Guernsey is an island of intriguing contrasts played out in close proximity. Geologically, flat expanses of serene beach lie minutes away from rugged cliffs capped with verdant grasslands. Demographically, pockets of largely unpopulated countryside are a short drive from the bustling capital of Saint Peter Port. Culturally, the island has a mixed British-Norman heritage, with the main language of English sitting alongside the traditional Guernésiais.

The native Guernésiais has been at the heart of a rich poetic tradition inspired by Guernsey’s natural environment, traditional folklore, and the shimmering sea that surrounds the island. The great Romantic writer Victor Hugo sought refuge in Guernsey, living in exile from France for 15 years. Centuries on, honeymooners staying at the Old Government House, perched proudly up the hill from the heart of Saint Peter Port, cannot fail to be enchanted by the same landscape that has proven such a powerful wellspring of poetic inspiration.