Description

Guernsey Programme

03 September – Arrival

            Meet & Greet with transfer to hotel

04 September – Day trip to Sark

The Island of Sark is just 9 miles away from Guernsey, but until recently was still steeped in a feudal constitution dating back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1.

You will be transferred from your hotel to the Sark departure point for the 45 minute boat trip to Sark

Arriving on Sark, a tractor affectionately known as “The Toast- rack” will transport you up the steep harbour hill.

Your horse and carriage will be waiting for you at the top to take you on a 2 hour gentle exploration of this unique island. During the tour your will visit the beautiful gardens at La Seigneurie, the family home of the current Seigneur or Lord of Sark, which welcomes visitors who delight in the informal setting. The Gothic dovecot which was the Lords prerogative to keep during the past history of the island is still very much in evidence, also the ponds filled with colourful Koi Carp.

Explore the paths between the wonderful scented roses within the high granite walls, and see the ever changing selection of fruit and vegetables grown for the manor table.

After a relaxing time spent exploring the manor garden, you will continue the ride at a lazy trot to visit La Coupee, with magnificent views from this high natural land bridge which stands approximately 100m above the sea.

The carriage tour will finish back at the crossroads at the top of Harbour Hill and there will be enough time left to wander into the little silver and glassware shops which line the main avenue. A good choice of restaurants and tea gardens are situated along this main avenue.

The Toast- rack will be waiting outside the Bel Air pub to return you to the harbour for your return boat trip back to Guernsey

On arrival back in Guernsey your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.

05 September – Full day island tour

Experience historic sights and beautiful scenery as you are taken on a circular coach drive around the island.

You will be met at your hotel and take you to experience the woodland garden and sculpture park at historic Sausmarez Manor. After an interesting visit to this mature Mediterranean garden your coach will travel through country lanes to the high cliff top at Icart Point. Here you have the opportunity of a short cliff walk with spectacular views over Saints Bay. Your driver will then drive to the Little Chapel which is the smallest consecrated church in the world, built as a labour of love. The design is based on the Grotto at Lourdes and decorated as a mosaic with shells and donated fragments of Wedgewood and Royal Doulton china.

Next you will be driven across to the west coast where there will be a short stop for photos to capture the beautiful seascape from the high vantage point of Pleinmont cliffs. See the ruins of an ancient watchtower where the French author Victor Hugo received his inspiration for his epic work “Toilers of the Sea.”Les Hanois lighthouse is easily viewed from these cliffs.

Descending the hill, you will see nestling inside the natural fishing harbour of Rocquaine Bay, the Martello Tower of Fort Grey which was built to deter Napoleon’s invasion forces.A stop will be made at La Grande Mare Country Club where lunch will be served. The restaurant is situated in a lovely scenic area set amidst 100acres of countryside, with its own 18 hole golf course surrounding it. After lunch your will continue along the west and north coast past the glorious sandy beaches of L’Eree and Vazon, and huge granite rock formations at Cobo Bay. The next stop is at Pembroke Bay, where your guide will walk with you across the common to see inside a pre historic Passage grave.  The coach tour continues along the east coast of the island, with views of the neighbouring islands of Herm and Sark. The last stop will be at Candie Gardens where the town of St Peter Port can be viewed from above. Return to hotel late afternoon.

06 September – Day trip to Herm Island

Just 3 miles off the coast of Guernsey, and a quick 20 minute boat ride away, lies this beautiful little island paradise. Herm island has all you could wish for, friendly cliffs, wild flowers, sparkling blue sea, pretty harbours and white sandy beaches.

You will be met at your hotel and transferred from your hotel to the Herm departure point for the 20mins boat trip.

On arrival at the harbour, take an easy walk across the common to Shell Beach, where you will not be able to resist walking along the strand looking for shells. The path continues to Belvoir Bay, a little sandy lagoon, perfect for relaxing with a quick paddle on a hot day. A steepish woodland path now stretches up to the top of the island where you can visit the little church of St Tugual, dating from the 11^th century.This whole wander around the island will take approximately 1 hour at a gentle pace. Descending the hill, The Mermaid Tea Garden is always open to enable you to purchase a light snack, before you wander across to the mezzanine of little shops above the little harbour which stock a variety of gifts and souvenirs. A lobster lunch will await you in the conservatory at The White House Hotelafter which there will be time for a relaxing stroll across Fishermans Beach before departing from either the harbour or the Rosaire steps, depending on the height of the tide, for the return trip to Guernsey.

07 September -Departure

Transfer from your hotel to the airport for return flight.