With a long and fascinating history steeped in stories of witches, werewolves and the devil, Guernsey families are blessed with interesting places to visit on our doorstep that will help you get into the Halloween spirit.
Stately Ghosts
Sausmarez Manor, St Martin
Said to be home to lots of ghosts who roam its rooms and corridors, this 800-year-old house is steeped in spooky stories. Reported ghost sightings include the ghost of a nanny and even a haunted doll’s house. Some say it’s the most haunted house on the island and the road alongside the manor is believed to be haunted by a black dog.
How to find it: Coming from Le Val des Terres and Fort Road along La Route de Sausmarez, Sausmarez Manor will be on your right. The grounds are open all year (except over Christmas) from 10:00-17:00 and admission is free. Ghost tours are also available – more information here. Perry’s Guide Ref: 31E1
Haunting Hound
Clos de Valle, Vale
Legend has it this black hound, known locally as Tchen Bodu, is seen as a death omen for either the witness or someone close to them. Venture on to L’Ancresse Common after dusk at your own risk…
How to find it: L’Ancresse Common is home to La Varde Passage Grave, a megalithic chamber where burials and cremations took place. Just look out for Tchen Bodu while you’re there! Perry’s Guide Ref: 6B2
Fairy Wishes
Table des Pions, Torteval
The Fairy Ring, or to use its real name, Table des Pions, is linked to lots of superstitions and is one of Guernsey’s best-known folklore sites. It gets its name Fairy Ring as it was said to be the place where fairies would meet and dance around it in a circle, creating the area you can see where no grass is able to grow. It’s also the place where a coven of witches was said to meet and sit around Satan in the centre. Legend has it is you walk around the ring three times making a wish it’ll be granted by the fairies. What will you wish for?
How to find it: Make your way to Portelet Harbour where you can walk along the footpath to the Fairy Ring which can be found at the south-western point of Guernsey on Pleinmont headland. Perry’s Guide Ref: 32B2
The Devil’s Hoof
Le Pied du Boeuf, Vale
Alongside Fontenelle Bay in the Vale, up a small set of steps, is this mysterious rock structure called Le Pied du Boeuf. Set in the rock is a hoof shaped imprint and this is said to be the location where an unknown Saint banished the devil off of Guernsey. The stone is alleged to be the last place that he stood on the island before heading towards Alderney, where there is said to be a rock with a similar imprint, on which he landed.
How to find it: Halfway along the pathway that goes along Fontenelle Bay from Fort Le Marchant and Fort Doyle is a small flight of steps leading to the rocks. Perry’s Guide Ref: 7G2
Werewolves
Le Variouf, St Martin
This quirky little hamlet, tucked down the lanes surrounding Petit Bot, may be picturesque but its name is not so nice; Variouf is Guernsey French for werewolf. Back in the days where smuggling goods to the island was common, bays such as Petit Bot would have been used due to their quiet locations. At night when these activities were taking place, rumours were spread about the presence of a terrifying werewolf to keep people in their homes.
How to find it: Head down the road that leads to Petit bot and take the first right past the New Manor. Perry’s Guide Ref: 29E4
Fairyland
Le Creux ès Faïes, St Saviour
This passage grave, constructed during the Neolithic period, is located on the headland that leads to Lihou Island. Its name means ‘the cave of the fairies’ as it was alleged that it was the place where fairies met at midnight and danced in the area. There is even a stone inside (you can venture in with a torch) that looks like a door and is said to be the entrance to the fairy world.
How to find it: Easily accessible if you park at the nearby car park on L’Eree headland. The entrance to the grave is always open so you can venture inside if you’re brave enough. Perry’s Guide Ref: 12A5
If you decide to visit Lihou Island the same time, you can check causeway opening times here.
Witches and Warlocks
Le Catioroc, St Saviour
This headland is home to Le Trepied Dolmen which was built during the neolithic period (4000 – 2500BC). Whilst this is actually a prehistoric passage grave it has a large amount of history connected to it from more recent centuries. The area was said to be the meeting place of witches, warlocks and fairies who would gather on a Friday evening to dance around the dolmen whilst the devil, who took the form of a goat, would sit in the centre. This particular ceremony was referenced in a number of witch trials that occurred during the 17th century. Even centuries later the local people would avoid the area on Friday evenings. Will you dare to visit on a Friday night?
How to find it: The headland makes the south end of Perelle Bay. If driving, park in the public car park and cross the road carefully so that you can walk up the hill to the dolmen. Mont Chinchon Battery is also in the immediate area and well worth a look. Perry’s Guide Ref: 124D
Spooky Swamp
Vazon Bay, Castel
The name Vazon comes from the Guernsey French word for swamp. Thousands of years ago sea levels were much lower than they are today. The area that is now the beach would largely have been made up of woodland and marshes. Sometimes, after particularly bad storms, the sand on Vazon shifts revealing the remains of a petrified forest that lies underneath and would have once towered over this swampy area. When this happens, there is said to be pigs who haunt the beach and would have eaten acorns from the old trees that stood here.
Perry’s Guide Ref:13H3
Witches’ Seats
The Longfrie Inn, St Pierre Du Bois
Witches’ seats are often seen sticking out of the side of chimneys on old Guernsey houses and cottages. People built these because they were scared of the witches that were said to fly around and meet each other under the cover of darkness. Locals were concerned that the witches would stop on their broomsticks for a rest and then fall down the chimney of their home and haunt them. To stop this happening, they built seats for the witches so that they would hopefully sit on these instead (which is what the witch is doing at the Longfrie Inn).
How to find it: Keep your eyes peeled for the witch on the Longfrie Inn’s chimney as you drive down La Route du Longfrie. Who can spot her first?
Perry’s Guide Ref: 27F1
Underground Hospital and German fortifications
This underground maze of tunnels is said to be haunted by several ghosts including a ghostly soldier, and disembodied voices have been reported too. Lots of spooky occurrences have happened at the various fortifications that are around the island with some people reporting seeing the ghosts of German soldiers wandering through the tunnels and bunkers. You can discover the German fortifications here.
If you’re looking for more ghost stories, you can take a look at Guernsey’s paranormal database records here.
Some of this content was put together by Silver Tour Guide Victoria Robinson, Silver Accredited Tour Guide and author of Occupied!