BRITAIN IN BLOOM - Herm Island

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DISCOVER A NATURAL WONDERLAND We sit and watch the tiny puffins perform their amazing air displays. The 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.
THE WHITE HOUSE HOTEL With 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 oldfashioned 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.
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BRITAIN IN BLOOM - Herm Island

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