Whilst enjoying a relaxing holiday on Guernsey, it’s a perfect opportunity to go island hopping over to nearby Herm and Sark. The small island of Herm is located just 3 miles off the coast of Guernsey and is home to a mere 60 residents. Visiting Herm for a day or short break is a popular destination for those in Guernsey. With its expansive golden sands and turquoise blue waters, it really is true when they say that Herm feels like the Caribbean. A trip to Herm is like stepping back in time as there are no cars or street lamps providing a rare escape from today’s way of life. With its stunning scenery, natural beauty and rich history Herm might be the smallest of the Channel Islands but it has much to offer its visitors.
Getting there:
The only way to arrive on Herm is by boat so I suggest taking the Travel Trident passenger ferry from Guernsey, Tickets are available from their kiosk at the Weighbridge Clock Tower, St Peter Port and departures are either from beside the Herm ticket office or from the Inter-Island quay depending on tides. Travel Trident
Sit back and soak up the views on the 20 minute ferry journey from St Peter Port across to Herm. Keep a look out for dolphins, puffins and numerous other seabirds nesting on the rocky outcrops that you pass along the way.
Arrival on Herm
Boats will arrive at either Herm harbour on a high tide or at the whitewashed Rosaire steps when the tide is low. Disembarking from there, make your way towards the main harbour which is about 8 minutes away.
Here you will find yourself in the heart of the island community with a village shop, inns and the Grade II listed White House Hotel that dates back to the 1800’s set amidst Britain in Bloom Gold award winning gardens.
Getting around:
As Herm is only 1.5 miles long and 0.5 miles wide you can walk around it at a leisurely pace taking approximately 2 to 3 hours to include time for soaking up the sun in one of the beach cafes. Herm is a walker’s paradise with a network of well maintained paths crisscrossing the island. The picturesque coastal walk takes you along the rugged cliffs, offering spectacular views over the neighbouring islands. Come prepared by wearing suitable footwear as the pathways can be rocky and a little uneven underfoot in places.
Herm village
Herm village sits in the centre of the island at the top of the hill. Here you will find St Tugual’s Chapel, which is the smallest chapel in the Channel Islands and one of the oldest buildings on the island, dating back to the 11th century. The chapel is named after St. Tugual, a Welsh monk who lived in the 6th century and was known for his wisdom and healing powers. It’s open to the public and worth a visit when you are wandering around the small village.
From the hill top there are splendid views over Herm and of the neighbouring islands out to sea. The island boasts its own village primary school which comprises one room, one teacher and four children.
Take a look inside the village shop which alongside general food items stocks souvenirs, locally made handicrafts such as Herm jewellery and puffin printed scarves.
Herm’s beaches
Following the coastal path in a northerly direction you will arrive at the common which then leads onto the eastern side of the island where you will find the glorious Shell Beach with sands stretching as far as the eye can see. Spend time strolling along the fine white sand that’s strewn with the millions of shell fragments that have been washed up from the Gulf Stream that gives the bay its name. Shell Beach offers opportunities for paddle boarding and kayaking and has a lovely beach cafe serving salads, sandwiches, cakes, ice creams and milk shakes.
Continuing along the cliff path from Shell Bay, by following the winding pathways you will soon arrive at the equally stunning Belvoir Bay, another picturesque cove to while away an hour or two taking in the views whilst licking an ice cream from the beachside kiosk.
Belvoir Bay is secluded and a real sun trap even on a windy day. If you are short of time you can take a short cut back by returning via a steeper marked pathway across the centre of the island. We spotted an amusing notice attached to a farm gate that stated “Do not cross this field unless you can do it in 9 seconds because the bull can do it in 10 seconds.” so take care, if attempting short cuts!
Herm Island Nature Trail
Herm Island has a new nature trail which offers visitors the opportunity to complete a quiz answering questions about the island’s wildlife. The six boards are spread around the island and visitors can obtain quiz sheets from the Herm Shop and follow either a shorter route or the full trail to answer each of the questions. When completed, quiz sheets can be taken back to the shop where participants are presented with an answer sheet and a nature trail certificate.
Dining
For such a small island there’s a good choice of places to eat and drink from enjoying fine dining at the Conservatory Restaurant in the White House Hotel to a more informal setting at both the Mermaid Tavern, Ship Inn and Harbour Cafe, not forgetting the beach bars at Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay mentioned earlier.
Head back to the ferry feeling refreshed and reinvigorated after spending a few hours in the peace and quiet of this tiny paradise. As with Sark, on my next visit to Guernsey I’d be more than happy to spend a night or two on either of these stunning islands staying in one of the hotels or cosy stone cottages.
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