Holidaying in Jersey or Guernsey

[CarlaH]

We're thinking of going to Jersey or Guernsey next year but don't know anything about either island.

We would probably take our car and like eating out and walking on lovely beaches. Also visiting outdoor attractions like stately homes, castles that sort of thing.

Could anybody recommend the best places on the islands to stay. It would help narrow things down a bit. Also any places best avoided.

Jersey has a wider range of accommodation and attractions. If you have children, Jersey is definately the better bet - aMaizin! Adventure Park, Durrell etc. can't be beaten. Guernsey is quaint, quirky and has a very relaxed vibe. It has more rural charm and prettier, more diverse landscapes. Both have nice beaches.
St. Aubin is great but you would have a greater choice of hotels and other accommodation in St. Helier and more choice of restaurants etc in the evening. St. Helier is certainly in the centre of things, maybe too much so for some. St Brelade's Bay is glorious and the best destination for beaches, but everyone knows it.

There's a series on Ch5 at the moment called 'New:Jersey and Guernsey.'

Both islands look wonderful places to visit and it gives you a real glimpse of what it's like there.

Thanks both of you. I will seek out that programme.

Don't know much about Guernsey, but Jersey has two spectacular castles (Mont Orgeuil, aka Gorey Castle, and Elizabeth Castle) and a number of smaller forts and ruins. Plus also other historic sites from the Neolithic to WW2. Most hotels are in St Helier, but nowhere is more than 30 minutes away. (The bus system is fantastic if you don't want to take the car.)

If you’re planning to camp, The Rozel Camping is a great site. We enjoyed visiting the Jersey War Tunnels when we were there. They were fascinating.

Jersey is bigger with more to do. We go more or less every year.
We stay on the West / North of the island, avoiding St Helier except for a day or 2.

You can get a multi-ticket for Jersey heritage properties, or even take out membership.
The zoo is excellent, the keeper talks are interesting.
High tide at St Ouens is enjoyable especially with spring tides.

Jersey Seafaris are enjoyable too.
A day trip to St Malo can be fun.

Really grateful for all responses.

Far too old for camping though. Self catering cottage is what we would be looking for.

Self catering cottages are available via Freedom Holidays or Macoles.
If you are going in the summer holidays and want sea view, you may want to book up in the autumn as places can get booked up.

You can go by slow boat (Clipper) from Portsmouth or the faster Fastcats from Poole. We use the Clipper as the fastcats can get a bit bumpy in stronger winds.

It's not cheap, but is lovely.

Ooh this is interesting! We have just sailed from Guernsey to Jersey and we're looking for stuff to do here.

As for Guernsey- it's smaller but such a lovely place. We were obviously at the harbour at St Peter-Port which is a lovely town. We really enjoyed the Occupation museum and Cornet Castle there. The beaches are wonderful and the boat trip out to the little island of Herm is a must.

ps I know it's far less accessible but Alderney is just stunning! 18 forts to visit and the most glorious beaches. However not many places to stay!

Beginning to wonder about one week on Jersey and one on Guernsey. I had a quick look and it looks as though there are ferries between the two every day. Have I got that right?

Yes. The Clipper tends to do Portsmouth-Guernsey-Jersey-Portsmouth, though occasionally it reverses the route, I think due to tides though I've never been certain. I don't know what route the FastCat takes as it is years since I've been on it.

I think for a first visit that might be a nice way to do it, as you can see both islands and then decide for yourself if you want to go back for longer.

Self catering tends to be Saturday-Saturday though out of main season there may be more flexibility.

Recommend Jersey, it's bigger with more to do

Guernsey is beautiful, but I am biased because I live here.

You lucky thing.
I've never been to Guernsey but have been to Jersey.
I'd love to live there but I'm not British and am not a multi millionaire.

Guernsey is lovely. Quiet and small - nothing is too far away. Personally, I'd find a place near Port Soif and consume my body weight in crab sandwiches and hot chocolate from the beach cafe. Heaven. The roads tend to be quite narrow - it can be a bit unnerving at first, particularly if you have a larger/wider car. It is expensive though, so be prepared for the slightly eye-watering supermarket prices.

We've just come back and have already rebooked for next year.
The Tortoise Trail was fun, here is my favourite.

Liked this one too.

The terrible misconception is that you have to be a millionaire.

Most people aren't and we just accept it cost loads to live here and accept that most of us have to work. If I lived in the UK I would probably be able to be a SAHM but here I have to work.

Jersey is a great holiday destination. There is an excellent bus service if you don't want to take the car.

If you want to stay somewhere quirky, consider booking a Jersey Heritage property: www.jerseyheritage.org/stay/heritage-lets/

It took a bit of forward planning, keeping an eye on tides, but we had a wonderful stay in Elizabeth Castle.

Guernsey has more character and nicer beaches.

What is eating out like these days? Is there much choice outside of St Peter Port?

Lots of nice places not in SPP - in fact we eat in other places more often these days - often on the West Coast,

Go to the Isle of Man instead. Bigger, far superior scenery, steam trains, great beaches and cliff walks, stunning scenery.

I had to post something…. Guernsey is so much nicer than Jersey. In every way. Jersey I just didn’t get at all. Driving was a PitA, the main town was dreary at best, food was mostly mediocre. A few days on Guernsey and we are so happy