Jersey vs Guernsey: Which One is Best for a Holiday?
The Channels Islands have been under crown control since 1066, when William of Normandy vanquished Harold at Hastings in eye-watering style - taking England's throne. Despite this, the islands retain a Gallic charm that gives them a very different feel from the UK.
But when planning a visit to this very special archipelago, one common question arises: Should I visit Jersey or Guernsey?
Jersey was home to Detective Bergerac; Guernsey to Victor Hugo and Renoir. Jersey boasts the medieval Mont Orgueil fortress; Guernsey Neolithic ruins.
But both are blessed with idyllic coastlines, thrilling wildlife and vibrant towns.
Solving the Guernsey vs Jersey conundrum is not easy, but here we'll weigh up the benefits of each, so you can decide for yourself.
Jersey: Why go?
St Helier
Jersey is the larger and more populous of the two main Channel Islands, and its capital, St Helier, offers a wide mix of local shops and high-end outlets.
It's about as cosmopolitan as you'll get on the Channel Islands - more so than Guernsey's capital, St. Peter Port.
Food in Jersey
Good food should form part of any holiday, and Jersey has plenty.
Potatoes and dairy produce have long been mainstays for the locals, so sampling Jersey royal potatoes and the island’s rich milk is a must. They're served in many local eateries, alongside fabulous seafood and other French-influenced dishes. Why not sample confit duck leg, mash potato and caraway cabbage at Mark Jordan at the Beach, just west of St Helier?
But it's not all about local bites. There’s plenty of international cuisine, as offered by the likes of the Indian Ocean (South Asian dishes), and the superb beachside Thai Dicq Shack.
Options are a little more varied here than St Peter Port on Guernsey.
There's also a 19th century Victorian fruit and vegetable market to explore - ideal if you’re self-catering.
History in Jersey
History-wise in the ‘holiday in Jersey or Guernsey’ debate, Jersey may have the edge.
Dating back to the 1200s, majestic Mont Orgueil Castle is well worth a visit. It defended the island for centuries (from the French) and was also used as a prison for English agitators in the 1600s (keeping them at arm’s length).
But Mont Orgueil's cannons were soon insufficient for the island's defence, so Elizabeth Castle was built on an islet near St Helier in the 1600s. It remains one of Jersey's top tourist attractions, and holds several centuries of military memorabilia.
Elsewhere, signs of the German Occupation of World War Two are common: remnants of seawalls, forts and towers dot the coast.
Beaches and wildlife in Jersey
But perhaps the best attractions in Jersey are the family-friendly beaches and clifftop trails.
Picturesque bays and inlets fringe the island, with the wildest cliffs, capes and beaches to the north; the golden sands and azure waters of Grève de Lecq and St Brelade’s Bay Beach are big draws. The south coast’s beaches are best for families, while the west offers great surfing.
Bottlenose dolphins can be spotted off the coast year-round, while cheeky puffins can be watched on nearby Helm and Jethou.
Gerald Durrell’s conservation-focused Jersey Zoo is also a must-visit for animal lovers
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Guernsey: Why go?
St Peter Port
If your choice in the Jersey vs Guernsey debate hinges on relaxation, Guernsey may just about pip it's bigger rival to the post.
The island offers a Mediterranean atmosphere - with its relaxing capital, St Peter Port, featuring charming shops, and restaurants serving dishes from locally-sourced produce.
Attraction-wise, Victor Hugo’s eccentric Hauteville House is a big tourist draw: the Les Misérables writer was exiled here for 14 years.
History in Guernsey
While Hugo made Guernsey his home for years, fellow Frenchman Renoir was here for about a month. Thankfully, he managed to produce some 15 paintings of the island during that period, and was particularly inspired by Moulin Huet.
Be sure to take the romantic Renoir Walk along the coast.
Going further back in history, the eight-century-old Castle Cornet is a must-see, featuring five museums and four wonderful period gardens.
Older still are the island's ancient ruins - burial sites and standing stones like Mare-ès-Mauves (located by the edge of a golf course today!).
But the most notable historic attractions are the many bunkers and forts built by the Germans during World War Two. Among these, top billing is enjoyed by the five-storey naval observation tower, Pleinmont Headland, and the fascinating German Underground Hospital.
Beaches and wildlife in Guernsey
Guernsey is fabulous for outdoors-lovers, ringed as it is by a series of rugged coastal walks. Enjoy coves, inlets and majestic sand dunes - particularly on the south coast.
But if you just fancy staking your umbrella in the sand and relaxing for an afternoon, the island offers plenty of stunning beaches.
Prime among these is the idyllic Les Amarreurs Beach Vale, on the north coast. For something more intimate, visit the diminutive La Route de Jerbourg, offering splendid views out towards Sark and Herm.
The island's puffin colony is the main pull for wildlife fans; they breed here from mid-March until July. There are also puffin-watching boat trips to Herm and Jethou during this period.
Plus, there are donkeys, gently grazing cattle, and wildflower meadows to enjoy.
Jersey Vs Guernsey - Which to choose?
Both Jersey and Guernsey have ample attractions and beauty spots to enjoy, so you’re unlikely to be disappointed by either. But if you’re still unsure, remember ferries run six times a week between the two - so why not explore both?
How to get to Jersey or Guernsey from the UK
As regards accessibility in your Guernsey vs Jersey conundrum, both are within easy reach of UK ports and airports.
Ferries to Guernsey run from Poole (high speed, 3 hours) and Portsmouth (regular ferry, 7 hours). You’ll need to board another ferry to reach Jersey, which is further south.
If you prefer to fly, you can reach Jersey directly from London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and other cities. Non-stop flights to Guernsey are also available - from London, Southampton, Manchester, Birmingham and Exeter.
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