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Guernsey Facts & Worksheets

Guernsey is a British crown dependency island in the Channel Islands.

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Guernsey is a British crown dependency island in the Channel Islands. It is triangular and located 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Normandy, France. It is part of the Guernsey Bailiwick, which includes Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, and other islets. Guernsey has one of the world’s largest tidal ranges.

See the fact file below for more information on Guernsey, or you can download our 35-page Guernsey worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • The second element of the word Guernsey was from Old Norse ey, which means “island”; the first element is ambiguous, traditionally meaning “green,” but maybe indicating a Viking personal name, such as Grani.
  • Like nearby Jersey, it became the name for a coarse, close-fitting wool vest (1839), initially worn by seafarers in Australia. The word has quite a few meanings in the United States and relates to a breed of cattle first imported to the United States in 1830.
  • Guernsey’s flag was adopted in 1985 and consisted of a red Saint George’s Cross with a gold Norman cross. The Guernsey Flag Investigation Committee, directed by Deputy Bailiff Sir Graham Dorey, created it.
  • The red cross of St. George represents the island’s constitutional ties with the English Crown. A gold cross depicted on William the Conqueror’s banner represents the island’s historical connection with the Duchy of Normandy.
  • Evidence suggests that an even older Guernsey flag existed in the mid-19th century. The flag has a Union Flag in the canton, with a St George’s cross on a blue-and-white striped field.
  • The flag was initially flown on May 9, 1985, the 40th anniversary of the island’s liberation from Nazi occupation. Before this, it featured only a plain Cross of St George, frequently confusing events such as the Commonwealth Games, where the English flag was also visible.
  • Even though it is not an official government flag, the locals adopted the use of Guernsey’s Green Flag for sporting events, and even today, many residents fly this flag as the true Guernsey colors. It represents the Guernsey color, which has always been green and has the shield of Guernsey’s independence in the center.

HISTORY

Early History

  • The Channel Islands were placed under the Crown of England in 1066 when William, Duke of Normandy, invaded England and captured the Crown. 
  • The title of Queen of Bailiwick of Guernsey is still that of the Duke of Normandy, and the local greeting is somewhat strangely “Queen, our Duke.” 
  • The Romans referred to the island as Sarnia. The lords of Saint-Sauveur (hereditary vicomtes of the Cotentin), the vicomtes of the Bessin, the monastery of Le Mont-Saint-Michel, and the duke of No
  • Following the separation of Normandy in 1204. The Channel Islands were given to a warden and occasionally granted to a lord. However, from the end of the 15th century, they put Guernsey (alongside Alderney and Sark) under a captain.
  • Eventually, they abolished the governor and a position in 1835. A lieutenant governor was appointed to carry out the tasks. Because the warden could not hold regular sessions of the King’s courts on all four of the central Channel Islands, he delegated his judicial powers on Guernsey to a bailiff. 
  • The bailiff was appointed to preside over the Royal Court of Guernsey, where 12 jurats rendered judgment and declared the law (or permanent jurors). The Royal Court has persisted mainly in its medieval structure, administering Guernsey law.
  • Intermittent raids occurred during the Hundred Years’ War (1337-1453). Social and religious ties between mainland Normandy and the Channel Islands remained strong, but the tide of war turned again and drove the English out of Normandy by 1450.
  • A new French raid prompted Edward IV of England to demand the Channel Islands’ neutrality privileges.

The English Reformation, the Elizabethan Ages, and the English Civil War

  • With the accession of Mary I, Guernsey again became Roman Catholic, although it certainly had some Protestant/Presbyterian persuaders.
  • Guernsey also played a role in the English Civil War between 1642 and 1651. The war saw a series of conflicts between MPs and Loyalists over the British government. During the English Civil War, Guernsey supported Parliament, but the Royalist Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Peter Osborne, withdrew to Castle Cornette.
  • Suppose a merchant or group of merchants could arm a vessel. In that case, they have a license under a “Letter of Marque” granted by the King and are empowered to attack ships flying the flag of whichever country happened to be at war with Britain at the time.

World War II

  • The Channel Islands were the only British territories occupied by the Germans during World War II, invaded in June 1940.
  • “The invasion of the Channel Islands during World War II remains a hugely important part of the island’s history, commemorated every year on Liberation Day in May,” according to History U.K. 

Guernsey Today

  • Following the war, islanders had to reconstruct their lives. By the 1960s, tourism had increased, the horticultural industry flourished, and financial businesses thrived during the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Guernsey is now a popular holiday destination, with its attractions and gastronomic excellence among the many reasons why hundreds of thousands of people visit the island each year.

