Guernsey - 41 places to stay
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Guernsey was once a peninsula that jutted out into what was to become the English Channel. At sometime around about 6000 BC, it got cut off from mainland Europe and became an island, along with a number of other promontories.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey is not a single island but a collection of small islands, including Guernsey itself, Alderney, Sark, Herm and many other smaller islands. It is not a part of the UK but is a separate possession of the Crown and comes under the defence of the United Kingdom, similar to the Isle of Man .
The islands were inhabited by Neolithic farmers who settled on the coastal areas. A number of dolmens and menhirs remain to serve as reminders of this age. Later on the islands were occupied by the Britons during their migration to Brittany. In 1933 the Duke of Normandy annexed the island from the Duchy of Brittany. The islands remain today as the last remnant of the medieval Dukedom of Normandy. Queen Elizabeth II's traditionally recognised title as head of state in Guernsey is 'Duke of Normandy'. Over the centuries, the Bailiwick of Guernsey was attacked and occupied by many forces, including those of Napoleon and Hitler. Guernsey was the only part of British soil to be occupied by German troops in World War II.
There are many museums and attractions related to the military history of the islands. The largest construction in the Channel Islands is a German Military Underground Hospital, hewn out of solid rock by slave workers from many countries under the direction of the German troops.
The Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey form part of the collective grouping known as The Channel Islands. There are two paved airports in the Bailiwick of Guernsey, one on the island of Guernsey and one on Alderney. The only island with a functioning railway is Alderney.
The capital of Guernsey is St Peter Port , a busy harbour town where shops and restaurants vie for your attention. From here you can also get a ferry to the other islands of the Bailiwick. St Peter Port is a rich tapestry of architectural styles, with Georgian and Regency styles mixed with a heavy dose of French influence. A wide variety of shops and boutiques awaits the visitor, with wines and spirits and even antiques on sale in the Old Quarter. Nearby is the Guernsey Aquarium, which has been housed in La Vallette Tunnel for over 30 years.
For a complete contrast from the hustle and bustle of the shops in St Peter Port, the island of Alderney has a feeling of remoteness and is a paradise for nature lovers. You can fly or catch the ferry from Guernsey. St Anne's, the capital, has plenty of good restaurants and accommodation.
Sark is a traffic free island, accessible by ferry from Guernsey. Its rural interior and beautiful coastal views can be appreciated on foot or by bicycle. You can hire bicycles easily on the island. Herm Island is known for its tranquillity, stepping on to the granite and wood harbour wall, you can feel the modern world disappear.
Guernsey has always been known for its tomatoes and freesias, although demand for these, like the island's tourist industry has declined in recent years. Almost a third of the total income of the island now comes from financial services. Light taxes and death duties make Guernsey a popular offshore finance centre from Private Equity Funds.
The islands are reachable by air or sea with regular services from a variety of locations within the UK and continental Europe.
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