St. Peter Port
Like England in a 1970s time capsule, but with London 2023 prices.
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St. Peter Port, nestled on the quaint island of Guernsey, is a small harbor town with a rich maritime history.
Its narrow streets, adorned with Georgian architecture, wind their way around the harbor front and shoreline.
It would be of no consequence if I were to never visit the island again.
It would be of no consequence if I were to never visit the island again.
It would be of no consequence if I were to never visit the island again.
It would be of no consequence if I were to never visit the island again.
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Summary
If it was not for a friend being stationed on the island for work, there is no conceivable reason I would have considered visited Guernsey and I don't believe there is one for yourself either. The main intent of writing this article was on the off chance anyone was half tempted to explore the idea. Please do not.
Accommodation
Thankfully I was staying with a friend, but the island as a whole has a massive under supply of accommodation and a highly restrictive housing market which make Airbnb prices highly uncompetitive. Prices comparable for hotels as what you would pay In London.
Places to work
The town does have a coworking option, which even though I did not visit personally, have heard positive things from members. There isn't a great selection of suitable coffee shops to work from and those that are there tend to shut early.
Value
Prices for food are generally above what you would expect to pay in London and generally the quality does not always match.
Accomodation is particularly expensive due to a lack of supply, so expect to pay the same or more as you would for a night in a major UK city.
Working hours
Guernsey follows the same timezone as the UK, placing it one hour behind most of Western and Central Europe.
🇪🇺 Consider working European hours from Asia?
Where to stay
Where to work
Digital Greenhouse Guernsey
I haven't actually visited this place myself as I was working from a friend's office, but from what I have heard it is a reliable place to work from with several community events held throughout the year with a focus on supporting new businesses on the island.
It's in a good location, close to the main supermarket in the town and offers options for both hot desking and dedicated desks.
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Remote work visa
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If staying for a prolonged period, you may want to consider a dedicated visa for this destination.
This country is actively working on a visa support for remote workers.
Check your government website for details of how to obtain a tourist visa.
Citizen Remote is a great source of up to date knowledge for everything to do with remote work visas.
Safety
Off-work
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Day trip to Sark
Spanning just 2.1 square miles, Sark is known for its lack of cars, relying on bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and walking as primary modes of transport. With a population of around 500, it's a haven of rugged cliffs, picturesque harbor, and panoramic coastal views.
Walk to Fermain Bay
A picturesque cove renowned for its crystal-clear waters and golden sands. Walkable from the main centre of St. Peter Port.
Explore Herm Island
Even smaller than Sark, Herm Island, covering around a mile and a half, is a car-free haven known for its Shell Beach with its shimmering white sand and beautiful coastal paths. With just one hotel and a scattering of holiday cottages, it offers a tranquil retreat easily accessible in under an hour from the mainland via boat.
Duration & season
If for whatever reason you did have to visit Guernsey, you'd be best off opting for the summer months where the neighbouring islands can be explored and the wind is less likely to be a hinderance.
Food & drink
People
For such a small and nondescript location, the island is surprisingly multicultural with sizeable Thai, Fillipino and Portugese populations attracted to the island for employment opportunities. Many UK and international companies have offices here giving a more diverse range of people than you would otherwise expect.
Exercise
Guernsey Loop
Verdict
Positives
- Feels like a version of the UK from a time warp.If you are looking to experience what a small town was like 40 years ago.
- Fantastic selection of pubs.St. Peter Port would make for an excellent weekend bar crawl.
- Some picturesque spots.Some of the beaches and coves are beautiful during the summer months.
Negatives
- Incredibly quiet.Expect to find nothing open after 17:00 any day of the week.
- Expensive.The cost of eating out is on a par with London but with a lot less variety and quality.
- Poor weather.Even though it is more southern the mainland of the UK, expect it to be dramatically cooler than the southern coast. High winds and rain common.
- Very small.With minimal effort you could cycle around the entire island several times in one day.
- Lots of SUVs on unsuitable roads.What could be idylic countryside is ruined by heavy car volume on tiny narrow streets.
Tips
- Stay in St. Peter's Port.Staying anywhere else will make you entirely reliant on a car or an infrequent bus service.
- Visit in summer.The town comes more align with the arrival of the ferry boats prompting a range of weekend street food markets.
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