A perfect time to visit to the Channel Island of Guernsey and its Liberation Day is certainly around the 9th of May each year.
The whole of the island goes to town on its Liberation Day with such great gusto.
The Guernsey Island flag, the Union Jack and the crowds on Liberation Day.
With military marches, cavalcades, bands and an outright celebration of a day. That is remembered even 80 years later.
The Only Part Of The British Isles Invaded
Being the only part of the British Isles to be invaded by the Germans in World War 2. Its a day of great significance to the
populations of all Channel Islands.
However, it’s Guernsey that raises the bar in terms of the effort put in by all residents to mark this day.
Being one day later than the rest of the UK and Europe it does as an event have a unique feel.
Amazing art work on this house in Guernsey.
The focus is certainly in St Peter Port the island’s capital. With the harbourside area taking centre stage for many of the events.
These included this last year a visit by HRH The Princess Royal. Who inspected the military contingents plus the island veterans and leading civil and volunteer units.
HRH The Princess Royal on her visit to Liberation Day in Guernsey.
Attended by, The Royal Marines and Gurkha units plus with a group of Chelsea Pensioners present too.
This year saw nearly 200 former military vehicles driving through the port town. With over 130 of those coming from the mainland UK and Europe.
Both Residents And Tourists Packed The Guernsey Liberation Day Route
Floats from many island clubs and organisations joined too.
As did a a good number of tractors being such an agriculture influenced island!
Packed streets on Liberation Day
Tourists and residents packed the harbour. As the different attractions paraded past them and the Royalty present too.
With many other events going on on the island around this date. The attraction of the island is increased many fold. As is the experience of being present around this time is so memorable.
Ferry to Herm fro St Peter Port.
The island offers plenty of other things to do like visiting nearby islands like Herm and Sark too.
With Guernsey being one of the most fortified places along Hitler’s Atlantic Wall.
Bunker Spotting
It’s impossible not to spot as you tour Guernsey the many former military forts, bunkers and range finding constructions. In all there are some 800. Some big some small and some buried deep underground too.
Bunker and range finder tower at Plienmont.
If you want to find out more about them then Accredited Tour Guide like Amanda Johns can take you and pass on to your her extensive knowledge of wartime Guernsey.
Places like the Occupation Museum near to the island’s airport is certainly well worth a visit. Its cash only entrance fee will gain access to Richard Heaume’s massive collection of memorabilia collected entirely by himself since the late 1940’s.
Those mainly white sandy beaches around the island during the war years were very much out of bounds. And today they are very popular and a great draw for tourists.
Guernsey The Little Chapel.
Places like the Little Chapel built by a monk Brother Déodat, who started work in March 1914.
Looking like an almost tropical beach and not far from the UK or France too!
Wide white sand beach.
With ferries running from Poole or Portsmouth you can be paddling in the island surf in a few hours.
Or fly from a whole host of UK regional airports. Such as Southampton, London City, Gatwick, Manchester Newcastle, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Glasgow plus some seasonal routes too.
Aurigny the Guernsey owned airline. Using the French name for island of Alderney.
Getting around the island which is 6 miles long and 3 miles wide is easy. If you are in no rush then the frequent bus services are excellent. Taxis are convenient and there is always car hire.
Car Hire Option Has Its Risks
However, the roads around the island are certainly narrower than most would be used to.
Certainly even more challenging if you are not used to driving on the left then that form of transport does have risk!
Hotels around the island are of an excellent standard with places like the ‘5’ Star Old Government House in St Peter Port an excellent choice in the capital.
Cavalcade St Peter Port.
As is the much larger St Pierre Park Luxury Spa Hotel Spa plus golf club located in the centre of the island.
Other hotels like La Fregate a townhouse boutique with great views over the port and the former manor house of Les Douvres on the south of the island offers a cosy stay with great food and fairly close to St Peter Port.
As well as more recent war history there are Mesolithic, Neolithic and Napoleon sites around the islands to search out.
Coastal walks around Guernsey are very popular as is bird watching. It is a haven for migrating birds with farmland and wetland habitats to seek out.
A Royal Golden Guernsey Goat.
Famed for its yellow coloured milk then the golden Guernsey cattle are iconic to the island. Added to that now is a Royal Golden Guernsey Goat after King Charles III visited last year and grant the breed that title.
One other animal has also made the news ‘Timmy the Tortoise’ Timothy the tortoise was gifted to Maggie Cull during the German Occupation of Guernsey.
Timmy The Tortoise Was There!
And she is not a male as she was identified by a vet many years ago and she is the only surviving pet who lived during World War II on the island.
Timmy the Tortoise and owner Maggie Cull ready for Guernsey Liberation Day.
Owner Maggie even secured a special spot in the 9th May parade.
The island of Guernsey has many stories to tell be that about World War 2 or the present day.
Drone and firework show rounded off the day. The Spitfire image in lights!
Where tourism is now bringing in visitors who want to spend time on an island that is not too far and yet different but has a tropical feel especially with its white sandy beaches and occasional palm tree.
The island attracted the famous French writer Victor Hugo who spent 15 years living on the island. His home is now open for tourists and is a museum with a charming walled garden.
The former home of Victor Hugo 38 Hauteville in St. Peter Port.
Known once for its tomato and flowers its apples and cider are now very popular. Gin is also a product of the island. Tea cabins, luscious crab sandwiches and the largest fish and chips I have ever had.
Plus a fruit loaf called Guernsey gâche great with a cup of coffee!
Guernsey Liberation Day Charm And Warm Welcome
Guernsey ice cream to finish was my go to desert!
The islands are indeed charming and you are stepping back in time a little but that really made my stay even more enjoyable.
The Royal Marines Band from Scotland.
The pace slightly slower and what is wrong with that? I think we all need more of that.
Guernsey fought the occupation but it certainly now really welcomes warmly tourists who make the journey by air or sea to an island of charm in the English Channel!
Airlines:https://www.blueislands.com/
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