Wrap up warm and get ready to explore our archipelago's five islands on a winter island hopping adventure. Alderney, Sark, Herm and Lihou are all accessible from Guernsey, each unique in their own way and perfect for a winter escape.
Whether you want to stay somewhere different for a few days, enjoy great food, spend time relaxing or learning about unique island heritage, there is plenty to discover.
We’ve created this guide to winter island hopping to help you get the most out of your adventure; detailing how to get to each island from Guernsey, places to stay, to eat and things to do in Alderney, Herm, Sark and Lihou.
Alderney
Getting There
Jump on an 18-seater plane and enjoy a short 15-minute flight from Guernsey to the third-largest Channel Island.
Where to Stay
There are lots of options for where to stay on your trip to Alderney. Whether you want a hotel with stunning views of the beach and beyond, like Braye Beach Hotel, or a boutique bolthole with stunning grounds, such as the Blonde Hedgehog, these hotels on Alderney have beautifully kept rooms, friendly staff and options to suit many requirements.
If a self-catering getaway is more your style, Alderney has a range of cottages, houses, and apartments available to rent. You could even stay in an old wartime fort at Fort Clonque. Relaxed guesthouse options with breakfast facilities are also available. Some options include:
- Villa Mondrian - a new concept to Alderney, offering high quality, room-only accommodation in 4 en-suite bedrooms, each with individual access from the garden.
- 5 Little Street - built in the 17th century to accommodate animals, grain and people, it has been both a family home and holiday house for the last 40 years.
- Sandpiper Cottage - a traditional 3-story town cottage that has recently been refurbished. There is a cosy living space with a garden and patio, just a few minutes from the centre of St Anne.
For a full list of accommodation options in Alderney, click here.
Things to Do
There is so much to do on a trip to Alderney during the cooler winter months. On a bright day, head on a wildlife tour or enjoy a walk along Alderney’s miles of country lanes and cliff paths, a great way to get outside. Alternatively, exploring the cobbled streets of St Anne, sitting in a coffee shop or browsing the independent shops, is a lovely way to pass the time.
If you find yourself on Alderney on a rainy winter’s day, why not take in some art and culture?
- Head to the Alderney Museum to learn about Alderney’s wartime past and view the original Wombles soft toys.
- Head to the Alderney Library to pick out a book to curl up indoors with; you’ll also find the Alderney Bayeux Tapestry here.
- On Monday and Thursday evenings you can catch a film at Alderney’s Cinema. A step back in time, they show the newest releases in an old cinema that fits just 90 people.
- View great local and international art at Le Passage Gallery, Alderney's first permanent Gallery for Contemporary Fine Art, with an Art Gallery and two Sculpture Gardens.
Places to Eat
Alderney is well known for its variety of great places to eat across the island. For delicious farm-to-table dishes made from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, head to the Blonde Hedgehog restaurant, at the heart of the hotel. Their menu focuses on contemporary dining with a classic and traditional twist. Alternatively, the Georgian House’s traditional British pub-style menu keeps things uncomplicated with fresh, high-quality produce that is sourced locally wherever possible.
If you want great food with stunning views, the Braye Beach Brasserie offers casual dining with seafood dishes made with the the freshest local fish that was caught that day and overlooks Braye Beach, or the Quarterdeck restaurant offers a Breton-style menu overlooking Alderney's picturesque Inner Harbour, with views across to the breakwater and the island of Burhou.
Find our full list of places to eat here.
Herm
Getting There
Hop on the ferry from St Peter Port and a mere 20 minutes later you’ll be on Herm. Boats operate all year round, with a more frequent hourly ferry service from May to September. Boats leave from the Weighbridge monument, where the ticket kiosk is, or the Inter-Island Quay, both of which are next to the North Beach car park.
Please note that on the way back from Herm, depending on the tide, boats may leave from one of two docks; the harbour at high tide and at Rosaire Steps at low tide, which is a 10-minute walk along the cliff path from Herm Harbour and its main facilities.
Where to Stay
Herm only has one hotel, the White House Hotel, a country house-style hotel that has been serving guests on Herm for years. There are a variety of rooms, some of which are dog friendly, a cottage with its own separate garden and a swimming pool within the grounds.
Herm also has a range of self-catering cottages and accommodations to suit a variety of group sizes and requirements. They are all comfortably furnished with well-equipped kitchens, though for environmental reasons they don’t have dishwashers and microwaves. Some even have their own open fire for keeping cosy on colder winter nights, although all have central heating.
Here is a full list of places to stay.
Things to Do
Herm is a small island, but there is still plenty to do. When the weather is nice, walk around the whole island, taking to the cliff paths and island roads. It is a completely car-free Island, so you know you’re safe. You could stop off and rest at one of Herm’s beaches, looking out to sea and enjoying the peace of the quieter season or even braving the water for an off-season wild swim.
