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.

No time to read now? No problem, save a pin to your Pinterest board for later!

Castle Cornet
Castle Cornet

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

  • What is Castle Cornet?
  • The Guernsey Discovery Pass
  • History of Castle Cornet
  • Castle Cornet Tours
  • How to get to Castle Cornet?
  • Castle Nights
  • Preparing for your trip to Guernsey
castle cornet
castle cornet

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.

castle cornet grounds
castle cornet grounds

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.

Read more about the Guernsey Discovery Pass here.

soldier in front of canon at castle cornet

No time to read now? No worries!

Save on Pinterest to read later!

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
castle cornet

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

soldier walking to canon
inside castle cornet

No time to read now? No worries!

Save on Pinterest to read later!

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 cornet entrance
castle cornet entrance

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. 

castle view over harbour and people sitting in grounds
castle cornet

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.

You can read what else we keep in our camera bag over here.

Photography Equipment

Main Photography Camera – Sony A7iii Mirrorless Camera

Main Lens – Sony FE 16-35 mm f/2.8 GM 

Zoom Lens – Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8

Camera Stand – Neewer Portable 177cm

Vlogging Camera – Sony HX90v

Action Camera – GoPro Hero 8 Black

Drone Camera – DJI Mavic Pro 2

Camera Bag – Lowepro Flipside 300 AW

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey?

If you are simply planning on heading to Guernsey for a holiday, one thing that is essential for everybody is good travel insurance. Accidents can happen anywhere and at anytime and unexpected hospital bills will ruin a holiday. Remove the stress from your next adventure and get covered for the worst.

World Nomads Travel Insurance provides budget reliable travel insurance that will keep you covered for any level of adventure.

You can get your quote before you leave on your trip right here.

 

St Peter Port

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.

 

lihou island sunset

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:

 

This article may contain affiliate links that provide us with a small income. For more information read our Affiliate page.


Save this to your Guernsey Pinterest board for later

Castle Cornet gun
Castle Cornet garden

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.