Free Forest Travel Guide & Mobile App

Plan your Forest trip with Evendo. Get free guides to top attractions, restaurants, hotels, and bars. Web access or download the mobile app.

Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play Download the Free PDF guide
Forest
Forest photo 2
Forest photo 3
All photos

Forest, Guernsey, combines cliff walks, rural lanes, island history and easy access to beaches, churches and the airport, with quiet coastal scenery.

A Quiet Southern Parish

Forest is one of Guernsey’s ten parishes, occupying a largely rural corner of the island between the airport, the southern cliffs and the inland lanes leading towards Saint Andrew and Saint Martin. It is not a conventional town with a dense centre; instead, its identity is shaped by scattered houses, fields, narrow roads, parish amenities and a coastline where high headlands descend towards secluded bays. The parish offers a slower, more spacious introduction to Guernsey than Saint Peter Port, while remaining close to the island’s principal transport links.
Read more about Forest

Cliffs, Valleys and Coastal Paths

The southern landscape is Forest’s defining feature. Walking routes follow cliff edges, green lanes and winding descents towards coves such as Petit Bôt, revealing layered rocks, sea views and steep-sided valleys influenced by centuries of farming. The scenery changes quickly with weather and tide: bright channels of water appear below the cliffs, while sea mist can soften the horizon. Guernsey’s cliff paths are best explored at a measured pace, since steps, uneven ground and exposed sections are common.

Parish Heritage and Island History

Forest Church, dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, stands among the parish’s most recognisable historic features, while the wider landscape still reflects Guernsey’s agricultural traditions. The German Occupation of 1940–1945 left traces across the island, including defensive structures and wartime sites reached through local roads and coastal walks. Guernsey Airport gives Forest an international connection, but the surrounding lanes retain a distinctly island character: granite walls, sheltered gardens, fields and houses set away from the main roads.

When is the best time to visit Forest?

Best: June–August · 21–24°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1192
February1078
March1268
April1557
May1849
June (best)2137
July (best)2434
August (best)2437
September2052
October1767
November1492
December1298

Getting to and around Forest

How to get there

Guernsey Airport is located in Forest and is the principal air gateway to the island, with connections to selected destinations in the United Kingdom and nearby Channel Islands varying by season and operator. The airport is a short road journey from the parish’s coastal areas and is served by local buses and taxis. Guernsey has no railway or bridge connection to mainland Europe or Britain, so visitors arriving by sea normally use the passenger and vehicle ferry links serving St Peter Port harbour. From the harbour, Forest can be reached by bus, taxi or hire car. Ferry schedules and air routes are subject to change, so transport should be checked before travelling.

Transportation

Forest is easiest to explore by car, bicycle or on foot, although the narrow lanes, steep coastal descents and winding rural roads require care. LibertyBus operates Guernsey’s public bus network, with routes linking the airport and parish roads to Saint Peter Port and other parts of the island; services can be less frequent in rural areas. Taxis are available, but pre-booking is sensible outside the busiest periods. Walking is particularly rewarding on the southern cliff paths, though these are not always level or suitable for wheeled mobility devices. Cyclists should expect hills, blind corners and traffic sharing narrow lanes.

Best attractions in Forest

Forest’s attractions are chiefly landscape-based and are best experienced at walking pace. The southern cliff paths pass through open heath, fields and granite-lined lanes, with changing views across the Channel and down towards small bays such as Petit Bôt. Forest Church, dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, provides a quiet architectural and historical stop within the parish, while Guernsey Airport offers a practical point of arrival and an unusual feature of the rural landscape. The parish’s wartime remains and coastal structures form part of Guernsey’s broader Occupation heritage, although many are modest and should be viewed from public paths rather than entered. Visitors can also use Forest as a springboard to nearby island attractions, including the German Occupation Museum and German Underground Hospital in neighbouring parishes, or Saint Peter Port’s museums and harbour. The appeal lies in the contrast between open cliff scenery, settled countryside and easy access to the rest of Guernsey.

