Top 10 attractions in St. Peter Port
With its cobbled streets and picturesque seafront marina, it is easy to see why St Peter Port is considered one of Europe’s prettiest harbour towns – and there’s plenty here to keep you busy for several days.
1. The harbour
You could easily spend half a day wandering around the waterfront – looking at all the fishing boats and sailing yachts, with regular breaks for coffee, ice cream or a seafood lunch in one of the pretty quayside cafes, bars or restaurants.
2. Castle Cornet
Guernsey’s ancient royal fortress has stood guard over the town and harbour of St Peter Port for nearly eight centuries. The story of the Castle and other aspects of Guernsey’s past can be found in the five museums housed within the mighty walls: The Story of Castle Cornet Museum, The Maritime Museum, The 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum, The Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum and The Royal Guernsey Militia Museum. The Castle is also home to four well-researched ‘period’ gardens.
3. Victor Hugo’s House
French author and poet Victor Hugo spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey from 1855 and the island provided the inspiration for many of his fine works, including Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea.
He fell in love with Guernsey and his island home, Hauteville House, offers fans of his work a chance to experience how he lived. – decorated by the author himself in lavish style it is well preserved in its original state. Discover more about him here.
4. Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery
Designed around the old Victorian bandstand in the restored Victorian Candie Gardens, it houses a variety of Exhibitions. ‘The Story of Guernsey’ shows the development of the Island and its people. Artefacts from Victorian Collectors are displayed in a Victorian style Gallery. A changing programme of temporary exhibitions is held in the Rona Cole and Brian White Galleries.
5. Candie Gardens
Once part of a private estate, the award winning, restored Victorian Candie Gardens offer the best view across St Peter Port harbour, along with a rare example of a late 19th century public flower garden. They are home to the oldest known heated glass-houses in the British Isles, which date back to the late eighteenth century.
6. La Vallette Underground Military Museum
Military museum covering all aspects of Guernsey’s history in a well-lit, air-conditioned German Tunnel complex built by the Germans as a fuel storage facility for U-Boats.
7. Shopping
The High Street has retained much of its charm with small boutiques and gift shops jostling for space alongside larger branded stores. The Old Quarter is an eclectic mix of antique shops and locally made craft shops where you can find a lovingly made memento of your holiday or a treasured gift. Many goods are priced extremely competitively in Guernsey as excise duty rates are lower than those in Britain.
Each week the Fresh Friday market brings Market Square to life as local suppliers come to the town to sell their produce from across the island.
8. The Guernsey Aquarium
Housed in La Vallette tunnel for 31 years with forty-seven separate displays, ranging from local sea fish to European freshwater fish and finally to tropical marine fishes, anemones and inverts of various kinds. Also on display are frogs, toads, terrapins and basilisks, our resident lizards.
9. National Trust of Guernsey Victorian Shop & Parlour
26 Cornet Street is probably the earliest remaining complete building within the Town’s medieval boundaries. The National Trust of Guernsey has restored this exquisite 18th century house as a Victorian shop and parlour. Enter into a bygone age where sweets come from jars and are measured in pounds and ounces.
10. The Bailiwick of Guernsey Millennium Tapestry
10 embroidered panels, sewn by local people, illustrate 1000 years of history. A permanent exhibition housed in a purpose built, award winning Gallery, complete with audio guide.