Castle Cornet Museum

At the mouth of St. Peter Port harbor is the Castle Cornet Museum, an 800-year-old castle. The castle, located just a short walk from the town center, provides a fascinating glimpse into the island's history as well as excellent panoramic views back towards St. Peter Port and out across our sister islands. It is much larger than it appears at first glance, so plan on spending at least three hours there.

The four museums situated within the castle tell the story of the castle and various aspects of Guernsey's past. The Story of Castle Cornet, the 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum, and the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum are among the attractions. Outside the castle walls, there is plenty to see and do, including four historic gardens: Governor's Garden, Sutler's Garden, Lambert's Garden, and the Master Gunner's Garden, as well as plenty of space to find a private location for quiet thought even on the busiest of days.

The construction of the fortress was necessitated by King John's loss of Normandy in 1204, which necessitated improved defenses for the Channel Islands. The castle was originally located on a small island off the coast of Guernsey that could only be reached by foot at low tide. Access to the castle was eventually allowed by bridges and harbor walls as the island's population grew and the harbor of St Peter Port stretched out to sea.