Braye: Bay, Beach and History

Braye combines a sheltered bay with summer beach events and a touch of history nearby. Braye Bay is clear and calm; protected by the breakwater, its waters are suitable for wading and swimming. When planning your holiday, the beach and water are therefore central themes, complemented by events and a nearby fort.

Things to do at the bay and beach

Braye Beach hosts numerous events in summer. These include the sandcastle competition and the Daft-Raft Race during Alderney Week in August. So, alongside swimming, beach activities are also worth bearing in mind when planning your travel dates; these competitions offer specific points of reference.

Braye Beach is also home to the old pier, which is suitable for jumping into the water at high tide. Wading and swimming in the sheltered waters of Braye Bay and jumping from the pier specifically at high tide are therefore two distinct ways to enjoy the water.

Two practical details are also helpful when finding your way around Braye Beach. Public toilets are a short walk from the beach. Several restaurants are located on Braye Road and can be reached from the beach via the sand dunes. If you are planning to visit a restaurant, check its current opening hours in advance.

Fort Grosnez is located near Braye. It was the first of 18 Victorian forts and batteries built to defend the Braye Breakwater. This historical connection offers a different focus from swimming and beach activities: here, the breakwater and the fortifications built to defend it go hand in hand.

Guernsey: culture and other coastal scenery

The wider destination of Guernsey offers additional things to explore. Castle Cornet houses the Story of Castle Cornet, the 201 Squadron (RAF) Museum, the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry Museum and the Royal Guernsey Militia Museum. The castle is just a short walk from the centre of St Peter Port and offers panoramic views of St Peter Port and the neighbouring islands. The grounds also include self-guided trails for children and a dressing-up area.

Guernsey’s swimming spots offer other points of interest, too. Horseshoe Pool at La Vallette is a purpose-built, U-shaped swimming pool with access to swim in the sheltered bay. The beaches range from family-friendly Ladies Bay at the north-eastern corner of Guernsey, on the edge of L’Ancresse Common, to Saints Bay, with its sand, a shingle bank at the upper end of the beach and protective cliffs all around. Cobo Bay is a white-sand beach. These different settings can help you narrow down the type of landscape you are looking for.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: St Martin Guernsey, Carmel, Saint Peter, Kings Mills, Saint Anne, Saint Sampson.

Return to the main travel overview: Guernsey.