With the balmy summer days in Jersey and Guernsey now giving way to fresher Autumn conditions, the Islands are coming alive in bursts of new colour and the coastline and cliffside walks are all the richer as we move into the new season.
This is a more leisurely time to visit the Island when the loveliest locations are quieter and wide open spaces replace the summer crowds. The abundant display of late season blooms transform the Islands from their ubiquitous lush greenery to something quite spectacular.
The Tennerfest which is celebrating its 25th year is the food festival offering sample and fixed price menus from £10! This year’s participating venues are as excellent as ever, so you might need a night or two longer than you were planning on… Tennerfest | The Channel Islands’ most successful and beloved fixed-price food festival
Now is the time to visit the Islands’ hidden gems that can be overlooked in the hot months, and here is our selection of the Top 5 things to do on an Island-hopping break in the Autumn:
A stunning example of the dedication and vision of Brother Déodat, this beautiful replica of the Basilica in Lourdes, France, is finished in local pebbles and china fragments which were added to by admirers of Déodat’s mission who gifted more brightly coloured ceramics and mother of pearl. The Little Chapel is breath-taking in its beauty and attention to detail, and visitors are welcome to enter free of charge (the Chapel survives solely on donations). This is an often overlooked jewel in Guernsey’s crown, and a beautiful place to seek out during your Guernsey break.
Set on the furthest south-westerly point on Jersey, La Corbière is a stunning point on which sits Corbière Lighthouse, set on the rugged rocks at the edge of the point, accessible by causeway. This is a stunning place to enjoy a bracing walk, and close-by you’ll find Strongpoint Corbière, which was the location of a German Infantry Strongpoint during the occupation. Top tip – if you can time your La Corbière visit to catch sunset, do.
Recently the setting for Jacquie Bloese’s debut novel The French House, this imposing former home of Victor Hugo will dazzle you, with its resonant excesses of pattern, fabrics and deep colour. Hauteville House is 5 storeys of Hugo’s own home, designed to reflect his own creative vision and it’s where he wrote Les Miserables. The house is set in magnificent gardens, and the views are incredible.
This contemporary exhibition space housed in Royal Court Chambers is a vibrant gallery which features the best of British art, showcasing a variety of media including painting, limited edition prints and sculpture. With regular events and workshops, this is a beautiful space to view the work of leading artists and maybe even find something a bit special to take home.
A little-known destination on Jersey’s history trail, this display of three Neolithic standing stones set conspicuously in an open field off La Route de la Marette was first excavated in 1913 when it was established that this site of granite standing stones was a distance of 2km from Jersey’s granite source, and all three appear to have been artificially fashioned. This is a thought-provoking and atmospheric place worth seeking out – but you won’t stumble across it accidentally, so plan your visit.