To book your holiday telephone The White House Hotel +44 (0)1481 75 00 75 or for Holiday Cottages and Camping +44 (0)1481 75 00 00 or visit www.herm.com

BRITAIN IN BLOOM Gold Award & Winner 2002 & 2008

WELCOME TO HERM

Herm is an island of great beauty and tranquillity, which offers a retreat from the modern world and a return to life’s purest pleasures: walking, swimming, observing wildlife, eating and sharing happy times with friends and family. People come from near and far to let the stresses and strains of life melt into the warm waters of the Gulf Stream but, despite its popularity, there is an absence of crowds even in the height of the season. With no cars, no transistor radios and no pressures to do anything, this is the place of childhood memories: clean, safe and a source of endless adventure.

Herm has an incredibly rich history: from Neolithic resting place to monastic sanctuary and from allegiance to the Duchy of Normandy to hive of industry in the 19th century with its granite quarries. Over the centuries the Island has been let to some very eccentric tenants including the Prussian Prince Blücher von Wahlstatt who introduced a

colony of wallabies (long-since vanished), writer Compton Mackenzie who wrote ‘Whisky Galore’, and Sir Percival Perry, a Chairman of Ford who gave the White House Hotel its name in homage to his transatlantic connections.

During the Occupation, Herm was spared the concrete structures that scar the coasts of the other islands and after the war it was bought from the Crown by the States of Guernsey to ensure that visitors could enjoy it in perpetuity. The search for a suitable tenant ended in 1949 with the arrival of the Wood family who worked tirelessly to create an outstanding legacy before passing the mantle to the Starboard Settlement in 2008. The island’s new guardians are dedicated to ensuring that its natural beauty and peacefulness are preserved for future generations.

Castaway to an island of clear waters and golden sands, wild cliff paths and tended gardens, cosy Inns and fine dining, pretty cottages and country-style hotel luxury, and a history rich in smugglers’ spoils and Prussian princes. In this little pocket of the Channel Islands you will discover a unique holiday destination with a landscape as diverse as its history.

Four nights as a castaway in Herm is worth a month anywhere else. We are

ready to face the world again!

TAKE TIME TO EXPLOREGetting to Herm is just a twenty-minute ferry ride from St Peter Port. At high tide the boat docks in the small harbour and at low tide passengers disembark at the whitewashed Rosaire Steps before making their way along the track to the hub of this small community. Here you will find a collection of gift shops and taverns as well as the stunning White House Hotel with its award-winning gardens.

Following the path around the coast leads to the splendour of Shell Beach with its white sands stretching back as far as the eye can see, strewn with the millions of shells that give it its name. The track winds on to heavenly Belvoir Bay, the perfect spot to while away a few hours and bathe in the impossibly clear waters. Both Shell Beach and Belvoir Bay are home to cafés serving fantastic coffee and sandwiches all day - as well as the all-important ice creams.

Through the centre of the Island runs the tranquil Spine Lane, which stretches from the dunes to the clifftops. At sundown, swallows sweep up and down this lane and the stunning variety of butterflies that adorn the hedgerows is testament to the environmentally friendly way that the island is managed. By the time you reach the picturesque campsite, you will start to feel that Herm has been lifted straight from the pages of a 1950s children’s adventure book.

In the heart of the island are the granite holiday cottages with gardens full of tropical plants, where visitors can live the Herm life for a while. This is also where the tiny 11th Century chapel, Manor and Keep can be found. Look closely and you may even spot the resident peregrines standing sentinel on an ancient ledge.

Herm is as perfect for parents who want carefree fun for their family as it is for those seeking solitude and relaxation. If you are the former, you will watch your children blossom in the freedom that the island offers and if you are the latter, you will find many a spot to take a breath and enjoy being away from it all.

From here you can see all the Channel Islands on a clear day!

Bracing cliff walks on the south coast.

Seagull camping site, secluded and private with stunning sea views

Good sea bass fishing from the rocks

Neolithic graves

Extensive easy strolling around flat north moorland

Explore the caves at low tide. Sign the visitors book.The White

House HotelLow tide causeway to Hermetier Island and Oyster beds

See oyster catchers from Oyster Point

Belvoir Bay - unforgettable by moonlight

Woodland bluebell walk

planned

Putrainez Islet - scramble across at low tide

See puffins from here.

