First impressions of ST PETER PORT - The capital of GUERNSEY Channel Islands

Hi everyone! In this video, I explore St Peter Port (or Saint Peter Port), the capital and largest town of Guernsey. Walking around St Peter Port was very special, especially after my recent visit to St Helier in Jersey, one of the other Channel Islands. This allowed me to draw comparisons between St Helier and St Peter Port which I briefly touch upon throughout the vlog in various parts.
The vlog starts off with me walking around the harbour. I immediately notice the statue of Albert the Prince Consort on a roundabout and the vast presence of flowers and flower beds around the city. I also notice a town church and the beautiful buildings near the harbour.
I walk towards Castle Cornet and notice the traffic and number of boats in the town. Getting to the castle was not easy and it was also shut due to it not being tourist season, but the walk itself was lovely. I mention along the way that I really like the pace and vibe of the town.
After exploring the area near the castle, I head back to town but stop for a bite to eat at a cafe in the harbour. I order a Guernsey Gache and give my feedback...
Back in town, I walk towards Liberation Square and notice several commemorative monuments and other related references to the liberation in 1945. Whilst having a patch of sunshine, I also visit the statue of Victor Hugo, the famous French writer who once lived in Guernsey.
I then head back to my hotel for a quick breather and show you my room. I then talk about the one pound (£1) note you find in Guernsey. Following this, I spot a map of the island in the reception and talk a little bit about the size of the island as well as St Peter Port's location in Guernsey.
After a brief stint at the hotel, I head back to town and visit another garden before exploring the shopping area including Main Street, Lefebvre Street and the North Pier Steps. I also talk about the Donkey Statue and visit the Market Buildings Inner Street Arcade and the Old Quarter.
The vlog ends with me having a final walk in the harbour area, where I also give my verdict on St Peter Port as a place to visit and how to get there from the United Kingdom.
I hope you enjoy this vlog - please give this video a like and subscribe to my channel if you haven't already! This really help my channel to grow which in turn means that I will be able to make more vlogs such as these for your enjoyment :)

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching everyone! Please give the video a like and subscribe to the channel if you haven't already - it really helps this channel to grow. Cheers!

[@MikeSmith-tq4xf]

Certainly one of the most comprehensive tours of St Peter Port - a lovely little town with much to offer. Many thanks.

[@willieexplore]

Hi Mike! Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate your kind words and support.

[@8563robbie]

Great to hear a true Jerseyman be so complimentary about St Peter Port...

[@willieexplore]

Haha some have indeed mentioned that I sound like a Jersey Bean :) Cheers for watching!

[@8563robbie]

@@willieexplore I'M glad you got the reference!... great video by the way ..

[@willieexplore]

@@8563robbie Cheers Robbie :) I had a great time in St Peter Port. Wish I had more time to explore the rest of the island but I hear summer is a great time to do just that...

[@jasonfernee6395]

I holidayed as a child for 3 consecutive summers in the mid to late 1970s. I have been back since, and I consider myself an honorary Donkey. I absolutely love the Island and yes I have been to Jersey too, which is nice... but I much prefer Guernsey, as much more laid back. Thanks for the review, and I must go back again.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching and commenting, Jason. I really enjoyed my visit to St Peter Port. Hope you get a chance to visit again soon!

[@mayousimon1]

Brilliant video thanks for your time!

[@willieexplore]

Cheers as always my friend, thanks for watching :)

[@jaspervanzyl6212]

Wow, Willie Explore, you go to the craziest places! Thanks for taking us along.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for tagging along Jasper! Hope this channel gives you lots of joy going forward

[@MardivanZyl]

Great video Willie Explore! Hopefully I'll be able to travel with you some day... Keep it up!

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for travelling along :)

[@Tara_Pannonica]

Haha, that’s so funny about donkeys and toads because we have similar rivalry to Italians, we call them frogs.

[@willieexplore]

Interesting all the rivalries in different parts of the world! Thanks for watching and supporting my channel!

[@johnmullin1188]

Nice 1 m8 keep going Pal 😊

[@willieexplore]

Cheers John! Have you seen the silent walking tour in Guernsey?

