L’île Anglo-Normande de Guernesey régale ceux qui aiment les produits de la mer autant que les produits du terroir, cultivés et préparés à la sauce guernesiaise avec simplicité et délicatesse. L’héritage culinaire normand et les traditions britanniques cohabitent pour révéler un mélange typique.

Coquillages et crustacés

Comme toutes les îles, les produits de la mer ont la vedette à Guernesey, sauf qu’à Guernesey, leur taille et leur diversité est unique. Pêchés le matin même dans les courants nourriciers du Gulf Stream, ils sont réputés pour leur fraîcheur et leur prix raisonnable. Les fruits de mer tels que les crabes et les homards sont gigantesques et très tendres. Les coquilles Saint-Jacques cuisinés avec du bacon et une sauce soja par exemple sont un régal. Les oreilles-de-mer (ormeaux), rares et en voie de disparition, sont sujettes à une récolte très réglementée, autorisée entre septembre et avril. Quant aux poissons, le loup de mer, le carrelet, le bar, le turbot, la sole, les maquereaux sont des mets dégustés régulièrement à toutes les sauces dans les nombreux restaurants de l’île.

Produits du terroir et de la ferme

…Du terroir

A Guernesey, le climat doux favorise les cultures maraîchères qui abondent sur l’île. Les guernesiais cultivent leur jardin et y font pousser notamment des produits biologiques qui ont le vent en poupe. Une fois à maturité, les produits finissent soit dans leur assiette soit sur les marchés locaux. Le surplus est disposé dans les « Hedge Veg », boites disposées le long des routes à travers toute l'île, qui se marient, d’ailleurs, parfaitement avec le décor. Œufs, fleurs, légumes, bois, le choix est diversifié ; chacun y fait son marché en laissant l'appoint dans des boites à cet usage, une honnêteté propre aux guernesiais.

Le raisin fut le premier produit exporté (1830), puis vint la production de tomates en 1865. Après la Deuxième Guerre mondiale, les îliens diversifièrent les productions. On déguste ainsi aujourd’hui des fraises, melons, poivrons, haricots, courgettes, pommes de terre, carottes…

Quant à l'élevage, poulets, chèvres, cochons et abeilles sont élevés principalement pour manger « local » et sont échangés contre d'autres produits d'une famille à l'autre afin de se rendre presque auto suffisant.

… A la ferme

Les produits laitiers des vaches de l’archipel sont particulièrement prisés dans toutes les îles britanniques. Les Guernesiais ont la volonté de perpétuer une race pure souche, la "Golden Guernsey".

Son lait jaune unique, très riche en protéines, en matière grasse et en beta carotène, est transformé en crème, en beurre, en yaourt, en fudge et en glace à la laiterie de Guernesey.
Les fromages et la crème issus de la production sont un véritable régal. Pas moins de trois sortes de fromage, trois sortes de crème, deux variétés de beurre et six parfums de glace sont produits sur une petite île de 78 km² comme Guernesey. Parmi les spécialités de fromages, on retrouve le cheddar mature, semi-mature ou fumé ainsi que le fromage mou « Frie d'Or », traduit du normand qui veut dire "Prairie en or". L'agneau de Sercq et le veau rosé de Guernesey sont également des viandes recherchées pour leur goût subtil.

Les boissons typiques

En tant que dépendance de la Couronne de Normandie, coincée entre l'Atlantique et la Manche, Guernesey a toujours été au carrefour d'échanges commerciaux, de contrebande et de piratage. Les caves et les voûtes de St Peter Port stockaient de façon abondante du cognac et du vin de France, d'Espagne et du Portugal ainsi que du rhum des Antilles. C’est ainsi que St Peter Port devint ainsi un port-capitale cosmopolite et que la ville offre de nombreuses bonnes adresses pour siroter une boisson. Bars,pubs, kiosques de plage, brasseries, restaurants et hôtels pullulent pour le plus grand plaisir des locaux et des visiteurs.

La spécialité de l'île est le cidre Les Rocquettes ; on peut encore observer dans quelques maisons le pressoir à cidre traditionnel normand. La bière est également produite à Guernesey dans la brasserie R.W.Randall's, à St Peter Port. La Breda est une bière blonde à l'arôme fruité qui équilibre l'amertume robuste. Elle est brassée avec quatre ingrédients seulement : l'eau, l'orge, le houblon et la levure. La Patois est une bière blonde couleur châtaigne clair à l'arôme subtile mais complexe de houblon.

Des visites guidées de la brasserie sont organisées les samedis matin d'avril à septembre (60 à 90 minutes) et les mercredi soir pour des groupes de 12 à 24 personnes.

