Exploring the Channel Islands

Little_Vics

Hi,

The forums were so helpful when we were planning our Scottish road trip last year, so we thought we'd turn to you again for our next road trip!

We would love to visit the Channel Islands this summer. Our closest airport is Manchester or Leeds/Bradford, but that's as far as we've got!

We've got 2.5 weeks in August, and are completely flexible. Any ideas would be very welcome, and if this thread is better off on the UK board rather than the overseas one, please feel free to move it...

Thanks in advance

xLV

Doshwaster

Plenty of flights to Jersey from regional airports. I'd hire a car there and explore for a few days. From Jersey there are lots of flights and/or boats to the other Channel Islands.

How long a trip were you planning?

Alan_Bowen

Two and a half weeks might be a long time, you can drive around Jersey, the largest of the islands in three hours, that's not to say there aren't plenty of places to visit but possibly not for two and a half weeks. I visited Jersey 4 times last year, not for pleasure but business but made sure I had time to explore and in about 8 hours I think I had exhausted most of the places of interest.


I haven't been to Guernsey or Alderney for years, but I liked both of them more than Jersey, however the cost of going from one island to another isn't cheap and accommodation isn't necessarily cheap either. If you are mature in mind I am sure you will like the islands but younger people find it can cost more than 2 weeks in the Costas so have generally deserted the islands. Start by sending for the tourist brochures and see if it appeals, the weather is the best in the UK, apart from fog which can affect the islands at any time of the year so make sure you have insurance which will cover the cost of accommodation if your return flight is cancelled.

bouncydog1

Aurigny https://www.aurigny.com fly direct to Guernsey and offer good deals for early booking. Depending on accommodation requirements could probably recommend hotels/self catering etc. As an islander happy to help with any questions.

August is high season so if on a tight budget early summer/September might offer better value. We have excellent transport links with other islands for day trips and also to France if you want to go to St Malo. If brining your car there are several ferry a day from Poole, Weymouth or Portsmouth https://www.condorferries.com.

Can also recommend good restaurants rather than rip off restaurants and there are unfortunately some of t hose. let me know if I can help.

Little_Vics

Amazing! We literally have no plans other than to go there to be honest. I've been looking at accommodation and flights, and am thinking it might be cheaper to drive down to Portsmouth and get a ferry and then camp? Tips on self catering accommodation would be appreciated though.

Do you know if you can get 'island hopper' tickets on the ferries? We might do a bit of a round trip (Portsmouth - Jersey - Guernsey - Portsmouth).

In terms of timings, sadly we have to go in August because we are restricted with when we can take holidays. We've got 2.5 weeks total, but if we drive we will probably want to stop off for a few days in the UK on both legs of the journey.

Thanks so much...all advice is welcome.