Camping In Guernsey: Best Campsites, Things To Do, Wild Camping & More!
With open panoramic views, captivating scenery, and rich history, camping in Guernsey is undoubtedly the ideal holiday for an outdoor enthusiast. Known as the second largest of the Channel Islands, Guernsey is roughly triangular in shape and just 12 miles long.
This small island is full of hidden gems, beautiful coastal cliffs and offers great opportunities for you to explore ancient castles and uncover hidden World War bunkers. Whether you are planning to hike, cycle, visit on a day-trip, or are just looking for an inexpensive way to visit, camping in Guernsey can be a cost effective and fun way to do that. It’s also a truly unique opportunity to lose yourself in the quiet scenery that makes this place so special.
There are a few campsite in Guernsey to choose from. We give some thoughts on our top picks below, alongside our recommendations for places to eat near each. Then we show you some of our favourite walks and things to do in Guernsey, and also look at wild camping in Guernsey later in this article too.
Camping In Guernsey
A Guernsey holiday is guaranteed to be fun, and with activities such as kayaking, coasteering, hiking, abseiling and even puffin spotting, there’s many ways to keep the whole family entertained!
There are some great campsites to choose from that are located close to some of the main walking and cycling routes in Guernsey – we give some of our favourites below.
A good quality walking in Guernsey book – like this one – can help you plan what area you may want to visit and walk in, and therefore what campsites might be of interest to you.
However if you’re looking for impartial information on Guernsey’s campsites, we have you covered below!
Camping In Guernsey: Some Of The Best Campsites In Guernsey
Fauxquets Valley Campsite
Fauxquets Valley Campsite is a great base to explore this stunning island; thanks to its perfect location right in the heart of Guernsey.
We love the heated swimming pool and well-stocked shop on site, along with the fun activities to keep kids entertained such as a small football field, a volleyball net, and a games room with table tennis, pool table, table football and video games.
It’s a leisurely 20 minute walk from the site to nice pubs and restaurants. We recommend visiting La Reunion restaurant (named after a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean) because of its exceptional sunset views.
Tucked away from the the noise of traffic, this site is conveniently located close to the German Occupation Museum – just 1.4 miles away. This museum is a must visit if you are fascinated by history and want to learn about the WWII occupation of Guernsey.
La Bailloterie
Located in the north of Guernsey, La Bailloterie is a ten acre site that offers ample space to pitch your tent.
Although in a rural setting, this site is conveniently situated close to beautiful beaches and has easy access to L’Ancresse Common, a golf course, and historical sites.
You can stock up on groceries at the supermarket which is just a five minute walk away, and can also enjoy a nice lunch at the restaurant Fat Rascal which has the best vegan burgers in town! We loved the nice walk to the nearest beach at Pembroke Bay too, which is just a ten minute stroll away, and perfect for a picnic.
Camp De Reves Glamping
This quirky spot offers you a glamorous camping experience in one of the most beautiful parts of Guernsey. Translated to ‘Field of Dreams’, this site is the place to be for gorgeous golden sunsets out across the Atlantic Ocean, and panoramic west coast sea views.
The tranquil and calm setting is great if you are looking for a relaxed getaway. With just five safari-style tents on a three acre site, you will love the peaceful surroundings and opportunity for bird watching from the comfort of your private deck.
You can explore the tiny village of St Peter’s which is a five-minute drive away, or even enjoy the pleasant 10-minute walk to L’Eree beach and Guernsey’s special habitats such as Lihou Island, La Claire Mare Nature Reserve and the Colin Best Nature Reserve.
Le Vaugrat Campsite
We love this quaint campsite which sits beside an 18th century Guernsey farmhouse. Port Grat beach is just five minutes away, so its easy to take kids hunting for crabs or for a swimming adventure!
Children will love the great rockpools at low tide there, and the nearby kiosk at Rousse has fresh crab sandwiches and nice hot drinks.
This site is situated on the north west coast of Guernsey, and you can walk to the Ronez Quarry which is a 10 minute stroll from the campsite. German Naval Signals HQ – now a WWII museum – is about two miles away, and is a superbly restored German Naval Command Bunker.
Wild Camping In Guernsey
DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go wild camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.
Like other areas of the British Isles, wild camping in Guernsey isn’t officially allowed. Although campers are allowed to pitch their tent if they have the permission of a landowner.
