More About Guernsey

Visitors to Guernsey often ask us for more information about the island, so thanks to the official Guernsey government website here’s some essential information.

Information about Guernsey

Where is it? Guernsey is situated 30 miles west of the Normandy coast in France and 75 miles south of Weymouth in England and lies in the Gulf of St Malo. 
How big is it? The island is approximately 24 sq. miles (63 sq. kilometres)
How many people live in Guernsey? According to the last Census held in 2001, the population in Guernsey stands at 59,807.
What can Guernsey offer me? Guernsey offers you a completely different way of life.  Be prepared for fantastic scenery, beautiful walks and cycle routes and a wealth of things to do.  Islanders are extremely proud of their pretty, cobbled town that rises up from the impressive harbour front and cries out to be explored.
Guernsey also boasts stunning views from the cliffs and the cleanliness of both the sea and its award winning beaches is well known.
Sport is an important part of life in Guernsey.  There is so much from which to choose both on and off the water.
When you arrive in Guernsey you will find yourself confronted by lots of very different restaurants enticing you to either bistro style dining, a sophisticated menu at a top class restaurant, a barbecue or a trendy American style experience.  The choice is yours.
There are also plenty of opportunities to ‘island hop’ to the other Channel Islands as well as travel by sea or air to France.  Dinard is only 20 minutes away by air.

Information about the Bailiwick of Guernsey

The Bailiwick of Guernsey includes a number of islands in addition to Guernsey.
Alderney is the most northerly of the Channel Islands and is the closest of the islands to England.  It boasts excellent coastal walks, a quaint town, a nine-hole golf course and some of the best fishing opportunities you would wish to find.
Sark lies nearly 8 miles east of Guernsey.  It has numerous coves and beaches – some which you have to climb down to reach.  It is most famous for its enchanting and relaxed pace of life.  Sark enables you to step back in time – a visit here is like no other.
Herm is a small island lying just off Guernsey.  There is a regular ferry and catamaran service to the island which only takes 25 minutes.  Herm is a popular retreat for Guernsey locals and visitors.  Most visit Belvoir Bay or Shell Beach, famous for the tiny shells washed up by the Gulf Stream.
Jethou is a small island covering approximately 44 acres immediately south of Herm.  It is thought that it was once connected to Herm by a strip of land that was washed away during a storm in the AD709.   Jethou is a part of the Bailiwick but is not open to the public.  It is leased by the States of Guernsey from the Crown and currently has sub-tenants.
Brecqhou is a privately owned island and is not open to the public.
Lihou is a small island located on the west coast of Guernsey.  It is a conservation area and is owned by the States of Guernsey.  It is open to the public and can be accessed via a causeway that is exposed during low tides.

Information about Guernsey's history

Although Guernsey is geographically closer to the Normandy coast than to the south coast of England it is a dependency of the British Crown. 
So why does Guernsey remain loyal to Britain, rather than France her closest neighbour?
It all began in 933 AD when the Channel Islands became part of the Norman Realm.  In 1066, the Duke of Normandy landed his army in Sussex and became William I of England.  The Channel Islands, however, remained part of the Duchy of Normandy and continued to be governed as such.
When Continental Normandy was lost in 1204 the Channel Islands remained loyal to the King of England as the King promised to rule the islands as though he was the Duke of Normandy (i.e. observing the Duchy’s laws, customs and liberties).  This arrangement has been confirmed in charters of successive sovereigns that have secured for the islands their own judiciaries and freedom from the process of the English Courts.  Indeed the Islands are independent in all matters with the exception of international representation and defence for which the United Kingdom is responsible.
The islands were the focal point of strife between England and France for many years due to their allegiance to England.  At times, the French raided the islands and gained temporary footholds and, as a consequence, there are castles and fortresses around Guernsey that were originally built as a protection against invaders.
Information about Guernsey's constitution
The Lieutenant Governor is Her Majesty’s personal representative and official channel of communication between the Crown and the UK Government and Bailiwick.
The other key offices held under the Crown are those of the Bailiff and Deputy Bailiff, who preside over the States of Deliberation and the Royal Court, and HM Procureur (Attorney General) and HM Comptroller (Solicitor General), who are the legal advisers to the Crown and the States.
The Bailiwick is not represented in the UK Parliament.  Acts of Parliament do not apply in the Bailiwick unless extended by Order in Council.  The UK Government is responsible for the Bailiwick’s international representation.
Special terms were negotiated for the Channel Islands on the UK’s accession to the EEC.  These are contained in Protocol 3 to the Treaty of Accession.  The effect of the protocol is that the Bailiwick is within the Common Customs Area and the Common External Tariff (i.e. it enjoys access to EEC countries of physical exports without tariff barriers).  Other Community rules do not apply to the Bailiwick.

Information about Guernsey's parliamentary system

Guernsey’s parliament is called ‘The States of Deliberation’ and is democratically elected. There are no political parties in Guernsey.
The States meet on a monthly basis  (except in August).  They have a special meeting in December to consider the Budget and to debate the annual Policy Planning procedure.  The order paper for States Meetings is called the Billet d’État.   Items mainly take the form of States Reports submitted by Departments although from time to time Requêtes are submitted by States Members, (at least seven signatures are needed).  A Requête is in effect a Private Members Motion.  The Policy Council and the Treasury and Resources Department comment on the various proposals set out in the Billet d’État.  It also includes draft legislation for approval.
The States of Deliberation have the power:-
• To raise taxation
• To determine expenditure
• To pass legislation
The functions of Government are carried out by ten Departments led by a Minister who, like the four ordinary members of the Department, is elected by the States of Deliberation.

General information about living in Guernsey

Cost of Living
Living costs are broadly similar to the UK although there are variations between specific items. Items such as cars, household appliances and jewellery are generally cheaper than in the UK as are tobacco, spirits and cosmetics. The retail price index increases tend to parallel those in the UK, but at a slightly higher level.

Eating out
Guernsey is often spoken of as being a ‘Gourmet’ Island. Lots of restaurants feature fresh lobster, crab, oyster, sea bass, sole and brill, as well as Guernsey’s own delicacy, the ormer.
If you are not a fish eater there are also lots of mouth-watering alternatives. You can literally pick anywhere in the world and find a restaurant offering authentic cuisine. Indian, Mexican, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Moroccan and of course, classic French restaurants all appear on the local eating out map. There could not be a greater choice.

Leisure Activities
In Guernsey there are things to do all year round. There are opportunities to swim, windsurf, water-ski or even surf from the islands beaches or to go sailing or sea fishing from the marina.
There are three golf courses on the Island and a number of soccer, football and athletic clubs.
Beau Sejour Leisure Centre has a sports hall with courts available for volleyball, badminton, football, squash, tennis etc as well as other facilities including a fitness studio, a bowling green and a large indoor pool with water flumes.
There are also a number of private clubs and Hotels on the Island that offer sporting and fitness facilities and health and beauty suites.

Art and drama
During the Summer months plays are performed within the walls of Castle Cornet in St Peter Port. You can bring a picnic and a bottle of wine and listen to Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde performed in idyllic surroundings.
The Island has a Choral Society and an Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Club as well as other societies and clubs, representing a wide range of interests and activities. The St James Concert and Assembly Hall and Beau Sejour Centre also undertake to provide a programme of cultural events each year.

Nightlife
Many local bands entertain diners in bars and bistros around the island and there are several nightclubs.

Language
With nearly a whole generation being evacuated to England prior to the German Occupation of Guernsey (approximately 21,000 people in total) the local dialect, Guernsey Patois (or Guernesiais) almost died out. Today, few islanders speak Patois.