insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 18 - August 2016 | Page 94

GETAWAYS

a getaway to

GUERNSEY
There’s just something about holidaying on an island. Whatever that ‘something’
is, it makes all of your previous land-locked holidays seem, well, not quite as nice.
But this time, forget palm trees and piña coladas. This time, think cows and crab.
This time, think Guernsey. BY DONNA MARTIN
Just off the coast of Normandy, Guernsey is one
of the five Channel Islands (the others being
Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm). With a flight
time of around an hour from London, Guernsey
is the ideal short-haul destination if you’re looking
for spectacular scenery (scenery that you could
easily mistake for a tropical much-further-south
island), delicious food and good ol’ fashioned
R&R.
There are enough beaches, restaurants,
attractions and history to last you all summer,
but it’s small enough to enjoy the best of the
island in just a few days. Although a six-week
summer stay on Guernsey would have been my
preferred way to visit, my trip fit in the latter
category – two nights at the boutique 4-star
Fermain Valley Hotel.
The hotel is approached by a single-width downhill
lane and only comes into view after you’ve turned
onto the short circular drive. But, the hotel might
not be the first thing you notice. Instead, your
eyes will most likely wander to the breathtaking
panoramic views of Fermain Bay and the sea
beyond – one of the hotel’s many boasting points.
Offering a variety of accommodation from Silver
to Platinum, each room includes a complimentary

The Fermain Valley Hotel

decanter of sherry, fresh fruit, Sky-TV and luxury
toiletries. If you’re lucky, you might have found
availability in a balcony room overlooking the bay
below. Whatever your room of choice, it’ll be
lovely. I know mine was.
You could easily while away your entire break at
the Fermain Valley – with two restaurants, a
swimming pool, sauna, 3D cinema and gorgeous
gardens, and just a short 10-minute stroll to the
pebble beach below (though a bit longer to
navigate the steep hill back up), its location and

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amenities are second to none. But, Guernsey
beckoned! And off I went to explore…
Escorted by Sylvia from Visit Guernsey for a
highlight tour, I was quickly absorbed into the
colourful past, unique traditions and stunning
scenery of the island. If you’re going to book a
tour of Guernsey, I can’t imagine a better person
to show you around. Sylvia has lived on the island
for almost 40 years, knows every winding lane
and tidbit of history, and will ensure you’re
educated fully about ‘hedge veg’ (local products