The sunshine island is better prepared than ever before to greet cruise passengers who disembark at St Peter port. By Amy Bellew

Last year was a record-breaker for Guernsey, with more than 123,000 cruise passengers going ashore to enjoy the sun-blessed island.

Even greater numbers are expected to arrive in the capital, St Peter Port, this season and the island is “better prepared than ever to offer visitors a wonderful day”, according to Isabel de Menzies of Visit Guernsey.The continued rise in numbers to 125,000 in 2016 means cruise passengers will arrive by tender and disembark at Albert Pier, rather than White Rock. The new pier has a greater capacity and is away from the inter-island quay and commercial harbour.

Ms Menzies said: “With so many people arriving at once in such a small town we needed to provide an organised approach to our welcome, ensuring passengers could navigate their way around St Peter Port safely and get the best from their day.

“There are now wider pedestrian walkways on the marina and slipway to help with smooth disembarkation, and better access for passengers with reduced mobility.”

Ms Menzies added: “We have also trained 37 customer guides to answer any questions and give directions, as well as offering a really warm welcome. “There will be special constables managing the traffic flow to ensure safety as passengers find their way into town and to the island’s attractions.”

Smart new Wayfinder signage with walking times helps visitors find their way about with pointers to key sites such as Castle Cornet and Candie Gardens. The newly renovated Information Centre is five minutes’ stroll from the cruise pier.

The Channel Island port offers free Wi-Fi, so guests wanting to explore can download maps, podcasts and audio guides for walks.

Good work! Guernsey has just got a whole lot more gorgeous for cruise passengers.

FLOWER POWER

Guernsey’s flower-growing trade is its third largest industry, and St Peter Port is a delight for summer visitors who can enjoy 80,000 blooms in parks, in gardens and even on roundabouts.

Candie Gardens
The Victorian gardens are a pleasant 15-20 minute walk from port or a bus ride to St Julian’s Avenue. Once part of a private estate, the gardens offer views across St Peter Port to the islands of Herm, Sark and Jethou. The colourful gardens are home to the oldest heated glasshouses in the British Isles, as well as a museum, art gallery and café housed in a Victorian bandstand. Admission free.

MUSEUMS

Castle Cornet
The castle has guarded St Peter Port for 800 years and visitors can explore the battlements which were the first line of defence from French raiders. Five museums inside the castle tell the story and there are gardens and spectacular views to enjoy.

National Trust Folk and Costume Museum, Saumarez Park
Set in 18th-century outbuildings, the museum shows life as it used to be for the island’s population over the last 250 years. Visitors can also see a Victorian Walled Garden and there is a children’s playground. Adults £5. National Trust Members go free. nationaltrust.gg/places-to-visit
Open daily to October 30. Adults £10, seniors £9.

The Asterix
Roman ship Asterix is Britain’s largest Roman object and the restored timbers of the ship are displayed at Guernsey Pearl. The Romano-Celtic trading vessel caught fire and sank in St Peter Port harbour around AD 280 and was rediscovered by a local diver in the 1980s. From 1999 to 2014 it underwent preservation work through the Mary Rose Trust. Guernsey Pearl, Rocquaine Road, GY 9BY

Fort Grey
The Shipwreck Museum is in a Martello Tower that was built in 1804 to defend Guernsey’s west coast and is now home to a surprising variety of objects recovered from the wrecks.
museums.gov.gg
Open until October 30. Adults £4, seniors £3, children 7+ and students £1.50.

PIT STOPS

Guernsey International Food
Festival runs from September 23 to October 2, 2016. Award-winning chef and restaurateur Jean-Christophe Novelli will open the festival. visitguernsey.com/food-festival and thepavilion. co.gg

Le Fregate Hotel, St Peter Port
Sample the freshest catch of the day including sea bass, skate wing, brill and scallops while enjoying wonderful sea views.
lafregatehotel.com

Le Petit Bistro, St Peter Port
A Citroen CV2 parked outside Le Petit Bistro gives visitors a clue to
the whereabouts of this traditional French restaurant which is popular with locals. petitbistro.co.uk

Hotel Jerbourg, Jerbourg Point
Just the place for afternoon tea, on a clifftop setting offering fabulous sea views. Journey time: 15 minutes’ cab ride from St. Peter Port. oteljerbourg.com

GETTING ABOUT

All cruise ships offer a variety of excursions but for those passengers who like to tour independently there is an extensive bus service across the island and St Peter Port is an easy walk into the town. buses.gg

Le Petit Train
Cruise passengers can jump on Le Petit Train for a non-stop 35-minute circular tour from Albert Pier. The small 60-passenger train, in white and gold livery, runs with a commentary highlighting landmarks and attractions. Fare £5; no booking is required.
littletrain.co.uk

Round-the-island tours
Take a coach around the island to see the pretty parishes. See how they work together to create a friendly vibe with honesty boxes alongside fruit and vegetables, books, toys and homemade preserves.
Fare from £17.50. Visit intransit.gg

Cycling
To hire bikes visit [email protected] or hire@adventurecycles. net

Walks
Coastal rambles make Guernsey a special destination; granite clifftops turn from orange to red in the sunlight and masses of wildflowers bring pure delight. Visitors can download 15 audio walks and maps that show places to eat along the way. Visit visitguernsey.com/tasty-walks. As an example, Walk 12 starts from the Victor Hugo statue in Candie Gardens to the seafront, Castel Cornet and Hauteville House.

Fermain Bay to Jerbourg Point
Walkers in the south-east corner of the island are rewarded with a breathtaking natural features, including the Pea Stacks, a line of rocks just off the coast.This area of coastline is not only a haven for seabirds and wildflowers but there are traces of ancient fortifications to be discovered. Locally accredited guides offer a real insight into island life. Amy Bellew explored Guernsey with Sylvia Brouard and traffic-free Herm with Lesley Bailey.
guernseyguidedtours. com

BEACHLIFE

Guernsey has 27 beaches and Vazon Bay, on the west coast, boasts the title of Britain’s Cleanest Beach. Its huge sweep of sand makes the bay a magnet for surfers.
On the west side of the island, Cobo Bay is also a stunning, safe beach, a white stretch of sand that is great for young families.
Route de Carteret, Castel. Take bus 41 or 42.

Port Grat
For a quiet beach, head to this horseshoe bay where the locals hang out. A 15-minute cab or bus ride will take visitors to Grande Havre.
Take bus 31 or 91.

VICTOR HUGO

Hauteville House
In 1855, during a 15-year exile from France, French writer Victor Hugo fell in love with Guernsey. It gave him the inspiration for many of his finest works, including Les Miserables and Toilers of the Sea.
Lovers of all things literary can visit his former home and will find the Crystal Room, at the top, is pure delight!
Adults: £8. Open to September, closed Wednesdays. maisonsvictorhugo. paris.fr

ISLAND HOPPING

Hop to Herm on a 20-minute crossing with Travel Trident Ferries. Spend the day on Shell Beach, book a walking guide or visit the Neolithic tombs and granite quarry. The ferry service runs every couple of hours and tickets cost £13, children£6.50.
traveltrident.com

GUERNSEY GEMS

1. The Channel Islands are officially the sunniest place in the British Isles, with 2,000 hours of sunshine every year, according to the Met Office
2. Spring arrives four weeks earlier than in mainland Britain
3. The speed limit is 35mph
4. Five feet separate the Albion Tavern and the Town Church making it the closest pub to a church in Britain
5. The whole island is 25 square miles
6. Pierre-Auguste Renoir spent a month on the island in 1883, painting the south coast cliffs and bays. One of his Moulin Huet series hangs in the National Gallery, London