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Channel Islands Holidays

Channel Islands Holidays

The Channel Islands…officially the sunniest place in the British Isles!

Holidays in The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands are an archipelago of islands nestling in the Bay of St Malo off France’s Normandy coast. They’re made up of Jersey and the islands of Guernsey including Alderney, Sark, Herm, and Lihou; each with their own unique character. The hustle and bustle of Jersey’s St Helier and Guernsey’s St Peter Port contrast with the old-world charm of the smaller islands of Alderney, Sark, Herm, and Lihou. The Channel Islands are your gateway to miles of sandy beaches, coastal castles and routes, unique history, and mouth-watering local produce and cuisine – and all just a 30-minute hop from the UK and mainland Europe. Beyond their natural beauty and historic landmarks, the Channel Islands also offer a vibrant cultural scene shaped by British and French influences. Visitors can enjoy lively festivals, explore charming markets, and savour local delicacies from fresh seafood to the famous Jersey Royal potatoes. With warm island hospitality and a relaxed pace of life, the Channel Islands provide the perfect blend of adventure, heritage, and coastal tranquillity.

Why Visit The Channel Islands?

  • Golden sands, rugged cliffs, and hidden coves make Jersey, Guernsey, and the smaller islands perfect for seaside escapes
  • Explore medieval castles, prehistoric sites, and World War II bunkers that reveal the islands’ fascinating past
  • Fresh seafood, creamy Jersey dairy, and famous Jersey Royal potatoes make the islands a culinary delight
  • Hiking, cycling, kayaking, and wildlife spotting are popular across the islands’ scenic trails and unspoiled landscapes

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Places to stay in The Channel Islands

The Channel Islands…officially the sunniest place in the British Isles!

More About The Channel Islands


Discover the Charms of Jersey

Discover the Charms of Jersey

Jersey is the largest and most popular of the Channel Islands. This year-round gem offer is perfect for relaxing, exploring, getting active, and savouring the welcoming hospitality. You’re never more than ten minutes from the water’s edge; perfect for days spent building sandcastles, paddling in rock pools, swimming in the sea, enjoying alfresco picnics, and trying surfing, stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, and coasteering. Explore medieval Mont Orgeil Castle or Gorey Castle and learn about wartime Jersey at Jersey War Tunnels. Get up close to wildlife at Jersey Zoo and pick a pearl from oysters at St Ouen’s Jersey Pearl. Show off your creative side at The Harbour Gallery and The Jersey Art Centre or get in on the action with locally-brewed liquors from La Mare Wine Estate and the Channel Island Liquor Company.

Delve into Guernsey

Delve into Guernsey

Get away from it all, recharge your batteries, get #ThatIslandFeeeling on the islands of Guernsey; comprising five islands nestled in the bay of St Malo – namely Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, and Lihou. Guernsey is your gateway to the charming town of St Peter Port with its Castle Cornet, Hauteville House, Candie Gardens, Guernsey Tapestry, and shopping on the High Street and Market Square. Step back in time at Shrine of the Sacred Heart, La Valette Underground Military Museum, National Trust of Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum, and Le Creux es Faies Passage Tomb. Walk to Rouse Headland, Rousse Tower, and L’Eree Headland and escape to Victor Hugo’s Garden and Cambridge Park. Relax at Vazon Bay and Rocquaine Bay, go surfing at Portinfer, and try high-tide swimming at Petit Bot Bay. Experience the sparkling world of diamonds at The Guernsey Diamond Museum.

Lihou

Lihou

Lihou is just across a cobbled causeway from Guernsey and is the ideal spot for adventure – visit for just the day or spend the night at the nine-bedroomed Lihou House. With the RAMSAR wetlands, Lihou is a wildlife sanctuary that is ideal for bird watching amongst the 150+ resident bird species and rock pooling on the rocky shore. Try your hand at wild swimming at the tidal Venus Pool and walk back in time at the ruins of Lihou Priory built by Benedictine monks in 1114.

Alderney

Alderney

Alderney is a 15-minute flight (or a ferry ride in peak season) from Guernsey and the second largest of her islands. Wander through the cobbled streets of St Anne’s and tuck into everything from French and Thai to gastro pub fare and seafood fresh from surrounding waters in the many eateries. Delve into history from the Iron Age to World War II at Alderney Museum. Catch sight of seabirds, dolphins, bats, and blonde hedgehogs along the coastal grasslands and sub-tidal kelp forests. Peer through binoculars to delight in the puffin and gannet colonies in spring and summer. Relax at popular Braye Beach, seek out Saye’s sand dunes, paddle with the family at Arch, and go rock pooling at Corblets. Ride the Channel Islands’ only working railway - the Alderney Railway from Braye Road Station to Mannez Station.

Sark

Sark

Sark is a 35-50 minute ferry ride from Guernsey’s St Peter Port and feels like a world away, whether you’re visiting for the day or staying overnight. Cars are forbidden and you can travel to a bygone era as you discover Sark’s unspoilt landscapes and charming unpaved roads from your seat on a horse-drawn carriage, by pedal power on a bike, or on foot. Sark is the World’s First Dark Sky Island – no public and vehicle lighting protect the island from light pollution allowing locals to use The Milky Way to find their way around. Sark’s The Avenue is the heartbeat of the island with its supermarket, eateries, and local silver and craft shops. Escape to the serene La Seigneurie Gardens in the grounds of a 17th-century manor house. Despite its compact size the island boasts a variety of dining venues – from fine dining in hotels to alfresco crab sandwiches and cafes serving afternoon tea.

Herm

Herm

Herm is a 20-minute boat ride from Guernsey’s St Peter Port. Step ashore and uncover unspoilt golden beaches, sandy cliff paths, pods of dolphins, and a resident puffin colony. Herm Island Specsavers Nature Trail gives you the chance to complete a quiz answering questions about the island wildlife. Enjoy family time with sunbathing and water sports at Shell Beach or escape to the secluded Belvoir Bay. Take to the water by paddleboard and join a guided kayak puffin patrol or a circumnavigation of the island by kayak, while on dry land you can have a go at archery, team challenges, and activities. Food and drink-wise relish everything from a glass of rose and a crab sandwich overlooking the beach to silver service dining and relaxed pub fare.

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

The Channel Islands are famous for their locally-caught seafood including mussels (moules), oysters, scallops, lobsters, and crabs (spider crabs are a local delicacy). Jersey is, of course, the home of Jersey Royal potatoes and Jersey butter; both of which are utilised in many recipes. You can sample Guernsey Gache (sweet bread), Guernsey Bean Jar (hearty bean and vegetable stew), and Ormer (shellfish). From beach cafes and tea rooms to fine dining restaurants and everything in between there’s plenty of places to tempt your taste buds in the Channel Islands. Drinks produced on the islands include wine from La Mare Wine Estate and Gorey Wine Cellar and also Roquette Cider and Weadon’s Gin.

Travel Guide

The Channel Islands are popular with all ages and tastes including families, couples, friends, and single travellers – from sun-worshippers and activity fans to avid explorers and culture enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone on each of the islands.

  • Currency: GBP
  • Average flight time: 1 Hour
  • Time Difference: 0 hours

Weather in The Channel Islands

Average monthly temperature in The Channel Islands (°C)

  • Jan 5°C
  • Feb 5°C
  • Mar 7°C
  • Apr 8°C
  • May 11°C
  • Jun 11°C
  • Jul 16°C
  • Aug 16°C
  • Sep 15°C
  • Oct 12°C
  • Nov 9°C
  • Dec 7°C

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