[Closed] Guernsey Best Bits

The best way to see the Island is by boat if you can hire one. It's very boaty there.

If not then St Peter Port is a buzzy place with a nice French feel to it and some decent places to eat, Vazon Bay is pleasant and a trip to Herme is worth doing.

If you like history, there's some interesting WW2 stuff all over the Island. Careful if you swim in the sea - currents are very strong.

Hi there - the wife is from Guernsey so it's sort of like a second home.

Pretty much every beach is fabulous, but Cobo Bay is very nice and it has the advantage of having a fabulous Fish & Chip shop next door to a pub. Fish & Chips at Cobo Bay is a bit an institution on the island.

Sumarez Park is worth a stroll. St Peter Port is the main town and is worth an afternoon. Dix Neuf is the bar restuarant that the 20 and 30 somethings have lunch at.

If you're into WWII then the island is chock full of pill boxes, fortified defences etc which are worth exploring.

The best food on the island is Crab. It's better than any crab you've ever had before. If you can get the 'The Crab Cabin' and get a picked 'shanker' with a fresh French stick and have a picnic on the beach, it doesn't get much better than that.

Otherwise there's not much else in the way of 'attractions'. The best part of th island is the pace; everything just works in a much lower gear.

What is the cheapest way of getting there with a bike, and is there any good riding?

I am not sure you could fly with your bike. I've asked the missus about this a few times but she seems to think that the planes they use to fly there (Aurigny and Fly Be) are never going to be able to manage a bike as luggage. She used to fly these planes herself so it's an informed opinion but not a guaranteed one.

If that's the case then you'll have to get the ferry. I've just booked for 10 days in August and the crossing is coming in at £370 on a special offer. You could pay up to around £500 for peak season if you're unlucky.

As for the riding there, good question. I know there are some places to ride DH, I think in a place called Fermain Valley but I could be wrong. There is a DH race track there somewhere as there is a race series that takes place annually. You see a lot of roadies on the coast road but not a lot of MTBers. I've walked a lot of the costal paths and they would be fun to ride; nothing major, but the problem is they are paths and are packed with walkers. It would be no fun to ride them even if you were allowed to (not sure of the legality).

I am taking the bikes though this August and the aim is to explore a little more.

Thnaks geetee1972, it doesn't look like a cost effective option at the moment for me. I'd like to have a look round the island some day though.

Cheers

Basically the most rewarding thing to do on Guernsey is drink beer and eat fresh crab!

Gee-tee +1

FlyBe will probably take your bike, but expect all the usual bike + excess baggage fees etc. If you're only going for a few days, not sure it would be worth it, there's no decent, legal off-road biking. Lots of quiet country lanes and slow traffic though, so rent a bike there and explore.

Cycling the cliffpaths is a huge no-no, too many walkers. But I definitely recommend walking some of it. If you're short on time, then try a loop around St. Martins Point, or from St. Martins Point to Petit Bot (few hours). If you want to make a full day of it, then Pleinmont to St. Peter Port is a rewarding day out and will give you a good workout.

If you're going to the beach, consider the wind and plan accordingly, nothing worse than setting up your bucket & spade on Vazon when there's a F6 westerly. L'Eree, Vazon, Cobo & L'Ancresse are the big sandy beaches with easy access. But as an ex-local, my personal favourite is Petit Port at Jerbourg, not easy to access (300 steps) but quiet and gorgeous on a sunny day at low tide.
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Lots of history if you like that sort of thing: Castle Cornet (military museum), Fort Grey (maritime museum), Occupation Museum (WW2 occupation), Victor Hugo's house (crazy French author).

If you're there for a week, visit Herm for a day. On a sunny day, it will be busy so turn up early and get the "milk" boat about 8-8.30am. A walk around the island takes about an hour, then settle down on Shell Beach or Belvoir Beach to get sunburnt (everyone does, the sand has a very high silica content).
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(Geetee - a bit random, but are you married to R.L.?)

Hi Burts, it's Mrs geetee aka RL. How's parenthood? Saw BW last time at the airport so he told me of your up coming arrival. G is V jealous of your current location. Going back to the island (G was in to Lost) in Aug and hoping to catch up with KC and junior on the beach for some sand castle fun. Hope all going well and do excuse some of Geetee's random rants, Love to all, Rx

P.S Love the photos. You should ask for a commision from the tourist board.

RL, Hi! Will email you/GeeTee.

1st photo isn't mine, found it on google. Last photo though, that big sandcastle is ours - great way for a grown adult to spend on the beach!
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I live in Guernsey and echo what Geetee and Burts have already said. In terms of riding there is not too much for MTBers but some nice quiet road routes and stunning views.

A few of us MTBers turned roadies meet up every Sunday for a quick lap of the Island - about 22 miles, finished off with a pint or two of Roquettes - the local cider.

You're welcome to join us, though I suspect the numbers will down on usual this Sunday (Sat night BBQ). PM in profile. I can even lend you a MTB or road bike

Thanks for this thread.
That's our holiday for next Summer sorted!! 8)

You can defintely take bikes on Aurigny and Flybe, Although Aurigny will charge you less.

If I were you I'd pack some climbing shoes and a chalk bag and do some bouldering on those seaside granite outcrops. Great 🙂

We used to nip over on the outlaws Botnia Targa to Dilette in France about 45 mins (at 30ish knots) away. "Proper" France with non English speakers and boules - a great way to spend an afternoon.

However you do need to know someone with a nippy boat - not always handy.