Day trip to Guernsey, Channel Islands

Sometimes, even just for a day, it’s great to get away, to really get away. To have a break from the children and the forgotten homework or the long lists of jobs to do at home or work, just for that moment. When a friend and I took a day trip to Guernsey with Condor Ferries I’m not sure what I expected. But what I got was a wonderful blast of me-time. A chance to step back from day-to-day life and see this beautiful world out there against the shimmering seas and feel really happy and relaxed. It was the perfect location for some time out and so much fun.

Arriving into Poole

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We drove our car in to Poole and parked up right next to the passenger terminal at the harbourside.

We grabbed a coffee in the building while we waited to board and in no time were heading through security and on to Condor Ferries latest vessel, Liberation.

Condor Ferries – Liberation and a day trip to Guernsey

It has space for nearly 250 cars and 880 passengers. And it’s a really speedy ship which nips across the channel to Guernsey and then on to Jersey.

We loved Liberation. With comfy seats and everything you could need on board including a cafe, sit down restaurant, shop and play area for children.

There was some stunning scenery as we headed out of the port. The gorgeous rolling green hills of England with tall sails of boats gently gliding past.

It looked so beautiful in the spring sunshine.

Up on deck we loved the opportunity to talk to a volunteer from Marine Life. They look out for dolphins and whales and are there to talk about some of the other wildlife you might see on your journey.

Then, we began to see the Channel Islands come in to view.

The three hours had whizzed by as we chatted down the time and relaxed on board.

St Peter Port, Guernsey

In no time we were off and walking in to St Peter Port, the picturesque capital of Guernsey. We felt as though we’d stepped on to an island so far away from life at home.

Castle Cornet

We strolled around the harbour front to Castle Cornet which sits majestically on its own little island.

This 800 year old castle feels very strong and ready to defend its homeland.

It’s actually much bigger than it looks too with plenty of beguiling passageways to strategically placed cannons or through to beautiful gardens.

We sat down to stare out at the sea. Spotting Condor’s Liberation speeding its way to Jersey in the distance and just marvelled at the turquoise waters bouncing sun beams everywhere.

The sun seemed brighter, the air cleaner and we really relished in the opportunity to be there.

The town

Having had our fill of history we headed into the main town. Winding our way through the picturesque streets of St Peter Port, bunting fluttering colourfully in every direction.

It really is such a beautiful town and full of character.

Old Government House

We made our way to the historic and atmospheric Old Government House, Guernsey’s only five-star hotel.

It was the perfect spot for lunch and we sat out in the gardens looking out over panoramic views of the sea.

The building has been there since 1796 and operated as a hotel from 1858. It’s only break from that was when the Nazis overtook the island and used it as their headquarters.

Walking through the various lounges to the dining room it really was very evocative. We loved the timeless feeling and charm it exuded.

Lunch at the Old Government House Hotel was perfect. So relaxed and full of wonderful food.

My friend Vicky had the tian of Guernsey crab which she thought was wonderful. And I started with a smoked mozzarella and caramalised onion flat bread, cooked outside in the outdoor ovens which was delicious.

Vicky followed with seabass, again cooked in the outside oven which was full of flavour and deliciously moist. While I had a salt baked beetroot and goats’ cheese salad that was full of spring freshness and I absolutely loved it.

We didn’t have time for dessert so we will just have to return to Guernsey again and eat at the Old Government House Hotel as it really was the perfect spot for a relaxed, feel-good lunch to complete our happy, day trip to Guernsey.

What we thought of a day trip to Guernsey, Channel Islands

We wandered back through the streets of St Peter Port. Window shopping as we went and sat down by the waterfront for a while, watching the boats bob about in the harbourside.

Guernsey had never been on my radar for a day trip before but suddenly it made perfect sense. I couldn’t understand why I’d never been.

We hopped back on Conder Ferries Liberation for another super smooth journey back to England.

The sun was starting to go down, sending shots of warm orange and mellow yellows across the sky as we pulled back in to the port.

Our day trip to Guernsey was everything we could have hoped for and more.

We chatted the whole day away, delighted in the beautiful sights of St Peter Port, relished the great food and sunny skies and decided we needed more trips like this.

Trips that take you away, even just for a day, to somewhere that feels so different and a world away from normal life.

It was perfect.

Find out more about Condor Ferries and a day trip to Guernsey here.

This post is in collaboration with Condor Ferries as part of their #TravelWithCondor campaign but all opinions are my own.

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