Let’s face it: the UK has seen better times. It’s been a rough decade for this country for a bunch of different reasons, but if you’re looking for greener pastures, it turns out you might not need to go that far.
Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, is a crown dependency of the UK but it’s not actually in the country (like neighbours such as the Isle of Wight). The island has its own parliament and laws, but its inhabitants can claim British citizenship if they so wish. Confusing, we know, but evidently whatever Guernsey’s setup is, it’s been working out for them.
In 2016 the little island announced big dreams for a decade of regeneration which would turn it into a beacon of health and happiness. Nearly a decade on, it may not yet be the haven it had hoped to be, but according to Sarah Baxter, a travel journalist at the i newspaper, it could be on its way.
It all depends on what matters to you. Guernsey is small and remote, so if you need somewhere with banging nightlife and easy access to a Maccies, this is not the place for you. If you value peace, quiet, and low crime rates however, you’re in the right place. According to a taxi driver Sophie met when she visited: ‘People look out for each other; that’s worth quite a lot.’
There are loads of clean, picturesque beaches for anyone crazy enough to enjoy cold water swimming, and there’s no need to bring a car – everything is easily accessible by bike. You can bring your own or rent one when you arrive. There’s also plenty of cute little cafes and pubs in Saint Peter Port, the capital. Quaint would be the operative word, it seems.
Baxter concluded on the ferry home that although ‘there are certainly challenges in making life work on small islands… there’s also such beauty and community and all that revivifying cold water.’ So even if the Channel Island isn’t the happiest place on Earth yet, who’s to say it won’t be in five years time?
If you’re interested in the ways of the islanders, you can read about Sophie’s entire trip here.
Where to stay in the UK
Guernsey isn’t the only place worth staying in – the mainland has plenty to offer too. Here’s our favourite family friendly holiday digs, and some tree houses you can rent out for something a little different. We’ve also got guides to the country’s cosiest cabins, and the coolest castles you can stay overnight in.
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