Coppermine shaft

Mermaid Tavern

Caquorobert Islet

Gift Shops

Shell Beach - crystal clear turquoise water over endless golden sand

Manor Village with Holiday Cottages, St Tuguals Church, Herm School & staff cottages

The Drive, up the hill from the Harbour to Manor Village.

We spent the morning walking around the beautiful coastline, finishing at the Mermaid for a well-earned lunch.

DISCOVER A NATURAL WONDERLANDThe climate in the Channel Islands is a few degrees warmer than the south of England and so we enjoy mild springs and long summers. But Herm can be enjoyed all year round and Christmas in particular brings its own charm as guests hole up in one of the cottages for a wonderful family Yuletide.

Whatever the season, one of the biggest attractions of Herm is the way it draws you in to the great outdoors to make the most of its natural splendour. As well as the glorious beaches, the island also boasts fabulous cliff-paths with wild flowers in abundance and seabirds from puffins to turnstones with every type in between. There is also a sizeable colony of Atlantic grey seals that have made their home in the northern rocky outcrop and nature reserve of The Humps. Recordings of minke whales, harbour porpoises and risso dolphins are frequent and both bottlenose and common dolphins are regularly observed.

Occasionally there are sightings of basking sharks, the largest fish in European waters. To get a ringside view, you can arrange a RIB ride, a leisurely cruise or charter your own yacht.

The temperate climate allows for an exotic and broad array of flora from fuchsia-pink foxgloves to succulents not generally seen in the northern hemisphere. The common alone boasts more than five hundred species of wildflower. Tenants dating back to the late 18th century have left their mark on the landscape with the introduction of new species such as Monterey pines and New Zealand flax and if you look up as you explore you will be amazed by the diversity of the canopy.

There is always something new to discover on Herm. Although you can walk around it in less than two hours, the changing tides, light and seasons create enough views, colours and moods to last a lifetime. The fact that the island is one and a half miles long makes its diversity all the more remarkable - and all the more accessible. Perhaps that is why so many visitors return year after year to discover it all over again.

We sit and watch the tiny puffins perform their amazing air displays.

THE WHITE HOUSE HOTELWith its emphasis on peace and comfort, The White House Hotel is the perfect place to unwind in style. There are no televisions, no clocks on the walls and no telephones in the bedrooms so you can set your own pace and escape from the 21st century for a while. The Hotel has an old-fashioned elegance and sense of decorum that transports you back to more genteel times: residents dress for dinner and are invited to enjoy drinks in the Monk’s Bar overlooking the gardens before dining in the world-class restaurant and watching the sun set behind Guernsey.

The AA rosette restaurant is a popular venue for Guernsey residents as well as Hotel guests and offers an excellent fine dining table d’hote menu that changes daily to follow the seasons and of course the catch of the day. Our wine list is one of the most extensive in the Channel Islands and we personally source new and often exclusive wines every year to keep the cellar impeccably stocked.

There is a wonderful community spirit in Herm that has resulted in some staggering achievements: the island has twice now been awarded a coveted Britain in Bloom Gold Medal, most recently in 2008, and the stunningly landscaped gardens of The White House make the perfect retreat. Guests can take tea by the pool, play a game of tennis or croquet on the lawns or simply pick a sofa and curl up in front of the fire with a coffee and admire the views.

Tradition is cherished at The White House and many families have been coming for three generations for a little R and R. There are a variety of bedrooms, including Harbour Cottage with its own garden, the luxurious Crow’s Nest Suite and several family rooms. Children are very welcome and there is a popular high tea for smaller diners as well as a baby-listening service so that Mum and Dad can enjoy a romantic dinner in the restaurant.

Each morning we throw open the windows to let in the morning sun and admire

the breathtaking sea views.

STAYING ON HERMHoliday CottagesOne of the most authentic ways to experience life on Herm is to live in one of our fully equipped holiday cottages or apartments or pine logs cabins, offering all of the comforts of home in a wonderful setting. Several cottages have open fires and pretty private gardens and most have central heating to keep guests cosy in the cooler months. High chairs and cots are available and babysitting can be arranged to allow a bit of downtime. Our self-catering accommodation makes a wonderful base from which to explore Herm Island and each season brings its own delights, from a bluebell walk in springtime to a bracing stroll across the common in winter.