Les plats traditionnels

Les Guernesiais aiment cuisiner notamment les plats traditionnels. Le Bean Jar, par exemple, s’apparente au cassoulet français. Concocté avec des haricots secs qui ont trempés toute une nuit, puis qui ont bouillis pendant plusieurs heures, il est préparé dans une jarre en terre avec des pieds de porc, des oignons et des herbes. À l’origine, les îliens le mangeaient au petit-déjeuner, habitude aujourd’hui reléguée au déjeuner ou au dîner. Le « fish and chips » est également de mise : rien de tel que le déguster sur la plage au coucher du soleil…

Côté sucré la Gâche mêlée, gâteau aux pommes, à la cannelle et la noix de muscade, rappellera la gâche normande. Elle se déguste grillée ou fraiche avec du beurre au petit déjeuner ou pour accompagner le « tea time », tout comme les scones, qui eux, s’accompagnent de confiture et de crème gourmande.

Les rendez-vous gourmands

Guernesey, Aurigny, Herm et Sercq célèbrent leur gastronomie toute l’année à travers des dégustations et festivals.
Les restaurants et hôtels d’Aurigny proposent des menus de la mer lors d’un festival du 5 au 15 mai 2012.
Organisé par le National trust of Guernsey, le Viaer Marchi met en valeur les traditions culinaires de Guernesey avec des dégustations, des rendez-vous recettes, des étals, le tout dans le magnifique parc de Saumarez, le 2 juillet 2012.
Du 25 au 27 août 2012, Guernesey accueille des producteurs normands qui débarquent pour partager leurs produits sur un marché normand.
La grande nouveauté cette année et la création du Festival Taste Guernsey du 31 août au 2 septembre 2012. Sponsorisé par la manufacture Cimandis, un certain nombre de producteurs et chefs réputés de Guernesey proposent des démonstrations, des dégustations et autres activités au public, l'occasion de montrer la diversité des styles culinaires de Guernesey et de ses structures.
Herm propose une offre traversée et diner inclus (sur réservation) afin de profiter au mieux de son escapade sur l’île, à 20 minutes en bateau de Guernesey. Sercq dévoile ses produits locaux sur des marchés et dans les restaurants de l’île.
Enfin, le rendez-vous incontournable des îles est sans aucun doute Tennerfest à Guernesey. Du 1er octobre au 11 novembre 2012, une soixantaine de restaurants, cafés, pubs et hôtels proposent des menus délicieux à prix doux.

Renseignements grand public

Office de tourisme de Guernesey Tel : + (00 44) 1481 723 552 Mail : enquiries@visitguernsey.com Site Internet : www.visitguernsey.com Photos libres de droits disponibles sur www.guernseyimages.com

Relations presse : cgo&co Sabine Decerle Tel. +33 (0)2 28 03 90 47 Mob. +33 (0)6 17 77 47 21 sdecerle@cgoandco.com

Guernsey is getting set for a summer of arts and culture with several exciting events taking place during the island’s tourism season.

Opening proceedings will be the third Guernsey Photography Festival, running from 24 May to 22 June. This month-long photo-fest is comprised of indoor and outdoor exhibitions featuring the work of world-renowned photographers, as well as a range of community activities, workshops and seminars for all ages.

For 2012 the Guernsey Photography Festival will take the theme of ‘Journey’, with featured exhibitions including the work of Briton Mark Power, Frenchman Klavdij Sluban and Iran’s Kiana Hayeri. Work by Ricardo Cases, Bruno Boudjelal, Ivor Prickett and Anastasia Taylor-Lind will also be on show. Now a fixture on the European photography circuit, the festival has become known for the creativity and distinctiveness with which work is displayed across the island.

2012 sees the return of the biennial Victor Hugo International Music Festival (16-21 July), showcasing some of classical music’s leading talents as well as its brightest rising stars. The festival takes its name from one of the island’s best known residents, for it was during his exile in Guernsey that Victor Hugo was inspired to write and publish some of his most famous works, including Les Misérables.

Headline artists of the 2012 festival include BBC Proms piano star Benjamin Grosvenor and percussion virtuoso Dame Evelyn Glennie, who will take the stage at St James’s Concert Hall in St Peter Port on the evenings of 16 and 17 July respectively.

Widening the festival’s musical appeal, this year sees the introduction of performers in different genres. These include the exhilarating young French vocal group Ommm in the VH Festival’s first-ever Electric Night, US folk singer Pamela Wyn Shannon, and The Burning Bush, who take as their inspiration the music of worldwide Jewish communities, including Eastern European Klezmer rhythms and soulful Hassidic folk tunes.

Returning for a second year is the Guernsey Literary Festival (13-16 September), which explores Guernsey’s rich tradition of literature, folklore and history through writing, reading, prose and poetry. Venues across the island will stage exciting events for book fans of all ages and interests.

Among the world-class writers confirmed to appear at the 2012 literary festival are War Horse author Michael Morpurgo, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin author Louis de Bernières, and Marina Lewycka, writer of the publishing phenomenon A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian which has sold more than 800,000 copies in the UK alone.

Poet Roger McGough, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s ‘Poetry Please’, will be giving readings of his work, while there will also be a Charles Dickens commemorative dinner attended by the author’s great-great-great granddaughter Lucinda Dickens Hawksley and the highly-regarded recreationist Mark Wallis.

