If you’re looking to plan an accessible or wheelchair-friendly trip, travelling to a new place or somewhere you have not visited in a long time can be daunting.
We have gathered a range of different accessible places to stay, to eat at and things to do in Guernsey, to take the hassle out of holiday planning and help you create your ideal itinerary.
Getting Here
Guernsey is easy to get to by either plane or boat. Before you start your journey, it is important to know the accessibility features of the airline or sailing company you will be travelling with.
Travelling by Plane
Guernsey's airline, Aurigny, flies direct from many airports in the UK in as little as 30 minutes. For wheelchair users and passengers with restricted mobility, they offer a ‘lift on/lift off’ service to help passengers up and down the stairs of their aircraft. They can also provide assistance through the airport and to the aircraft before your flight. Passengers requiring assistance should inform Aurigny at least 72 hours in advance to ensure the airline has ample time to prepare. They also provide speciality seatbelts for babies and toddlers.
By prior arrangement, registered Assistance dogs are able to travel on all Aurigny services, with the exception of flights to Grenoble. Due to their training and temperament, guide dogs are permitted to be seated with their owner in the cabin, but would ideally be carried in the transit carrier or cage. For further information on how to travel with an Assistance or Guide dog, please refer to the Aurigny FAQs here.
Blue Islands is another airline that flies to Guernsey from a number of UK destinations, namely Bristol and Southampton. They are able to provide assistance for a range of disabilities. They request that they are informed of any assistance that is required a minimum of 48 hours prior to departure so that they can pass on the information to their airport representatives with plenty of time to prepare for whatever needs you have. Note that the services vary by airport, so you may wish to contact the airport you will be using to familiarise yourself with exactly what to expect when you arrive.
Guide and hearing dogs are also welcome on board all Blue Islands flights and fly free of charge. Contact the Customer Care team to ensure the necessary details are added to the booking or complete the online form found on their website.
Travelling by Boat
All of Condor Ferries’ boats from both the UK and France to Guernsey are fully accessible, and the crews are trained in Disability Awareness to a high level. To ensure adequate care is provided, passengers with reduced mobility or who use a wheelchair should let them know as soon as possible. There are ramps and/or lifts for access on all of their ships, and if you are travelling by car they have specific parking bays on board allocated for accessibility. You will have to arrive 90 minutes before departure to ensure there is enough time to transport you onto the boat safely.
Where to Stay
Guernsey has a wide range of accommodation options available, from boutique hotels and spas to camping and glamping sites and self catering cottages or apartments. To make choosing where to stay easier, we’ve listed some of the most accessible places to stay in Guernsey.
Hotels
Many hotels in Guernsey are either fully accessible or have accessible features to varying degrees. Whether you want to stay in the heart of St Peter Port, Guernsey’s main town, along the coast with sea views or in the middle of the countryside, there is an accessible hotel to escape to. If you use a service dog, most hotels can accommodate you, so long as this is mentioned before booking.
Here are just a handful of the accessible hotels on offer:
In St Peter Port
If you're looking want to stay in the centre of Guernsey's capital, St Peter Port, there are plenty of accessible hotels that place you right in the middle of shops, historic sites and restaurants.
- The Old Government House and Spa
- Best Western Hotel de Havelet
- La Fregate Hotel and Restaurant
- The Duke of Richmond Hotel
- Best Western Moores Central Hotel
Out of St Peter Port
If quiet country lanes are more your style, there are lots of accommodation options that allow you to truly get away from it all.
Along the coast
Guernsey is famous for its beaches and cliff vistas, and our coastal accommodation options place you right beside them.
Self catering
Self catering holidays are the perfect way to explore our Islands at your own pace and create a holiday specific to you. Guernsey has many accessible self catering accommodation options available. 5 of our most accessible include:
- Grange Lodge Hotel Self Catering Flats
- St Peter’s Country Cottages
- Perelle Bay Holiday Cottages
- Paradis Self Catering
- Tertre Farm Holiday Homes
- Chateau Grandes Rocques Apartments
- Adair Bungalows
Campsites
For those wanting to be out in nature, two campsites on Guernsey offer amenities for all. Fauxquets Valley Campsite and La Bailloterie Camping both have accessible accommodation options available, disabled toilets and washroom facilities and baby changing facilities.