GEOGRAPHY

  • Guernsey climbs to roughly 300 feet (90 meters) in the south on a plateau with ragged coastal cliffs. It falls in stages drained mainly by streams that flow northward through deeply cut valleys.
  • The terrain in Northern Guernsey is flat, with small outcrops of resistant rock forming hills (hougues). Blown sand, rising beach deposits, and historic lagoon fills make up the lower ground soil.
  • Guernsey, Herm, and some other smaller islands, located in Mont Saint-Michel Bay at approximately 49°35′N 2°20′W, have a total size of 71 square kilometers (27 sq mi) and coastlines of roughly 46 kilometers (29 mi). The elevation ranges from sea level to 110 meters (360 feet) at Hautnez, Guernsey.
  • There are numerous smaller islands, islets, rocks, and reefs in Guernsey’s waterways. Sailing in local waters becomes tough with a tidal range of 10 meters (33 feet) and fast currents of up to 12 mph. The highly significant tidal variation provides an environmentally rich intertidal zone around the islands and specific Ramsar sites.
  • The tidal floods in the area are impressive due to the flatness of the ground for approximately 32 km (20 mi) westward. Guernsey is the westernmost Channel Island. It is the island with the most significant distance from the coast of Normandy.

CLIMATE

  • The climate in Guernsey is temperate, with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. It has an oceanic climate with a dry summer trend. However, it is marginally wetter than in Mediterranean summers. 
  • The warmest months are July and August, when temperatures average around 20°C (68°F), with some days exceeding 24°C (75°F). 
  • The coldest month is February, with an average weekly mean air temperature of 6°C (42.8°F). In August, the average weekly mean air temperature is 16°C (60.8°F). Snow is uncommon and unlikely to settle, but it will likely fall in February. 
  • The temperature rarely drops below zero. However, the wind chill from Arctic winds can make it feel that way. The wettest months are December (112 mm (4.4 in)), November (104 mm (4.09 in)), and January (92 mm (3.62 in). 
  • July is the sunniest month, with 250 hours of recorded sunshine; December has the fewest, with 58 hours of recorded daylight.

GEOLOGY

  • Guernsey has a geological history that predates that of the rest of Europe. Guernsey is a part of the Armorican Massif, a geological province of France. It has undergone a complex geological evolution, with various periods of intrusion and deformation visible (particularly in the rocks of the southern complex).
  • Guernsey’s geology comprises nine major rock types, two of which are granites and the rest are gneiss.

DEMOGRAPHICS

  • The people of Guernsey are called Guerns or Gurns, or more appropriately Guernseymen or Guernesias/e.
  • The recorded total population of Guernsey in January 2022 was 63.4 thousand. It has a female population of 50.3% and a male population of 49.7%. 
  • Although English is the primary language of Guernsey, French became the official language only in 1948 due to the island’s closeness to the Bay of St Malo in Normandy. The prevalence of English on the Islands is, in fact, a product of the last century, impacted considerably by the German occupation of Guernsey during WWII. 
  • Guernésiais (pronounced ‘JEHR-nehz-y-yay’), often known as Guernsey French or ‘patois,’ is the traditional native language of Guernsey. 
  • Guernsey recognizes four separate languages. The official language is English, and the administration utilizes French. Simultaneously, a minority of the population speaks many kinds of Norman and some immigrants in the workplace converse in Portuguese. 
  • The main ethnic groups comprise Guernsey 52.9%, U.K. and Ireland 23.9%, and Portugal 2.2%.
  • The vast majority of Guernseymen practice the Christian religion.

THE CAPITAL

  • Saint Peter Port, a town and one of the ten parishes in the Channel Islands, is the capital city of Guernsey and the primary port of the Guernsey Bailiwick. A bailiwick is a region governed by a bailiff.
  • St. Peter Port, informally known as ‘Town,’ is Bailiwick’s island-hopping hub and home to several cafés and hotels, museums, seasonal markets, libraries, and the tourist information center. It is ideal for getting a taste of island life.

LANDMARKS

Castle Cornet

  • Castle Cornet is around 800 years old and has three museums containing information about Guernsey and the castle’s history.

Pleinmont Observation Tower

  • The Pleinmont Observation Tower, one of Guernsey’s most photographed sights, was built during WWII by the island’s German invaders. The Pleinmont Observation Tower, which dominates the island’s southwestern shore, is worth a visit since the panoramic views from the very top are spectacular.

Vale Castle

  • Vale Castle, located on the northern side of Guernsey, is rich in history and is said to have been erected in the early 14th century. Unfortunately, all that remains of this landmark today are ruins, the outer walls, and the ramparts.

Sausmarez Manor

  • Sausmarez Manor, dated in the late 12th century, located in the parish of St. Martin’s on the southeastern side of Guernsey, has a lot to offer. Insightful guided tours of the wonderfully furnished interior and seasonal ghost tours, farmers’ markets, and plant sales are always a highlight.

Victor Hugo House/Hauteville House

  • Hauteville House, purchased in the mid-19th century by famous French poet and playwright Victor Hugo to prevent his eviction from the island, is now owned by the city of Paris. 
  • Hauteville House, also known as the Victor Hugo House, was built around 200 years ago and is a large and difficult-to-miss landmark building with a bright white facade and breathtaking sea views from the gardens.