Other cultural events in Guernsey this season include:

Guernsey Festival of Comedy

Friday 25 May - Saturday 2 June

Nine days of cutting edge stand-up from UK and international comedians, comedy club evenings, classic film comedy, open mic nights and Edinburgh Festival previews.

 Guernsey Music Festival

Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June

Returning to Guernsey after its successful launch last year, which saw it shortlisted for Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards, the music and cultural two-day festival will take place at The Rabbit Warren and include more than 80 well known and high profile acts.

Guernsey’s literary heritage, rich and sometimes dark history, unique Norman-French dialect, and quirky folklore create a unique culture which feels very different to the UK, despite being just an hour’s flight away.

Travellers can fly direct to Guernsey from nine UK airports - Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, East Midlands, Bristol, Exeter, Norwich (summer only) and Southampton - as well as sailing from Poole or Portsmouth. Return flights with Aurigny from Gatwick start at around £85 including taxes.

For tourism information go to: www.visitguernsey.com

 

For further media information please contact:

The Saltmarsh Partnership

Sarah Heavens sarah.heavens@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 928 1600

David Ezra david@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2795

VisitGuernsey has launched a new walking e-brochure to celebrate the Island’s miles of stunning cliff top paths, peaceful rural lanes and mild climate, which make it perfect for a walking themed break.

The new e-brochure includes everything needed to plan a visit to Guernsey with walking in mind - from events listings and videos for inspiration, to maps and practical travel information.

Whether it’s hiking along the coast, wandering through woodlands to a secluded sandy bay or exploring the flora drenched winding country lanes, the best way to discover Guernsey’s beautiful scenery and peaceful way of life is on foot.

The Island’s varied terrain and scenery has something to satisfy any interest and ability along its 28.5 miles of cliff top paths which wind around long sections of picturesque coastline. The west coast is flattish with sweeping beaches, while the south and south-east offer stiff hill ascents and superb views across to the neighbouring islands of Herm and Sark.

A highlight of Guernsey’s landscape are the Ruettes Tranquilles, a growing network of quiet country lanes where priority is given to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, with a top speed of just 15mph! Clearly marked, the Ruettes Tranquilles offer a chance to really explore Guernsey’s peaceful countryside and to get a sense of Island life barely touched by time.

And after a hike [or gentle stroll!] there’s the option to refuel at one of the many beachside kiosks or ‘Hedge Veg’ boxes scattered around the island, selling local produce such as Guernsey ice cream and fresh fruit and vegetables.

For those after a more guided ramble, Guernsey celebrates the outdoors during the Spring [5-13 May] and Autumn [8-16 September] Walking Weeks, with diverse programmes of themed walks.

From a wander around St Peter Port’s historic streets to a more vigorous coastal ramble to learn about Guernsey during the German Occupation of World War II, the series of walks on offer include a variety of lengths, routes and themes to suit any interest and ability.

As well as the downloadable e-brochure a variety of maps and walking guides are available for Guernsey, including the newly published ‘The Channel Island Way’ featuring walking routes for Guernsey and four other Channel Islands.

For more information on Guernsey, to download the new e-brochure and to see the Spring Walking Week programme visit www.visitguernsey.com/walking.

-Ends-

 

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Guernsey is connected directly with nine UK airports and three UK ports:

- London Gatwick: Aurigny Flybe

- London Stansted: Aurigny

- Manchester: Aurigny

- Birmingham: Flybe  

- East Midlands: Aurigny

- Bristol: Aurigny

- Exeter: Flybe

- Norwich: Flybe (seasonal route)

- Southampton: Flybe, Blue Islands

- Poole: Condor Ferries

- Portsmouth: Condor Ferries

For further media information please contact:

The Saltmarsh Partnership

David Ezra david@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 902 2795

Sarah Heavens sarah.heavens@saltmarshpr.co.uk 0207 928 1600

In the past few months, Visit Guernsey has been working hard in conjunction with partner agency The Saltmarsh Partnership, to secure coverage of Guernsey not only in quality regional and national press publications, but also in filmed segments for television shows. The hard work is coming to fruition just in time for the 2012 tourist season and we would like to tell you about publications and television shows that have featured Guernsey this year and the ones that will be giving coverage of Guernsey in the coming months.

BBC’s Countryfile dedicated almost a full hour to Guernsey, exploring such diverse topics as ormering, vraic collecting, and Guernsey’s famous milk. The episode, which aired in January, highlighted Guernsey’s traditions and agricultural life. The excellent weather during the crew’s visit resulted in beautiful shots of the natural landscape.

Television will continue to play a key role in Guernsey’s media coverage this year with ITV’s Countrywise Kitchen which is due to be aired in April and will highlight the island’s fresh produce through segments including cooking on the beach and cheese making. The crew for BBC’s popular programme Coast is visiting in May and we are positive they will deliver an exciting and refreshing take on Guernsey.

