Protected in the corner of the English Channel formed by the Normandy Peninsular to the East and Brittany to the South and warmed by the Gulf Stream the Channel Islands are a spot much favoured in climate, scenery and history.

Consisting of two larger islands Jersey and Guernsey, smaller islands like Alderney, Sark and Herm and numerous islets and reefs, the islands are British Crown Protectorates. That is the two large islands have their own laws, taxes and parliaments and look to the UK only for foreign relations.

The history of the islands has been dramatic in part because the French long disputed British sovereignty.

Seafaring is always part of island life and the Channel Islands were no different. A Guernseyman, Philip Saumarez, accompanied Anson's voyage around the world, only the third circumnavigation ever, and Saumarez's grandson was Nelson's second at the Nile.

Meanwhile fortunes were made within the islands because of the Newfoundland Cod fisheries, with many islanders settling in Canada. The Guernsey Jumper was developed for those fishermen. Today we still sell the Guernsey which is a proud part of our seafaring heritage.