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The coast of England has its own "Liberty Island": the island of Guernsey, which is part of the Channel Islands, is under the jurisdiction of the British crown, but it is not part of the UK, is not part of the European Union, and, in addition, is still officially recognized offshore zone. This island has absorbed French and English culture and unique in its architecture. The question that almost all visitors ask is why Guernsey belongs to the British Isles and not to France, despite the fact that it is geographically closer to France. The whole story began in 933 AD, when the Channel Islands became part of the Channel Islands. In 1066 the Duke of Normandy stationed his army in Sussex and became King William I. His county of Normandy, including the Channel Islands, became the kingdom of England and Normandy. 138 years later, King John lost most of the Duchy of Channel, but Guernsey and the other Channel Islands remained under the British crown. During this time, the island developed its own system of government and parliamentary institutions, and today it is a self-governing territory.

On the coast of Guernsey you can see many castles, forts, fortresses and observation towers, which are a legacy of the rich military past of the island.
Navigate the labyrinth of cobbled streets and steep stairs to the city of St. Peter Port or discover one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe, offering endless possibilities for sea lovers of all ages. Everything is here: stretching for miles bays, giant cliffs, caves and mountain passes, sandy shores, similar at low tide to lunar landscapes, and fortifications, from which it is impossible to take your eyes off. The island is simple fairy tale for the hiker: winding mountain paths, hilly plains and shimmering coastal waters. The aroma of the divine flora, blooming all year round, is amazing.
And wherever you stop for a bite to eat, you can enjoy fresh, crunchy sea lobster or be overwhelmed by the choice of juicy seafood. The Channel Islands have a well-deserved reputation for food lovers.

The main attractions of the island of Guernsey

No. 1 Castle Cornet

Castle Cornet located on the island of Guernsey in the English Channel. The castle is not located on the island itself, but on a nearby small island that connects with Guernsey at low tide. Now the castle is connected to the coast of Guernsey by a stone pier.
The castle was built here in the period 1206-1256. , after the division of the Duchy of Normandy, when the Channel Islands remained under the rule of the English kings. The fortress was classic Norman castle with citadel .Cornet Castle was donated by the British Crown to the people of Guernsey in 1947. Now in the castle are Maritime Museum and Castle History Museum .

No. 2 Little chapel

little chapel , built in 1914, has a reputation smallest chapel in history . Inspired by the French Basilica at Lourdes, this miniature church is part of the Blancheland College for Girls and is famous for with its unusual façade , decorated with a large number of stones, shells and broken dishes.

No. 3 Tapestry

illustrating 1000 year history of the island , skillfully and beautifully embroidered tapestry is a truly wonderful work of art. It consists of at least ten colorful panels . The tapestry is placed in downtown Dori and was created to mark the arrival of the new millennium.
Each of the ten panels depicts one century and illustrates outstanding events that took place on the island from the 11th to the 20th century .

No. 4 Le Dehus Dolmen

Guernsey has a range of truly ancient monuments narrating about those who inhabited this island thousands of years ago. Le Dehus Dolmen is one of these sites, and although it may seem at first glance to be an overgrown grass, the researchers found here a series of burial chambers and passages, which are believed to ascend to 3500 BC

guernsey located in the waters of the English Channel, being a crown possession and an independent state that is not part of Great Britain, despite the historical connection with the United Kingdom. This archipelago is considered part of the Channel Islands under the jurisdiction of the British monarchy. The islands of Alderney, Sark, Herm and Guernsey of the same name form the largest landmasses in the country, and the numerous uninhabited island transformations and rocks lying around them complement the appearance of this small state.

