Step back in time in Guernsey with the magical paintings of Renoir, relax and unwind on secluded islands, or cast a vote for Guernsey’s favourite gourmet dish
2023 welcomes an abundance of arts, gastronomy, and culture to the Islands of Guernsey. From flavourful food festivals, and creative art exhibitions, to wellness escapes and walking adventures, there is plenty to look forward to in this timeless destination.
Exhibitions & Festivals
Taste Guernsey Food Festival (1st – 30th April)
This month-long event will be an opportunity to celebrate some of the best ingredients and flavours found on Guernsey and its sister islands. Whilst the event is a festival, it is also a competition between local chefs, testing their skills and abilities to create local favourites and legendary dishes, using fresh locally sourced ingredients such as spider crabs and mussels. Visitors to the festival will be given the opportunity to sample and taste-test their works, and later vote for their favourite dishes. Occurring in venues across the islands, the gastronomic month of April will be a fantastic chance for visitors to experience the island’s variety of seafood, dairy products and seasonal veg, whilst meeting the local faces behind them. More information here.
Guernsey Literary Festival (10th – 14th May)
With last year’s festival hosting prolific authors including Simon Armitage, Anthony Horowitz, Jack Dee and Dame Lady Hale, this fantastic event hosts a number of famous faces on the Islands of Guernsey. With opportunities for book signings, readings, meet and greets and much more, fans and keen bibliophiles are given the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the festival and learn more about their favourite works and authors. Alongside the festival, tea parties, workshops and events for children’s books will also be held across the island. More information here.
Guernsey’s Renoir Exhibition (30th September – 14th December)
Next Autumn, Guernsey is set to host an internationally awaited exhibition by renowned French painter, Renoir. Organised by Art for Guernsey founder David Ummels, in partnership with the Museum of Impressionism Giverny in France, the Renoir exhibition will be an impressive collection of priceless artworks. This large-scale exhibition has been established in commemoration of Renoir’s time in Guernsey, which he lovingly depicts in many of his works, capturing the serenity of Guernsey’s beaches. Paintings by other famous artists including Monet and Gauguin are also expected to be included. With the exhibition launching in conjunction with the Moulin Huet Renoir walk, it will be one of the biggest attractions the island has ever seen, celebrating Guernsey’s many stunning landscapes.
Wellness Escapes
2023 is the year for wellness in Guernsey and its surrounding neighbours, as the group of islands prepare to host a number of wellness activities and events. From yoga retreats to folklore trails, the islands are the ideal place to relax the mind and body, enabling visitors to reconnect with nature and take some time away from the busy strains of everyday life.
Power Yoga Retreat on Herm (3rd – 5th November) & Yoga Elements Retreat on Sark (24th – 26th March)
The secluded car-free islands of Sark and Herm are the perfect destinations for a life-affirming yoga retreat. With little light pollution, the opportunities for stargazing and mindfulness on either island are second to none. The retreat on Herm includes accommodation at the White House Hotel, tuition in yoga postures, breathing exercises and relaxation, as well as two healthy and nutritious breakfasts and evening meals. On Sark, the Yoga Elements Retreat gives guests the opportunity to explore the tools of yoga, posture, breathing and meditation, whilst getting involved in extra activities such as chocolate making or a dark sky evening at the Sark Observatory. Included in the package is two nights at the Stocks Hotel, as well as a nutritious brunch and evening meal.
For more information on the Power Yoga Retreat on Herm please visit here. For more information on the Yoga Elements Retreat on Sark please visit here.
New folklore trails on Guernsey’s walking App
A recent innovation, the official VisitGuernsey App gives visitors access to over 35 self-guided routes around the islands, enabling ramblers to see the very best of what the Islands of Guernsey have to offer, including majestic coastline and breathtaking viewpoints. New for the app in 2023 are Guernsey’s folklore trails, taking walkers on many twists and turns to uncover the myths and folklore tales engrained in Guernsey’s history. These trails centre around the illustrations of locally born artist Penny Dawes, and her soon-to-be-published children’s book, as well as the tales of Sir Edgar MacCulloch.
Sporting Events
2023 Guernsey Marathon (2nd April)
One for the bucket list, the Sure Guernsey Marathon will take runners past a number of Guernsey’s infamous landmarks, and along it’s stunning rugged coastline. The marathon begins at Havelet, near St. Peter’s Port, continuing along the main roads in the south, before taking on the coastal road on the west coast with magnificent views of Guernsey’s many bays and waterfronts. Not only will runners have the opportunity to participate in the 26.2-mile race, but alongside the marathon the Mourant Relay Race, and a two kilometre ‘Fun Run’ for families will also be on offer, allowing runners of all fitness levels to participate. More information here.
Island Games 2023 (8th-14th July)
This week-long sporting event will see 3,000 participants from 24 islands compete in a variety of 14 sporting activities. With competitors from islands all around the world, including Bermuda, Gibraltar, Iceland and Guernsey, this inter-island competition involves events from archery and athletics to football and golf. More information here.
How to get there
With the option to take the ferry over the Channel, or direct flights from across the UK with Aurigny, there are many ways to access Guernsey without the time or carbon footprint of longer haul destinations. Similarly, visitors are able to island hop by sailboat between the many surrounding islands. With new additional sailings between Sark and Guernsey in 2023, it will be easier than ever to partake in an island-hopping adventure. Condor Ferries are also set to begin more direct ferry routes between Poole and Guernsey to provide for increasing demand. More information here.
For more information on the above, please click here.