10 Great Things To Do On The Channel Islands This Easter!

The Channel Islands comprise the islands of Guernsey, Alderney, Jersey, Herm and Sark, with the most popular being Jersey and Guernsey.

With a strong French influence, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a taste of the continent but still feel totally at home. The climate is mild, the scenery superb, and for the kids, there are loads of beaches and miles of coastline to explore safely.

It’s easy to reach the islands as they are only about 35 minutes from the United Kingdom which makes short breaks more attractive, especially with all the history, French influence, tax-free shopping, culinary delights, beauty spas, golf and top accommodation to enjoy.  Why go anywhere else this Easter?

Here’s our pick of the best things to do there.

1.  Walk across Herm

Herm is the smallest island that allows day trippers. It’s only one and a half miles long and about half a mile wide, so it’s easy to walk across. What makes it unique is the scenery. Known as the prettiest island, Herm has stunning golden beaches to laze on, and no cars are allowed, so you’ll unwind.

2.  Go Back in time to a Neolithic Community

La Hougue Bie is where you’ll find one of the best examples of passage graves in Europe. Here you can learn more about life in a Neolithic community in Jersey around six thousand years ago. There is a medieval chapel on the mound now, but it’s still a tranquil and spiritual place where you can stand inside the chamber of the grave itself. There is a museum too where you can discover more about this time and the German Occupation in WWII.

3.  Rejuvenate yourself

The Club Spa in Jersey offers deluxe relaxation and beauty treatments derived from the marine surroundings to ensure you get the best in top-to-toe beauty therapies. Indulge in a massage, sauna, steam rooms, salt pool and cabin in this contemporary and luxurious spa.

4.  Tickle your tastebuds

Visitors claim the fish and chips at Cobo Bay in Guernsey are the best and a great way to end a day at the stunning beach there. Watch the sunset as you get all the flavour of freshly prepared fish and crispy potato chips washed down with your favourite brew.

5.  Repel the French Invasion

Mont Orgueil Castle was where the French invaders would have been held at bay, and you can now explore the castle imagining the thunderous roar of the cannons, work out the secrets of the towers and tunnels and learn who was spying for whom way back when. A great day out for all the family!

6.  A spot for antique shopping

Antique shops are plentiful in the Old Quarter of St Peters Port.  Walk up the hill from the Town Church and enter Mill Street. It’s like a time warp taking you back a hundred years with the most delicious collection of bric-a-brac and antique shops. The whole street is a cornucopia of memorabilia, quaint shops, tea houses, and well worth browsing.

7.  Walk the coastline on Guernsey

You can walk around Guernsey, and it doesn’t take all that long! Start at Belvoir Bay on the East Coast and take the Southern Coast Path to Harbour Village. If the weather is clear, this takes you along the shore and gives you fabulous views of Sark, Jersey and France. There are many birds on the walk, and you’ll pass the arched entrance to the Roasaire Steps and the ruins of the Silver mines. It’s picturesque and lets you say ‘yes’ to another cream tea!

8.  Have your picture taken with a Puffin

Unfortunately, reports say that it’s not easy to see the Puffins these days, so take a boat trip when you’re in Alderney to the rocky island of Burhou, known for seabirds and Puffins, if you want a snap.

9.  Indulge in afternoon tea

Guernsey is famous for its cream teas. Traditional cream tea consists of towering homemade scones, assorted jams and preserves and double thick or clotted cream! The twist in Guernsey is the traditional fruit cake served with it! Called Guernsey Gache, this cake is rich, filling, and spread with creamy butter made locally too!

10. Visit the endangered

Durrell’s Wildlife Park is a firm favourite for visitors to Jersey.  This is not a typical zoo but a conservation park where they work to save species from extinction, so you’ll see a comprehensive and unusual variety of animals there. Here they have endangered animals from Galapagos, India, the Caribbean Island and Madagascar. It’s a perfect day out for all the family and will take you a good half a day to walk around.