Guernsey is a an island full of history and one of the most fascinating places to visit to learn about this history is Castle Cornet.
Castle Cornet is a paid entry tourist attraction that can be found in the harbour of St Peter Port, it is well worth a visit on your trip to Guernsey to see the island views from the castle and even get a view of the noon day gun.
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Castle Cornet Guernsey
Lihou Island is the perfect place to go in Guernsey on a warm, sunny day either for a walk around the footpaths or for a dip in the sea. In this guide, we will discuss the best time to go to Lihou Island as well as the following:
Table of Contents
What is Castle Cornet?
Castle Cornet sits proudly guarding St Peter Port Harbour, impossible to miss. Castle Cornet dates back to the 13th century, however was used in more recent history and is used today to educate us on these times.
Planning Your Trip
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The Guernsey Discovery Pass
The history in Guernsey is phenomenal and if you are planning to visit many of the sites you may be as well paying for a Discovery pass. This is an annual pass that gives you unlimited seasonal entry to Castle Cornet, Guernsey Museum and Art Gallery, Fort Grey and the German Naval Signals Headquarters.
It costs £18 and all children under 18 who are accompanying will go for free. You can buy the pass from a number of different places, including Castle Cornet, Guernsey Museum at Candie, and Beau Sejour Leisure Centre.
History of Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet dates back to as early as the 13th century, guarding the bay to Guernsey’s most populated harbour for hundreds of years.
The construction of the castle as a result of the loss of Normandy by the English crown in 1204 by King John, which then required improved defences for the Channel Islands. The castle was originally situated on a small island off of Guernsey’s mainland, which was only accessible by foot at low tide.
As the island grew in population and the harbour of St Peter Port expanded out to sea, access to the castle was eventually granted by bridges and harbour walls.
Castle Cornet Tours
It is possible to experience a guided tour of the castle to here the history and tales of this iconic part of Guernsey’s history from a local tour guide. This tour runs daily at 10.20 am and is included in the ticket of entry. After you have completed this tour you are free to wander the castle and explore on your own for as long as you would like.
You can buy tickets for the castle at the entrance to the castle itself. If you are also wanting to explore some of Guernsey’s other museums and historical sights then the Discovery Pass is the recommended option as it grants you access to all four sites on the island and grants children free access.
Admission: Adults: £10.50, Children 7+/Students: £3, Children under 7: free
How to get to Castle Cornet?
Castle Cornet is easily accessible as it sits in the harbour of St Peter Port. It is not a far walk from the bus terminus and you will be able to see it from there. Follow the road up past the Slaughterhouse restaurant and past the miniature boat pond and the castle will come closer into view. There is parking available in this area.
Castle Nights
The KPMG castle nights are on 4 Fridays throughout the summer where locals can enjoy live, free entertainment in a historical sight. There are also food and drink stalls on sight and you can bring in your own food and drink to sit and have a picnic. A perfect start to the weekend.
Before You Leave for Guernsey
Before you leave on your trip to the beautiful island of Guernsey, there are a number of things you will need to organise to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip. These include what to pack, where to stay and what is the best travel insurance for Guernsey.
What to Pack for Guernsey
What you need to pack for Guernsey will rely highly on when you make your trip to the Channel Islands. During the Spring and Autumn months, temperatures and weather patterns vary wildly between beautiful sunny skies and storming gales.
The temperatures generally vary from 10 oC to 25 oC during these months, with a mixture between cold, northerly winds and warmer southerlies. There is a small amount of rain, with maybe 1 in 7 days receiving rainfall, which makes it perfect for days out exploring the beautiful island.
During the Summer months in Guernsey, temperatures tend to range from 20oC to 30oC, with some days topping 35oC. Summer days in Guernsey are perfect for the beach, with many locals and travellers alike sending their day soaking up the sun and playing in the sea. When it comes to toiletries, we recommend that you don’t forget to pack sunscreen. The sun in Guernsey can be strong, especially in the summer months.
If you need more inspiration on what to pack for your trip, check out our full packing guides for all-weather conditions over here.
