Guernsey’s beauty won’t disappoint and a trip to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Beach will have you falling in love with the white sandy beaches that Guernsey has to offer.
Located on the most northerly part of the island, these beaches are a piece of paradise, especially during the summer months. The soft white sand and cry’s clear turquoise waters are perfect for a relaxing day out.
These bays are very popular among those who enjoy water sports. You will often see people out kayaking, stand up paddleboarding and even windsurfing. It is also a popular beach for swimming as it is on a slope that provides a gentle entry into the crystal clear water.
In this guide, all of the below points will be discussed in greater detail. We will also go into how to get to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Beach, where you should stay in Guernsey and what the other nearby sights and attractions are.
- What is Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay like?
- How to Get to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay
- Where to Stay in Guernsey
- What to Pack for Guernsey
- Other Sights and Attractions in Guernsey
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Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay, Guernsey – WHAT, WHERE, AND WHY..
What to Expect from Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay?
The golden, soft sands of Pembroke and L’Ancresse Beach makes is a hugely popular escape for visitors of all kinds, from dog walkers to sea swimmers. Both of these beaches are one and the same, with the sand to the west known as Pembroke Beach and the east known as L’Ancresse Beach.
The beach is mostly sandy, with a couple of outcrops of jagged rocks in the centre of the two namesakes, and features a gentle slope that invites you down into the crystal clear water. Due to how long and flat the beach is, it also features a huge tidal change between high tide and low tide.
At low tide, the water seems like it sits a mile away at the bottom of the beach, giving plenty of room on the soft sand to enjoy walking along. At high tide, the sea waves can come crashing over the anti-tank wall that sits along the top of the beach.
What Facilities are at Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay?
There are a number of facilities available at this beach, including toilets, a kiosk, and a cafe. At the western end of the beach, you will find the Beach House Bar and Restaurant that offers delicious food with a spectacular view over the beach. There are toilets inside the restaurant and free to use public ones outside that are open during most daylight hours.
To the eastern end of the beach, you will find the L’Ancresse Bay kiosk with toilets attached to it. This kiosk is open during the summer months and is the perfect spot to grab an ice cream to enjoy on the beach.
When Should You Visit Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay?
Due to the incredible change in tide, we would recommend visiting the beach between low and medium tide. This will give you plenty of sand to enjoy and will allow you to walk to the water and go for a swim. With that being said, if the weather is calm enough it is still possible to go swimming during high tide at Pembroke and L’Ancresse, as the gentle slope means the water will be at knee height for a long way.
Dog Walking on Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay
Due to the size of Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay, this stretch of sand is hugely popular for dog walking at low tide. It is, however, one of the seven beaches that dogs are banned on from the 1st May until the 30th September.
How to Get to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay?
Getting to Pembroke and L’Ancresse Beach is very simple and easy by either car or by public transport. If you are driving, all you need to do is drive to the northern end of the L’Ancresse Common, taking L’Ancresse Road onto La Jaonneuse Road to the north. The Beach House car park can be found at the end of this road.
Alternatively, if you turn right whilst driving north along L’Ancresse Road onto Les Clotures Road, and then take the first left you will end up in the car park above L’Ancresse Beach beside the L’Ancresse Kiosk.
There is plenty of parking around the northern end of the L’Ancresse Common, between the Beach House car park and L’Ancresee Beach car park, so you will not struggle to find a spot.
If you are getting to the beach by public transport then all you will need to do is catch one of the bus routes listed below and get off at Pembroke Bay, the most northern stop on the island.
Bus Routes – 12, 91, 92
Other Activities Nearby Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay?
In addition to the golden sands and beautiful water of Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay, there are a number of other sights that you need to check out when you are on this northern coast of the island. These include the historical ruins that once protected the bay from invaders, the nearby golf course, and other beautiful beaches.
Historical Sights on L’Ancresse Common
At either end of the Pembroke and L’Ancresse Bay sit the historical ruins of Fort Pembroke and Fort le Merchant. Both of these structures date back to Napoleonic times when Britain was forced to reinforce the coastline of Guernsey to defend against French invasion.
These 18th-century (and older) fortifications can be found all across the coastline of Guernsey, some of the most notable being Fort Pezeries (west-coast), Fort Grey (west-coast), Fort Hommet (west-coast), and of course Castle Cornet (east-coast).
Dating back even further than the 18th-century, there are also a variety of Megalithic structures strewn across Guernsey. Megaliths are a pre-historic stone construction that is believed to have a significance to them. The closest to Pembroke Beach is the La Varde Burial Tunnel, which is located at the highest point of the L’Ancresse Common.
Visit the ancient graveyard and enter the tomb for a bit of underworld exploration.
Royal Guernsey Golf Club
If you are looking for a place to stretch your legs and practice a bit of golf then L’Ancresse Common is the perfect place for you. The golf club in L’Ancresse not only has a full Par-70 golf course, but also a driving range, chip and putting greens, a pro shop, locker rooms, and a bar and restaurant to relax in when you are finished.
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.
How to Get to Guernsey
Given that Guernsey is an island, you really have two choices of transport for getting there: plane or boat. Both of these transport methods are available from the UK, France and from the neighbouring Channel Islands.
Ferry to Guernsey
Condor is the best option for ferries to and from the Channel Islands from the mainland. Leaving from the mainland UK ports of Poole and Portsmouth, the French port of St Malo and the Channel Islands port of Jersey, there are two main ferries that will bring you to Guernsey.
The faster boat, known as the Liberation, takes 3 hours to get from Poole to Guernsey, while the slower boat, known as the Clipper, takes 7 hours from Portsmouth. From St Malo, it will take you just under 2 hours aboard the Rapide to reach Guernsey.
Browse all of Condor’s ferries and routes on their website here.
Fly to Guernsey
Flying to Guernsey can be done from multiple airports across the UK with the Channel Islands airline, Aurigny. This is the quickest and easiest way to get to the island if you are only coming for a short period of time.
You can browse all of the available flights and routes on the Aurigny website here.
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 f/2.8 16mm-35mm GM
Zoom Lens – Sony F3.5-5.6 28mm-70mm
Camera Stand – Neewer Portable 177cm
Vlogging Camera – Sony HX90v
Action Camera – GoPro Hero 8 Black
Drone Camera – DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Camera Bag – Yahan Camera Bag
What is the Best Travel Insurance for Guernsey
Regardless of what type of trip you are heading on, one thing that is essential for everybody is a 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.
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.
Another secret sunset spot in Guernsey. Chouet Bay is usually quieter and more peaceful at sunset.
So there you have it, your complete two-day itinerary to Guernsey! This is just some of the many great things to do in Guernsey, and we would recommend that if you spend a little more time on this gem of an island if you have the time.
If you enjoyed your trip to Guernsey, let us know what your favourite sight on this amazing island was in the comments section below. We love chatting you guys about this kind of thing, so let’s share our top experiences with everyone else! What beach was your favourite? Did you try any of the kiosks? How good is a Guernsey sunset?!
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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