For springtime, expect to see Guernsey gracing the pages of National Geographic, the Daily Express, Country Walking magazine, People, the Mirror and the Independent. Regional publications such as the Ipswich Evening Star have already featured Guernsey this year and the Bath Chronicle will do so later on in the year.

In 2012’s summer months, Jim O’Donnell’s piece on the Guernsey Bass Festival will feature in the June edition of Total Sea Fishing and there will be a feature focussing on Guernsey’s spectacular floral offering in the English Garden.

Meanwhile, the hard work is continuing behind the scenes to keep the momentum building through what we hope will be a successful 2012 season.

From rare orchids and crocuses to exotic lilies and pink Pimpernels, Guernsey’s mild maritime climate and early Spring keep the island decorated in colourful wildflowers for most of the year.

Warmer temperatures than those found in mainland UK gives Guernsey ideal growing conditions, so as well as being the largest producer of clematis in the world and the source of two-thirds of all freesias sold in the UK, Guernsey has an abundance of wildflowers adorning its cliffs, hedge banks and fields from Spring through to Autumn.

In October Guernsey will also host the awards ceremony for the RHS National Britain in Bloom Awards, with this year’s theme - Wild About Wildflowers - especially appropriate!

So there’s never been a better time to visit Guernsey to discover some of the British Isles’ most colourful flora and fauna, complete with picturesque backdrops.

March - Bluebells in the wood

In late March and early April there is an explosion of blue in a secluded wood behind Fort George near St Peter Port when the area becomes endlessly carpeted with hundreds of native Bluebells to mark the start of Spring. Spring in Guernsey generally arrives around three weeks earlier than in mainland Britain.

April - colourful clifftops

Miniature lilac Sand Crocuses and bright pink Sea Thrift flowers make a walk along Guernsey’s sunny cliffs a riot of colour at the beginning of Spring. Guernsey has 28 miles of dramatic clifftop paths waiting to be explored.

May - fields of wild orchids and Giant Echiums

The thriving Bridget Ozanne Orchid Fields of Les Vicheries are considered the best in the British Isles. The area is resplendent with four varieties of wild orchids in May including the Loose Flowered Orchid, a species not found in the UK. Also very much in evidence from this time of year are the Giant Echiums; originating in the Canary Islands, they nonetheless thrive in Guernsey, with their spectacular flower spikes reaching heights of three metres or more.

June - a burst of yellow!

June sees the bright Yellow Flag Iris in full bloom in streams and shallow ponds around Guernsey, whilst the equally bright yellow St Johns-Wort can be spotted in the island’s hedge banks and coastal grasslands.

July - spot a Guernsey native and an elusive Pimpernel

This month the red-brown spikes of the Channel Island native Galingale flower can be spotted in damp meadows such as those around L’Ancresse Bay in the north of the island. Equally fond of marshy ground is the Bog Pimpernel, a rarer and smaller pink relative of the Scarlet Pimpernel. The warm summer weather also sees the ‘St Peter Port Daisy’, a real Guernsey favourite although originating in Mexico, adorning and beautifying the walls of the town.

August - tread carefully!

Watch where you step in August, and keep a sharp eye out, as the miniature Guernsey Centuary is in bloom - its tiny pale pink flowers are just 1mm long and only open in bright sunlight. This rare Guernsey species is not found anywhere else in the British Isles. A more riotous bloom is the equally rare Yellow Horned Poppy, and August may be your last chance to spot it growing amongst shingle and stable pebbles above beaches on the north coast and around the RAMSAR-designated Lihou Island.

September - the smallest of orchids

The smallest of Guernsey’s wild orchids is the Autumn Lady’s Tresses, a spiral of small white flowers which can be found popping up in church yards and short turf. And September is also your last chance to spot the bright yellow flower and red bud of Birds-Foot Trefoil in dry grassland and hedge banks around the coast.

October - the Guernsey Lily

Some say the first Guernsey Lily bulbs were washed ashore from a Dutch ship wrecked on route to Japan, or that they were brought to the island by a Roundhead General during his Civil War imprisonment at Castle Cornet. Whatever the history of the Guernsey Lily, it originated in South Africa and was the first of the Nerine species to be cultivated in Europe. Its bright pink firework-shaped blooms pop up in October as other flora starts to fade.

As well as its wild flora, Guernsey’s tranquil and award-winning public gardens are just as much of a treat for floral enthusiasts, hosting exotic and eye-catching displays. Candie Gardens, a rare example of late 19th century public gardens, is home to the oldest known heated glass-houses in the British Isles, while the subtropical gardens of Sausmarez Manor feature many exotic species.

Also of note are the beautifully-restored gardens of Hauteville House, Victor Hugo’s ‘home in exile’, and four period gardens at Castle Cornet, which guards the entrance to St Peter Port’s harbour.

