WITH its steady winds blowing across crystal-clear waters and endless supply of dramatic, craggy-cliffed coves that harbour secret beaches, Guernsey is a sailor’s dream.
The Bailiwick has a seafaring heritage that goes back almost as far as human history— it is believed that people first travelled here by boat, possibly as early as 4000BC. Guernsey’s strategic position in the English Channel, less than 30 miles from Normandy, allowed it to benefit from seaborne trade—in the 17th century, privateering became a key source of income. Today, the boating scene is, thankfully, less bloodthirsty.
The Bailiwick is made up of eight islands, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark and Herm, and the smaller islets of Brecqhou, Jethou, Burhou and Lihou. Archipelagos make the best destinations for boating holidays, providing a menu of islands to explore, anchorages to suit different weather conditions and plenty of adventures. I’ve sailed all over the world and I’d say this area is a perfect cross between the seascapes of the Bahamas and Sardinia, with the same laid-back ambience of Greece. Add good seafood (the ormer mollusc is a sought-after local delicacy), the kind of wildlife you might spot in Scandinavia—think puffins and seals—and fine French weather, and sailing around this Crown dependency starts to feel as fresh as travelling abroad.
Denne historien er fra August 18, 2021-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 18, 2021-utgaven av Country Life UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Kitchen garden cook - Apples
'Sweet and crisp, apples are the epitome of autumn flavour'
The original Mr Rochester
Three classic houses in North Yorkshire have come to the market; the owner of one inspired Charlotte Brontë to write Jane Eyre
Get it write
Desks, once akin to instruments of torture for scribes, have become cherished repositories of memories and secrets. Matthew Dennison charts their evolution
'Sloes hath ben my food'
A possible paint for the Picts and a definite culprit in tea fraud, the cheek-suckingly sour sloe's spiritual home is indisputably in gin, says John Wright
Souvenirs of greatness
FOR many years, some large boxes have been stored and forgotten in the dark recesses of the garage. Unpacked last week, the contents turned out to be pots: some, perhaps, nearing a century old—dense terracotta, of interesting provenance.
Plants for plants' sake
The garden at Hergest Croft, Herefordshire The home of Edward Banks The Banks family is synonymous with an extraordinary collection of trees and shrubs, many of which are presents from distinguished friends, garnered over two centuries. Be prepared to be amazed, says Charles Quest-Ritson
Capturing the castle
Seventy years after Christian Dior’s last fashion show in Scotland, the brand returned under creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri for a celebratory event honouring local craftsmanship, the beauty of the land and the Auld Alliance, explains Kim Parker
Nature's own cathedral
Our tallest native tree 'most lovely of all', the stately beech creates a shaded environment that few plants can survive. John Lewis-Stempel ventures into the enchanted woods
All that money could buy
A new book explores the lost riches of London's grand houses. Its author, Steven Brindle, looks at the residences of plutocrats built by the nouveaux riches of the late-Victorian and Edwardian ages
In with the old
Diamonds are meant to sparkle in candlelight, but many now gather dust in jewellery boxes. To wear them today, we may need to reimagine them, as Hetty Lintell discovers with her grandmother's jewellery
