3:53 pm - November 9, 2025
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WITH its harbour, stunning beaches and rugged countryside, the island of Guernsey might be any common vacation location initially look.
However scratch listed below the surface area and you’ll reveal the remarkable story of its five-year profession by the Nazis– and about an a not likely survivor of the intrusion, Timmy the Tortoise.
I was eager to find out about it throughout my experience on the 2nd biggest of the Channel Islands.
So I reserved numerous brief directed excursion with Tours Of Guernsey.
Guide Amanda Johns and I checked off all the essential websites, from museums to previous bunkers and even a German underground medical facility.
This medical centre– which exceptionally doubled up as an ammo shop– needed to be the emphasize, and the comprehensive dark passages are a must-see for any history enthusiast.
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The big labyrinth of tunnels were excavated by servant labourers, resulting in wards, operation theatres, escape shafts, a movie theater space and mortuary.
Above ground, I headed to the northern coast to Fort Hommet, a previous Martello tower which was developed into a searchlight bunker.
After the war, part of the bunker was changed into The Shrine of the Spiritual Heart, including 30 Scriptural photos made from seashells.
Other websites consist of the German Profession Museum, a warren of spaces including one male’s comprehensive collection of products from 1940.
A lot of checked out in Best of British
The Pleinmont Weapon Battery has actually been brought back and uses fantastic views throughout the English Channel.
Batterie Mirus, the biggest World War 2 weapon battery in the Channel Islands, was my last stop.
Its underground bunker can just be seen by personal trip.
Brought Back by Festung Guernsey, with numerous initial functions being replicated utilizing a 3D printer, the walls within are still dotted with German engravings, consisting of the Nazi Eagle.
Potato peel pie
It was an honour to pay it a see the day after Princess Anne was revealed around while on the island for the Freedom Day events.
The day marks when Allied soldiers released the residents from Nazi guideline on Might 9, 1945.
On the 80th anniversary this year, I saw a cavalcade of military lorries, fireworks and a drone light program.
One regional making headings throughout the events was Timmy, 87– in fact a woman– who endured Nazi profession.
She was provided to Maggie Cull as a christening present in 1941, not long after she and her moms and dads were turfed out of their home by the Nazis.
After all that history I ‘d definitely developed a cravings.
Thankfully my base, St Pierre Park Hotel, was simply a 25-minute walk into St Peter Port, where there are clubs and dining establishments aplenty.
Fifty 7 dining establishment is set over 2 floorings and has spectacular views of Castle Cornet and the shoreline.
The menu includes steaks prepared fresh on the grill in addition to some exceptional fish meals consisting of oven-baked monkfish on chilli linguine.
As you’re by the sea, get yourself some fish and chips– the dining establishment at Les Douvres Hotel meals up among the biggest parts I have actually ever seen.
On my last night I dined on an unique Freedom Day menu at the Old Federal Government Home Hotel, near to the harbour.
This 5H home was developed into the German General Personnel Head office throughout the war and it still has an old-world feel about it today.
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The menu included a tasty potato peel pie, a meal produced by residents to deal with food scarcities throughout Nazi profession.
The best meal to end my historic experience.
GO: GUERNSEY
ARRIVING: Aurigny flies from London and local airports to Guernsey from ₤ 49.99.
See aurigny.com.
REMAINING THERE: A timeless double space with breakfast at the St Pierre Park Hotel is from ₤ 195 per night.
Seehandpickedhotels.co.uk/stpierrepark
Spaces at The Old Federal government Home Hotel expense from ₤ 281 per night.
See theoghhotel.com.
MORE DETAILS: Tours by locally-born war and profession professional, and Silver-accredited tourist guide, Amanda Johns, expense from ₤ 15pp for a public group trip.
Prices for personal trips offered on demand.
See toursofguernsey.com.
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