[@johnmullin1188]

Not yet my friend 😄

[@espadasensei]

Nice video 👍👍👍

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Seif, thanks as always for watching!

[@EQCTV312]

Nice place ❤

[@willieexplore]

Definitely!

[@audioillity1882]

Number plates can be transferred between cars and people as often as you like (for about £30 fee) , people either ask for a fixed amount based on rough value or they are auctioned off several times a year.

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for providing this additional information! Much appreciated :)

[@Swanoaks]

Willy I guess the feeling of history and oldness must also be very high in many of these places you are taking us. I can't get over how clean the town is . . . then you show us the Cigs voting box and the cigs that never made it. Looks very much like parts of Britain . . . and there is a Boots chemist !!! Thank you once again ... i've had a few chuckles along the way. KIwi from Virginia

[@willieexplore]

Many thanks Swanoaks! Loved the Cigs ballot box, think this is something that should become a feature all over the world

[@Swanoaks]

@@willieexplore it would certainly give a feeling of where people's minds are on issues,. Definitely not a bad thing. But they are attempting for NZ to become a smoke free country, so cigs are out. Hope that bit of information doesn't put you off visiting NZ.

[@MarkGuilbert]

The idea was to stop people throwing their butts on the street by giving an incentive to use them usefully!

[@willieexplore]

@@Swanoaks I'm a non-smoker but even if I was a smoker I would never be put off by visiting New Zealand :)

[@willieexplore]

@@MarkGuilbert fantastic initiative

[@shm1270]

Another brilliant tour, full of info! Guernsey looks a bit more like a British coastal town at the port area than Jersey does, I think. But the town centre and back streets are more French!

[@willieexplore]

You know what Sheila, I think you just described the difference between St Helier and St Peter Port perfectly! The latter feels more English around the port but more French in the centre! Thanks for watching my videos and supporting my channel in the way you do (and of course travelling along virtually), I really appreciate it!

[@shm1270]

@@willieexplore 👍

[@theodavis4083]

Hello and thanks for these videos I enjoyed your St.Helier vlog. I'm English but I was educated in Jersey. There is a keen rivalry, as you would expect between the two biggest channel islands, however St.Peter Port is much lovelier than St.Helier. It is Guersneys greatest asset.

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Theo, really appreciate your kind comments! Yes I'm aware of the rivalry and banter for sure ;) As for which one is better, I could not possibly comment - although I have of course noticed that others seemed to prefer Jersey if we go by the number of views on my videos!

[@ratel8598]

A very entertaining and informative vlog! Thanks for taking us to these places off the beaten track!

[@willieexplore]

You're most welcome :)

[@dannjp75]

17:05 The Albion Tavern is the closest pub to a church in the British isles, due to the proximity of the gargoyle on the northeastern corner

[@willieexplore]

That is so interesting! Thanks for letting me know!

[@dannjp75]

@@willieexplore I worked there.😂

[@willieexplore]

@@dannjp75 ahh! haha

[@brunolacoste1162]

I have already seen car with plate nb 0001 and 007 in St Peter Port… I went 10 times on Guernsey from France, always by ferry. It’s the same price for Jersey and Guernsey.

[@willieexplore]

Those number plates are fascinating and I do love a ferry ride myself!

[@roywilmot9306]

Looking forward to my visit late July for the Hill climb championship

[@willieexplore]

Cheers for watching and commenting, Roy! Hope you have a wonderful time in Guernsey!

[@roywilmot9306]

Spent many holidays in Jersey as a child but never been to Guernsey was in Jersey two years ago,brought back lovely memories.Its good to view where I will be later this year cheers Willie

[@willieexplore]

@@roywilmot9306 I actually know a lot of people who have been to either Jersey or Guernsey, but not both! Glad I visited the two islands, they are both fantastic. Will be a special trip for you by the sound of things!

[@brunolacoste1162]

Castle Cornet is not opened before April 1st. Lihou is at the opposite of St Peter. Small island you can access at low tide by foot. Once you are in Candie Gardens, ask for the key to go to the Victoria tower (free). Of course, don’t miss Hauteville House (Victor Hugo).

