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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Channel Islands, worth the expense?

38 replies

siplok · 01/08/2023 09:56

I’ve always fancied going to the Channel Islands for a few days. Probably Guernsey rather than Jersey. My grandparents used to tell me about their honeymoon to the Channel Islands when they got married in the 1890s. Yes I’m old (and they were in their 90s!). So since then I’ve had an itch to go.

Flights look like £200 and hotels about £150 a night. Is it worth it for 2-3 nights? Or should I just go to Seville instead.

OP posts:
Whenwillglorioussummercome · 02/08/2023 08:55

2/3 days in Guernsey would be fun. Flights to Guernsey tend to be more expensive than those to Jersey but the island is smaller and St Peter Port is lovely. There are buses but depending on what you think you’d like to do you might want to think about car hire.

The best thing about the Channel Islands (IMO) is the beautiful beaches and crystal clear sea.

SisterAgatha · 02/08/2023 08:58

Im torn. I have good memories of childhood holidays.

I don’t think I would pick it now as an adult and consider it good value. I’ve been back and it was lovely but not good value compared to other places with guaranteed weather or lively activities. It definitely depends on the holiday you want. I like wild beaches and uncertain weather so it was fine. It’s a gentle holiday.

Original poster
siplok · 02/08/2023 15:43

I think I might see what the weather forecast looks like and book it a few days before.

OP posts:
Lou670 · 02/08/2023 15:54

I worked the summer season there in Jersey in 1994 at La Place Hotel Saint Brelade. Jersey is very expensive now for accommodation. I cannot believe the prices of the hotel I worked at now. It has had extensive renovations done on it. Jersey or Guernsey are both lovely and you can get the ferry over to the smaller Islands for a day trip. Sark is worth a trip, there are no cars on Sark. It doesn't take long to get around the main Islands so if going for a few days then you can explore the other Islands too. The weather is usually better than the Mainland. Jersey - Saint Helier is the main town for shopping. Jersey is divided by 'Saints' and each have something to offer and lots of quaint little bays. I have no idea of the flight prices now as not been back since. Getting the ferry over is another option. It depends on whether you intend to drive over there and need to take a car. You can walk around the whole of Jersey in a day! You are making me want to go back now so I can show my daughters where I used to live and work!

AzureBlue99 · 02/08/2023 16:28

Just came back from Jersey. Stayed in that hotel mentioned La Place - but not in the actual hotels, they have really nice cottages in the grounds. But expensive.Its an expensive island, but no more so than mainland UK. It's a small island, but loads to see and do. A week is enough.

We flew and hired a car - the car is great for seeing the interior. Such beautiful buildings, very French looking and with all the French place names, you think you are in France. Amazing beaches and castles and coves. Lots of walking, despite its size. I like a walk along an accessible path on a disused railway line from St Aubin to Corbiere Lighthouse- just under 8 miles. The restaurant at Corbiere gets good reviews but it was shite. Willie Carson, the jockey, was having dinner when I was there - teeny tiny guy - but I digress. Hope his meal and service was better than mine.

Some good restaurants and cafes. St Helier has quite a lot of shops for a small island, with 2 big independent department stores.

My highlights were a boat trip around the southern side of the island. And a high speed rib trip by Jersey Safaris around the north side - the highlight of my trip - don't book if you have back problems or sea sickness, its fast and furious.

There are Waitroses and Marks and Spencers Food Halls for nice self catering.

Historically it's interesting because of the Nazi occupation- chilling relics left over - gun towers and the underground hospital built by forced labour. Gerald Durrell's zoo is very well done - don't normally like zoos but they are big into conservation.

Its a sedate place, but increasingly multi cultural. It has a large Portuguese population. The main people, about half, are Jersey born - then another large % from UK, and Portuguese, Polish etc. Because of a skills shortage now has South African workers, and this has increased the diverse food on offer.

I would go back, but maybe for a long weekend. I feel like I have done it. This was the second time going for me. Never been to any other CIs

Lou670 · 02/08/2023 16:43

@AzureBlue99 I remember the Corbiere Lighthouse and that walk. The workforce were mostly Portugese when I worked there. La Place Hotel didn't have the cottages when I worked there nor did it have a swimming pool. I don't recognize it from their website. It was on such a smaller scale when I worked there. It has really gone upmarket!

AzureBlue99 · 02/08/2023 16:58

Great sunset views at the lighthouse @Lou670

I didn't use the pool (it's not big) nor any of the hotel facilities. The cottages are nice.

Pilateshappy · 02/08/2023 16:59

I lived in Guernsey for a while and would definitely say that it is worth it. Lovely beaches and restaurants!

rookiemere · 02/08/2023 17:10

We are on a Jersey holiday although we have broken it with a few nights in France ( one more than expected as our ferry back has been cancelled).

We've only seen St Helier and Gorey so far although did pass some other places on the airport bus. It feels a bit like an uncrowned version of Cornwall. There are some amazing seafood restaurants. Prices for eating out are pretty expensive- we are from Edinburgh and prices are roughly on a par.

Sadly the weather has not been kind to us so far, and I think a large part of the islands attraction is exploring the coast.

rookiemere · 02/08/2023 17:11

We have dinner on Saturday night booked at Corbiere light house. However it looks like it will be a faff to get home from in the evening without a car, so based on the above review I think we'll swap to breakfast.

