The world may be going crazy trying to guess where the next royal couple will spend their honeymoon – but if you are looking for some inspiration and the glitzy likes of Barbados, Dubai or Bali are not for you, there’s an idyllic option much closer to home.
Although they lie just off the coast of the continent, the Channel Islands of Guernsey, Sark, Herm and Alderney remain British at heart – even though the French influence is hard to miss and the climate is much milder and warmer! Base yourself in Guernsey and embark on an island-hopping honeymoon with a real difference…
Guernsey: Quality all the way
If you have not been to Guernsey before, you will be pleasantly surprised by the number of upmarket boutique properties. Cosy up around the fireplace, spoil yourself with an intimate candlelit dinner at an award-winning restaurant and relax in the romantic luxury of your room – or you can take advantage of the weather and have a lazy day by the sea, choosing from 27 different stunning beaches and bays. From picture perfect scenery on one of the many cliff walks to the bustling harbour capital of St. Peter Port, it is amazing how much you can fit in - and discover - in 24 square miles!
Getting there: Direct flights operate from London Gatwick and Stansted year round, plus from nine UK regional airports; regular ferry services connect Guernsey with the south coast of England (Poole, Weymouth, Portsmouth).
Herm: A tiny island that’s never crowded
Only 20 minutes from Guernsey, Herm is the perfect escape from everyday life if you want to be alone with your partner: even in summer it never seems crowded! Just a mile and a half long by a mile wide, the island boasts long unspoilt beaches, hidden bays, sand dunes, rolling fields and cliff walks. Get off the ferry at Herm’s old jetty and start exploring – or simply relax on Shell Beach, so called because the sand is made up of millions of tiny shell fragments!
Getting there: By catamaran from Guernsey; daily departures, although timetables vary depending on time of year.
Sark: Step back in time
A visit to Sark truly feels like a step back in time: no cars, no tarmac, no noise. Take a horse-drawn carriage and explore with your loved one the beautiful landscapes and fascinating coastline of dramatic cliffs rising 350 feet above the sea. If you want to experience this total peace and tranquillity for a little longer, the island offers a wide range of accommodation, from hotels full of character to charming guest houses and even idyllic campsites…
Getting there: There is a daily ferry service from Guernsey and journey time is approximately 45 minutes.
Alderney: A haven of unspoilt countryside
Imagine a little island, less than four miles long, but with over 50 miles of walks and paths taking you across commons, beaches and along the cliffs. The capital St Anne is a village of colour-washed houses, cobbled streets and old-fashioned shops, and if you want to stay somewhere distinctive and memorable for your honeymoon, try the Mannez Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage – or The Hut on the quaint Burhou island, one mile off Alderney…
Getting there: Scheduled flights operate daily from Southampton and you can fly from all major UK airports that service Guernsey via an inter-island 15-minute flight; there is a weekly ferry service to and from Guernsey, Sark and Herm, while a high speed catamaran operates between Guernsey and Alderney from April to September.
For more information on Guernsey please visit www.visitguernsey.com
or call 01481 723 552
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