Guernsey, the most westerly, and in point of size the second of the Channel Islands; situated in the Bay of St Michael in the Gulf of Avranches at the entrance to the English Channel, 68 miles S. of Weymouth, 81 SE. of Plymouth, and 108 SW. of Southampton; on the French side the island is 42 miles SW. of Cherbourg; it is 9 miles long and 5 miles wide; 16,005 acres, population 32,607. On the coast the scenery of Guernsey is very impressive, but the interior is flat and thinly wooded. Commerce is represented chiefly by the working of the granite quarries, which supply excellent road material. There are very fair fisheries, and a little shipbuilding. Cows are reared for the English markets, and a profitable trade exists in the exportation of grapes, pears, and other fruits. St Peter Port in the SE. is the chief town. There are fixed lights (Guernsey Island), seen 3 and 9 miles respectively, at the old and new harbours of St Peter Port, and a revolving light (Guernsey Island) is displayed on SW. rock of Hanois, or Hanoveaux, seen 12 miles.
Alderney, one of the Channel Islands, about 7 miles from the coast of Normandy and 50 miles SE. from Portland Bill, Dorset; separated from Cape La Hague in France by the Race of Alderney. Area, 1962 acres, population 2048. The island is about 4 miles long, 1¼ mile broad, and 12 miles in circumference. The soil is rich and well cultivated, and the island is famous for its breed of cows. On the N. side an extensive breakwater and harbour of refuge have been constructed.
Sark (or Serq), one of the Channel Islands, consisting of 2 parts, Great Sark and Little Sark, 8½ miles NE. of Guernsey – Great Sark, 1035 acres, population 526; Little Sark, 239 acres, population 45. Great Sark and Little Sark are connected by a narrow neck of land called the Coupee. The island is almost entirely surrounded by inaccessible rocks; but a fine pier has recently been erected. Fishing is the principal occupation, but agriculture is also carried on; and there are some manufactures of stockings, gloves, and Guernsey jackets.
– John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887)
Alderney Museum
The Alderney Society, The Museum, High Street
Alderney GY9 3TG
01481 823222
www.alderneysociety.org/museum.php
TThe museum collection on display reveals an island community changing over the years to both external and internal pressures. Alderney has a fascinating history starting with extensive Stone, Bronze and Iron Age activity, with object evidence of historically important Roman activity at Longy. The Victorian era brought huge change to Alderney and the landscape it still dominated by Queen Victoria’s interest in the island as a defence harbour from the French. Most recently the Second World War had an extreme effect on Alderney when all but a few of the island’s inhabitants were evacuated and the island occupied by German forces for the duration of the war.
Castle Cornet & Museums
Castle Emplacement
St Peter Port GY1 1AU
01481 721657
Castle Cornet is Guernsey’s ancient harbour fortress, which was isolated upon a rocky islet until the construction of a breakwater and bridge in the 19th century. Dating from the 13th century it was periodically upgraded, withstanding sieges during the Hundred Years War and English Civil Wars.
Collections: Substantial collections of maritime art, weapons, medals, militaria, uniforms, ship models, Roman and medieval archaeology, ship-building and privateering.
Family History Section of La Société Guernesiaise
PO Box 314, St Peter Port GYl 3TG
www.societe.org.gg/sections/familyhistory.php
Guernsey’s local research, natural history and conservation society.
Fort Grey & Shipwreck Museum
c/o Guernsey Museums & Galleries, Candie Gardens, Guernsey
St Peter Port GY1 1UG
01481 265036
Fort Grey is located on Guernsey’s rocky west coast, near the infamous Hanois reefs and the site of many historic shipwrecks. The small martello tower contains a museum about Guernsey shipwrecks, with many salvaged artefacts and related illustrations.
Guernsey Folk & Costume Museum
Saumarez Park, Route de Cobo
Castel GY5 7UJ
01481 255384
The museum’s collection of costumes and artefacts is unique in that it consists of material from within the Bailiwick of Guernsey only; that is, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm. It includes men’s, women’s and childrens’ clothes for all occasions and every accessory imaginable – hats, bags, gloves, shoes, scarves, muffs, tippets, galoshes, spats and some items whose use we can but guess.
Guernsey Museum in Candie Gardens
Candie Gardens
St Peter Port GY1 1UG
01481 726518
Located in the beautiful Candie Gardens, a late 19th century pleasure garden in St Peter Port (Guernsey’s main urban area), this is the headquarters of the museum service. The building houses the Story of Guernsey gallery, which tells the story of the island and its people from prehistoric times.
Hauteville House
38 Hauteville
St Peter Port GY1 1DG
01481 721911
www.victorhugo.gg/hauteville-house
Hauteville House is where Victor Hugo lived in exile for 15 years (from 1856 to 1870). An enthusiastic collector of secondhand furniture and bric-à-brac, he brought back a profusion of chests, sideboards, carpets, mirrors, crockery, figurines and other objects from his excursions around the island.