Show more attractions

Best landmarks in Forest

Forest Church, formally associated with Saint Margaret of Antioch, is the parish’s principal historic landmark and reflects the importance of the parish church within Guernsey’s dispersed rural communities. Guernsey Airport is a very different landmark: established before the Second World War and expanded over time, it has become a defining part of Forest’s modern identity and a vital connection with Britain and the neighbouring islands. The parish’s granite walls, old lanes and farm buildings are less monumental but equally characteristic, revealing how local construction and agriculture shaped the landscape. Along the coast, German Occupation structures and defensive remains belong to the island-wide wartime heritage, in which Guernsey was fortified during the period of German control from 1940 to 1945. The southern cliffs and bays themselves are also cultural landmarks, closely tied to the island’s traditions of farming, fishing, navigation and walking.

Show more landmarks

Explore Forest on the map

Plan your Forest trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Forest

Forest’s dining scene is small-scale and dispersed rather than concentrated in a restaurant quarter. Food is commonly found around the airport, village-style parish facilities, nearby hotels and roadside cafés, while a broader choice lies within a short bus or taxi journey of Saint Peter Port. Local menus draw on the Channel Islands’ maritime position, with seafood, crab, lobster and locally sourced fish appearing alongside dairy products, vegetables and meat from the island and surrounding waters. Guernsey Gâche, a fruit-studded sweet bread, is a traditional bakery speciality, while Guernsey cream features in desserts and afternoon refreshments. The rural setting suits relaxed lunches, café stops and meals attached to country accommodation, with the island’s food culture generally placing more emphasis on fresh produce and regional ingredients than on a single signature dish.

Show more restaurants

Best bars in Forest

Forest has a quiet evening character, with social life centred on local pubs, hotel bars, parish gatherings and restaurants rather than a dense nightlife district. The airport area and rural roads become subdued after dark, while the greatest choice of pubs, cocktail bars, live music and cultural performances is found in Saint Peter Port. Evenings in Forest are better suited to a leisurely drink, an early meal or a stay in the countryside than to club-hopping. Guernsey’s compact size makes it possible to travel between parishes, but visitors should arrange a taxi or check the late bus situation rather than assume frequent rural services. Coastal walks after dark require particular caution because cliff edges, uneven paths and limited lighting make them unsuitable for casual nighttime exploration.

Show more bars

Best shops in Forest

Forest is not a major shopping destination, and its rural character means that retail is mainly practical, local and dispersed. Visitors will find everyday supplies, small businesses and food outlets around parish roads and near the airport, while Saint Peter Port provides Guernsey’s principal concentration of independent shops, galleries, boutiques and larger retailers. Island-made gifts often include locally produced food, confectionery, preserves, textiles, ceramics and crafts, with Guernsey dairy products and traditional baked goods offering more distinctive souvenirs than generic merchandise. The island’s granite heritage is also reflected in craftwork and architectural details, although natural stone should be purchased through reputable sellers rather than removed from walls or the coast. A visit to Forest is therefore better paired with shopping elsewhere on Guernsey than treated as a dedicated retail excursion.

Show more shops

Get your free copy of our complete guide to Forest, delivered straight to you.

Everything on this page, from attractions and restaurants to essentials and local phrases, in one PDF you can read offline, print or share.