CULTURE

Guernsey culture in the Bailiwick of Guernsey is molded by its indigenous Norman language and traditions, as well as French (especially Norman) and British (mainly English) cultural influences. Immigrant cultural tendencies, such as the Portuguese, have also been included.

Local Food

  • The ormer (Haliotis tuberculata), a local delicacy, is a type of abalone fished under strict regulations from beaches at low spring tides.
  • Traditional Guernsey recipes include the Guernsey bean jar, famously offered at the annual Viaer Marchi festival. Haricot and butter beans, pig, and shin beef are among the main ingredients of this recipe. 
    • Guernsey gâche is a type of bread containing raisins, sultanas, and mixed peel. 
    • Gâche mélée is a spicy, chopped apple dessert suspended in a sponge mix.

Literature

  • While exiled in Guernsey, Victor Hugo wrote some of his most famous works, including “Les Misérables”. Hauteville House, his residence at St. Peter Port, is now a museum run by the city of Paris. In 1866, he released “Travailleurs de la Mer” (“Toilers of the Sea”), a novel based on the island he dedicated to Guernsey.
  • “The Book of Ebenezer Le Page” by GB Edwards is the most well-known novel written by a Guernseyman. In addition to being a critically praised literary work, it provides insights into life in Guernsey during the 20th century.

Sports

  • Athletics, shooting, swimming, football, and fencing are examples of popular individual sports. Guernsey F.C. is the island’s home football team. 
  • Guernsey competes in the Isthmian League Division One South, and the island has won several Commonwealth Games for shooting. Fencing is a rapidly growing sport, with British fencers like Fraser Ward hailing from the island.

Music and Dance

  • The Reformation brought Calvinism to the islands, and the later strong influence of Methodism prohibited dancing and secular music. They documented several ancient songs and dances and collected some gentrified dances in Guernsey in the nineteenth century. 
  • “La Bébée” (“the Baby Polka” or “Klatschtanz”) is a 19th-century novelty dance that is still popular with costumed folk groups around Europe. Some old folk songs, such as Jean, Gros Jean, and J’ai perdu ma faumme, have survived. Groups like La Guaine du Vouêt and Les Dànsaeurs dé L’Assembllae D’Guernésiais perform at events such as Lé Viaer Marchi.

HOLIDAYS AND FESTIVALS

Liberation Day

  • May 9 is a special day in the Channel Islands because it commemorates the island’s liberation from the Nazis during WWII. St. Peter Port, the only occupied area of the British Islands, hosts the most important celebration, with fun events and fireworks.

Guernsey Festival

  • This two-day event in mid-June is one of the numerous music festivals in Guernsey. The festival lasts a weekend and includes dozens of artists from various stages and fun side activities. Previous performers include Kaiser Chiefs and Macy Gray. There are additional activities for children, such as bungee jumping and skating, as well as food vendors. However, weekend tickets are relatively pricey.

Floral Guernsey Festival

  • In June, the flower show takes place in Sausmarez Park, southwest of St. Peter Port. The three-day celebration includes bright floral displays, music, and dance.

St. Peter Port Town Carnival 

  • The carnival is a weeklong festival in July that includes parades, marching bands, street entertainment, and live music. It is one of the liveliest and most entertaining events for Guernsey visitors.

Guernsey Regatta Week

  • Guernsey Regatta Week features music, activities, food, and drink as boats race up and down the island in September. St. Peter Port’s marina is the place for enjoyable water-based activities.

Guernsey Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Guernsey across 35 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Guernsey, a British crown dependency island in the Channel Islands.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Guernsey Facts
  2. Give Me One
  3. History Throwback
  4. Tourist Spots
  5. Vexillology
  6. More About Guernsey
  7. Literary Reading
  8. Food Delicacy
  9. Name-Alike
  10. Breaking News!
  11. The Tidal Range

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guernsey?

Guernsey is an island in the English Channel, located off the coast of Normandy, France. It is one of the Channel Islands and is a self-governing British Crown dependency.

Where is Guernsey located?

Guernsey is located in the English Channel, about 50 miles (80 km) west of the coast of Normandy, France, and about 30 miles (48 km) from the coast of England. It is the second-largest of the Channel Islands.

What is the culture and language of Guernsey?

The culture of Guernsey is a blend of Norman, English, and French influences. The official language is English, although Guernésiais, a Norman dialect, is also spoken by some islanders.

What is the economy of Guernsey like?

Guernsey has a strong economy, with a focus on finance, tourism, and agriculture. The island has a low-tax regime and is a popular location for offshore banking and investment funds.

How is Guernsey governed?

Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown dependency, with its own government and parliament. The head of state is the British monarch, represented by a lieutenant governor. The island has its own laws and legal system, but the UK is responsible for its defense and international relations.

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