MojoDojoCasaHouse · 02/08/2023 17:13

I spent a week in Guernsey with my DH as he knows someone from there. I found it really dull to be honest. The beaches were lovely but no nicer than mainland Britain. It felt hemmed in without much open space. DH is from coastal Wales and I’m from Devon. We’ve had a much more enjoyable time in Wales or the Westcountry without the travel cost.

AzureBlue99 · 02/08/2023 17:42

@rookiemere I think a bus goes to the lighthouse. But might be daytime only. That restaurant is really not worth visiting. It's main pulling power is the view and you can see that without using the restaurant. Nice ice cream stand there though!

That walk I mentioned is great. Saw three red squirrels!

Luckily we had good weather. My positive reviews might not be so positive in the rain!

crankyhousewife · 02/08/2023 17:43

We've been to Jersey and Guernsey and would go back to either in a heartbeat. In Jersey we stayed at the radio tower (Google it) which was very expensive but the view from the top was well worth it. Loved Guernsey too.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 02/08/2023 17:43

rookiemere · 02/08/2023 17:11

We have dinner on Saturday night booked at Corbiere light house. However it looks like it will be a faff to get home from in the evening without a car, so based on the above review I think we'll swap to breakfast.

There are MUCH nicer places to eat than Corbiere Phare. It’s no more than a chain pub level of food.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 02/08/2023 17:45

For anyone who wants great seafood for a reasonable price in a beautiful place, look up the seafood barbecue at L’Etacq in the far north west. Be prepared to wait for your food, and they only run it when the weather is good, but you’re sitting in a lovely spot by the sea while it’s being cooked.

KathieFerrars · 02/08/2023 20:15

Guernsey is lovely and have done two solo holidays there. The bus service is really good. Beaches and walks are lovely. Ive stayed at La Barbarie (very nice), and the St Pierre - big and ok but in a 1989s timewarp. Breakfast was good though. Jerbourg is very nice too. Loads to do there.

PhotoDad · 02/08/2023 21:12

Both islands are lovely places, especially if the weather co-operates, with a "not quite England, not quite France" feel. Lots of historical sites, pleasant walks, etc. They are expensive to get to, though. I grew on Jersey (which was slightly odd) but haven't really been back (other than visits when my parents were still there) since I left for uni.

The Jèrriais part of me want to point out on behalf of the residents of Grouville that not all of the Parishes are named after saints. Just the other eleven!

GettingStuffed · 02/08/2023 21:22

We had a great holiday on Guernsey when the kids were in their early teens. The only complaint was trying to find somewhere to eat on Sunday.

ReviewingTheSituation · 02/08/2023 21:24

Where are you flying from? We flew from Southampton (we live 20 mins from BHX) because it was WAY cheaper.

I'd do a few days in Guernsey and a few in Sark. It's lovely there - dark skies, lovely hotels and places to eat, peace and quiet...

UglyModernWindows · 02/08/2023 21:30

I worked in a hotel in Guernsey in 1999 and loved it there! Definitely worth it. I’ve also been to Jersey which is great but I think Guernsey’s landscape is more beautiful and varied. You also must take the boat to Herm Island whilst there.

rookiemere · 02/08/2023 21:31

@Whenwillglorioussummercome Corbiere cancelled and fingers crossed for the L'Etacq bbq - although as it's weather dependent and as we're going home on Tuesday I doubt it will happen.

We got here very cheaply btw - direct Easyjet flights from Edinburgh to Jersey. Accommodation is pricey though and eating out and attractions cost quite a lot. We've been making good use of the bus service only £2.50 per trip.

Swimbikerunmummy · 02/08/2023 21:34

I was born and still live in Guernsey. What are you looking for from a holiday? If you like an outdoorsy lifestyle, beaches, water based activities, walks, island hopping then it’s perfect. If you want put on attractions etc maybe less so.

lovescats3 · 02/08/2023 21:43

Accommodation is very expensive in both

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 03/08/2023 00:54

PhotoDad · 02/08/2023 21:12

Both islands are lovely places, especially if the weather co-operates, with a "not quite England, not quite France" feel. Lots of historical sites, pleasant walks, etc. They are expensive to get to, though. I grew on Jersey (which was slightly odd) but haven't really been back (other than visits when my parents were still there) since I left for uni.

The Jèrriais part of me want to point out on behalf of the residents of Grouville that not all of the Parishes are named after saints. Just the other eleven!

Cough… Trinity.

Whenwillglorioussummercome · 03/08/2023 00:59

rookiemere · 02/08/2023 21:31

@Whenwillglorioussummercome Corbiere cancelled and fingers crossed for the L'Etacq bbq - although as it's weather dependent and as we're going home on Tuesday I doubt it will happen.

We got here very cheaply btw - direct Easyjet flights from Edinburgh to Jersey. Accommodation is pricey though and eating out and attractions cost quite a lot. We've been making good use of the bus service only £2.50 per trip.

The barbecue doesn’t tend to be evenings either. They are not really making it easy for anyone!

For a good breakfast with a view I’d go for El Tico or Le Braye over Corbiere - same part of the island. El Tico is actually good in bad weather too, as you see the sea in its full stormy glory.