Here is a full list of accommodation options on our Islands.
Where to eat
Guernsey has an impressive gastronomic reputation, and a visit to any of our restaurants will show you why. Not only is there great food and atmosphere, but many restaurants across The Islands of Guernsey are well equipped with accessibility features, from wheelchair ramps to baby changing facilities and even large print menus.
In St Peter Port
One of the most popular steak restaurants on-Island, Red is located along the seafront in town. There is parking nearby but not onsite (although guests can be dropped off outside the door of the Pollet entrance to the restaurant), as well as an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. Please note that there are two small steps as you enter.
For a more relaxed atmosphere, and a wide range of food catering to all tastes and dietary requirements, Dix Neuf is perfect. There is ramped access into the restaurant, tables level with the entrance, an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. Note that parking is available at the three piers that range from 5 to 15 minutes away, or there are blue badge/accessible parking bays available slightly closer to the restaurant. There is access to the restaurant through town, but note that certain sections are cobbled.
Another one for steak lovers, The Slaughterhouse has ramped access to the ground floor, which has plenty of seating, parking is nearby but not onsite, although guests can be dropped outside, and there is an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.
For a lunch that appeals to all, or a delicious coffee and homemade cake stop, Cafe Emilia offers ramped access. Note that parking is available at the three piers that range from 5 to 15 minutes away, and there is an accessible toilet. There is access to the cafe through town, but note that certain sections are cobbled.
For a classic menu with a Scandinavian nod, the Copenhagen restaurant at The Hotel de Havelet has ramped access, onsite accessible parking, baby changing facilities and an ambulant toilet.
Out of St Peter Port
Looking out over the beautiful Cobo Bay, there is ramped access and limited onsite parking. More parking is available at two car parks a short walk away in either direction. Cobo Tearoom is also nearby for homemade cakes and light lunches, with no parking on site but availability in the same two car parks.
Popular for its varied menu and outside play area for children, here you will find ramped access, onsite accessible parking, baby changing facilities and an ambulant toilet.
With views out to the hotel gardens and beyond as well as their famous dessert bar, the restaurant at Hotel Jerbourg is not to be missed. There is ramped access into the restaurant, onsite accessible parking, baby changing facilities and an ambulant toilet all available.
For some of the freshest seafood you’ll find, with spectacular views out to the ocean in which it was caught, La Reunion has ramped access, onsite accessible parking and an accessible toilet. There are stairs to get to the upstairs restaurant, or a lift is available adjacent to the ground floor entrance for public use. Downstairs, you will find The Rockmount, a pub that is fully accessible throughout, with a ramped entrance, ambulant toilet and baby changing facilities.
For a full list of bars, restaurants, pubs and bistros, click here.
Things to do
There are many great places to explore on our Islands. We’ve highlighted the most accessible places to visit in Guernsey, to help you plan your visit and save you some research time.
Beaches
Guernsey has a lot of popular beaches stretching all along the coast. Whilst some have stairs leading down onto the beach or require a cliff path hike to be reached, there are many that are simple to access for everyone. Here are five of the most accessible beaches on our Island:
Probably the most accessible beach on Guernsey, Pembroke has beach wheelchairs that are available to hire online, accessible toilets, a kiosk nearby, parking and slipways at either end that lead onto soft sand. Note that the Pembroke slipway is steep.
Vazon is one of Guernsey’s most popular beaches. There are car parks at either end of the beach, accessible parking and an accessible toilet at Vistas car park and long, shallow slipways at either end of the beach - please note that these have cobbles down the middle and lead onto sand that is mildly firm/soft.
