Guernsey travel guide

White Fort Grey is impressive as it's located on a small islet in Rocquaine Bay. It's only connected by a causeway at low tide. It stands on the site of an earlier small castle, but that was replaced with a gun battery in the early 19th century to protect Guernsey against possibly French attack. During WWII, the Nazis used Fort Grey as an anti-aircraft battery. After the fort was converted into a shipwreck museum, an arched gateway and steps was added, since previously the only way in was by climbing the walls with a ladder.

Throughout history Guernsey has held a strategic location. The French, Nazi Germany and the British have all fought over Guernsey (and the other Channel Islands). During WWII Guernsey was occupied by the Nazis, who built a network of fortified positions on the most strategic headlands, and Fort Hommet was one of them. The site has held a fortification since 1680, and along with Fort Grey and Fort Saumarez, it was an important part of Guernsey's defense against a possible French invasion in the early 19th century. Today the fort complex has a bit from all era.

Built in 1680 to protect Rocquaine Bay. During the early 19th century, when the threat of a French invasion was as its height, the fort was further strengthened. Though the Nazis used it as a machine gun position during WWII, they didn't add any concrete bunkers. Today three old cannons point into the bay. The road to the fort is closed for regular traffic, but open for walkers. It's a pretty 10 minutes walk from the bus station.
There is a so-called Fairy Ring (Table Des Pions) a bit further to the left. Though it seems like a mystical prehistoric monument, the correct explanation is a dugout picnic table from the 18th-19th century.

Fort Grey, Fort Hommet, and Fort Saumarez were all built as Martello towers (small defence forts) by the British to protect Guernsey against a possible French invasion in the early 19th century. All of them were further extended during WWII by the Nazis. In the case of Fort Saumarez, a four-storey concrete observation tower was added on top of the Martello tower.
Unfortunately, Fort Saumarez is privately owned and not accessible, but the views at the foot over Lihou Island (only accessible at low tide) and L'Eree Beach are splendid.

Grand Rocques is a beautiful sandy beach, which is a popular place to watch the sunset from. To defend the beach during WWII, the Nazis built a concrete bunker (no 21) at the north end. Today, the bunker offers great vantage point of the beach and the rocky coastline, and you can still explore some of the gun positions.

The rugged coastline at Jerbourg Peninsula is of outstanding beauty. On clear days there are breathtaking views of nearby channel isles of Jethou, Herm, Sark and Jersey - and further out France. From the carpark the cliffs drop dramatically into the rocky outcrops far below. A trail leads down and out to the furthest points with more spectacular views. The trail ends at the famous, but scary, bridge with leads to the lighthouse at St Martin's Point.
It can get extreme windy out here and there are no fences anywhere (except on the bridge), so be careful not to fall down into the crashing waves.

Neighboring L'Ancresse Beach and Pembroke Beach are gorgeous and make out the longest stretch of sand on Guernsey. They're surrounded by a golf course and several loophole towers stand on the rocky outcrops. Along the beaches runs a concrete anti-tank wall built by the Nazis during WWII.

In 1914 Brother Déodat got a vision and built a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes (France). However, he wasn't happy with it, so he smashed it. His second attempt wasn't good either, as the Bishop of Portsmouth couldn't get through the doorway, so that got smashed too. Thankfully, Brother Déodat was happy with his third attempt, which is the version that stands today, though others had to complete his work. The tiny main chapel only measuring 1.4 m wide by 2.8 m long, and has room for around eight people. The chapel is decorated from floor to spire in seashells, pebbles and broken china. It's admission free, but a donation is encouraged. The pictures is of an even smaller underground chamber.

The coast of Guernsey are dotted with stone watchtowers. The British built originally 15 loophole towers in the late 18th century, but today only 12 towers remains. From each tower you can see to the next one and the next one. Tower no 5 has particularly great views over L'Ancresse Beach.

Dehus Dolmen is prehistoric passage grave from the neolithic period (4000-2500 BC). It is constructed out of massive capstones with one broad main chamber and two smaller side-chambers. A bearded face has been carved on the second capstone from the rear. The tomb has free admission, but is protected by a door, which get locked at sunset. You have to turn on the lights yourself, remember to turn on the lamp for the capstone, so you better can see the carved face.