Top 10 Things to Do in Guernsey

Don’t let its small size fool you; Guernsey has a lot to offer. From adventure travel to afternoon tea, walking trails to hedge veg (yes, it’s a thing), the island has something for everyone.

Here are the top 10 things to do in Guernsey:

Explore St Peter Port
Guernsey’s main town is St Peter Port, and no trip to the island is complete without a visit. The town has a picturesque waterfront and a great range of shops, restaurants, pubs, and bars. St Peter Port is also home to some of Guernsey’s top historical and sightseeing attractions, including Castle Cornet, which has several museums and great views of the town.

St Peter Port in Guernsey

Go walking
Guernsey has no shortage of natural beauty, and the island offers an abundance of walking and hiking trails that feature great coastal views and paths to places of historical and cultural interest. From hour-long walks in St Peter Port to multi-day journeys around the island, there is a walk in Guernsey for every skill and fitness level. A particularly beautiful walk is the one along the south coast that takes in the bays and cliffs around Moulin Huet.

Coast in Guernsey

Eat local food
Being an island, it’s not surprising that Guernsey is known for its fresh local seafood. Whether you tuck into a big plate of fish and chips or splurge on scallops, there is no shortage of choice when it comes to fish and shellfish. But Guernsey also has great produce on the island itself, and it’s worth taking the time to try the local vegetables, great butter (it’s so yellow!), and award-winning cheeses.

Crepe in Guernsey

Take a day trip to Sark
Around an hour’s boat trip from Guernsey, the island of Sark is a world apart. There are no cars there, so hire a bike and cycle around the island, exploring as you go. Highlights include La Coupee, the beautiful isthmus that connects Sark to Little Sark, carriage rides through the island, and La Seigneurie Gardens, with their hedge maze and beautiful flower beds. Sark also has great seafood, and a local lobster lunch at Stocks Hotel is a must.

Horse and Carriage in Sark

Go kayaking
Sea kayaking in Guernsey is a great way to get out and experience life on the water. Whether you are an expert or a novice, there are experienced guides that can take you kayaking around the island, showing you all Guernsey has to offer from the vantage point of the sea.

Have afternoon tea
There’s no more British way to spend an afternoon than indulging in afternoon tea at one of Guernsey’s famous hotels. The OGH hotel does a luxurious afternoon tea in its beautiful and quintessentially British tea room, and it offers the perfect way to indulge in sweets and scones.

Afternoon Tea in Guernsey

Go coasteering
Not for the faint of heart, coasteering is a popular adrenaline sport for those that love adventure travel. If that’s you, grab a helmet and go with one of the island’s experienced outfitters, who will show you the best places to go coasteering in Guernsey.

Pick up some hedge veg
One of the most unique things about Guernsey is its many “hedge veg” stands. These small outposts sit in front of hedges outside the island’s many farms, offering fresh produce, flowers, and other farm goods. With an honesty system in place, visitors can stop by and pick up hedge veg, placing payment in a box before continuing on their way.

Hedge Veg in Guernsey

Go surfing
Surfing in Guernsey? Yes, it’s true. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced surfer, you can paddle out and try riding the waves. Guides can take you to the breaks and teach you how to surf, or just let you loose to go surfing on your own.

Take a day trip to Herm
Like Sark, Herm is an easy day trip from Guernsey. Just a short boat ride away, the island is a great place for seal spotting and puffin watching, and offers a range of activities for visitors of all ages and interests.

How to Get to Twickenham from London

Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium

If you are going to the rugby, the best way to get from London to Twickenham depends on where you are coming from. Here are a few ways to get there:

Trains from London to Twickenham

South West Trains run trains to Twickenham from Waterloo and Clapham Junction (more information here). If you are based in east or south London, or if you are on the Bakerloo, Jubilee, Northern, or Waterloo & City line of the tube, this is the most convenient option for you. When you arrive at Twickenham station, it is a short walk to the stadium.

Note that even though an enhanced service runs on big match days, trains get very crowded after matches. It’s a good idea to leave a few minutes early or be prepared to wait for several trains to pass before you get on one.

Overground from London to Twickenham

The London Overground runs to Twickenham from Richmond station. If you are on the District line of the tube, you can change for the Overground at Richmond and continue to Twickenham from there.

Tube from London to Twickenham

There is no direct tube service from London to Twickenham. The closest tube stations to Twickenham are Hounslow East on the Piccadilly Line and Richmond on the District Line. Both are a 45-minute walk to the stadium. If you don’t want to walk, you can take the tube to Richmond and change there for an Overground service.

If you are going to Twickenham on a big match day, you can take the tube to Richmond station and change for a shuttle bus to take you the rest of the way.

Buses from London to Twickenham

London buses 281, 267, 481, 681, and H20 all offer regular services that stop near Twickenham stadium. Buses R68, R70, 33, 110, 290, H22, and 490 run to Twickenham town centre, from which the stadium is a 10 to 15 minute walk.

On important match days there are also special shuttle bus services that run from Richmond to Twickenham Stadium and back (and to Hounslow Bus Garage near Hounslow Central station after big matches). Tickets cost 50p to the stadium, and shuttles are free from the stadium back to the stations.

Driving from London to Twickenham

If you have a car, you can drive to Twickenham. There is a car park on the premises and pre-booking is recommended. Additionally, a controlled parking zone operates in an area of around one mile surrounding the stadium.

If you drive from London to Twickenham, it is advisable to arrive early to avoid road congestion. It is also a good idea to leave early or stay late, as traffic around the stadium can be heavy for several hours after big matches.

5 Tips for Watching the Rugby in Cardiff

Vendor at the Rugby in Cardiff
Cardiff Rugby Vendor

If you’re lucky enough to have tickets for a match at Millennium Stadium in Wales, here are five tips for watching the rugby in Cardiff:

1. Get there early. The match might not start until the late afternoon or evening, but the festivities start before midday. The pubs and bars in the city centre and the Old Brewery Quarter fill with punters throughout the afternoon, so make sure to get there early to join in the fun.

2. Wear your colours. There’s nothing better than going to the rugby in full support of your side, and wearing the appropriate colours is a great way to show it. Whether you buy a scarf or hat from one of the many vendors walking through the city centre before the match, paint your face with the relevant colours, or bring a jersey from home, make sure you have something that shows your support.

3. Bring cash. Many of the bars, pubs, and restaurants in and around Millennium Stadium prefer cash to cards, and you will have a quicker and easier time ordering drinks if you have cash to hand. Queues for the cash points in and around the Old Brewery Quarter in Cardiff can get quite long, so it’s easier if you have cash already. The same goes for taxis back to your hotel at the end of the night.

4. Be prepared to stay after. The match itself is only part of the fun of watching the rugby in Cardiff. After it’s over, everyone spills out of the stadium and back into the pubs. In fact, some bars and pubs even show the next match for those still in the mood for rugby. All pubs, bars, and restaurants in the area get very crowded, and some have a “one in, one out” policy after they fill up, so make sure to head straight to where you want to go when the match is over.

5. Plan ahead. Bookings for rugby tickets and hotels in Cardiff are normally made months in advance by those coming in from out of town. If you are one of them, make sure to book well ahead of time if you don’t want to find yourself staying in a hotel miles away from the Cardiff city centre after you watch the rugby.