If you need to retreat inside, Herm has its very own gift shop to explore, selling drinks and snacks, toys and games, clothes and classic souvenirs from your time on the island.
The White House Hotel often hosts activities and events throughout the year, with live performances, themed meals and more. They often post the events on the official Herm Island Facebook page, or you can find the upcoming celebrations on our What’s on Blog, which is updated regularly.
Places to Eat
You can bring your own food to Herm to enjoy in the comfort of your accommodation or as a picnic, and there are also three great restaurants on Island. The Mermaid Tavern is a popular classic pub with an informal atmosphere. As well as eating in the pub restaurant, you also have the option to book the Chef’s Theatre Dining on the 'top deck' for a group of friends or family, where you can watch your food being cooked by the chef right in front of you.
The Ship Inn, an extremely popular restaurant with locals and visitors alike, has a bar with an open fire, or a cosy main restaurant area offering everything from full-English breakfasts and light lunches, to snacks and hearty evening meals. A children’s menu is also available. Inside the White House Hotel, you’ll find fine dining and delicious meals at the Conservatory Restaurant and cocktails and bar meals in the lounge.
Sark
Getting There
The Isle of Sark Shipping Company operates a year-round ferry service between Guernsey and Sark. The short ferry journey offers views of the neighbouring islands of Herm and Jethou, where puffins and dolphins can often be spotted.
Where to Stay
On Sark, you can stay at La Moinerie Village, which has been restored from the ruins of an old farm and is on the site of a mediaeval monastery. You can stay in one of the nine guest lodges or the 18th-century farmhouse-turned-hotel. All rooms are fully equipped and include a flat-screen TV, free WiFi and complimentary tea and coffee-making facilities.
Alternatively, there is a range of comfortable and boutique self-catering accommodation options. A few of these include:
- Clos a Joan, with five buildings, each with central heating, TV, washing machines and free WiFi, was built in 1700 and a project was undertaken in 2015 to renovate the buildings to the high standard they are today.
- Pourquoi Pas is a traditional Scandinavian-style log cabin with coastal views, a garden and a swimming pool. The cabin can accommodate 9 people and is fully equipped for a trip that will make you feel at home.
- La Chasse Marette is a newly refurbished house opposite Sark’s church and just five minutes from the village, with easy access to beaches, shops and restaurants. It accommodates 6 people, plus one child and one infant, perfect if you’re travelling as a family or group of friends.
Find a full list of accommodation options here.
Things to Do
Sark Museum documents the wide history of Sark spanning several centuries, housing an eclectic mix of Sark cultural and heritage memorabilia, from historic photos of rural Sark and its buildings of interest, to details of the attempted takeover of the island in 1990, as well as an important collection of World War II memorabilia, capturing the island’s unique war experience.
To see the island in full, take a carriage ride around the Island or hire bikes from a range of retailers. The Island is car-free, so these are the quickest ways to get around and explore all that Sark has to offer. For a day of adventure, hike around the Island, getting (momentarily) lost amongst the country lanes and cliff paths, and discovering secluded bays and epic views as you explore.
Chocolate making at the world-renowned Caragh’s Chocolates on Little Sark is a not-to-be-missed experience. Caragh herself will talk you through the process, and you get to take your delicious chocolate creations back with you.
In the evening, make sure you try out winter stargazing on Sark. Sark is a Dark Sky Island, where there are no street lights or cars to create any light pollution, giving you the perfect place to watch the clear night sky. You can read more about stargazing on our Islands here.
Places to eat
Sark has a range of places to enjoy food, and is known for its quality restaurants, bars and bistros. Some local favourites include Stock's Bistro, with its locally grown produce, Hathaways for delicious afternoon teas, the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of Nova’s Bistro and Fleur du Jardin, a family-run hidden gem.
For a full list of restaurants, click here.
Lihou
Getting There
Lihou, the smallest of our Islands, is accessed on foot via a cobbled causeway near L’Eree headland. Please remember to check the tide timetables as the causeway is only accessible at certain tides.
Where to Stay
There is only one place to stay on Lihou Island, and that is Lihou House. Mainly targeted at school groups, it is possible to book the house for a group of up to 30 people.
Things to Do
A walk around Lihou Island may not take very long, but there is so much to see. From the views out over the horizon to the unique wildlife that is found in abundance, you could spend hours discovering something new. Lihou is in fact Guernsey’s first RAMSAR site, a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, and there are more than 150 species of birds waiting to be spotted. If you’re feeling brave during the colder months, you could stop and enjoy a swim in the natural Venus Pool.
Where to Eat
There are no restaurants on Lihou, but there are plenty of scenic spots to stop and enjoy a picnic.