CampingSleeping under canvas is a wonderful way to enjoy the tranquillity and unspoilt beauty of Herm. Seagull Campsite sits on the top of the island and has a total of 80 pitches, modern toilet and shower facilities, a small laundry, communal barbecues and a dedicated warden to ensure that your holiday is as enjoyable and carefree as possible. You can either hire one of the spacious, equipped tents or pitch your own

on the lush, sea-facing terraces and step out in the morning to unforgettable views across the cliff tops to Sark and France. The morning stroll to collect milk from the harbour is a mainstay of the camping lifestyle in Herm and a great way to give the children a bit of freedom.

Eating and drinkingThere is a small grocery shop at the Mermaid, which stocks all the basics along with fresh bread and pastries and if you pre-order, your provisions will be delivered to your door - or tent - on arrival. If you don’t fancy cooking then you are spoilt for choice with The White House, The Ship, The Mermaid and the beach cafés all serving a fabulous range of food from à la carte feasts to the humble bacon sarnie. Recent additions include the popular Black Rock Grill, where your food is served cooking on volcanic rocks, and the equally sociable hog roasts, but the legendary Mermaid barbecues and Captain’s Table carvery still maintain a fiercely loyal fan base.

Herm has been a home from home and it has been wonderful to become a part

of this warm community.

GETAWAY FOR A FEW DAYS

Bluebells in BloomMarch to May (excluding ‘package weekends’)

This two or three night getaway is a wonderful opportunity to see the island coming to life after the winter. Staying in The White House Hotel, the package includes return Travel Trident tickets, breakfast, evening meal (with a bottle of wine on the first night) and Herm Island cookies and fudge.

The list below will give you an idea of the possibilities for holidays or short-breaks on Herm Island but it is by no means exhaustive. Whether you crave a few days walking, fishing with friends, a whistle-stop bird-watching tour or a painting holiday, Herm is the place to make your vision a reality.

Sunset SailawayThroughout September and early October

Book a two or three night break staying at The White House Hotel and let the combination of long walks, fine food, country hotel ambience and glorious views help you unwind and rejuvenate. The package includes return Travel Trident tickets, breakfast, evening meals with a bottle of Brown Brothers Pinot Noir Sparkling wine and a box of chocolates.

Gourmet WeekendLate September

As guests of The White House Hotel, you will be treated to exquisite six-course gourmet feasts created by our head chef with fine wines specially selected to complement each course. The weekend includes two six-course meals with wines to complement each course, full English breakfast and a traditional Sunday lunch. This enjoyable weekend satisfies the most discerning taste buds.

Life seems to slow down here and each day stretches before us to be filled with fun and adventure.

HOW TO GET HEREThe only way to arrive in Herm is by boat - either aboard a private yacht or on the regular Travel Trident passenger ferry, which takes just twenty minutes from St Peter Port. But first you need to get to Guernsey and you can do so by air or by sea.

By AirFlights to Guernsey are available from Gatwick, Stansted, Belfast, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Dublin, Exeter, Glasgow, Manchester and Southampton as well as some major Continental European airports. A regular schedule of inter-island flights also operates between Guernsey, Alderney and Jersey.

Aurigny Air ServicesTel: +44 (0)1481 822886www.aurigny.com

FlybeTel: 0871 7002000 www.flybe.com

Blue IslandsTel: 08456 202122www.blueislands.com

BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAYOur staff will be delighted to assist you with your reservation and can answer any queries you may have.

The White House HotelHerm IslandGuernseyChannel IslandsGY1 3HRTel: +44 (0)1481 75 00 75Fax: +44 (0)1481 710066Email: hotel@herm.com

Holiday Cottages and CampingThe Administration OfficeTel: +44 (0)1481 75 00 00Fax: +44 (0)1481 700334Email: reservations@herm.com

By SeaHigh speed regular direct catamaran services to Guernsey run from Poole, Weymouth and St Malo. You can leave your car at the port and travel in comfort as a foot passenger. If visiting with your own yacht, why not moor it in St Peter Port Marina and treat your family to a few days comfort on Herm.

Condor FerriesTel: 0845 6091024www.condorferries.co.uk

Travel TridentTel: +44 (0)1481 721379

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