Channel Islands

blammo

Hi there

We live in Glasgow and would like to go to the Channel Islands for a weeks holiday and was wondering if folk can give any advice about getting there, accommodation etc.

We'd preferably go to Guernsey because we'd like to visit Sark as well (and we're assuming it's easier to get there from Guernsey) but if Jersey has plenty to recommend it and it's just as easy, or even easier to get to then we'd consider that.

I've seen flights for about £122ish each from Glasgow to Gurnsey, with FlyBe which I think is great value.

blammo

nothing at all?

bellrooster

Hi

We went to Jersey a couple of years ago and we totally fell in love with the place!

We got flights with BMI baby and they came to around £150 return for 2 of us (we took our daughter, but she was under 1 years so traveled free)

We didn't venture out to sark though, but there was plenty of info about taking trips there - It's easily doable from Jersey.

I would definately fly, it's so much easier than driving/ferry. Avis do cheap car hire, I think we paid £90 for a week.

Accomadation wise, we went for a little guest house in st Clement http://www.rocquebergview.co.uk/ and it was affordable, clean and handy for St Helier. Mind you, you're never far from anywhere in Jersey as it's so small!!

Some of the best things about Jersey are the beaches, so clean and the sea is so blue, amazing. The 2 castles were incredibly interesting, as were the museums. We went for a week, but could easily fill 2, so plan carefully to fit in as much as possible.

The only downside is that food seemed to be incredibly expensive! There are fast food restaurants etc that can help to keep the costs down, and we found an amazing restaurant in Gorey bay called Seascale, wonderful food and not too pricey! we went there 3 times.

Bo_Peep

Hi blammo,

Jersey is mine and my husband's second home! We go there once or twice a year and absolutely love it.

We tend to fly nowadays but have taken the fast ferry (Condor) in the past. We travelled from Weymouth to Jersey and it takes just under 4 hours, calling at Guernsey on the way. If you get a clear sailing day it's preferable to flying (for us) as you can take your own car and the only limit to how much luggage you can take is how much you can fit in your car! Not sure about prices for the ferry as we usually book an all in one deal with the hotel if we do this.

The downsides to sailing are that the sailing times are a bit more restrictive than flying as we used to have to get to Weymouth (a three hour journey away from us) by the early hours of the morning to set sail at 7am so add another day or two onto your holiday if sailing is your preference so as not to limit your time at your destination too much.

Also, if you get bad weather the fast ferry will be cancelled and you will be given the option of transferring onto the slow ferry which goes from Portsmouth (I think) and departs at 9am or thereabouts arriving in Jersey at something like 6 or 7pm. That is one of your days taken up completely by travelling and if you haven't got strong sea legs like me, this might be your idea of a nightmare!

Flying to Jersey is easy but expensive. I think you're lucky if you can find a flight below £100.00 - we never have - but for us it's so much easier than sailing. We travel to Southampton airport, park in the long stay carpark and within 40 minutes of getting on the plane, we're touching down at Jersey airport.

Accomodation wise, I can thoroughly recommend the Morvan chain of hotels. Some are in more quiet, coastal locations and some are in the centre of St Helier (the capital) so there's something for everyone. They are comfortable, clean and have good facilities. The staff are extremely good and welcoming.

If you can afford to, I would recommend hiring a car as otherwise you'll be reliant on the bus service and I'm not entirely sure how frequent the buses are. I know they operate summer and winter timetables so always best to check first. Car hire is very convenient as you can arrange to collect and drop your car off at the airport. The roads are very narrow so you don't want too big a car! We find the Fiestas are the perfect size but it depends on how many of you are going and how much luggage you want to cart about.

Attractions are plentiful in Jersey - gardens, museums, zoo, park for the kids, war and occupation museums and hospitals... something for everyone and I agree with bellrooster, you would not be bored if you went for two weeks!

Restaurants and pubs are also good value and good quality there. If you decide to go to Jersey be sure to post here again and I'm sure I or one of the other posters could give you a more specific list of our recommendations. I second Seascale - lovely location and brilliant choice. I think you can find something for most budgets there - there are pizza places and well-known restaurants in St Helier; pricey hotel restaurants for that romantic candle-lit meal out and country pubs for nice, reasonably priced traditional food.

If you are going in October, they have something called Tennerfest where a lot of restaurants put on set two or three course menus for £10, £12.50, £15.00, etc. Sometimes it works out cheaper, sometimes it doesn't - you have to work that out!

Shopping is OK, but you'll find that most things like CDs, DVDs and electronic items are cheaper to buy online here in the UK than in Jersey shops. Plenty of little souvenier shops around though if that is your thing.

Lots of lovely walks and beaches to look at as well if the weather is pleasant and there are plenty of opportunities to try new things as well like watersports for example. My husband and I tried abseiling last time we were there as there's plenty of cliffs! It wasn't for me though. :eek:

Sorry I can't help you out much with Guernsey. We went there for two weeks once and were bored after the first week as there wasn't as much to do there as in Jersey. We did go on a day trip to Herm though, which was good, as I think the other islands are easier to get to from Guernsey. We stayed at the St Martin's Country House Hotel if I remember correctly - not sure if it's still going now though.

My personal opinion is that Jersey is more family orientated with regards to the beaches and attractions. The new Waterfront development has a night club and restaurants and cinema if you are interested in that.

I think that's about it for now but I can certainly answer any other questions you have on Jersey - just come back and ask! Also, if you go to either Guernsey or Jersey for your main holiday there is nothing to stop you having a day trip to the other Island. The Condor Ferry takes about 1 hour between Jersey and Guernsey or there are some inter-island flights available.

That reminds me, if you like flying, why not go along to Jersey airport and have a lesson in piloting a small plane around the Island? My husband did this and thoroughly enjoyed it - they let you take the controls for a while (under supervision, of course) and you get lovely aerial views of the Island. I did intend to go with him (honest!) but quickly made my escape when the pilot handed me a bowl and said that some people find it a bit bumpy and here was a bowl just in case!! :eek: Cheers... bye!!!

Bo Peep.

igaveupnowimback

Hi, sis lives St Helier so we are used to going and love it, but it really is changing and alot of the tourist attractions have closed in last few years.

Still love it for beaches, scenery, shopping St Helier, pavement cafes, small galleries and art centre. For small children I'm not sure apart from beaches and West Park.

Bus services good through daytime but evenings tricky and taxis not easy to call either. Parking at beaches busy - anywhere can be tricky - you have to buy some sort of pass.

Samares Manor, Living Legend, Zoo, La Houge Bie, Occupation Museum, Shell House, Lavender Farm, Jersey Potteries, Gorey Castle all worth visit.

Also must see Corbiere Lighthouse- low and high tide - Maritime Museum, Underground Hospital, St Brelade's Bay, Elizabeth Castle - ooh, I wanna go now. If going mid August prices shoot up cos Battle of Flowers on. Many fair priced eating places often overlooking small harbours, lovely. Or central market has fruit, breads etc for al fresco.

See trip advisor reviews for more up to date ideas.

Average - good price from Flybe. Huge variations in prices for SAME BA flights dep where buy from. If you have Tesco Clubcard deals can get airmiles flights from London (if u can get cheap flights from Glasgow). I'm near there too : )

Sorry can't recommend hotels etc as don't use them any more.
Guernsey, only been to St Peter Port, quaint, nice. Think it's @ £45 return on ferry, takes about 1 hour. Sure you'll love Channel Islands despite the little blips! :j