The Islands of Guernsey have a flourishing arts and literature scene, with an annual Literary Festival bringing authors from across the globe to speak about their work.
Inspiring writers like Victor Hugo, GB Edwards and Dawn O'Porter, as well as 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society' story, now a movie starring Lily James, there are plenty of literary stories and activities to be discovered on our Islands.
Victor Hugo
One of our Islands' most prestigious artists is 'Les Misérables' author Victor Hugo.
Banished from France following the coup d’état by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte on 2 December 1851, Hugo was then expelled from Belgium in 1852 and from Jersey in 1855. He moved to Guernsey, where he acquired Hauteville House in 1856, with proceeds from the sale of his collection of poems, Les Contemplations.
Hugo fell in love with the Islands of Guernsey during his 15 years in political exile, declaring the Island “the rock of hospitality and freedom” in his dedication of 'Les Travailleurs de la Mer'. Many consider his time in the Bailiwick to be his most productive writing period, with Hugo himself saying, “A month’s work here is worth a year in Paris.”
Hauteville House is now a popular tourist attraction in St. Peter Port and was completely refurbished in 2019. The house is a work of art in its layout and décor, designed by Victor Hugo himself.
The house is detailed with references to his writing, philosophy and vision of the world and is open for pre-booked guided tours only, available in both English and French.
Access to the garden is free during the opening times of the museum, and registered assistance dogs are permitted in the house and garden.
During his free time, Hugo would often walk around Guernsey’s coastline. You can walk in his footsteps with one of our walking routes, through town or the cliff paths.
The Guernsey Literary Festival
The Islands also host some fantastic literary events for book lovers.
The Guernsey Literary Festival is an annual event where authors visit the Island to speak about their work and upcoming projects. Previous guests have included Michael Morpurgo, Richard Dawkins, Katie Piper, Tom Kerridge, Patrick Grant, Baroness Shami Chakrabarti and Adam Frost.
The 2025 Festival saw more than 70 events take place over 10 days, with over 11,000 people in attendance.
The Festival also hosts a variety of community and outreach events, as well as working with local schools and running workshops for local writers with top visiting authors. This year, five outreach events took place, including at Le Platon Nursing Home, Rosaire Care Home, Les Ormes Care Home, Guernsey Alzheimer’s Group and even a writing workshop with Jenny O’Brien at the Princess Elizabeth Hospital.
The next festival will take place from 24th April - 3rd May 2026.
The Alderney Literary Festival
The Alderney Literary Festival is the Channel Islands’ boutique history festival, which takes place over a weekend every March in the Island Hall, Alderney’s seat of government, built in 1763.
Organised by The Alderney Literary Trust, audiences are kept small to create an intimate and friendly feel to this ‘salon’ style gathering of historians, biographers, novelists, and fans of historical literature.
In the Festival, history is explored through factual and fiction writing: biographies, thrillers, crime stories, romance, warfare, poetry and more. Authors shed new light on old events and reinterpret them to illustrate the relevance of history in the present.
The Alderney Literary Trust also runs events throughout the year. The next event will take place on the 8th November 2025, where Ruth Ware will be visiting to give a talk at The Georgian House and partake in a murder mystery cruise dinner at The Blonde Hedgehog.
Her book, 'The Woman in Cabin 10', will be getting the feature film treatment on Netflix this autumn, on the 10th October, starring Keira Knightley as a travel writer covering the maiden voyage of a luxury cruise who witnesses a passenger being thrown overboard...except no one is missing.
Ruth will also discuss her new book, the sequel to 'The Woman in Cabin 10', 'The Woman in Suite 11', which will receive a film adaptation next year.
Bookshops
Located on Le Pollet, The Lexicon is a treasure trove. With popular crime, thriller, fantasy and romance reads, as well as unique children's books and seasonal reads, there’s something for everyone.
The Lexicon also stocks a range of travel guides and books about Guernsey if you are interested in local history, plus board games, art supplies, candles, cards, and stationery across the first and third floors.
Opening Times:
Monday - Saturday: 9:00 - 17:00
Located in the Commercial Arcade, this bookshop showcases local authors and big names across a variety of genres, including fantasy, crime, historical fiction and more.
Writer’s Block also hosts a variety of events like book launches, signings, readings, and ‘meet the author’ sessions.
Opening Times:
Monday - Saturday: 10:00 - 17:00
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Hiking Routes
Embark on a self-guided tour of the locations from the film, 'The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society', with one of our hiking routes.
You can visit local landmarks such as the Liberation Monument, The Ship & Crown, Candie Gardens, The War Memorial and The Greffe.
Tours
Until 31st October, you can book onto a guided tour to experience the locations from the book. Hotel pick-ups are available, and you will visit some of the key backdrops to the film, such as Jerbourg and the Little Chapel.
On route, the driver guide will recount real-life tales of heroism, triumph over adversity and sheer determination shown by the Guernsey people during the long period of German occupation.
