As the passengers of approaching aircraft
scan the seascape below, some
could be forgiven for thinking an absent-minded pilot had flown considerably
further than the designated short voyage across the English Channel. Such is
the shimmering, almost
Ionian beauty of the azure waters, golden
sands and lush greenery it's hard to believe the Channel Islands lie a
little over an hour's flight from the hullabaloo of
London. The five inhabited islands which form the
archipelago are amongst the most stunning of British holiday destinations.
Every year, hundreds
of thousands of tourists seek the breath-taking scenery, twee
English charm and languorous pace of life Guernsey, Jersey, Sark and
Alderney have to offer. The islands' popularity duly noted, those
seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of the high-season tourist
population should head for the tiny island of Herm. This 2.4km long, 800 metre
wide satellite of the substantially larger Guernsey is a tranquil anachronism
of unspoilt beaches and carless roads (only tractors and quad bikes are
allowed on the island).
Nestled at the tip of this lush
outcrop lies the charming Seagull Campsite – a family-friendly, tents
only, cliff-top site with stunning views. With a ban on "rowdy" young groups, this immaculately well-kempt site is perfect for those seeking a
little bit of R&R. With spacious pitches and shared facilities, Seagull
strikes a happy alliance of seclusion and communal sociability (a pleasing
inevitability on an island this small).
Who could get tired of that view? The changing tides, light and seasons are constantly creating spectacular new vistas. You can comb beaches, search countless rock pools and cross newly exposed causeways to scale rocky islets. You can watch flocks of terns or rare migratory birds, glimpse fish in crystal clear waters and spy wild flowers without ever meeting hordes of people.
There's plenty to occupy the
young and young at heart alike. Swimming, fishing, coasteering, rock-pooling; a stay at
Herm offers "a return to life's purest pleasures".
We couldn't have put it better ourselves.