Honeymoon inspiration close to home – the Channel Islands
If you are getting married this summer, after the last 12 months of lockdowns, you’re probably desperate to get away on honeymoon. In more normal times that would likely mean jetting off abroad. But right now, however, it’s anybody’s guess when one will be able to book somewhere overseas with confidence – a last minute cancellation because there’s been a resurgence of Covid in your chosen destination, or the need to quarantine on your return, is not the ideal start to married life! If you’re tying the knot in the next few months a staycation honeymoon seems super sensible. But if the more obvious options don’t appeal (Cornwall, Scotland, The Lake District…) how’s this for inspiration? The Channel Islands! They’re overseas, so you feel like you’re getting away for a proper break, but they are still part of the UK so the risks are pretty minimal.
Easy to get there
Travel to the Channel Islands is pretty easy – especially if you host your wedding celebrations at Clevedon Hall. Once normal transport services are resumed there are regular flights from Bristol Airport to Guernsey and Jersey. Condor Ferries also offer daily ferry services from Portsmouth and Poole.
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Perfect for newlyweds
Each of the Channel Islands has its own unique character but you’ll find they’re like Cornwall with stunning cliffs, gorgeous sandy beaches, picturesque harbours and unspoilt rural landscapes – but without the crowds and traffic. On some smaller islands like Herm and Sark there are no cars, just horse drawn buggies. Even on Guernsey and Jersey the pace of life is leisurely and the winding lanes are perfect for leisurely cycle rides. If your idea of honeymoon bliss is chilling out and taking it slow you’ll love it here.
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Great choice of accommodation and eating out
Because they still have tax haven status the islands attract affluent residents so there’s no shortage of sophisticated hotels and eateries. However, you’ll also find a huge range of guesthouses, holiday cottages, pubs, bars and cafes to suit every taste and budget. Plentiful fresh seafood with excellent local dairy and farm produce makes the Channel Islands a renowned foodie hotspot – eating out here is an absolute treat!
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No shortage of activities to enjoy
You are spoilt for choice when it comes to clifftop paths, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and magnificent views – the walking, cycling, swimming and surfing are all world class, with no end of opportunities for kayaking, jet skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling and coasteering.
The islands are also awash with history – explore Neolithic graves and standing stones, medieval castles and fascinating stately as well as the massive fortifications left behind after the Nazi occupation, along with enough museums to keep you occupied for weeks. Highlights include Sausmarez Manor (a stately home with more than its fair share of amazing stories), Victor Hugo’s House (he designed the interior himself whilst in exile from France and wrote many of his best loved works here, including “Les Misérables”) and Mont Orgueil Castle on Jersey (repeatedly attacked and besieged by the French, but never taken by them).
Island hopping to your hearts content
There are five main inhabited islands – Jersey being the biggest followed by Guernsey, then the smaller one of Alderney, Sark and Herm. They are all joined up with regular ferry services and you could easily spend a week hopping from one to the next and exploring each in turn. While Guernsey and Jersey each have more than enough attractions to keep you occupied for your entire stay the three smaller islands are very tempting too.
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Sark, population just 500, ringed with towering cliffs, is just three 3 miles long and one and a half miles wide at its broadest point. There are no cars and it’s has its own peculiar parliament and antiquated legal system dating back to the ancient Normans (Sark was also the last place in the world where feudalism was practiced, until 2008!). It’s remoteness and lack of light pollution makes it ideal for stargazing – in 2011 it was designated as a Dark Sky Community and the first Dark Sky Island in the world.
Herm is about a quarter of the size of Sark – you can walk around it in a couple of hours and never gets terribly crowded as there’s only one place to stay! The rugged coastline and pale sandy beaches make this a mini paradise. A crab sandwiches and a pint of beer in the Mermaid Tavern, The Ship Inn or one of cafes is a major highlight of any visit.
Alderney, a similar size to Sark, is slightly more developed but still considerably quieter than Guernsey and Jersey. It has a charming small town, St Anne, and a tiny airport with flights from the mainland or Guernsey. Again it offers a winning combination of idyllic sandy beaches, fascinating heritage, cosy accommodation and superb eating and drinking experiences.
Looking for more inspiration?
The team at Clevedon Hall is not short of ideas for other “offshore” honeymoon destinations around the British Isles (Scilly Isles, Isle of Wight, Isle of Skye…) and is here to answer all your other wedding-related questions – all you have to do is ask!