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

Jersey or Guernsey?

15 replies

spectaclereceptacle · 21/01/2025 17:44

I've never been to the Channel Islands so am thinking of going on the ferry from Poole for a few days.

Where should I go - Jersey or Guernsey? I like visiting museums/galleries as well as walks along the beach or coast, so any recommendations gratefully received.

Could I manage without a car or would that make things too difficult?

Cheers!

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Wendolino · 21/01/2025 17:57

Guernsey is more quiet. It's a few years since I was there but it was beautiful. I remember a few interesting places to visit like an underground hospital and Victor Hugo's home. You'd need a car to make the most of the island.
I went to Jersey last year, equally as beautiful but more busy. St. Helier has all the shops, galleries etc. We enjoyed a visit to the war tunnels and the fabulous zoo.
I would hire a car if possible as some of the beaches would be hard to get to on public transport.

Baggyprincess · 21/01/2025 18:02

There was an underground hospital in Jersey, it’s now known as The War Tunnels. Worth a visit but a very sobering experience.

Jersey is very doable without a car, especially in the summer, you just need the Liberty Bus app. We love Jersey and have visited regularly, always staying in the same place. Beautiful people but both islands are expensive to get to and expensive to stay on.

I’ve only visited Guernsey for the day, many, many years ago so can’t really comment!

spectaclereceptacle · 21/01/2025 18:24

Will investigate the Liberty buses, thanks for the pointer.

How many days do you think it'd be worth staying?

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SparklingSpa · 21/01/2025 18:27

I love both, I really liked St Brelade Bay beach in Jersey and I stayed in a hotel there.

Pieceofpurplesky · 21/01/2025 20:46

I prefer Guernsey, St Peter Port is more beautiful than St Helier. Both have amazing beaches. Jersey has the zoo. So a 2 centre! Both have cheap buses to get around

Baggyprincess · 21/01/2025 22:39

SparklingSpa · 21/01/2025 18:27

I love both, I really liked St Brelade Bay beach in Jersey and I stayed in a hotel there.

My favourite bay, been staying there most years since toddlerhood!

spectaclereceptacle · 22/01/2025 12:40

Hmm. So maybe worth spending a few days in each? I imagine there's regular ferries between the two.

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spectaclereceptacle · 22/01/2025 12:41

Any recommendations for hotels please?

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Motherhubbardscupboard · 22/01/2025 13:16

In Guernsey I'd also want to do day trips to Herm and Sark, both beautiful islands. A PP mentioned the underground hospital in Jersey. There is also one in Guernsey. I prefer St Peter Port to St Helier, which feels more similar to a normal English town.

MintTeaisgross · 22/01/2025 21:37

I don’t know Jersey but I have visited Guernsey many times.

The south coast is stunning- lots of little sandy bays linked by a coastal paths. You can do a great walk between them, most have a “kiosk”, a little cafe. I really like the Moulin Huet tea rooms. Monet painted a lot here and you can see his paintings of the bay in the tearoom. If you go to a kiosk, make sure you have a Guernsey ice cream, the milk from Guernsey cows is very creamy so the milk (and ice cream, butter, cream) is really good.

The west coast has big open bays and Atlantic rollers. Go to Cobo for fish and chips at sunset.

In both cases, make sure you check the tides- the beaches often totally disappear at high tide and conversely it can be a huge walk out to the sea at low tide. I think the tidal range is one of the biggest in the world. You’ll also want to check the wind direction so you are sheltered from it.

You can take day trips to Herm and Sark. I like the RIB voyages and the cider farm tours too. If you get the chance to eat Herm oysters then make sure you do!

Both islands were occupied by the Nazis and the German Naval Signals museum is really interesting. There are lots of Nazi bunkers and batteries etc dotted around the coast still.

Victor Hugo lived on the island in exile and his house is well worth a visit. It’s actually owned by the city of Paris- you have to book tickets on their website.

St Peter Port town centre is a nice place for a mooch. You can walk down to the sea water pools at La Vallette or out to Castle Cornet- which is worth a visit too.

The buses are pretty good if you base yourself in St Peter Port. They won’t go anywhere near the south coast beaches- but the best way to get to them is on the coastal path anyway.

Double check if there will be a ferry between Jersey and Guernsey this summer- they re-tendered their ferry services, the islands fell out and went with different operators, I’m not sure quite how it all ended.

DaveClifton · 23/01/2025 07:31

I first went to jersey a couple of years ago for a long weekend and was surprised how much I loved it - we went again last summer and have booked for another week this July as a multi-generational family holiday at Les Ormes (a bit like Center Parcs) as there is so much to do in Jersey; it has something for everyone.

I can recommend the Biarritz hotel on St Brelade's Bay - it's not as fancy as some in the area but I think it's probably got the best view on the island (see pic) and is good value for money. It also has a bus stop right outside the front door, so getting around the island is easy. If you can make it to Beauport Beach and/or Portelet Bay nearby, they are both worth the steps - gorgeous beaches!

If you are on Instagram, the Visit Jersey account is worth following for inspiration.

DaveClifton · 23/01/2025 09:24

Sorry, pic didn't attach!

Jersey or Guernsey?
channelislander · 23/01/2025 09:59

Hi, Guernsey local here!

Both islands are beautiful, but which one you prefer really depends on what you want to get out of it. Guernsey has some lovely museums and fantastic scenery, while Jersey has equally interesting cultural spots it also has a more bustling town and attractions like the zoo.

Personally, bias aside, I'd recommend Guernsey because of the accessibility to other islands. Guernsey is part of a Bailiwick with Sark, Herm, and Alderney, which each have their own unique benefits! They're very popular for day-trips for both locals and tourists, and for good reason! Most of them can be accessed by ferry, very regular in the summer months, with Alderney best reached by plane. That said, I think Jersey is probably more family-friendly with activities like the maize maze, the zoo, and the water park, so if those sorts of places appeal to you then Jersey is the place to go!

Unfortunately when it comes to ferries between Guernsey and Jersey things are a little unpredictable this year due a lot of local political disputes I won't explain here, so flying is the best option if you want to island-hop between the two. I hope you enjoy whichever island you end up choosing, or both!

spectaclereceptacle · 23/01/2025 10:09

Thanks for all the recommendations. Lots to mull over!

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Mindymomo · 23/01/2025 10:19

We’ve been to Jersey 3 times, 7 hours by ferry and Guernsey once, 9 hours ferry as it stops at Jersey first. I would say Jersey is easier without a car especially if you stay in St Helier, buses go all over the island. We flew once from Southampton, which maybe I would do if you are only going on a short break.

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