St. Peter Port

Introduction

Castle Cornet, St Peter Port

© Mikey B

St. Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey and has a population of roughly 18,000 people. It is located in the east of the island and is a major port as well. St. Peter Port is a small town with steep narrow streets and steps. It is an attractive town with quite a few sights to visit like the Town Church and the Royal Courthouse. Castle Cornet is the historic fortress that guarded the strategic entrance to the port and the port harbour itself is beautifully located. There are reasonably well-developed tourist facilities to cater for demand.

Sights and Activities

Castle Cornet

Castle Cornet is a big castle that is a former tidal island, which is now on the breakwater for the capital's harbour. The tidal island was originally fortified between 1206 and 1256 with a castle. With the invention of gunpowder and cannons the castle was upgraded between 1545 and 1548. The castle was the official residence of the governor until 1672 when a disaster happened. A lightening bolt struck the magazine storage area causing an explosion that killed the governor, his mother, wife and a large number of staff. Today the castle incorporates several museums.

Museums in the Castle Cornet

• Maritime Museum - Located in the upper barracks building the museum tells about the maritime relationship the island has with the sea. The main attraction is a Gallo-Roman wreck recovered from the harbour in 1985.
• The Story of Castle Cornet - Located in the lower barracks building this new exhibit tells the story of the castle with modern technology.
• 201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey's Own) Museum - This museum is a recent addition to the castle and follows the history of the 201 RAF squadron on the island.
• Royal Guernsey Militia Regimental Museum - Opened in 2011, and situated on the upper floor of the hospital building, this museum features the development and history of the Royal Guernsey Militia.
• Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Regimental Museum - Situated on the ground floor of the hospital building, this museum continues the story where the above museum ends, honoring the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry and others from Guernsey who took part in the First Wold War.
• Hatton Gallery - Is a large gallery in the upper barracks building. The gallery is not usually open to the public, unless for specific advertised events.

Other Sights and Activities

• Town Church
• Royal Court House

Weather

St. Peter Port has a typical maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. Temperatures in summer average around 20 °C during the day or a bit less. Winters are generally above zero with a few degrees below zero sometimes at night. Variations in temperatures, both between summer and winter as well as between days in the seasons, are low. Rain is possible year round, though autumn and winter is a bit wetter compared to the late spring and summer season.

Getting There

By Plane

Guernsey Airport (GCI) is the only airport in Guernsey, just a few kilometres from St. Peter Port. Aurigny Air Services, a state airline, is based here and has flights to and from Alderney, Bristol, Dinard, Jersey, London and Manchester. Blue Islands flies to Alderney, Bournemouth, Geneva, Isle of Man, Jersey, Paris, Southampton and Zurich. Flybe has flights to Birmingham, Exeter, London, Manchester, Norwich and Southampton. Seasonal flights from the Netherlands are also available with Lufthansa and VLM Airlines.

By Boat

Condor Ferries has boats to and from Jersey and St Malo in France. They also travel further on to Poole, Portsmouth and Weymouth in the UK.

Eat

• Albion, Church Square, ☎ +44 1481 723518. A pub which serves both food and ale.
• Ship & Crown, St. Peter Port Seafront (near the Victoria Pier), ☎ +44 1481 728994. Pub & restaurant.

8 The Terrace Garden Cafe, Cornet Street, GY1 1BZ, ☎ +44 1481 724478. Asian food, with views of harbor and town.

Sleep

• Old Government House Hotel & Spa Guernsey, Ann's Place, ☎ +44 1481 724921. £200 and up.

Keep Connected

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

External Links