[@willieexplore]

Cheers Bruno, appreciate this additional information! Really would love to visit Guernsey in summer

[@RIANDOA]

Very interesting. Some areas remind me a bit of St. John's, Newfoundland, while others are similar to old city centre in Québec City. Then seeing the references to Canada. I'm curious the relation between my country and Geurnsey now! Will have to do some research. :)

[@martindumontakatherumrunne6019]

Research Sir Isaac Brock, saviour of Canada.

[@willieexplore]

I thought you might enjoy that part Landshark! Would be interesting to hear what you find :)

[@audioillity1882]

You missed the beautiful candie gardens in St. Peter Port too! :( A second visit might be in order!

[@willieexplore]

So much still to see I'm sure!

[@stevenr2463]

Great video, thanks! Shame to see all the empty shops up that street from the market to Trinity. Forgotten the name of the street - shame on me! My father used to have a building there back in the 1960s and 70s, the red brick on the right after about 60 yds ("Sante Hairdressing" and two shops).

[@stevenr2463]

Mill Street!

[@willieexplore]

Glad that it brought back some memories Steven! It was a great place to explore, even on such a cloudy day. I definitely want to return to Guernsey one day

[@davidGPS95]

Hi Willie , Enjoyed your video of Guernsey also enjoyed your Jersey videos. Im going to Jersey in October how long does it take for the ferry from St Helier to St Peters port Guernsey and my wife wants to go to St Malo France for the day would you recommend Guernsey over St Malo for a day trip ? Thanks Best wishes David 👍

[@willieexplore]

Cheers David, really appreciate the support! I didn't take the ferry myself but I read it can take between one and two hours to travel between the two islands, depending on which ferry you take (there is a fast service). I went to St Malo years ago - also a day trip - and it was magnificent. I can't choose between Guernsey and St Malo though, my advice would be to flip a coin!

[@davidGPS95]

@@willieexplore Hi Willie, Thanks for the advice , I read that it's quicker to get to Guernsey from Jersey about 1 hour where Saint Malo can take up to two hours , yes it's a hard decision I think it's best if I toss a coin , best out of three 👍

[@willieexplore]

@@davidGPS95 best out of three sounds like a plan :) although I really don't think there is a wrong choice. I'm sure you'll have a great time and make good memories!

[@nygelmiller5293]

Because of the OLYMPICS, if someone gets a GOLD MEDAL, their town gets a GOLD letterbox! Is there one of those in GUERNSEY?

[@willieexplore]

Hi Nygel, I didn't see a gold one but that is true what you say re the Olympics. Cheers for watching!

[@nygelmiller5293]

WHY are postboxes BLUE? Any idea?

[@willieexplore]

Hi Nigel, good question. My understanding is that the post boxes were red until 1980 before getting their new look in the form of a blue coat of paint, for branding purposes.

[@nygelmiller5293]

It's very sad to see unoccupied shops in GUERNSEY, as well as Britain.

[@willieexplore]

Definitely, tough times!

[@M124M]

Which hotel did you stay thanks

[@willieexplore]

Thanks for watching. Grange Lodge

[@M124M]

Thank you so much very kind

[@willieexplore]

@@M124M you are welcome!

[@nygelmiller5293]

You DO have to ask, if you're from ENGLAND - are there distressing situations with people homeless in Guernsey, and sometimes living in tents?

[@willieexplore]

I did not see any homeless people in St Peter Port but it is clear that some are struggling as is evident by the number of shops that are shut.

[@nygelmiller5293]

@willieexplore thank goodness at least people DON'T seem to be homeless!

[@fibosxpivots6238]

Car plaques are black...like the old French ones!!!

[@willieexplore]

Interesting. Thanks for watching!

[@MLVL312]

Got some great historical costal walks for you if your ever back in Jersey.

[@willieexplore]

I really hope to be back Vin :)

[@MLVL312]

The number plates can sell for a lot of money, a Guernsey plate with three numbers could go for up to £15,000. The most expensive sale so far is number plate 007, which sold for about £240,000 at a location auction seven years ago. It's still apparently attached to an Aston Martin on the island.

[@willieexplore]

That is so interesting! Thanks for sharing this :)

[@dannjp75]

Yeah, it’s on a mini, it was never on an Aston, that was speculation