In 1066, the Norman king William I united the lands of the archipelago into the county of Normandy, turning it into a single kingdom of England and Normandy. After 138 years, King John lost most of these possessions, although Guernsey and some other Channel Islands still belonged to the British. Over the following years, the archipelago developed its own system of government and today Guernsey is an independent power that is part of the European Union through membership in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The total area of ​​the country is less than 80 square kilometers. km. The main activities for the islanders are tourism, agriculture, fishing and the provision of services in the field of finance and the economy. The currency used is British pounds sterling, as well as local money. It is customary to communicate on the islands in English and French, since proximity to continental Europe implies the presence on the archipelago of a large number of representatives of the western part of this continent, moreover, these countries are historically closely related.

The capital of the crown dependency is the city Saint Peter Port on the island of Guernsey. Today, about 20,000 people live here. It is located on the coast and has its own port, which annually receives thousands of ships from all over the world. The urban area is surrounded by low green hills and picturesque cliffs. The architectural component of St. Peter Port is attractive with an abundance of medieval buildings, as well as military historical values, including castles, forts and fortresses, symbolizing the glorious military past of these places. On the island of Alderney, also part of the Guernsey Crown Domain, many tourists are interested in the first human settlements dating back to the Stone Age. The only city on the island is Saint Anna with a population of about 2.5 thousand people. Alderney's main tourist attraction is the railway, built by the British government in 1847 to build a breakwater and military installations. The length of the railway section suitable for driving is 3 km, but you can ride on it only in summer and only on weekends. Now this territory functions as a museum, which is very popular among the guests of the island. There are two stations along the route of the train, and 2 cars are used, which are examples of London Underground cars, dated 1959.

In the southwestern part of the English Channel is one of the most picturesque islands of the Channel archipelago, belonging to Guernsey - Sark. It differs in that it is forbidden to use cars here, but bicycles and horses are in use. The islanders involved in agriculture actively use a tractor for their needs. In fact, the island consists of two land areas - Big and Small Sark, interconnected with the help of the rocky isthmus of La Coupe and a bridge equipped on it, the width of which is only 2 meters. Moving on foot along a winding concrete road equipped with protective fences, it is impossible not to stop for a couple of minutes, so as not to admire the most beautiful views of the water spaces of the English Channel and the green ledges of the island shores. Today, about 600 people live on Sark, who know each other perfectly by sight, so a calm, almost family-friendly atmosphere reigns on the island.

The third, relatively large island of the crown possession of Guernsey - Herm, is considered the smallest in the entire Norman archipelago. Its total area is only 2 sq. km. As well as other inhabited islands of the country, it has its own coat of arms and a ban on using a car. At the same time, ATVs and mini-tractors are used here. Now about 60 people live on Herm. Its main advantage is the excellent sandy white sand beaches, so loved by fans of a beautiful tan and passive recreation on the coast. The only architectural landmark of Herm is a small stone chapel, made in the old medieval style and perfectly combined with the island landscapes. Fans of antiquities can visit the unique caves of the Neolithic era, recently discovered by researchers.

guernsey (Guernsey) or Bayleaf District of Guernsey (Bailiwick of Guernsey) - dependent territory of the British crown, but at the same time not part of Great Britain. The British government is only constitutionally responsible for its protection and international representation. Island guernsey- the second largest of all the Channel Islands, located in the picturesque English Channel between France And England. county Baylifa Guernsey is a fairly attractive place for doing business, as it is officially recognized as an offshore zone, providing partial or full tax exemption for organizations registered in this territory.

Guernsey - a lost island in the English Channel

1. Capital

Capital of Guernsey, as well as the main port of the country - a small town Saint Peter Port (Saint Peter Port) . Saint Peter Port one of the most beautiful cities of the Channel Islands, whose history goes back to the time of the Roman Empire. Both English and French styles are surprisingly combined in the capital, creating an extraordinary atmosphere. Multi-level gardens and quiet alleys are intertwined with a huge number of old buildings. Saint Peter Port was a popular port among many sailors and travelers, attracting with its convenient location and the safety of the anchorage.

2. Flag

Flag of Guernsey is a rectangular panel with an aspect ratio of 2:3. The canvas has a white background with an image of a red cross in the middle, inside of which there is another cross, of golden color, smaller in size. red cross on Guernsey flag highlights the connection guernsey With Britain, while the golden cross represents Duke William the Conqueror, who used a similar cross on his banner during the Battle of Hastings.

