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Castle Cornet
(C)Guernsey
Tourist Board |
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Vazon
Right Battery
C)Guernsey
Tourist Board |
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Castles and Military Installations
on Guernsey |
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Castles
reflect the dramatic history of Guernsey, and the WWII installations
show the effect of the occupation. |
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Castle
Cornet Castle Enplacement, St Peter Port |
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This castle has guarded the people
of Guernsey and St Peter Port since 1206. The harbour
fortress was isolated on a rocky islet until the construction
of the breakwater and bridge in the 19th century. During the
German Occupation of 1940 - 45, it formed part of Hitler's
'Atlantic Wall'.
Now it houses a number of museums
- Maritime Museum, Militia Museum, and 201 Squadron RAF (Guernsey's
Own) Museum and the 'Story of Castle Cornet'. The Hatton
Gallery displays historic paintings of Castle Cornet.
Features include four 'period'
gardens, views from the castle, and the firing of the noonday
gun every day.
Open daily, Apr-Oct, 10:00-17:00 Tel:
01481 721657 
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Vale
Castle St Sampson |
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Built in the 18th century on the
site of an Iron Age Fort, this castle has a superb position
on a mount overlooking the north-east coast of Guernsey. During
the Occupation the Germans made use of the fortification and
strengthened it in parts. Today, apart from the outer
walls and ramparts, the castle is in ruins. The site is
a venue for outdoor concerts. |
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Rousse
Tower Grand Havre, Rousse Headland |
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The Tower, overlooking Grand Havre
Bay on the north coast of Guernsey, was one of 15 granite 'loophole'
towers built in 1778 - 79 to protect the coastline from French
attack. As part of the Fortress Guernsey initiative,
the tower has been restored and opened to the public. Inside
is a detailed story explaining the defence of Guernsey during
this period. The tower has three levels and from the top
there are great views along the coast.
Open daily. Tel: 01481 726518 |
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Clarence
Battery Fort George, St Peter Port |
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Dating from 1780, the Battery
formed part of Fort George, Guernsey's largest defence works,
built during the French Revolution to replace Castle Cornet
in the face of possible French invasion. The Battery protected
the seaward approaches. During the German Occupation Fort
George became the HQ of the Luftwafe radar early warning service.
Now the Clarence Battery is all that remains of Fort George
of any substance and features models in period dress and boards
telling its story.
Open Easter-Oct Tel: 01481 726518
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Pleinmont Observation
Tower Pleinmont Headland, Torteual
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A dramatic five-storey coastal
artillery direction finding tower built in 1942 during the German
Occupation. Now re-equipped, the concrete tower boasts
breath-taking views of the coast of Guernsey.The site features
the original rangefinders, a reconstructed barrack room and
the restored Batterie Dollman, housing the last French, 10 Tonne
22cm K532(f) gun in Europe.
Open Apr-Oct on Wed & Sun, 14:00-17:00: Nov,
Feb & Mar open on Sun, 14:00-16:00 (weather permitting).
Tel: 01481 238205 |
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Fort
Hommet Vazon Bay, Caste; |
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Standing on the northern headland
of the Vazon Bay, this fort was built in Victorian times to
protect the island from French invasion. The structure was later
added to by the occupying Germans in the 1940's. The Fort
was restored in the 1980s. |
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German
Military Underground Hospital La Vassalerie Road, St
Andrew |
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The German Military Underground
Hospital and Ammunition Store is the largest remaining structure
from the Occupation in the Channel Islands. Covering 7,000
square meters the tunnel complex, with its camouflaged entrances
and ventilation shafts, is virtually invisible from the surface.
Started in 1940 the tunnels were dug by slave workers
The hospital was equipped with an operating theatre, kitchen,
cinema, staff quarters and wards, and a larger section of tunnels
was used as an ammunition store.The hospital was in use for
just three months. Although the tunnels are almost empty, there
are signs of their previous use including the hospital beds,
most of the kitchen and numerous German signs.
Open during summer season only, 10:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:00
Tel: 01481 239100 |
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La Guet
Watchtower Cobo Bay, Castel |
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La Guet Watchtower stands amid
pine trees at the top of a large hill with a spectacular view
across Cobo Bay and the north of the island.
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German
Naval Signals Headquarters St Jacques, near St
Peter Port |
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The Headquarters of the German
Naval Commander Channel Islands (Seeko-Ki) were established
in 1942 at the Hotels La Collinette and La Porte Hotel,responsible
for the control of coastal artillery in the Channel Islands.
As radio communications were vital it was decided to build
a permanent bunker in the grounds of La Collinette Hotel.
This became operational in early
1944, handling all the radio signals traffic for the German
forces in the Channel Islands - received and transmitted messages
encrypted using Enigma enciphering machines.
Now a museum, the bunker is completely
equipped with radio and Enigma machines, the bedroom, bath
and toilet, give an insight into how the Germans lived here.
Open Apr-Oct, Thu-Sat, 14:00-17:00 (other times by
appointment). Tel: 01481 700418
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Hommet
Casement Bunker Vazon Bay, Castel |
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On the northern headland of Vazon
Bay, this German gun casement bunker contains the original
gun and equipment used in 1944. Part of a chain of defences
built by the Germans along the west coast of Guernsey.Restored
the bunker in 1995, part the 50th anniversay celebrations
of the Liberation of the island.
Open all year, Tue, Thu
and Sat, 14:00-16:00. Reduced opening hours during winter
months. Tel: 01481 238205
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Search
The Site: 
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Book
online with TourUK's
HotelBooker |
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Clarence
Battery
(C)Guernsey Tourist Board . |
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