Herm trip

Top left – family burial plot; Bottom left – Herm’s very tiny jail which can hold 20 people standing!; Right – engraved stones along the walkway from Rosaire Steps.

If you look at Guernsey coins you may notice reference to The Bailiwick of Guernsey. A Bailiwick is a French term and for the purpose of this blog I will compare it to an archipelago or series of islands. The Guernsey Bailiwick is made up of the largest – Guernsey then Alderney, Sark, then the little isle of Herm. (There are a few other smaller private islands as well).

The locals here get a starry look in their eyes when speaking about Herm, recalling fond memories from their youth of day trips and even family holidays to the tiny island across the Little Russell. It only takes 20 minutes by boat, but Herm is even more quiet than Guernsey and comes with a sense of calm and relaxation as soon as you step foot off the boat.

Top: Belvoir Beach; Bottom right: Guernsey Cows; Bottom right: Herm stone cottages

There are only two restaurants in Herm – the Mermaid Tavern and The Ship – and just a few gift shops.

Left: mermaid alter in the chapel; top right – The Mermaid Tavern; bottom right – Rosaire Steps, where the Travel Trident drops visitors at low tide.

Left – The alter in Herm Chapel features a mermaid; Top right – the Mermaid Tavery, Herm’s only pub; bottom right – Rosaire Steps.In Herm there are no cars, only tractors and people on foot. There is a tiny school and there is a tiny chapel, and the island is also very tiny. In fact, you can walk around the entire island in just … actually I don’t know how long it takes as I haven’t yet done this. However, I have recently discovered Visit Guernsey’s Herm Tasty Walk and intend on trying it out next time I visit.

If you would like to find out more about Herm, try the following links:

Visit Guernsey: Tasty Walk 15 – Herm
The Official Herm Island Website
The Telegraph goes to Herm
The Guardian goes to Herm (to see Puffins)

And if you plan to go to Herm, here are some handy links to activities and guides:

Annette Henry Tours – Herm Exposed (this is how I learned about the prison!)
Puffin Patrol! with Outdoor Guernsey by kayak or with Island Rib Voyages (you can also see the Seal colony with them).