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Herm
Shell Beach
Near Mermaid
Herm
Herm
Herm
Herm
Herm
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About Herm
If you wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of
Guernsey, why not take a 20 minute boat trip to the solitude and tranquillity of Herm, just 3 miles (5 km to the
east of Guernsey. At high tide, the boat will moor in the small pretty harbour. At low tide you will disembark at
Rosiere steps where a warm welcome will still await you.
The half-tide harbour is safe is practically all
weathers and with its easy approach from St Peter Port, it is a popular port of call for boaters and yachtsmen.
Best of all, there are no mooring charges.
Although only 1 1/2 miles long (2 1/2 km) by 1/2 mile
(1 km) wide, there is plenty to see and do including a visit to the well preserved 10th century church
or perhaps the Neolithic menhirs behind Shell beach at the northern end of the island. The coastline is about 27
kilometres in total and the total area is around five hundred acres. It can easily be walked at a leisurely pace
but allow 2 or so hours to do so. With the abundance of gorse and birds and other wildlife, and views of Guernsey,
Jethou and Sark, the walk in summer is very relaxing.
The beaches are one of the reasons why families return
year after year and they are never crowded. The clear waters are ideal for snorkelling and the rock pools fun for
the children. The all time favourite bay in Herm has to be the famous Shell Beach where millions of small shells
make up the sand, deposited by the Gulf Stream. The shallow water makes it popular for swimming. Nearby is the
picturesque bay of Belvoir.The south of the island is rocky and wooded whereas the north is mainly grass covered
sand-dunes. Near the centre of the island is another small village where there is a school and also the
10th century St Tugual church.
You will find a warm welcome at the Mermaid pub and the
Whitehouse hotel on the island and there is also a camp site and self catering accommodation. The latter are
situated at the top of the hill. Neal the harbour where you will also find gifts shops.
Herm is also well known as a bird paradise and it is
reported that over 92 species make their homes on the island at various times of the year.
Enjoy a meal at the splendid White House Hotel or the
less formal Mermaid Tavern.
The restaurants in Herm are particularly popular with
visiting yachtsmen at weekends.
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Photos courtesy of herm-island.com |
See their main website at www.herm-island.com
Jethou
The small island immediately to the south of Herm is
Jethou and has an area of approximately 44 acres . It is thought that a storm in AD709 washed away the strip of
landed which connected it to Herm. Although previously in the hands of a sequence of tenants from the Crown, the
island is now owned by the States of Guernsey, but not open to the public.
The first resident was Restauld, a master mariner for
Duke Robert of Normandy who was given the island by Robert when the former became a monk. Later it passed to the
Abbey of Mont St Michel. In 1416, it became part of Henry V's estate and remains a Crown lease.
Often the boat to Herm will pass around the back of
Jethou where puffins can be seen swimming off the rocks.
From here select any of the links on the left relating specifically to Herm. To return to the
other islands, select Home
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