Coat of arms of Guernsey made in the form of a red shield, which depicts three golden lions (leopards), with azure claws and a tongue. On top of the shield is a golden sprout.

4. Anthem

listen to the Guernsey anthem

5. Currency

National Currency Of Guernsey — Guernsey pound , equal to 100 pennies letter designation - GGP . Since the island has been in a monetary union with Great Britain since 1921, the pound guernsey is not an independent currency and is pegged to the pound sterling at a ratio of 1: 1, and British money is accepted on the island, as well as Guernsey money accepted for payment in the UK. Currently in circulation are coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 pence and 1, 2, 5 pounds, as well as banknotes in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 20 and 50 pounds.

Guernsey coins

Guernsey banknotes

6. Guernsey on the world map

G ernsey- an island located in the strait English Channel, near the coast of the French province of Normandy. The country is part of the Channel Islands and is the second largest. Beyond the island itself guernsey, it also includes the islands of Alderney, Sark, Herm, Brekou and several smaller islands. General square throughout the territory is 78 km² .

guernsey- these are massive cliffs, incredible caves, colorful bays, pointed rocks, mesmerizing coral reefs. The flora of the island is so rich that it is perceived as exotic. Plants bloom throughout the year, in total there are about 450 varieties here.

7. What is worth seeing in Guernsey?

Here is a small list of attractions which you should pay attention to when planning excursions to Guernsey:

• St. Peter Port City Church
• Ancient monument Le Dehus Dolmen
• Castle Cornet
• little chapel
• Diamond Museum
• Museum of History and Art
• Telephone Museum
• Sark Island
• sculpture park
• Randall Brewery
• Fort Gray with the shipwreck museum

8. Major cities

• Saint Peter Port (Saint Peter Port)

9. Climate

Climate of Guernsey —mild moderate , with warm winters and fairly cool but sunny summers. The average summer temperature is +19ºС…+22ºС, the warmest month of the year is July. In winter, the air temperature ranges from +4ºС to +7ºС, the scale on the thermometer rarely drops below zero, February is considered the coldest month. The average annual rainfall is 300 - 500 mm, and their maximum amount falls on the period from December to February.

10. Population

The population of Guernsey is 62,710 people (data as of February 2017), of which 60% are Guernsians and 40% are British.

11. Language

Official Guernsey language – English , and until 1948 this status was French . The main part of the population uses the Guernsian dialect of the English language in communication. 2% of the inhabitants of the island speak Guernsian Norman and 2% speak Portuguese.

12. Religion

Most of the believing population of Guernsey are Protestants (70%) and Catholics (25%), in addition, there are representatives of other faiths.

13. Holidays

Guernsey national holidays:

• January 1 - New Year
• movable date in March-April - Easter holidays
• First Monday in May - May bank holiday
• May 9 - Victory Day
• movable date in May - Spring bank holiday
• last Monday of August - Summer bank holiday
• December 25 - Christmas
• December 26 - Day of the Gift

14. Souvenirs and gifts

Here is a small list most common souvenirs which tourists usually bring from Guernsey:

• antiques
• fine jewelry
• local delicacies
• tobacco products
• unique brands

15. "No nail, no wand" or customs regulations

Guernsey customs regulations do not restrict the import and export of any currency, but the amount of more than 10 thousand euros and the equivalent amount in other currencies must be declared (for non-EU countries).

Allowed:

Persons over 17 years old can import duty-free (optional) 200 cigarettes, 100 cigarillos, 50 cigars or 250 gr. tobacco, 1 liter of spirits (over 22%), 2 liters of alcohol less than 22%, 60 ml of perfume, 250 ml of eau de toilette. Goods for personal use can be imported for a total amount of 145 pounds per tourist.

