There are many ways to explore the unique history of our Islands, from museums and tours to libraries and archives.
Here are a few places to get you started.
Museums, Exhibitions and Sites
With curated artefacts and exhibitions, our museums make Guernsey’s fascinating history accessible for all ages. Some key museums and sites to explore in Guernsey are:
You can also discover more museums, castles and bunkers across our Islands in this blog: History & Heritage Sites to Explore.
Stolpersteine (stumbling stones)
Guernsey Museums have installed 15 stolpersteine in front of the homes of people who died in concentration camps.
These memorial plaques are part of a huge European network of over 100,000 ‘stumbling stones’ to commemorate victims from WWII.
Those honoured with a Stolpersteine in Guernsey include:
- Sidney Ashcroft - 2, Pont Vaillant, Rue de Pont Vaillant, St Peter Port
- Kingston Bailey - The Old Barn, Les Croutes, St Peter Port
- Elisabet Duquemin - Cobo Village Centre, Route de Carteret, Castel
- Frank Falla - Dolce Huis, Brock Road, St Peter Port
- Marianne Grunfeld - Duveaux Farm, Duveaux Road, St Sampson
- Joseph Gillingham - 42, Bordage, St Peter Port
- John Ingrouille - Springtides, La Miellette Lane, Vale
- Charles Machon - 74, Victoria Road, St Peter Port
- Percy Miller - La Turquie, Grande Rue, Vale
- Marie Ozanne - Imladris, Dehus Lane, Vale
- Herbert Smith - 13, Rue Flère, Vale
- Auguste Spitz and Therese Steiner - Castel Hospital, La Neuve Rue, Castel
- Louis Symes - 11, Clarkes Houses, Grande Bouet, St Peter Port
- Frank Tuck - Les Huriaux, Rue Des Huriaux, St Martin
You can discover their stories on the Frank Falla Archive.
Upcoming Exhibitions
As well as the permanent exhibitions at our museums, there are a range of special exhibitions coming to our Islands, each exploring unique parts of our history and heritage.
- Festung Guernsey - Bunker Openings | These open days allow you to discover the fortifications that dot our coastline, with experts on hand to answer questions.
- Guernsey Museum - History of Dairy | This upcoming exhibition will explore the history of farming and dairy on our Islands, right up to the present day. More details are to follow.
- BBC 80 Objects | This curated exhibition showcases 80 objects including oral recordings around Guernsey's heritage. More details are to follow.
- History Festival | Our 2025 History Fest will take place from 11-29 April, looking back at Guernsey through the ages. More details are to follow.
You can find more special events on our What's On blog.
Tours - Guided and Self-Guided
There's no better way to discover Guernsey's history than with a tour. Try an interactive self-guided walking, bike or driving tour, or book a guided tour with a local expert.
Self-guided
Walk in the footsteps of Renoir, hike around hidden beaches or discover more about Victor Hugo's life in Guernsey with one of our self-guided routes.
- VG App & Occupation Boards | Follow the trail boards using the VisitGuernsey app and discover the stories of our islands’ occupation by the Germans during World War II. These are available for walking, cycling and driving routes.
- Exhibition Trail | If you're interested in art, this exciting new trail is for you. More details are to follow.
Guided Tours
Throughout the year, explore the Islands with a knowledgeable local guide. The Guernsey Guild of Accredited Guides offer a choice of experts and routes, covering topics such as the Occupation, St Peter Port and literature and art. You are guaranteed to learn more about what makes Guernsey so special.
- Amanda Johns - Tours | One of our Local Ambassadors, Amanda's tours offer unique insights into the fortifications around our coastline and in town, and can provide bespoke tours to bunkers not usually open to the public.
- Towers and Bunkers Rib Voyage | Book a fascinating cruise around the coast with Island Rib Voyages. The cruise allows you to see the island’s formidable sea-facing defences from the best viewpoint, providing an interesting and poignant reflection on WWII history. More dates will be added for 2025.
- Beaucette Marina Walking Tour | Join Malcolm Cleal on a walking tour from Beaucette Marina, and learn more about local history, flora and produce, including foraging activities.
Research and Wider Culture
From historical documents to lectures and libraries, here's how you can delve deeper into the island's history and culture:
- The Priaulx Library | Home to many records on the Occupation, The Priaulx Library provides a hive of information and is excellent for research if you have a personal connection to our Islands. FindMyPast is also a good resource for exploring family history and genealogy in Guernsey, with digital archives available from wherever you are in the world.
- Hauteville House, the island home of Victor Hugo during his exile from France, provides a fascinating insight into the writer's life and his prolific time on the island. With its eclectic style, the house is a historical artefact and artwork in itself.
- If you can't get to Guernsey and would like to get a taste of Guernsey during the Occupation, try The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society novel and film. This fictionalised account explores the real society that existing on our Islands during WW2.
There are also a range of events coming up that will explore our history through a cultural lens.
- Liberation Week Lectures | As part of 80th Liberation Day celebrations, a series of lectures diving into the Occupation and Liberation will be taking place. More details to follow.
- Guernsey Literary Festival | Local historians and writers will be giving talks as part of the annual Guernsey Literary Festival in May 2025.
Accommodation Packages
Immerse yourself in our history and make your trip even easier with these packages:
- Duke of Richmond - 4* | This offer includes dinner on your first night in the Leopard Bar restaurant, full English breakfast as well as Afternoon Tea on your second day, a 4-hour World War II Occupation Explorer tour and a detailed historical tour of The Duke of Richmond with a local historian.
- Old Government House Hotel - 5*| This offer includes dinner on your first night in the Brasserie restaurant, full English breakfast as well as Afternoon Tea on your second day, a 4-hour World War II Occupation Explorer tour and a detailed historical tour of The Old Government House with a local historian.
