Guernsey Holidays

[BettyYeti1]

Looking at a family trip to Guernsey. Can anyone suggest anywhere to stay please? Probably self catering best but open to child-friendly hotels. All seems very pricey on first glance. Also, what are the best things to do on the island for children? Thanks in advance - hit me with your recommendations 😊

The best thing to do in Guernsey is go to the beach, the beaches are stunning. Most of the beaches are sandy.

In terms of places to visit there is quite a lot of history from the occupation during WW2 including the underground hospital and various forts as well as older fortifications from the Napoleonic wars. The Little Chapel is worth a visit. Other than there are nice walks such as the bluebell forest, on the cliffs and to see the fairy ring. St. Peter Port is a cute town.

You can also take the ferry to Herm or Sark but Herm is definitely easier with young children, and RIB tours to see puffins, etc.

You will probably want to hire a car to get around.

Enjoy eating local fish, crab, scallops, potatoes, mushrooms, tomatoes, apples, berries and dairy products.

The beaches are the best thing in Guernsey. Sandy on the north and rocky on the South.

Vazon and Cobo are the most touristy and busiest. My favourite is Rocquane.
St Peter Port is lovely and you can visit the Castle or take a ferry to Herm.
There are also natural bathing pools which are cold but fun.

We have stayed in a few different places - Clifftop Cottages in Torteval was our favourite.
It is definitely not a cheap place to holiday unfortunately but it is beautiful.

vazon bay do self catering apartments. But tbh everywhere is expensive to stay at. We love it there, as above, the beaches are lovely. Definitely take a trip to Herm, and in the summer there’s music events at the castle.
lovely walks and history is very interesting. You will need a car.

Don’t need a car the buses are great!

It sounds great, thank you very much! Any accommodation recommendations please?

Thanks for the suggestions, and will check out those cottages too 👍

Will have a look at the apartments, thanks. From what I've seen from searching it seems to be a lot of hotels, but self catering is always easier with children.

That's good to know. Will save a lot of money on car hire!! Thanks

Are there any indoor things to do for children if the weather isn't great?

Had mixed reviews (when I looked at them quite some time ago), but the Beau Vallon apartment complex was really enjoyable and had lots to offer such as rescue animals, games, and a small aviary, especially if with children and in warm weather. Little outdoor seating areas in the green space, that were quite self contained - I remember eating great fish and chips out there. Buses went from close to there, no problem, even if it was not near the main town, though did get a cab from the airport when arriving at night time.

The fish and chips in Cobo were fab . We were there last weekend.

I lived in guernsey for 7 years it is a truly wonderful place to holiday ☺️ I second the vason bay apartments it’s an ideal location for the beaches and has a surf school located there which is really reasonable. Also we stayed in some holiday cottages in St Martin (Ellingham cottages) which is just outside of St Peter Port.

For not so nice weather days there is oatlands St Sampson’s which has a soft play and trampolines as well as all the museums which are really interesting too!!

The buses are super cheap and regular to anywhere on the island 🏝️ you will have a brilliant time!!

Oh they sound good, thanks for the idea - off to have a look now

Hope you had a great time! thanks 😀

Will look up both these cottages, thanks for the suggestions. Had just been looking at the Ellingham ones actually - any good?

How old are the kids? There are some great places - we loved Pirate Golf, there is the Oatlands centre with lots to do (go carts for little ones, golf, play area, bowling etc), Beau Sejour leisure centre, Sausmerez park and manor (different places and maybe different spellings), the little train …. Mostly though beach, rockpooling and swimming whatever the weather!

We loved vazon bay. So beautiful!
nothing to add- just that it’s a beautiful island with lovely people and you’ll have a wonderful time.

10 and 7. Oatlands sounds a great rainy day option! thanks!

Thanks - it sounds lovely. Getting excited about it now!

@BettyYeti1its a beautiful place. Your kids may enjoy food at Crabby Jacks - it has a play area and food has always been good when we’ve been.
Fish and chips on the beach at Cobo is a must - sunsets are amazing and kids can swim

Sounds fab! thank you. Where did you stay when you were there?

If your kids are old enough to cycle, I thoroughly recommend a day trip to Sark hiring bikes and cycling the island. It's only small, so it isn't too hard. There is a wonderful farm house restaurant somewhere in the centre of the island that did the best fresh lobsters but I can't remember what it was called.

I lived out there for a few years and still visit friends - DC have been almost every year!

I live in guernsey and it is a wonderful
place to bring kids.

how old are your kids and are you coming in term
time? There are a couple of excellent glampsites with fab tents/cabins.

I live in Guernsey and have children of a similar age. Agree accommodation is not cheap. I can recommend hotels and apartments.

Self catering options:

https://www.visitguernsey.com/accommodation/places-to-stay-in-guernsey/

in terms of things to do for that sort of age:

surf lesson at Vazon
trip to Herm for the day
castle cornet
saumarez park - large park with cafe and good children’s play area
trip out on a boat - Island Rib Voyages or Out of the Blue are both great
GOLF19 has pirate mini golf and golf driving range
Saumarez Manor has a little train, sculpture gardens, pitch and putt and a small play area
Oatlands has indoor play area, mini golf and trampolines
Outdoor bathing pools at Havelet
lots and lots of different beaches
Underground Hospital museum
occupation Museum
candie Museum
little Chapel
Karting

Different events take place over the summer:

The Street Festival in St Peter Port from 26th July to 9th August. Including performances from musicians, actors, dancers, fairies, puppeteers, storytellers, and superheroes

Country show type events in late August

music gigs at cobo bay

i could go on so please shout if you want particular information