Enjoy these wonderful Coastal Tours during the Channel Islands Heritage Festival
The Channel Islands Heritage Festival celebrates a group of small islands with a big history; the 2016 festival will honour the Islands’ timeless relationship with their coastline and the sea. The Channel Islands past is woven into its present and its heritage is just one of its many outstanding features.
Capture the spirit of the Islands history and plan your short break today taking in what each of our islands has to offer.
The 2015 Channel Islands Heritage Festival takes place from Friday 25 March to Tuesday 10 May
Walk, cycle and kayak coastal Guernsey at the Channel Islands Heritage Festival
With 28 miles of picturesque coastline, looking out towards the other Channel Islands and France from its eastern shores, and ever-changing bays, coves and rock pools, Guernsey has a rich maritime and seafaring heritage.
The coastline has inspired famous paintings by Renoir, tales by Victor Hugo, as well as smugglers, pirates and buccaneers over the centuries. In celebration of Guernsey’s coastal significance and its naval traditions, join a walking, cycling or kayaking tour during the Channel Islands Heritage Festival to discover more about Guernsey’s historical shoreline and seascape.
Top ways to explore coastal Guernsey during the Channel Islands Heritage Festival:
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Kayak tours to secret coves and inlets
Kayaking at Petit Bot
26 March, 7, 16,21,28,30 April, 5, 9, 23, 26, 27 May
For a close-up exploration of Guernsey’s coastline and its historical significance, jump in a kayak and join one of the special heritage kayak tours during the festival. The First Commando Kayak Tour follows the route of Guernseyman and member of the Royal Hamp
shire Regiment, Hubert Nicolle, when in July 1940, he landed on the island by canoe under the cover of darkness on a dangerous fact-finding mission. Tasked by Winston Churchill with learning more about Guernsey under German control and its effect on the island’s population, Nicolle’s daring three-day solo mission led to him being dubbed ‘the first commando’.
Time: 13.00-15.30, Sat 26 March, Sat 9 April, Sat 7 May; 13.30-16.00, Sat 23 April; 14.00-16.30, Tues 26 April
Price: £35
Meeting place: Petit Bot Bay
Hides and Secrets Kayak Tour seeks out the secret hides and hidden coves along Guernsey’s east coast that were historically used by defenders, occupiers, smugglers and merchants. The kayak tour will take in La Vallette bathing pools, Soldiers Bay, Fort George and Fermain Bay.
Time: 11.00-13.30, Thurs 7 April; 10.00-12.30, Sat 16 April, Thurs 5 May;12.00-14.30, Thurs 21 April; 13.00-15.30, Thurs 28 April; 14.00-16.30, Sat 30 April
Price: £35
Meeting place: La Vallette Bathing Pools, St Peter Port
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Walk Guernsey’s coastal paths
Cliff walk
Daily walks throughout the festival, 25 March – 10 May
Daily guided walking tours throughout the festival will follow various themes, with many following Guernsey’s spectacular coastal paths taking in secret beaches, naval defences, rocky headlands, and sleepy fishing villages while hearing about the history of the coastline and seafaring stories.
The Where the Sea No Longer Reaches walking tour (Sunday 3 April) traces part of what was the old western shoreline of Braye du Valle before the two islands of Guernsey were joined in 1805; The Ups and Downs on and around Rocquaine Bay (Sunday 8 April) is an “off road” walk along beaches and over rocks around the south west of the island; Jerbourg Castle and Beyond (Sunday 1 May) follows the Jerbourg peninsular looking at the botany and history of the area as a site of defence and safety dating from prehistoric times.
Times, prices and meeting points vary, check www.visitguernsey.com/heritage-festival
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Cycle Guernsey’s shorelines
Shoreline Cycling
Almost daily tours throughout the festival, 25 March – 10 May
For a faster way to experience the island’s coastline, get on your bike and join a cycle tour. The Northern Shoreline tour (each Monday throughout the festival) is a three hour journey to sites including Le Déhus Dolmen, Beaucette Marina and L’Ancresse Bay; West ‘n’ Wild (each Wednesday throughout the festival) explores the headland at L’Éree and finishes at Rocquaine Bay; All Along the Watchtowers (various dates) travels the south coast, where there are a huge number of fortifications, watch towers, and defence systems.
Times, prices and meeting points vary, check www.visitguernsey.com/heritage-festival
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Cruise the coast on a boat tour
St Peter Port
April – May
For a more sedate exploration of Guernsey’s coastline, admire the coast from the sea on a boat tour. The Coastal Cruise on the catamaran Bumblebee travels around the coast from St Peter Port to hidden coves and secret anchorages, learning about smugglers and pirates.
Price: £20 adults, £12.50 children
Meeting place: Departure from the Albert Pier, St Peter Port
The Hanois Lighthouse and South Coast boat tour is a rib excursion to shipwrecks and World War II fortifications and includes a privileged close-up view of the 108 ft Hanois Lighthouse.
Price: £42.50 adults, £32.50 children
Meeting place: Island Rib Voyages Kiosk, Bus Terminus, St Peter Port
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West coast views from the top of Fort Grey
Fort Grey
3, 10, 17, 24 April
Take in panoramic west coast views from the rooftop of the iconic Guernsey landmark, Fort Grey, which for the first ever time, will be opening its rooftop to the public on four days during the festival. Commonly known as the ‘cup and saucer’, the Fort was built to defend Guernsey’s west coast and now houses the Shipwreck Museum.
Time: access allowed throughout the day, prebooking essential
Price: Admission fee applies – Adults £4, seniors £3, children 7+ and students £1.50, family £10, accompanied children under 7 years FREE
Venue: Fort Grey, Route de la Lague, St Pierre du Bois
For more information about these events and other events happening during the Channel Island Heritage Festival visit www.visitchannelislands.com
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