However as this island is a popular walking and surfing area, outdoor enthusiasts do sometimes wild camp here. If you are planning to wild camp in Guernsey – and can’t be swayed to stay in a campsite instead – we’ve compiled the following guidelines to help keep you out of trouble and camp in a considerate manner:
- You should camp in the same place for one night only, and pitch your tent discretely and in a remote place which will not be easily seen. Therefore don’t camp in or near settlements, someone’s farm or on cultivated land. If you think you’re on private land, always seek out the landowner and ask permission. They may request a small fee.
- Campers should set up their tent at dusk, and take it down at dawn. A tent that is discreet, blends in with the landscape, and pitches quickly is best. Therefore a lightweight walking tent like this one would be a great investment for someone planning to wild camp in Guernsey.
- If you are walking a trail, make sure you choose to camp in a place that won’t be in any other hiker’s or walker’s way.
- When wild camping in Guernsey you must never make a campfire. Instead of building campfires, you could use a storm cooker for cooking – but check local laws first. Then there is much less wildfire risk and you can cook knowing that the fire is contained. We believe the best ones on the market are Trangia storm cookers.. Portable solar ovens, like this one by GoSun, are also a good fuel-less option.
- Take any rubbish with you, and leave your camping spot exactly the way you found it.
Some Of The Best Places To Visit When Camping In Guernsey
Castle Cornet
Set on two hectares of land, this 800-year-old castle is much larger than it first appears. You can reach this historic building via six different routes, and learn about its amazing history in the five museums. Discover the well-maintained gardens from different periods, and see the children excited by the cannon that is fired at noon by guards dressed in full uniform.
Hauteville House
This iconic spot was the house of renowned writer Victor Hugo during his exile from France, and is a real work of art.
Located on the heights of Saint Peter Port, Hauteville House was where Hugo created masterpieces such as Les Misérables, The Man Who Laughs, and Le Théâtre en Liberté. The house is set on five floors, and is topped with a belvedere.
Jerbourg Peninsula
Located in St Martin Parish, Jerbourg Peninsula is the southeastern point of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Here, you can enjoy uninterrupted views across to the other islands and the French coast. This is also the best place in Guernsey for bird-watching and exploring World War II bunkers.
Some Of The Best Walks In Guernsey
Saumarez Nature Trail and Fort Hommet Nature Reserve
This 4.5 mile-long walk starts and finishes on the west coast at Cobo and includes the beautiful Saumarez Nature Trail and Fort Hommet Nature Reserve that lie on the coast. We love the amazing variety of views you get on this walk, such as parkland, gardens and nature trails.
You will also come across the Folk & Costume Museum and a Victorian walled kitchen garden with plantations of camellias and bamboos.
West Coast Pathway
This 14 km long walk follows a circuit around Guernsey’s coastline and will bring you to soaring cliffs and rocky headlands. You can explore the nice fishing villages on the way, as well as take in the beauty of the wide sandy beaches, and at times, crystal clear water.
Lihou Island
If you are looking for a tranquil, romantic location where you can admire amazing bird and marine life, Lihou Island is the perfect pick. This beautiful little island can be reached by an ancient causeway at low tide, and is an important nature conservation area with an abundance of wildlife.
Camping In Guernsey: The Weather & Best Months To Visit
With mild to warm temperatures, spring is the perfect time to visit Guernsey as families can make the most of a full day exploring the historic towns, castles and museums. Temperatures range from 10°C to 17°C, and visitors can see flowers in full bloom and birds can be spotted during walks.
Summer is a great time to visit as Guernsey is one of the sunniest spots in the British Isles! With daytime temperatures reaching between 18°C and 22°C, summer is also a perfect time to undertake relaxing walking trails as the land will be dry and hikers can enjoy the long daylight hours. Kids will love the opportunity for puffin and seal spotting during this season too.
With milder temperatures during autumn, it’s a fantastic time to avoid the peak summer tourist season, go on hikes, take in the majestic coastal views, and enjoy the beautiful castles here. In particular, we love the atmosphere when visiting Castle Cornet at this time of the year.
Winter brings the shortest daylight hours and coolest temperatures, but visitors can enjoy the crisp air during walks on the different trails on the island.
Recommended For Your Camping In Guernsey Holiday
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