DESTINATIONS CHANNEL ISLANDS | UK & IRELAND STROLL THE GUERNSEY COAST


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CHANNEL ISLANDS’ WARTIME SITES


The islands’ Liberation Day


celebrations are on hold, but you can still tap into interest in their Second World War heritage, writes Katie McGonagle


1 VISIT THE JERSEY WAR TUNNELS


This network of tunnels, built by occupying German troops using forced labour in case of an Allied incursion, are among Jersey’s most popular attractions. Lydia Smith, marketing manager for Airways Holidays parent C I Travel Group, says: “The Jersey War Tunnels offer an unforgettable and moving experience, serving as a permanent


reminder of the German occupation of Jersey.” Book it: Airways Holidays’ seven-night Jersey History & Heritage Break includes ferry crossing from Poole, B&B, shuttle bus and entrance to Jersey War Tunnels, plus Jersey Heritage Pass to access four other sites, from £399 in September. airwaysholidays.com


SAIL TO SARK


The less-travelled sister islands of Herm, Sark and Alderney were also subject to the German occupation for five years during the war. Prestige Holidays general sales manager Lee Hamilton says: “Many clients may not have considered the smaller islands of Sark and Herm, which can be reached by ferry. They are car-free and easy to explore on foot or by bike, and the beaches


tend to be quieter than the main islands.” Book it: Prestige Holidays offers properties including the Stocks Hotel and La Sablonnerie on Sark, and The White House Hotel on Herm. ukprestigeholidays.co.uk


EXPLORE BUNKERS BY NIGHT


Visitors with a love of military history can indulge their interest with night-time tours of bunkers and tunnels not usually open to the public. Non-profit organisation Jersey War Tours Research leads tours including close-up views of wartime weaponry and artefacts, with profits


going into research and preservation. Book it: Tours from St Helier cost £50 for up to four people. This tour is currently open only to same-household groups, adhering to social distancing guidelines. jerseybunkertours.com


German troops built dozens of fortifications along Guernsey’s coastline, especially on the west coast, where sites include Fort Grey, Fort Hommet and the Pleinmont Headland observation tower. Visit Guernsey’s two-hour self-guided clifftop walk, Occupation Reminders and Folklore Legend, also takes in folk site the Fairy Ring and Hanois lighthouse.


visitguernsey.com/see-and-do/walking-routes Book it: Premier Holidays’ seven-day Guernsey Discovery break costs from £625, with ferry travel or flights from nine regional airports, B&B, half-day guided tour and day trips to Herm and Sark. premierholidays.co.uk


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MOSEY ROUND MUSEUMS


Guernsey is home to a number of museums and attractions that explore the island’s wartime heritage. The German Occupation Museum includes a recreation of an occupation-era street plus exhibitions on maritime history; the German Underground Hospital is a huge structure hewn out of rock and hidden from view of overhead planes; while La Vallette Underground Museum, housed in tunnels built to store fuel for German


U-boats, covers island history. Book it: The German Occupation Museum is £6 adults/£3 children; German Underground Hospital £4.50/£2.50; La Vallette £6/£3.50. visitguernsey.com


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travelweekly.co.uk


21 MAY 2020


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PICTURES: Visit Guernsey; Matt Porteous


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