The natural flora of Guernsey and its fellow Channel Islands is also celebrated with open gardens, walks and talks during the Spring [14-22 April] and Autumn [29 September – 7 October] Floral Guernsey Festivals, and the Sark Wildflower fortnight [28 April-12 May].

For more information on Guernsey’s floral offering please visit Floral Guernsey or VisitGuernsey’s website or call 01481 723 552.

-Ends-

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Guernsey is connected directly with nine UK airports and three UK ports:

- London Gatwick: Aurigny, Flybe

- London Stansted: Aurigny

- Manchester: Aurigny

- Birmingham: Flybe

- East Midlands: Aurigny

- Bristol: Aurigny

- Exeter: Flybe

- Norwich: Flybe (seasonal route)

- Southampton: Flybe, Blue Islands

- Poole: Condor Ferries

- Portsmouth: Condor Ferries

VISITGUERNSEY EVENTS FOR 2012

VisitGuernsey is gearing up for the beginning of its tourism season with a number of exciting and varied events...

2012 sees the return of the biennial Victor Hugo International Music Festival (16-21 July), showcasing some of classical music’s biggest talents as well as its brightest rising stars. The festival takes its name from one of the Island’s best known residents of all time, for it was whilst in Guernsey that Victor Hugo was inspired to write and publish some of his most famous works including Les Misérables.

This year will also see the return of The Guernsey Literary Festival [13-16 September] and The Guernsey Music Festival [23-24 June] after their successful launches in 2011, and the third Guernsey Photography Festival [24 May - 22 June], which is fast becoming a major event on the European photography calendar. But whatever your passion - walking, wildlife, music, literature, comedy, food (or even scarecrows and sheep racing!) - Guernsey has something to inspire you in 2012.

This wide range of festivals and events demonstrates the best that the Island has to offer - its literary heritage, rich and sometimes dark history, unique Norman-French dialect, and quirky folklore - and it is this unique culture which makes Guernsey feel very different to the UK, despite being just an hour’s flight away.

Highlights on Guernsey's 2012 event calendar include:

Easter Festival of Living History

Friday 6 – Monday 9 April

The Island’s rich and sometimes turbulent history is brought to life with the Guernsey History in Action Company’s vivid storytelling and performances at Castle Cornet. Costumed characters, musical acts and family activities give the festival something for everyone, with tickets valid throughout the weekend.

www.museum.guernsey.net

Spring Floral Guernsey Festival

Saturday 14 – Sunday 22 April

Experience Guernsey’s natural beauty springing into life. Whether you’re an expert gardener or floral beginner, there are walks, talks and lectures available when the Island’s wildflowers are at their vibrant best, filling the hedges and fields.

www.floralguernsey.gg

Healthspan Spring Walking Week

Saturday 5 – Sunday 13 May

From wildlife and folklore, to history and heroes; explore on foot Guernsey’s coastline, countryside, the bustling town of St Peter Port as well as lesser-known parishes. Taking between two hours and half a day, walks are categorised to suit all abilities, with expert guides on hand to tell the tales of the Island’s fascinating history, culture and people.

www.visitguernsey.com

Liberation Day

Wednesday 9 May

This historic day marks Guernsey’s annual celebration of freedom and liberation from the occupying German forces in 1945. The pageantry of the Liberation Celebrations Cavalcade will be an integral part of the day’s celebrations, while the Liberation Firework Extravaganza will bring the day to a spectacular conclusion.

www.visitguernsey.com

Guernsey Photography Festival

Thursday 24 May – Friday 22 June

Now in its third year, this month long photo-fest is comprised of indoor and outdoor exhibitions featuring work by world-renowned photographers, as well as a multitude of community activities, competitions, workshops, talks and seminars for all ages and abilities.

www.guernseyphotographyfestival.com

Guernsey Festival of Comedy

Friday 25 May - Saturday 2 June

Come and have a giggle with the Guernsey Festival of Comedy. Nine days of laughter will feature cutting edge stand-up from UK and international comedians, comedy club evenings, classic film comedy, open mic nights and Edinburgh Festival previews.

www.happyguernsey.com

Guernsey Music Festival

Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 June

Returning to Guernsey after its successful launch last year, which saw it short-listed for Best New Festival at the UK Festival Awards, the music and cultural two-day festival will take place at The Rabbit Warren and include more than 80 well known and high profile acts.

http://guernseyfestival.gg/

Guernsey in Bloom

Sunday 1 – Sunday 15 July

Take a wander around winding lanes and public spaces festooned with vibrant floral displays as parishes compete to represent the Island in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom competition. And you only have to glance at Guernsey’s hedges and fields to know the 2012 theme of ‘Wild about Wildflowers’ is absolutely perfect for the Island!

www.floralguernsey.gg

Victor Hugo International Music Festival

Monday 16 – Saturday 21 July

St Peter Port comes alive with classical music when this biennial festival returns with performances from the world’s leading classical performers and brightest new stars. The event takes its name from one of the Island’s best known residents, for it was in Guernsey that Victor Hugo was inspired to write and publish some of his most successful works.