Given the beautiful sights and scenery that you will see in Guernsey, we highly recommend packing a good camera for your trip. If you want to read more about the cameras we use and why we love them, check out the link below.
Photography Equipment
Main Photography Camera – Sony A7v Mirrorless Camera and Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera
Microphone – Sony Mic ECM-B1M
Main Lens – Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8
Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8
Camera Tripod – ZOMEI Z669C Camera Tripod
Gorilla Pod – JOBY JB01507-BWW GorillaPod
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 11 and Insta 360 One RS
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 3
Camera Bag – Wandrd PRVKE 41L and The Nest by Tropicfeel
Phone Tripod – Manfrotto MKPIXICLAMP-BK, Mini Tripod with Universal Smartphone Clamp
Sturdy Phone Tripod & Selfie Stick – ATUMTEK 61″ Selfie Stick Tripod, Sturdy Phone Tripod Stand with Wireless Remote
Hard Drives – LaCie Rugged Mini, 5TB, 2.5″, Portable External Hard Drive
SSD – SanDisk Extreme Pro 1TB Portable NVMe SSD
Travel Adapter –Worldwide Travel Adapter Universal Travel Plug with 4 USB Ports+Universal AC Socke
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey?
I know travel insurance is the least enjoyable thing to purchase and look at when you’re planning a trip, however, you wouldn’t want to be without it in the event that something happened. Accidents can happen anywhere and the extortionate medical bills will ruin your trip if you are not covered.
To ensure you have a stress-free trip with no worries about potential medical bills, make sure you cover yourself when you travel. We can recommend using SafetyWing, a backpacker-friendly and cheap insurance company that provides good coverage and support.
Get a quote for your travel insurance right here and get covered.
Where to Stay in Guernsey?
When it comes to accommodation on Guernsey, you are simply spoiled for choice with a huge range of hotels, B&Bs and even campsites to choose from. No matter what your preferred level of luxury is, there is the perfect place for you.
Luxury – Spend your time on Guernsey in true luxury at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel in St Peter Port. This hotel has beautiful views over the harbour of Guernsey’s capital, as well as access to a luxurious spa, an outdoor terrace and a heated, outdoor pool.
Book your stay at the Old Government House Spa and Hotel here.
Mid-range – If you would like a taste of luxury at an affordable price, then the Auberge du Val Hotel is perfect for you. This 19th-century farmhouse sits on the west coast of the island and offers cosy, ensuite rooms, complete with tea, coffee and tv. The hotel is just a short walk from the beautiful nature reserves in St Saviour, perfect for a romantic trip away for the weekend.
Book your stay at the Auberge du Val Hotel here.
Budget – Situated just 2-miles from Guernsey airport in the heart of St Martins, the Carlton Inn is the best value hotel in Guernsey. With free parking and wifi, as well as access to the Wicked Wolf pub that sits in the same building.
Book your stay at the Carlton Inn here.
Camping – If you are up for a more adventurous stay on Guernsey, Fauxquets Valley Campsite offer a range of glamping safari tents, glamping pods and sites for your own tent if you bring one. Visit their website for a full price list of tents and campsites.
So there you have it, your complete guide to visiting Castle Cornet in Guernsey! This is just one of the many great things to do in Guernsey, and we would recommend that you give it a visit.
If you found this guide to the Castle Cornet in Guernsey useful, please let us know in the comments section below. We love chatting you guys about this kind of thing, and sharing our top experiences with everyone else! What site was your favourite? Do you have any places to add that we missed out?
Also, make sure you share this article with your family and friends to show them how beautiful the Channel Islands can be. Sharing is caring and we want to inspire as many people as we can to visit this unbelievable part of the world.
If you are planning a trip to Guernsey soon then check out our other Channel Islands content right here. Come and find us on social media to see where we are currently exploring. Tag us in your photos from Guernsey and we will share them with the rest of our community of explorers and backpackers on our social channels!
Now Read:
- Things to do in Guernsey – A Guernsey Guide
- Sunset Spots in Guernsey – Best Places to Watch the Sunset
- Eating Out in Guernsey – Best Restaurants in Guernsey
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