Campingninja launches Edinburgh Festival Camping, new for 2015

Just a short hop by plane or ferry from the UK, the Channel Islands – Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Herm and Sark – play host to a plethora of family-friendly attractions, beaches, hotels and restaurants, delivering to parents and children alike a relaxing and fun-filled break.

A must-see event in 2015 for all ages is the Channel Islands Heritage Festival, commemorating the 70th anniversary of World War II. From 3rd April – 11th May 2015, the festival will celebrate the islands’ liberation from German forces. As the only part of the UK to be German occupied during WWII, the remnants of the war is substantial with observation towers on the coastline, command bunkers, underground tunnels and hospitals, and hundreds of war relics now housed in the island museums to explore.

Throughout the five week Channel Islands Heritage Festival there will be special openings of these historical sites, exclusive tours and themed guided walks, culminating in Liberation Day on 9th May. Additionally, families can take advantage of these attractions that welcome all ages to explore what they have to offer:

1. Jersey National Trust Easter Egg Trail

4th April
Bring the kids along to meet the Easter bunnies in St Peters Valley, which is a thriving woodland with a diversity of plants, trees, butterflies, insects and mammals such as the Red Squirrel. The bunnies will be leading children in their search for colourful eggs hidden throughout the pathways that dissect the wooded côtils. The event takes place at Le Moulin de Quétivel, Jersey’s last remaining working watermill, from 10:00 – 14:00 (£3 fee for National Trust members and £5 for non-members).

2. Exclusive opening of Castle Cornet’s secret tunnels, Guernsey

Easter weekend- 3rd-6th April
For the first time, the ‘Secret Tunnels’ in Guernsey’s 13th century Castle Cornet will open to the public allowing families an interactive look back through history. The tunnels were modified by German occupying forces during WWII to have additional protection against air attack and were used as command bunkers. A number of guides will be giving 15 minute guided tours of the tunnels over the Easter weekend. The cost is included in the castle’s admission price (£10 per adult, £2.50 per child).

3. Discover Dragons at Mont Orgueil Castle – Jersey Heritage Discovery Day

12th April
Discovery Days are dedicated to family fun and interactive learning, perfect for children from reception to Year 6 to learn more about Jersey’s past. On Sunday 12 April from 10:00-16:00, history comes to life at Mont Orgueil Castle, which for over 600 years protected Jersey against French invasion. Discover hidden artwork, climb the turrets to find the medieval ‘wheel of urine’, descend into the cellar to experience the ‘witchcraft’ exhibit, and see the life-size wooden soldiers guarding the castle from invasion. Entry costs £11.50 per adult and £7.05 per child, with family tickets also available; free admission to children under 6. For other Discovery Days during the Heritage Festival, click here.

4. Family friendly HistoryFest, Guernsey

Easter weekend- 3rd-5th April
Over the Easter weekend St Peter Port’s Castle Cornet will be brought to life by costumed characters, music and storytelling enabling the whole family to experience over 2,000 years of history in just a weekend. The festival offers a packed timetable of theatre, live action role play, period dancing and hands on activities. The cost is included in the castle’s admission price (£10 per adult, £2.50 per child).

5. Liberation Celebration at the Jersey War Tunnels

3rd-10th May
Jersey War Tunnels are a network of tunnels one kilometre in length that were dug during the German occupation. The tunnels tell the story of Jersey’s occupation during WWII with a collection of thought provoking galleries detailing the history from resistance, through to starvation and eventual liberation. During the Heritage Festival from 3-10 May, there will be a week of celebrations in the tunnels with a Vintage Fair, talks by occupation veterans and wartime cooking demonstrations. Entry costs £11.50 per adult and £7.50 per child. There are also discounts for senior citizens and students.

6. Western Wonders cycle tour, Guernsey

Available on request throughout festival
Suitable for the whole family, the cycle tour explores the west coast and its historic features, many dating from the German occupation during WWII such as a Napoleonic fort which was modified during WWII. There will be stops along the way for freshly made Guernsey crab sandwiches and cream teas. The tour departs each day at 2pm from L’Eree Bay car park and costs £15 per adult and £8.50 per child.

7. Elizabeth Castle in Jersey

Throughout festival
Built on a rocky islet in St Aubin’s Bay, Elizabeth Castle has defended Jersey for more than 300 years and is the perfect place to spend a day exploring the island’s history. During the German Occupation in WWII, the castle was refortified and used as one of the strong points commanding the sea approaches to St Helier. Climb the battlements, explore the turrets and bunkers and discover the Hermitage where St Helier is thought to have lived around 550 A.D. The castle is accessible at low tide by foot or by the castle ferries, Charming Betty and Charming Nancy, which will transport you across at low or high tide (a small charge applies). Castle entry costs £10.10 per adult and £6.85 per child, with family tickets also available; free admission to children under 6.

8. Shark Egg Hunt, Alderney

6th April, 14:00
Join the Alderney Wildlife Trust for an Easter egg hunt with a difference. Hunt for shark, skate and ray egg cases along with a few chocolate surprises hidden on the beach too! Meet outside Rea’s Bistro on Braye Beach. Free to join. Alderney is accessible on a direct flight from London Gatwick or on a 15 minute inter-island flight from Guernsey with Aurigny.

9. Durrell Wildlife Centre in Jersey

Throughout festival
No visit to Jersey is complete without a day at Durrell Wildlife Park, where you can see over 1,400 mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians in 32 acres of beautiful gardens and parkland. Durrell strives to save the most threatened species in the most threatened places around the world. Entry costs £14 per adult (which feeds one of Durrell’s silverback gorillas for a day) and £10 per child (feeds a pygmy hog for six weeks); under 4’s are free. There are discounts for senior citizens and students.

10. Open Day at Fort Hommet, Guernsey

Specific dates throughout Heritage Festival
Find out more about one of Guernsey’s most prominent West Coast defences as the fort opens exclusively during the festival. Overlooking Vazon Bay, the restored gun site was operational from 1943-45. Admission is £2.50 for adults and £1 for children.