▲Along with the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands of Jersey and Guernsey are Crown dependencies. This means that they are not part of the UK or the British Overseas Territories but are considered territories for which the United Kingdom is responsible.

▲Jersey was a centre of Neolithic activity, as evidenced in the megolithic tombs and carvings found on the island.

▲Officially the Bailiwick of Jersey, this is the largest and most-inhabited of the Channel Islands. Jersey lies about 12 nautical miles from the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, France, and about 87 nautical miles south of Great Britain. It is home to approximately 100,000 people.

▲Although English is the main language and the British pound the primary currency, some inhabitants still speak Jèrriais, a variant of the Norman language.

▲Jersey was occupied by Germany from 1940 until 1945. The Jersey War Tunnels complex is a former hospital excavated by slave labour that documents the island’s war-time occupation.

▲Today, the island's temperate climate make it a great holiday destination. Beaches, cliffside trails, valleys and historic castles combine to make a peaceful retreat.

▲The island is just approximately nine miles by five, but offers a variety of attractions. Explore 1920s gardens, kayak tours, or visit a working cider farm.

▲French author and poet Victor Hugo spent 15 years in exile in Guernsey. His former home, Hauteville House, is open to the public.

▲The second-largest of the archipelago, Guernsey is 25 square miles and home to around 63,000 people.

▲The island's tourism department claims it to be a great spot for outdoors adventures, challenging you to "try kayaking around the coves on the south coast, coasteer down 300 ft high cliffs, or enjoy a round of golf on one of the island’s beautifully-kept courses."

▲Together with three other inhabited islands (Herm, Jethou, and Lihou), Guernsey forms a jurisdiction in the Bailiwick of Guernsey.

▲Visit the Little Chapel. This pebble and china-adorned work of art was built by Brother Déodat in 1914. His plan was to create a miniature version of the famous grotto and basilica at Lourdes in France.

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The Channel Islands are short distance from the UK but can feel like a different world.

Discover Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, and Brecqhou!

Take a look at these amazing photos to inspire your next trip.

▲In 2011, Sark was designated as a Dark Sky Community and the first Dark Sky Island in the world. This makes it a great place to really relax and get away from it all.

▲Around 500 people live here on just 2.1 square miles.

▲As a royal fief, Sark has its own set of laws based on Norman law and its own parliament.

▲Cars are banned on the island and only tractors and horse-drawn vehicles are allowed.

▲In the summer months, the island offers guided walks, yoga retreats, and kayaking opportunities.

▲The Bailiwick of Guernsey is made up of three separate sub-jurisdictions: Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.

▲A small museum houses local antiquities and artefacts from World War II, but the real attraction is the incredible natural setting.

▲This is the northernmost of the inhabited Channel Islands. It is just 3 miles long and 1.5 miles wide.

▲The island has a population of roughly 2000 and they are colloquially known as "vaques" or "lapins" after the French words for "cows" and "rabbits".

▲Like its fellow Channel Islands, Alderney has Neolithic sites and Roman remains. In June 1940, the entire population was evacuated to Great Britain ahead of German occupation.

▲Despite its tiny size, the island features restaurants and pubs, making it a great place to relax.

▲Alderney and its surrounding islets support a rich variety of flora and fauna. Puffins and gannets can be spotted on close-by islets and the blonde hedgehogs are a striking local feature.

▲The west coast of Alderney and its associated islands are designated as Ramsar wetlands of international importance.

▲Located between Guernsey and Sark, Herm is reached by private yacht or passenger ferry.

▲It has a population of just 60, but in summer up to 100,000 tourists visit the island.

▲With tourism its main source of income, the island offers hotels, cottages, camping facilities, and both restaurants and pubs. But with no cars allowed, it remains calm and slow-paced.

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Jethou is part of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is privately leased and not open to the public, but you can spot it on the horizon from a kayak or ferry.

▲Brecqhou has a surface area of just 74 acres. The island is separated from Sark by Le Goulliot Passage, a narrow strait.

▲The tiny islet is best known as home to Sir David and Sir Frederick Barclay, who bought it in 1995. It is reportedly possible to visit the private island on a day trip with prior arrangement.

Discover the breathtaking beauty of the Channel Islands

Take a break on these fascinating and charming islands

03/06/20 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Channel islands

The Channel Islands are short distance from the UK but can feel like a different world. Discover Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Jethou, and Brecqhou!

Take a look at these amazing photos to inspire your next trip.