Guernsey

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The smallest of the Channel Islands that is open to the public. Cars are banned from the small island just like its Channel Island neighbour, Sark. Unlike Sark, bicycles are banned too. However, Herm does allow quad bikes and tractors for the locals. The sandy white beaches make Herm a walker's paradise.

Geography

Herm is only 1.5 mile long and less than half a mile wide. It is oriented so that its greatest length runs north/south. The northern half of the coastline is surrounded by sandy beaches, the southern half is rocky. The Shell Beach is one of the major tourist attractions.

Industry

Tourism is Herm's main economy.

History

Herm was occupied in prehistoric times; the remains of Neolithic chamber tombs have been found on the island. The first records of Herm's inhabitants in historic times are from the 6th century, when the island became a centre of monastic activity; the name 'Herm' supposedly derives from hermits who settled there (although an alternative interpretation derives Herm from Norse erm referring to an arm-like appearance of the island). However, the monks suffered from the inclement Atlantic and in 709 AD, a storm washed away the strip of land which connected the island with the small uninhabited island of Jethou. The most important moment in Herm's political history was 933, when the Channel Islands were annexed to the Duchy of Normandy (they remain a British Crown dependency since the division of Normandy in 1204). After the annexation, Herm gradually lost its monastic inhabitants, and between 1570 and 1737 the governors of Guernsey used it as a hunting ground. In the 19th century, industry arrived in Herm with the establishment of granite quarries to serve the large scale military fortifications undertaken in the islands. The island was rented to tenants by the Crown and was generally off-limits to visitors. The Nazis occupied herm during World War II. After the war, the States of Guernsey decided to buy Herm from the Crown in order that Guernsey residents could enjoy its pleasant atmosphere. The States now rent the island to a tenant, who is expected to maintain the island for the benefit of its visitors. The most important tenant has been Peter Wood, who looked after the island from 1949 to 1998.

Guernsey Flag