Already have an account? Sign in

By clicking Create account, you accept the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Forest essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the pound sterling, with Guernsey issuing its own banknotes and coins alongside United Kingdom sterling. Guernsey notes are legal currency on the island but may not be accepted by businesses in the UK, so visitors leaving the Bailiwick may wish to exchange or spend them first. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in established shops, accommodation, restaurants and transport settings, though small businesses, rural vendors or older payment terminals may still prefer cash. ATMs are available around the island, but carrying a modest amount of sterling is useful when walking away from the main commercial areas.
Safety
Forest is generally approached as a rural walking destination, where the main practical hazards come from terrain, weather and traffic rather than from sightseeing crowds. Wear footwear with good grip on cliff paths, keep away from unprotected edges and take care on wet steps or narrow descents. Coastal conditions can change quickly, and tides may affect access to coves and lower paths. On the road, remember that Guernsey drives on the left and many lanes are narrow, with limited visibility. Keep valuables secure in vehicles and use ordinary precautions in the airport, on buses and in busier visitor areas.
Emergency Situations
Dial 999 or 112 in an emergency in Guernsey for police, fire or ambulance assistance, explaining the location as clearly as possible. On cliff walks, provide the nearest path, road, bay, headland or visible landmark and do not approach an injured person across unstable ground. For non-urgent medical advice, visitors should seek guidance from their accommodation, a local pharmacy or Guernsey’s healthcare services. Travel insurance and an appropriate European or reciprocal healthcare document, where applicable, are prudent because Guernsey has its own health and administrative arrangements. Mobile coverage can vary on exposed or lower coastal sections.
Do's and Don'ts
Do give way thoughtfully on narrow roads, allow walkers and cyclists room, and show respect for granite walls, gates, livestock and farmland. Stay on established paths near cliffs, avoid climbing on wartime structures and do not enter restricted or privately owned areas. At churches and memorial sites, dress and behave respectfully, particularly during services. Guernsey’s pace is informal but courteous, and local residents value considerate driving and quiet enjoyment of rural areas. Tipping is not governed by a single rigid rule; it is generally discretionary, with service charges and customary restaurant practices varying between establishments.
Local Tips
The airport makes Forest a practical arrival point, but the parish is better understood through its lanes and cliff paths than through a conventional centre. Combine Forest Church with a countryside walk, then follow a marked coastal route towards the southern bays if conditions allow. A detailed island map is useful because parish boundaries, minor roads and footpaths are not always obvious on the ground. Check tide information before descending towards a cove, and consider using the bus for one leg of a walk so that the route does not have to return along the same hills. Saint Peter Port is easily added for museums, harbour views and shopping.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloAllo[ah-loh]
GoodbyeAurevoir[oh-rev-wah]
YesWi[wee]
NoNon[non]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plait[seel voo pleh]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryPardon[pahr-dohn]
How are you?Comment t'es?[koh-mohn tay]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et toi?[byehn. ay twah]
Do you speak English?Tu parles anglais?[too pahrl ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe comprends pas[zhuh kohn-prahnd pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir le menu, s'il vous plait[zhuh voo-dray vwah-r luh meh-noo, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhuh nuh mahnj pah duh vyand]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plait[zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Aidez-moi![ay-day mwah]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay voo zahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-peh-lay lah poh-leece]
Call a doctor!Appelez un docteur![ah-peh-lay uh dohk-tuhr]
I'm lostJe suis perdu[zhuh swee pair-doo]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhuh voo-dray ah-shet-ay]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhuh ruh-gahrd zhewst]
How much is it?Combien ça coûte?[kohm-byehn sah koot]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shayr]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-veh voo bay-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kell uhr ay eel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel ay ewn uhr]
Half past (10)Dix et demi[dees ay dehmee]
MorningMatin[mah-tahn]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-pray mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swah]
YesterdayHier[yehr]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor dewee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-man]
1Un[uhn]
2Deux[duh]
3Trois[twah]
4Quatre[kah-truh]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[sept]
8Huit[weet]
9Neuf[nuhf]
10Dix[dees]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?[oo ay luh/lah]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kell ay lah-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[kahn ay luh proh-shahn (boos)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)[uhn bee-yay (poor)]

History of Forest

Early Settlement and Parish Landscape

Forest’s earliest history belongs to the wider prehistoric settlement of Guernsey, where communities farmed the fertile interior and used the southern coastline for orientation, fishing and access to natural resources. The parish landscape developed through small fields, wooded areas, granite outcrops and lanes linking scattered settlements rather than through a compact urban centre. Evidence for Guernsey’s prehistoric inhabitants survives most clearly in monuments elsewhere on the island, but Forest forms part of the same long-established pattern of rural occupation. Its name reflects the wooded character that once distinguished parts of the area, although much of the modern parish is now open farmland, residential land and coastal heath.