http://www.vhfestival.com/

Sark Sheep Racing

Friday 20 – Sunday 22 July

A hugely popular and quirky event: a day at the races, Sark style. Just like Ascot, even down to the hats, but here sheep are the stars rather than horses – complete with their teddy-

bear jockeys, they race over a set course, providing fantastic fun for all the family.

www.sark.info

Torteval Scarecrow Festival

Saturday 4 – Sunday 5 August

Take a wander around the parish of Torteval, where the countryside is taken over by a motley crew of scarecrows - some traditional, many quirky or topical. Pick your favourite – they come in all shapes, styles and sizes! – whilst taking in the area’s natural beauty. An event that gets more and more popular every year.

www.visitguernsey.com

Healthspan Autumn Walking Week

Saturday 8 – Sunday 16 September

Whether it’s a leisurely stroll or serious hike, this is a great week to discover hidden paths and tracks around Guernsey with the help of accredited guides who will share their wealth of Island knowledge. From nature trails and countryside rambles to coastal walks along a rugged coast-line and historic tours of St Peter Port…

www.visitguernsey.com

Guernsey Literary Festival

Thursday 13 – Sunday 16 September

This book-themed weekend returns for a second year to explore Guernsey’s rich tradition for literature, folklore and history through writing, reading, prose and poetry. Venues across the island will stage exciting events for book fans of all ages and interests.

http://www.arts.gg/index.php/guernsey-literary-festival/

Autumn Floral Guernsey Festival

Saturday 29 September – Sunday 7 October

Whether you’re a dedicated horticulturalist or a budding beginner, the flora and fauna on offer on Guernsey at this time of year never fails to inspire. Explore the autumnal shades of the Island through various tours of open gardens, guided walks, lectures and workshops.

www.floralguernsey.gg

Tennerfest

Monday 1 October – Sunday 11 November

Now in its 15^th year of providing gastronomic delights at fantastic prices. Starting from the 1st October, diners on Guernsey can look forward to six weeks of outstanding menus created from the wealth of local produce, all starting from £10. Cafés, gastro pubs, seafood restaurants, Italian, Indian and Chinese restaurants, as well as the more traditional hotel restaurants take part every year to tease the taste buds.

www.tennerfest.com

NEW! Britain in Bloom Awards

Saturday 6 October

Guernsey may only measure 25 square miles but it is bursting with natural beauty, which is why it is honoured to host the awards night for the RHS Britain in Bloom competition 2012, the UK's largest horticultural campaign which involves more than 1,000 communities each year.

www.floralguernsey.gg

For more information on visiting Guernsey please go

to www.visitguernsey.com or call 01481 723 552

Fixed price menu promotion starts this weekend

More than 70 Guernsey restaurants are taking part in the Channel Islands’ annual Tennerfest fixed price menu promotion - so there’s never been a better time to enjoy a taste of Guernsey!

Running from 1 October to 12 November, Tennerfest will see restaurants across the island offering special set menus, ranging from £10 to £17.50 per person.

Surrounded by a bountiful sea and with a perfect gardening climate, Guernsey is renowned for its superb seafood, rich dairy produce and locally-grown vegetables. The local passion for food has given rise to a wide choice of fine dining opportunities across the island - with the culinary range taking in French, Spanish, Thai, Indian, Chinese, Greek and Italian food, in addition to traditional Guernsey fare.

Many participating restaurants are located in the island’s quaint capital St Peter Port, but there are numerous opportunities to enjoy a Tennerfest dining experience in Guernsey’s rural parishes, atop spectacular cliffs or alongside sweeping beaches and bays.

To see what’s on offer, visit the Tennerfest website at www.tennerfest.com, where you’ll find details of all the participating restaurants, their menus, prices and booking information.

Gourmet breaks during Tennerfest:

2-star from £176 for three nights

Spend three nights for the price of two in Guernsey with Guernsey Travel Service during October or November. Stay three nights at the two-star Abbey Court Hotel in St Peter Port from £176 per person travelling by sea or £192 per person travelling by air, based on two people sharing a twin room on a B&B basis. For more information call 0844 770 4912 or visit www.guernseytravelservice.co.uk

3-star from £175 for three nights

Spend three nights for the price of two in Guernsey with Condor Breaks during October or November. Stay three nights on a B&B basis at the three-star rural Peninsula Hotel from £179 per person in October or £175 per person in November, based on two people sharing a twin room and travelling by sea with Condor Ferries. For more information visit www.condorbreaks.comor call 0845 230 3241.

4-star from £239 for four nights

Spend four nights in Guernsey with Channel Islands Direct for just £239 per person travelling by sea, or £315 per person travelling by air. This package includes bed and breakfast accommodation at the four-star St Pierre Park, on the outskirts of St Peter Port. The price is based on travel from now until 31 October 2011. This package is also available from Channel Islands Direct for travel in November – stay three nights for the price of two, for just £165 travelling by sea or £239 travelling by air. For more information please visit www.channelislandsdirect.co.uk or call 08444 937 486.

