Leap into spring with a Guernsey activity break
Get the adrenaline pumping with an energising active break in Guernsey this spring. Often associated with a more genteel pace of life and an older clientele the island is promoting its incredible rugged, dramatic coastline and interior as the basis for a weekend break with a difference - and all within a 45 minute flight from the mainland. With 28.5 miles of spectacular cliff paths, sweeping bays, craggy cliffs and coves and rural lanes, exploring Guernsey by land or sea offers a really invigorating spring break.
Scuba diving
Compared to the waters around Britain, Guernsey’s water is renowned for its milder temperature and excellent visibility which is often more than 10 metres. There are plenty of different dive sites to visit ranging from reefs and walls to steep pinnacles and open ground and there are a number of wrecks on the rocky sea bed, some of which date back to Roman times. Donkey Divers (donkey-divers.com) offer a two hour escorted dive with all equipment for £40 per dive.
Surfing
Guernsey’s many wide coves and bays draw in the big rollers making it a surfing paradise for beginners and experienced surfers. The Guernsey Surf School (guernseysurfschool.co.uk) at Vazon Bay offers beginner lessons or one on one lessons for the more advanced, costing £30 and £40 per person respectively for a one hour lesson.
Coasteering
Guernsey looks as if it could have been designed for coasteering with its rocky coastline and secret caves. The active sport involves rock scrambling, rock jumping and swimming in gullys and caves and is one of the best ways to explore Guernsey’s varied coastline. Outdoor Guernsey (outdoorguernsey.co.uk) kits coasteerers out in a 5mm wetsuit, buoyancy aid and helmets and take groups or individuals on yellow, blue and black routes with black being the most difficult and involving ‘off piste’ coasteering. Coasteering costs £30 per person for two and a half hours including the guide and equipment.
Rock climbing and abseiling
One of the islands best kept secrets is its 1,400 climbing routes along its cliff face coastline. The west coast crags at Port Soif, Grandes Rocque and Pembroke offer easy access routes which are ideal for groups climbing for the first time. Those wishing to go down the cliffs rather than up can abseil down the popular Guet, a 90 foot rock slab slightly inland from Cobo Bay. A half day climbing and abseiling trip costs £220 (for groups of up to six) with Outdoor Guernsey (outdoorguernsey.co.uk).
Gastronomy
As with any weekend break, active or not, gastronomy plays a huge part and after working up an appetite in the great outdoors or out on the sea Guernsey is the perfect place to indulge your stomach.
Guernsey prides itself on its local produce and fresh seafood. Along the rural lanes are ‘hedge veg’ where an honesty system operates in return for purchasing home grown fresh vegetables and fruit and the must try is Guernsey gâche, a delicious sweet cake perfect for afternoon tea.
For those looking for refined evening dining, the much loved Duke of Richmond in St. Peter Port features the Leopard Bar and Restaurant, offering cocktails, a wide selection of fine wines and the finest quality cuisine in stylish surroundings. A glass wall to the kitchen means diners are able to watch the chefs at work - a spectacle that no other restaurant on the island offers.
Tucked into the harbour is Pier 17 affording wonderful views out to the islands. The emphasis is on fresh, local flavours with a European twist all overseen by resident Chef Seamus Duggan who has achieved cult status on the island for his mouth watering dishes.
Stay in the only house on Lihou Island
Top off an action packed stay with some unusual accommodation with a stay in Lihou House on the tiny Lihou Island. The island is just off Guernsey’s west coast and is only attached to the mainland at low tide, giving a stay on the island an exciting, isolated twist! Lihou House is also the only accommodation on the island. Stays cost £30 per person per night for couples or groups of friends. Bookings can be made at lihouisland.com.
Getting there
Guernsey is accessible from London Gatwick with Flybe (flybe.com) and from Gatwick and Stansted with Aurigny (aurigny.com) with prices starting at £77 and £74 respectively. Regular regional flights run from Manchester, East Midlands, Bristol, Southampton, Norwich and Birmingham.