The Medieval Parish Community

During the medieval period, Forest became one of Guernsey’s ecclesiastical parishes, with religious life organised around a parish church and a dispersed farming community. The parish church dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch provided a spiritual and social focus, while agriculture shaped daily work and landholding. Guernsey occupied a strategically sensitive position within the Channel Islands, under the influence of the English Crown but close to the Norman and French coasts. Local communities therefore combined insular customs with links to Normandy, maritime trade and the political affairs of the English Channel. The lanes and field boundaries of Forest preserve something of this long rural continuity.

Reformation and Maritime Change

The religious upheavals of the sixteenth century altered parish worship across Guernsey as the island moved from Roman Catholic practice to Protestant forms of Christianity. Forest’s church and community were subsequently shaped by the island’s Reformed religious culture, while commerce and privateering brought greater wealth and risk to Guernsey. Although Forest remained primarily agricultural, its residents participated in an island economy connected to fishing, shipping, stonework and trade. The southern cliffs were also part of a maritime landscape in which coastal observation, small-scale transport and awareness of passing vessels mattered. Rural parishes were not isolated from the commercial and political pressures affecting the wider Channel Islands.

Nineteenth-Century Island Development

The nineteenth century brought gradual changes to Forest through improved roads, population growth, agriculture and stronger links with Saint Peter Port and the island’s harbours. Guernsey granite, horticulture and produce became important parts of the island economy, while improved maritime connections encouraged visitors and seasonal residents. The parish retained its rural structure, but new houses, services and transport routes altered how residents travelled and worked. Victorian interest in coastal scenery also helped establish the southern cliffs as a landscape for walking and viewing rather than solely for farming or navigation. Forest’s modern character began to emerge from this balance between practical rural life and the island’s growing links with tourism.

Occupation and Post-War Transformation

German forces occupied Guernsey from June 1940 until the island’s liberation on 9 May 1945. The occupation brought military construction, restrictions, requisitioning and disruption to everyday life, leaving defensive remains and other wartime traces across the island, including areas associated with Forest’s coast and countryside. After the war, Guernsey rebuilt its economy and gradually expanded its transport infrastructure. Guernsey Airport, opened in 1939 and later developed as a major link with Britain and surrounding islands, became an important feature of Forest’s geography. Today the parish combines this modern gateway with older churches, lanes, fields and cliff paths that reflect several different layers of island history.

Forest in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

0 / 0

Cities near Forest

The closest cities to Forest, if you have time for more than one stop.

Explore more

Guernsey
More of the region

Explore more of Guernsey

Discover Guernsey, where French and British cultures blend seamlessly amidst stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and delectable cuisine in the charming Channel Islands.

Explore Guernsey
The Evendo app on two phones

Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Forest, Guernsey

Discover Forest with Evendo – a 100% free app-based travel guide covering all top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, restaurants, and more!

  • Detailed information on top attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Forest.
  • High-quality images and descriptions for each location.
  • Local tips and travel essentials to make the most of your visit.
Download on the App Store Get it on Google Play
More about the Evendo app

Explore Forest, Guernsey like never before with Evendo, your comprehensive and free travel guide app. Plan, book, and enjoy your trip with ease!

  • Easy navigation through the app and Forest.
  • 'Near me' feature to discover nearby attractions and services.
  • Integrated booking system for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

Welcome to Forest, Guernsey – a destination brimming with natural beauty, historical landmarks, and hidden gems. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, Evendo is your ultimate companion for exploring Forest. This 100% free app-based travel guide offers detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Forest.

Discover famous landmarks like the German Occupation Museum and the historic Petit Bot Bay. Savor exquisite meals at renowned restaurants like The Deerhound Inn and La Barbarie Hotel Restaurant. With Evendo, you'll find rich descriptions, stunning images, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location, making it easy to plan and organize your trip.

No need to stress about booking hotels, tours, or tickets – Evendo has you covered. Seamlessly book everything you need within the app and enjoy a hassle-free experience. With curated local tips and the 'Near me' feature, you'll uncover hidden gems and experience Forest like a local. Download Evendo today and start your adventure in Forest, Guernsey!

Get the latest from Evendo

Hand-picked travel deals, new destination guides and trip ideas, straight to your inbox.