For more information on Guernsey please visit www.visitguernsey.com or call 01481 723 552.

-Ends-

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Guernsey is connected directly with nine UK airports and three UK ports:

- London Gatwick: Aurigny www.aurigny.com, Flybe www.flybe.com

- London Stansted: Aurigny

- Manchester: Aurigny, Flybe

- Birmingham: Flybe

- East Midlands: Aurigny

- Bristol: Aurigny

- Exeter: Flybe

- Norwich: Flybe

- Southampton: Flybe, Blue Islands www.blueislands.com

- Poole: Condor Ferries www.condorferries.co.uk

- Weymouth: Condor Ferries

- Portsmouth: Condor Ferries

Want to keep the kids happy on holiday? Well, who better to tell you how to go about it than the local children themselves?

That’s the principle behind a new VisitGuernsey initiative in which locals give visitors insider tips on things to see and do and experiences to be enjoyed.

As school is out for summer VisitGuernsey asked school pupils to tell potential visitors what they love best about life in Guernsey. The result, which can be viewed at LoveGuernsey, is a treasure chest of simple ideas guaranteed to keep a holiday smile on the faces of even the most demanding children!

Here are some of the Guernsey children’s island favourites - and why…

Beaches

• Vazon Bay - ‘go to Vazon Bay to surf and then have pizza at Crabby Jack’s!’ (Madison & Leonie, both 7)
• Grandes Rocques - ‘I love rock-climbing and the rock that looks like Queen Victoria!’ (Morgan, 7)
• Cobo Bay - ‘in the summer I can go rock-climbing and build sandcastles … I like to find shells to put on top of my sandcastles’ (Freya, 7)
• Rocquaine - ‘nothing is better than a chocolate ice cream down on the beach, and swimming in the sea is so refreshing’ (Aimee & Darcy, both 7)

Things to do

• Go cliff-walking - ‘there are excellent views from the cliffs in St Martins’ (Rachel & Freya, both 7)
• Walk across the causeway to Lihou Island - ‘you’ve got to go duck-racing on Lihou!’ (Aimee & Darcey, both 7)
• Go to the beach - ‘we like to look in rock pools’ (Stevie, 9); ‘I get to swim in the sea’ (Casey, 9)
• Go to Oatlands Village - ‘you can race go-karts at action-packed Oatlands’ (Madison & Leonie, both 7)
• Take a boat trip - ‘I like going to Herm and Sark’ (Stephanie, 9)

Where to go for a walk

• Pleinmont Point - ‘I like exploring’ (Christopher, 9)
• Le Gouffre in Forest Parish - ‘because we get to fish off the rocks’ (George, 9)
• Saints Bay - ‘it is safe and has no cars’ (Stevie, 9)
• In the woodlands - ‘nature is surrounding you’ (Inigo, 9)
• Around St Saviour’s Reservoir - ‘because we get to have a picnic!’ (Elliott, 9)

And where to eat!

• The Longfrie Inn (www.thelongfrieinn.com) - ‘they have a play area’ (Casey, 9); ‘the kids can play and the food is nice’ (Oliver, 9)
• Crabby Jack’s (www.crabbyjacksrestaurant.com) - ‘great banana sorbets!’ (Zak, 9); ‘they have really nice Hawaiian pizzas’ (Leonie, 7)
• Dix Neuf (www.dixneuf.gg) - ‘the smoothies are really yummy’ (Rachel & Freya, both 7); ‘because they have milkshakes’ (Elliott, 9)
• The Crow’s Nest (www.crowsnestguernsey.com) - ‘I love their spaghetti carbonara’ (George, 9)
• Les Rocquettes Hotel (www.lesrocquettesguernsey.com) - ‘delicious chicken and chips!’ (Rachel & Freya, both 7)
• Boulangerie Victor Hugo (www.boulangerievh.co.uk) - ‘nothing is better than a scrumptious cake at the Victor Hugo café’ (Madison & Leonie, both 7)
• Alpine Chalet at The Boathouse (www.theboathouseguernsey.com) - ‘I love their potato wedges!’ (Darcey, 7); ‘their mint choc chip ice cream is delicious’ (Lailie, 7)

For more insider information from Guernsey locals, visit LoveGuernsey.

For general tourist information on Guernsey please visit www.visitguernsey.com or call 01481 723 552.

-Ends-

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

Guernsey is connected directly with nine UK airports and three UK ports:

- London Gatwick: Aurigny www.aurigny.com, Flybe www.flybe.com

- London Stansted: Aurigny

- Manchester: Aurigny, Flybe

- Birmingham: Flybe

- East Midlands: Aurigny

- Bristol: Aurigny

- Exeter: Flybe

- Norwich: Flybe

- Southampton: Flybe, Blue Islands www.blueislands.com

- Poole: Condor Ferries www.condorferries.co.uk

- Weymouth: Condor Ferries

- Portsmouth: Condor Ferries

VisitGuernsey has welcomed the launch of a new ‘Channel Island Way’ guidebook which for the first time offers walkers a suggested route to experience the best of these scenic islands.

