Explore Guernsey & Jersey Self-drive
Spot La Corbiere Lighthouse on the Island of Jersey
Holiday inspiration currently loading...
Apologies, to get the best experience from this website please enable JavaScript in your web browser. You can do this via the settings/preferences menu.
Discover the perfect pairing of Guernsey and Jersey on this specially-made Channel Islands holiday.
Get to know these distinct island locations on a relaxing six-night exploration. Entirely and proudly separate from the UK and the EU, the Bailiwicks of Guernsey and Jersey could scarcely be more appealing as a holiday destination. Rich history, vast beaches, friendly locals and a wealth of hidden corners await your gaze.
This simply-tailored two-centre holiday serves as a perfect introduction to the two titans of the Channel Islands, with winning, independent accommodation and easy inter-island travel taken care of. Should you wish to see more, including some of the smaller and equally fascinating outlying islands, we’ll be happy to tailor-make a longer trip for you.
Day One – Across the Channel to Guernsey
Setting off from Poole in Dorset, a peaceful three-hour crossing by swift ferry carries you to the Guernsey capital of St. Peter Port. From here, it’s just a short drive to your accommodation.
Your Hotel on Guernsey
Long-established and family-owned, your accommodation on Guernsey is a relaxed and informal inn, noted for the quality of its food and the friendliness of its welcome. The location is ideal too, with all of the island’s attractions within easy striking distance.
What to see and do
Just nine miles long and three miles wide, Guernsey packs a wealth of attractions into its twenty-seven square miles. For many, its ever-changing coastline is the main event, with rocky coves, craggy cliffs, golden beaches and coastal paths providing limitless possibilities. The ‘capital’ St. Peter Port offers a chance to wander historic backstreets and pick up a souvenir or two, while its non-stop harbour is home to eight-hundred-year-old Castle Cornet, whose fortification, gardens and museums could easily consume a whole day. Up the hill, perhaps pre-arrange a visit to Hauteville House, home of Victor Hugo while in exile from his native France. More recent history focuses on the island’s World War Two occupation; a story of hardship, resilience and liberation.
Day Two – Private Guided Walk in Historic St. Peter Port
After breakfast, take the short drive to St. Peter Port and meet one of the island’s best guides for a private guided walk of the island capital. Hidden corners are always best discovered in the company of a local expert, helping bring the rich history of this colourful harbour-town to life. Should you have a particular interest, your guide will be only too happy to incorporate as the tour unfolds.
Day Three – A Day to Explore Guernsey
If the weather is with you—summers here bring plenty of sunshine—perhaps a morning relaxing with a stroll on the beach, followed by a leisurely lunch takes your fancy. While in the afternoon, perhaps take off to discover more of the island’s charms. We’ll provide personally researched recommendations to help you make the most of your time here.
Day Four – Over the Sea to Jersey
Back to St. Peter Port this morning, boarding the ferry for the one-hour crossing to St. Helier on Jersey. From the port, you’ll arrive at your accommodation in no time.
Your Hotel on Jersey
Another distinctly independent, family-owned hotel awaits, in the ideal location for exploring Jersey’s most famous sights and hidden haunts.
What to see and do
There’s no shortage of absorbing places to discover: visit the village of St. Aubin, clinging to a hill, its tangle of cobbled streets lined with eighteenth-century merchants’ houses, tumbling seawards. Here you’ll find tempting dining options, with alfresco terraces and shaded decks from which to enjoy the very freshest seafood and a pleasingly independent feel to the shopping. Across the rest of the island, take yourself off to explore its ever-changing coastline, ancient castles, gardens and more recent turbulent history.
Day Five – a Private Guided Walk Between Icho and Seymour Towers
Enjoy breakfast before setting off on a short drive to La Rocque Harbour. Here, meet your friendly and knowledgeable local guide for a fascinating walk on the seabed between enigmatic Icho and Seymour Towers. Almost lunar in appearance, the landscape may look barren at first glance, but it’s actually teeming with marine life, brought into sharp focus by your guide. As the tide retreats, the island expands in size – double in Spring – revealing a vast intertidal coastline and the largest Oyster Beds in the British Isles.
Depending on tides, on selected days this walk takes place in the afternoon, giving you time to soak up more of the island in the morning.
Day Six – A Day to Explore Jersey
A day to discover some of the island’s charms for yourself; perhaps taking in the Jersey War Tunnels, the lighthouse at La Corbiere or magical Gorey Castle. We’ll provide all the information you need to make the most of your time.
Day Seven – Return home
Setting off for home today, catch the ferry at St. Helier to Poole in Dorset, a journey of around three hours. Wherever you’re headed, we’ll make sure you have an easy-to-follow route to get you there with the minimum of fuss.
This holiday covers the islands of Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Islands.
£1150 per person for March & November, £1195 per person for April & October, £1245 per person for May, June & September and £1295 per person for July & August.
Prices are based on two adults sharing a double/twin room en-suite for six nights on a bed and breakfast basis.
Ferry-crossings for one car and two passengers between Poole and Guernsey, Guernsey and Jersey, and Jersey and Poole are included. Private walking tours of St. Peter Port on Guernsey and between Icho and Seymour Towers on Jersey are also included.
This holiday can also be arranged in fly-drive format, with flights from several UK airports, as well as between the islands, and car-rental on both Guernsey and Jersey. Please let us know at the time of enquiry if you would prefer us to check availability and prepare a quote for you on this basis.
For example, prices for a fly-drive version of this holiday based on return flights from Southampton are: £1370 per person for March & November, £1415 per person for April & October, £1465 per person for May, June & September and £1515 per person for July & August.
Ask us for a quotation for other airports, including Manchester, Birmingham and Bristol.
Before your departure, you will receive personalised holiday information including full directions, recommended routes, and suggestions on places to visit depending on your interests and our local knowledge to ensure you get the most from your holiday.
All holidays and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.
All our holiday prices include a service charge of £9 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.
We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.
This holiday can be arranged from March to November
To check the latest availability for this holiday complete the form below or call us. We will respond to your availability check within one working day if at all possible. Please bear with us on this - we work with a hand-picked selection of smaller hotels, guest houses, and other independent businesses, ensuring that you have the chance to explore off the beaten track and really get under the skin of the destination.
Please note: All form fields are required unless otherwise stated optional.