Guernsey is the second largest of the Channel Islands, with around 63,000 people and a capital, St Peter Port, that ranks among the more attractive harbour towns in the British Isles. The town rises steeply from the waterfront, its granite buildings and winding lanes giving it something of a Cornish feel overlaid with Norman names and French signage.
The island is quieter and less package-tour-oriented than Jersey. It has a strong local food culture centred on seafood — Guernsey crab, ormer (a local shellfish), and produce from the island's many glasshouses. The famous Guernsey dairy cattle produce particularly rich milk used in local butter and cream.
Like the other islands, Guernsey has striking World War II heritage. The German occupation lasted from 1940 to 1945, and bunkers, tunnels, and fortifications are scattered across the island. The German Occupation Museum in Forest village and the Underground Hospital in St Andrew's are the most substantial sites.
From St Peter Port you can take ferries to Herm (20 minutes) and Sark (50 minutes), making Guernsey a good base for exploring the smaller islands.