Forbidden:

The import and export of items of artistic and historical value, drugs, drug-containing medications (special permission is required), firearms and cold steel, ammunition, explosives, poisonous, poisonous substances, pornography is prohibited. It is forbidden to import and export without permission plants, flowers, wild animals and birds, various products from rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.

As in all EU countries, in Guernsey, it is forbidden to import meat and dairy products, including canned food and even milk chocolates. The exception is baby food and special food for people with various diseases.

Animals

Pets can only be imported if they have an international veterinary certificate and a special license obtained no later than six months before entry in Guernsey.

16. Voltage in the electrical network

Mains voltage guernsey: 230 volts , at a frequency of 50 hertz . socket type: Type C, Type G .

Dear reader! If you have been to this country or you have something interesting to tell about Guernsey , WRITE! After all, your lines can be useful and informative for visitors to our site. "On the planet step by step" and for all those who love to travel.

Details Category: European dependent territories Published on 08/26/2013 13:15 Views: 4441

Why? Because of its geographical location.

Guernsey is located in the English Channel and is part of the Channel Islands. It is the second largest of the Channel Islands and is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey, which consists of the islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, Jetu and Lihu. The length of the island is 14 km, the width is 8 km, and the area is 63 km².
You can see the island of Guernsey on this map, at the very bottom. You immediately noticed that Guernsey is closer to France, and belongs to the British Isles. Why?

The history associated with this began as early as 933, when the Channel Islands became part of the Norman crown. But in 1066 the Duke of Normandy stationed his army in Sussex and became King William I. His county of Normandy, including the Channel Islands, became the combined kingdom of England and Normandy. 138 years later, King John lost most of the Duchy of Channel, but Guernsey and the other Channel Islands remained under the British crown. During this time, the island developed its own system of government and institutions of parliamentarism, and today it is a self-governing territory.

State structure

Guernsey is a British Crown Dependency but is not part of the UK. What does it mean?
crown lands(or crown dominions) - dominions of the British crown, which are not part of the United Kingdom, but are not overseas territories. Crown lands never had the status of colonies. They are self-governing territory. The crown lands are not included in the European Union either. The crown lands, together with the United Kingdom, make up the British Isles. From the point of view of British nationality law, they are considered as part of the United Kingdom. But they have the right to independently decide on issues of housing and employment (in this respect, residents of the UK are considered here on an equal basis with foreign citizens).

head of state- British monarch
Head of the government- bailiff (in pre-revolutionary France, the representative of the king or seigneur), who is appointed by the monarch. The governor is also appointed by the monarch.
Constitution on about. Guernsey is unwritten; partly statuses, partly customary and case law.
official languages: English, French, Guernsian dialect is used.
Administrative division- 10 parishes (a church district of the population, which has its own special church with a clergy. In a number of European countries, the smallest administrative-territorial units correspond to church parishes in terms of territorial coverage). Plus two islands.
Currency- the island's own money: the Guernsey pound.
Economy- crop production (horticulture, greenhouse floriculture, viticulture, potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower), animal husbandry (cattle, sheep breeding), fishing (flounder, mackerel) and oyster farming.
Since the 1960s offshore companies are registered on the island, which brings significant income to the inhabitants of the island.
Tourism is developed.
Capital- Saint Peter Port.
Population- 63 thousand people. The majority of the population are Guernsians - 61%, British 39%.
Climate- soft, moderate.
Religion- Protestants 70%, Catholics 20%.

State symbols

Flag- the flag of the crown dependency of the British crown of Guernsey.
Adopted in 1985. It represents the flag of England, where inside the red cross is the yellow cross of William the Conqueror.

Coat of arms- is a red shield, which depicts three British lions. At the top of the coat of arms in the center is a golden sprout. At the same time, it resembles the coats of arms of Normandy, England and Jersey.

Nature

The islands are home to many trees, shrubs and wild flowers. Decorative flowers are grown in special farms for commercial purposes. The Philippine sika deer lives in the wooded areas, and huge lizards can be found closer to the west. Some individuals grow up to a meter in length. Fur seals live on the northern coast of the island of Guernsey, you can see sea turtles, whales, dolphins.