Cobo Bay has two car parks at either end of the beach, both with cobbled slipways leading onto soft sand, and there is a kiosk and toilets at the southern end of the beach. Note that the nearest accessible toilet is at Vazon.
Chouet
Chouet is a quieter beach next to Ladies Bay with a large car park, a shallow slipway leading onto hard sand, accessible toilets and a kiosk and tearooms nearby.
There is a slipway at the northern end of this long, sandy beach, two large car parks, an accessible toilet and a cafe and kiosk close to the beach.
There are not the only accessible beaches on Guernsey. For a full list of our beaches and bays, click here.
Iris and Dora
Let those creative juices flow at Iris and Dora, Guernsey’s local art studio, where you can paint and throw pottery and make your own unique creation to take home with you. There is ramped access to the building and onsite accessible parking. Normally, at least one member of the team on duty is trained in BSL. Service dogs are more than welcome in the studio, with water provided.
Karting Guernsey
An adrenaline rush awaits you at Karting Guernsey. There is ramped access into the buildings with onsite accessible parking. Two-seater karts are available and designed so that individuals with disabilities can be accompanied by someone else who can press the pedals, but either can steer the kart.
Oatlands Village + Minigolf
Be entertained and challenged at this 18-hole minigolf course. There is ramped access across the whole course, although note that there are a few steeper slopes throughout. There are also baby-changing facilities and accessible toilets at other venues in Oatlands Village.
Most of the stores, cafes and entertainment venues in Oatland Village are accessible, so why not look around and try homemade chocolate at Rebecca’s Chocolate, a homemade cake or lunch at The Kiln or buy some flowers or jewellery from the shops all located within the same area. Oaty and Joey’s can also be found here, perfect for those visiting Guernsey with children.
Guille Alles Library
Guernsey’s public library is perfect for book aficionados. There is parking close by, although not directly outside the library, ramped access into the building and a lift available to the public to access the different floors. There is also an accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.
The Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery at Candie Gardens
There is ramped access to the main building, providing access to the museum and art gallery and the coffee shop inside, there is parking nearby and wheelchair access throughout the gardens and the museum and baby changing facilities.
Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum
Located inside Saumarez Park, The Guernsey Folk and Costume Museum has ramped access and a lift available inside to the higher floors of the exhibit. Parking is not close by but there is a designated drop-off point next to the entrance, or the park has a smoothly paved path leading from the car park to the museum for some fresh air and beautiful nature. The Cafe at Saumarez Park also has a ramped entrance and is accessible throughout.
Hauteville House and Victor Hugo’s Gardens
Victor Hugo's home whilst he was on the Island whilst in exile from France is now a museum dedicated to his life. Audio description tours of the house and gardens are available for those with visual impairments, and there is parking nearby but not onsite. Please note that this venue is unfortunately not accessible for wheelchair users or those with impaired mobility as there are many stairs to climb.
St James
Guernsey’s concert hall and live performance venue hosts a wide range of entertainment throughout the year, from plays and concerts and live talks and comedy shows. There is parking nearby with a designated drop-off point, ramped access into the building, an ambulant toilet and baby changing facilities on-site. There is assistive listening available - just ask the team for more details.
A note on Island Hopping
Visiting our other Islands is a great way to pass a day or two on your visit. Unfortunately, the boats transporting passengers between Guernsey and Sark / Herm are not accessible to wheelchair users, but the crew can assist those with reduced mobility who can walk for brief periods. One of the boats to Alderney (Manche Iles Express) is fully accessible, but the other two boats and the plane are unable to provide adequate care and assistance to safely transport wheelchair users.
All Islands welcome guide and assistance dogs, the hotels and guest houses just request that this is mentioned during the booking process for them to adequately prepare and accommodate. Braye Beach Hotel on Alderney has a few rooms that are fully accessible.
If you're planning to bring a buggy, stroller or pram to one of our other Islands, please note that in Herm and Sark not all paths are paved so an all-terrain stroller is recommended for comfort.
Find even more things to do on the Islands of Guernsey here.
