tolerable. However, if diving into freezing waters doesn’t appeal to you, I’d recommend holding off until July or August.
Perhaps the most unexpected discovery of the trip was the island’s impressive selection of dining establishments. Naively, I’d presumed we’d be surviving on greasy pub fare throughout our three-night visit, but I couldn’t have been more mistaken.
Having built up an appetite at the bathing pools, we made our way to restaurant Dhaka for a Bangladeshi banquet. We were welcomed by Mahi, who was incredibly hospitable, and took the time to talk us through the menu. We shared the Murgi Rezala (roast chicken curry) and vegan vegetable Niramish, accompanied by a samosa, rice and naan. While not fiery hot, the dishes were aromatic, delicate and exceptionally flavourful.
If you’ve got some money to spend, Japanese restaurant Fukku is absolutely worth visiting. Featured in the Michelin guide, it serves traditional Japanese cuisine with a contemporary twist. The edamame beans in hot sauce, coal-cooked beef and chicken skewers and matcha tiramisu were heavenly.
They also boast an excellent range of distinctive cocktails. With satisfied appetites, we returned to the hotel. Our brief Guernsey escape had drawn to a close. The island presents a delightfully eclectic blend of historic charm and contemporary flair, and I was reluctant to depart. I urge you to experience it for yourself.
