Introducing Tours of Guernsey

From serving as the refuge for the great French writer Victor Hugo, a period of exile during which he wrote some of his most enduring works, to suffering under Nazi occupation during World War II, Guernsey is an island with a fascinating history. Here at The Old Government House Hotel & Spa, we’re truly blessed our guests have the chance to learn all about it through our partnership with Tours of Guernsey. Here, their Owner and Founder, Amanda Johns, has taken the time to tell us just what it is that makes Guernsey so unique.

Amanda Johns, Owner and Founder of Tours of Guernsey

For how long have you been a tour guide? What inspired you to change your career path? 

I qualified as a Silver Accredited Tour Guide in 2017, a process undertaken to enhance my knowledge of the island, its history, government, etc., never thinking that this would lead to a career change. However, after 25 years working in offshore finance, an opportunity came to step away from that sector in 2018, and I thought why not set up my own tour guide business and have the flexibility of being my own boss. I have never looked back. I love my job, and I love meeting so many new people.

Did you always have a passion for the history of the island? 

Although I was born and raised in Guernsey, and have lived all my life here, I did not have a passion for history until I was qualifying to become a tour guide. Whilst we learnt about many different periods of history during the various levels of qualification, it was a lecturer who came in to talk about the occupation of Guernsey during World War II that intrigued me to research more about what happened here, and what happened to my family at that time.

What are some of the greatest challenges that being a tour guide brings?

I see what may look like a challenge as a learning opportunity. The first time I had over 120 guests arriving at the same time for full-day tours – with seven different itineraries, eight different guides, different coach providers, etc. to deal with – was a challenge. However, it was also a learning opportunity that put my organisation skills to the test. Everything went smoothly on the day, and we had great feedback, but I was pleased to get home at the end of the day and relax!

Your family has played an interesting part in the history of the occupation, do you mind sharing a bit more information on what you discovered about their involvement during your research?

I was not aware until I started researching that my great-great uncle (Richard Johns) was the Labour Officer on the Controlling Committee, which was the government during the time of occupation. All of those appointed on that committee had a very difficult job, and at the end of the war were awarded by King George VI. Richard Johns was awarded an OBE, and after working for the government here in Guernsey for many years, was awarded the CBE in the 1960s.

My partner also has an interesting connection to the occupation. His great uncle, Ludovic Bertrand, was the editor of the Guernsey Active Secret Press, one of the underground newspapers that was distributing news during the occupation. After radios were confiscated in 1942, Ludovic would listen to his illegal crystal radio receiver and write down updates from the allied side transmitted by the BBC. These would be passed on to other “agents” for typing up and would be handed out only to those they could trust.

Batterie Mirus

There are some great plans in place for this year’s anniversary of Liberation Day. What are you most looking forward to?

I have given myself the “day off” to spend with family and friends on Liberation Day. I am looking forward to watching the cavalcade, as so many military vehicles that I have never seen before are coming over from the UK. I am also looking forward to the drone display in the evening, which is something new for Guernsey.

What do you think is the most fascinating fact about the occupation that most people don’t know?

For me, the most fascinating fact is that if you were to count every gun position, every searchlight position and every bunker built on Guernsey alone, there would be almost 1,000, which on an island of approximately 24 square miles is unbelievable.

What would you say makes Guernsey so special compared to the other Channel Islands?

A very difficult question, as each of the Channel Islands is slightly different in what it offers to visitors, mainly due to each island’s size. Guernsey people are all very friendly, the island has a wonderful culture and history dating back thousands of years (we have neolithic passage graves that are older than the pyramids in Egypt!), fantastic beaches, cliff-hiking paths, great local cuisine (including dairy products from our famous Guernsey cows), and of course amazing World War II fortifications.

The Bailiwick of Guernsey (the term for Guernsey and the smaller surrounding islands) is uncommercialised: you will not find fast-food outlets here. It is very easy to island hop to Jersey, Alderney, Sark and Herm from Guernsey, and you can even walk over to Lihou Island. In short, the beauty and laid-back nature of the island, I think, appeals to everyone.

Pleinmont Batterie Dollman

How do you see the tourist industry changing within the next few years?

I see the tourism industry steadily growing here (never, however, to the level of overtourism). Visitors are becoming more interested in authentic, culturally immersive local experiences that go beyond the typical, and Guernsey has no shortage of these.

Finally, do you have a personal favourite historical part of the island?

Firstly, I love taking guests to Batterie Mirus, a private World War II fortification maintained by a local not-for-profit volunteer group, Festung Guernsey, with whom I also volunteer. The reaction when we turn the corner and the guests view the gun bowl for the first time is amazing, a definite “wow” moment.

The second place is Pleinmont Battery. This is located on the cliffs, giving guests not only amazing views of the coastline, but the chance to view many World War II fortifications, including rangefinder towers and a restored 22cm gun.