Published by Coast Media and written by Blue Badge Guide Arthur Lamy, The Channel Island Way showcases a 110-mile island-hopping route through Guernsey, Herm, Sark, Alderney and Jersey.

With a well-planned itinerary, the entire route can be walked in two weeks; however it is even more versatile as a series of short breaks, enabling visitors to take their time in exploring and enjoying the varied coastal landscapes of each island.

The route consists of circular walks on each island - approximately 40 miles in Guernsey, four in Herm, 10 in Sark, six in Alderney and 48 in Jersey. Both the Guernsey and Jersey routes are broken down into manageable sections with frequent public transport access.

“The launch of this new guidebook underlines how perfect the Channel Islands are for walking enthusiasts, as well as the great variety of terrain visitors can expect to experience,” said Jason Moriarty, VisitGuernsey’s Manager – Trade & Media Relations.

“In Guernsey alone the Channel Island Way takes in dramatic cliff paths, secluded bays, Napoleonic and World War 2 fortifications, sweeping beaches and thriving harbours. Add the appeal of the other islands, including car-free Herm and Sark, and it’s a great basis for short or extended breaks.”

The Channel Island Way will be available from www.amazon.co.uk, priced at £9.95, and in visitor centres and book retailers throughout the islands.

For more information on Guernsey visit www.visitguernsey.com.

Guernsey’s shores are home to a rich and unique heritage stretching back thousands of years. Tales of witches and fairies blend almost imperceptibly with accounts of fierce battles, castles and forts in the making of this remarkable Channel Island.

Fairy Haunts

The Creux des Faies is an ancient megalithic tomb dating back at least 4,000 years. Legends tell of this prehistoric passage tomb as the entrance to fairyland. Folklore relates how at night fairies came out to play here.

Certain stories tell how in days gone by, if a bowl of milk porridge was taken in the evening to the Creux des Faies and left there with a piece of knitting, the next morning the work would be completed.

Another significant fairy site is La Table des Pions, known locally as the Fairy Ring. La Table Des Pions was built as a table for the’ Pions’ or officials who accompanied dignitaries on the ‘Chevauchee’ around the island, when members of the Royal Court would check that the Chemin du Roi (King’s Way) was clear of obstruction.

Guernsey’s Castles

Unlike Castle Cornet, one of Guernsey’s oldest castles, which has been for the most part magnificently preserved, the more northerly 18th century Vale Castle now sits in ruins. The castle, located off the coast of St Peter Port was fortified against the French from 1206 and 1256.  The original castle is said to have a chapel, a half round tower and square tower, all of which were defended by walls, a ditch and drawbridge.

Vale Castle is said to have originally been built by the father of William the Conqueror and the site occupied as early as 500-600BC.

Witches and Wizardry

Guernsey heritage is awash with stories concerning witchcraft and wizardry.  At the beginning of the 17th century Le Catioroc was noted as being the middle haunt of the witches and wizards during the Witch Trials under Bailiff Amias de Carteret (1600-1630).

Every Friday night at Le Catioroc the Devil, in the form of a black goat called Baal Berith or Barberie, sat on the centre capstone of the dolmen while witches, warlocks and fairies danced around in worship.

Le Trepied is a prehistoric passage grave, built during the Neolithic period.  It also figures in accounts of 17th Century Witch Trials as a Friday night rendezvous for witch’s covens when the Devil sat enthroned on the capstone while his disciples danced around, shrieking his praises.

In 1448, the Pope announced that witchcraft was heresy and a war was declared against the witches and wizards.  In an 80 year period from 1560 to 1640 on Guernsey, 44 people were burnt at the stake and 35 were banished from the island for life.

Forts and The Navy Blue Guernsey Jumper

In the early 1800s, many wealthy French residents fleeing the Revolution set up home in the islands. Sixteen forts and 58 coastal batteries were built around the time of the French Revolution to defend the island from Napoleon and the French. There include Clarence Battery (1780), Fort Grey (1804) and Rousse Tower (1778-79). Fort Pezeries, originally built in the late 1600s, was also extended and strengthened.

General Sir John Doyle was made Lieutenant-Governor of Guernsey in 1803 and embarked on an ambitious programme of reclamation and rebuilding as part of his defensive strategy against the French.

During the time of the Napoleonic War, Admiral Lord Nelson recommended that the Guernsey jumper be worn by the Royal Navy and it was at this time that the Guernsey, which until then had been knitted in the unscoured natural wool, was dyed Navy Blue.

For more information on Guernsey please visit www.visitguernsey.com or call 01481 723 552. Fly to Guernsey from £180pp for two nights, including flights, hotel and free car hire. Island Getawaysor call 01983 721 111.