Guernsey is known for its white beaches, clean sea air and friendly people.
Puffins live on the island of Burhu. These funny birds, recognizable by their orange beak, are carefully guarded. The body length of the bird is 30-35 cm, weight 450-500 g. The high brightly colored beak is strongly compressed from the sides. The back is black, the bottom of the body is white. Paws are orange-red. Puffins walk well, fly, swim and dive using wings and paws.

The island is a bird sanctuary, therefore it is forbidden by law to go down to the island from March 15 to July 27. There is no permanent population on the island.

Sights of the island of Guernsey

Castle Cornet

This castle was located on a tidal island, but is now connected to the mainland by a breakwater in St. Peter's Harbor.
The castle was built between 1206 and 1256. after the conquest of the islands by England. In 1339, France captured the island, the castle was destroyed, and the garrison was exterminated. In 1545-1548 it was restored and served as the residence of the governor of Guernsey. In 1672, lightning struck the armory of the castle, and it was destroyed by an explosion, and many people who were in it died, including the mother and wife of the governor.
During the Napoleonic Wars, the castle was included in the system of fortifications of the port, and in 1887, for the 50th anniversary of the reign of Queen Victoria, a yacht parking was built nearby, which served as a base for hydroplanes during the First World War.
In 1945 the castle was handed over to the people of the island. It currently houses the Maritime Museum, the castle's history museum, museums of military units based in Guernsey, as well as a restaurant and a summer theater venue.

Lihu Island

It is located in the Channel Islands to the west of about. Guernsey. Its area is only 15.6 hectares. The house on Lihu Island was used as a target for artillery practice by the Third Reich during the occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II. Now the house is rebuilt and used as a school. Before the invasion, there was an iodine factory on the island, which was destroyed by the Germans.

Sausmarez Manor

House in St. Martin on about. Guernsey. The date of its construction is the 13th century. Its top floor is still inhabited. This house has a rather long and complicated history, but now it is a favorite place to visit for the inhabitants of the island and tourists. A subtropical garden with many exotic plant species, two small lakes, an ancient forest create an atmosphere of peace and freedom.
There is a sculpture park on the territory of Sausmarez Manor, which are exhibited in the subtropical garden every year in the amount of about 200. The park usually opens in May.

Fort Gray is a Genoese tower on the west coast of about. Guernsey. It was built by the British in 1804 to defend against Napoleon's army.

Named after Charles Grey, who was governor of Guernsey from 1797 to 1807. In 1891 the British War Office sold the fort to the island for £185. During World War II, Fort Gray was occupied by the Germans. Now there is a museum on the territory of the fort.

Fort Hommet

Built on the site of a 1680 fortification, it consists of the Martello Tower (1804), later additions from the Victorian era, and bunkers and casemates built by the Germans during World War II.
After the liberation of Guernsey in 1945, the British Army removed the fortifications. By the end of the 1940s, all metal, equipment, including weapons, were sent for scrap. More recently, the States of Guernsey restored part of the fort and it is now open to visitors, albeit on a limited time basis.

Parish of St. Andrew on about. guernsey

Here is the smallest chapel in the world, resembling a huge toy. This is a miniature building, decorated with mosaics and immersed in flowers.

The island of Guernsey in the novel by V. Hugo

Most of the events in Victor Hugo's Toilers of the Sea take place on the island of Guernsey. It describes the nature and sights of Guernsey in the first half of the 19th century, the life and customs of the indigenous inhabitants of the island.
Most of the events of the novel The Book and Potato Peel Pie Club by M. Schaeffer and E. Barrows also take place in Guernsey. The novel tells about the military and post-war events in Guernsey.

