Maritime Museum

Being an island community, Guernsey has had a long and intimate relationship with the sea. Matter maritime have frequently been instrumental in assuring a prosperity based either on direct exploitation, trade or the commercialised warfare known as privateering. Our museum presents this substantial maritime heritage through a range of reconstructed tableaux, models and traditional cased displays.

Interactive panorama: courtesy of VisitGuernsey. More panoramas...

It is not surprising that the museum's collections are rich in items relating to the island's long and illustrious maritime history and the range of items exhibited ensures that everyone will find something of interest. Whether it be artefacts salvaged from one of the earliest known european trading vessels or the exquisite red satin cloak worn by Admiral Lord De Saumarez to a royal wedding, the variety is such that fascination is all but guaranteed.

The museum, which also includes a maritime art gallery, is located in the larger of the castle's two Georgian barrack blocks. The building also houses the castle's refectory and public toilets, as well as the Hatton Gallery, a large multipurpose space which can be hired for functions.

One object in the maritime archaeology area of the museum - a bronze bearing from the bilge pump of a gallo-roman trading vessel which sank in St Peter Port, Guernsey - is among the items we have included in our contribution to the British Museum / BBC A History of the World Project.