Guernsey sweater

A type of knitted outerwear that originated on the island of Guernsey.
At the end of the XV century. the island of Guernsey received a royal privilege to import English wool into Normandy and Spain and further export the final products. The first mention of the word guernsey as a designation of a special type of clothing outside the island dates back to 1851.
The Guernsey sweater was created for the needs of fishermen who needed warm, practical and relatively waterproof clothing. The Guernsey sweater has these qualities thanks to a special knitting method. A distinctive feature of the original Guernsey sweaters is a special way of seamless knitting with full symmetry of the front and back half, which allows you to wear it on either side. The patterns of the classic Guernsey sweater represent sailors' everyday items: the seam on the shoulder is tied in the form of a rope, the ribs of the upper part of the sleeve symbolize the ship's rope ladder, the braids knitted along the shoulder seam and the bottom of the sweater symbolize the waves. One of the distinctive design details of the knitwear is the diamond-shaped panels sewn into the underarms to facilitate movement.
According to tradition, sweaters were knitted by the wives of fishermen, the craft of knitting sweaters was passed down from mother to daughter. Although sweaters are now partly made by machines, the final processing is done by hand.

Guernsey sweaters are used by Her Majesty's Armed Forces. Nowadays, they are part of the uniforms of the Royal Navy, the British Army and have the corresponding colors. RRNLI crews stationed near the British Isles have worn Guernsey-knitted wool sweaters for many years.

Country's population 65,228 people Guernsey area 78 km² Located on the continent Europe Capital of Guernsey Saint Peter Port Money in Guernsey Guernsey pound Domain zone.gg Country phone code +44-1481

Hotels

There is a large selection of hotels on the island: from resort hotels to affordable student hostels. Most hotels have adopted British traditions, in particular, breakfast is almost always included in the room rate. Alternatively, you can stay in a boarding house. This is when local residents rent out three or four rooms in their own house.

Climate of Guernsey:: Moderate, with mild winters and cool summers. About 50% of the days of the year are cloudy.

Attractions

The island is small, you can cycle around it up and down in a day, local attractions will be of interest to travelers who have traveled half of Europe.

Cornet Castle was built at the beginning of the 13th century. Its restoration has recently been completed. The castle is the property of the people of the island, so the entrance to its territory is free. You can climb the tower, which offers a beautiful view of the entire island and the bay.

You can get to the neighboring tiny islands of Herm and Sark, where cars are prohibited and you can only travel on horses and bicycles.

Landscape of Guernsey Island: Flat plateau with low hills in the south.

Museums

House Museum of Victor Hugo. Actually belonged to him from 1856-1870. It was bought by the writer during his exile. This is a three-story mansion where you can see furniture and interiors of the 19th century, preserved personal belongings of Hugo, as well as take a walk or have a picnic in the cozy museum garden.

Guernsey has resources like: : Arable land.

Leisure

Guernsey is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Long walks on foot or by bike, leisurely pastime on the beach with a book, trips to art galleries and coffee shops. Recently, culinary tours have become widespread - these are tastings of local dishes, coupled with master classes in cooking.

In November, a wonderful holiday is held on the island for tourists - Tennerfest. This is when you can eat for 10 pounds in local restaurants or cafes. The beginning of May (up to the ninth day) is marked by Liberation Day (like our Victory Day).

Transport

You can get to Guernsey by ferry from the UK or by plane from London (as an alternative from Paris or Geneva).

Public transport - taxis and buses. You can rent a bike or car.

Standard of living

The island of Guernsey, like Jersey, is located in the English Channel and is also a possession of Great Britain, while being a separate country. Guernsey is an offshore zone, so it is an attractive country for doing business. Local residents are engaged in crop production, animal husbandry, fishing, oyster farming or working for the state. There is a low crime rate here.

Cities

Saint Peter Port is the capital of a miniature country. The city is somewhat similar to Riga: narrow streets, coupled with medieval buildings, create a certain atmosphere. Saint Peter Port - despite its miniature size, it is very beautiful and well-groomed. The architecture suffered little from the German occupation, so there is something to see here.