The largest World War 2 structure in the Channel Islands, are cool and creepy at the same time! Located inside a residential neighbourhood in St. Andrew on Guernsey Island, it is not easy to spot. The German occupying forces did a good job of staying off the radar, so to speak. You actually don’t see the entrance until you’ve turned a bend in the dirt road. Then it’s suddenly there, right in your face. After paying admission, you enter the 6,950 square meters (75,000 square feet) maze of dimly lit tunnels and rooms. Nearly all by yourself, there were barely no-one there. Had I been completely alone, my imagination would have run wild. The sounds, or lack thereof, more like echos, of you foot steps, the smell, the cold, it’s eerie. Later I saw a poster say there are bats in there. I can promise you, had a bat come flying out, I would have needed an up-to-date hospital. This was initially a shelter for the forces, but was turned into a hospital and ammunition storage. Not much left to see these days, remains of beds in wards, kitchen, escape ladders and hatches, and small exhibitions. The “best” thing is tiptoeing down the tunnels, hearing your foot steps and water dripping only. Just thinking about it, still creeps me out 😀
This place is easily visited by public transportation from St. Peter Port. I got on bus number 71 (direction Airport) at the stop by the Tourist Information Centre. Contactless payment only, so paid by credit card, 1.25 pounds one way. Got off at St. Andrew’s Church, after a 10-15 minute ride. Could probably have gotten off at the next stop. From there I followed my map, turning left where Rte de St. Andrew’s crosses La Vassalerie, passing people’s houses, until you see a modest sign telling you to continue on a trail going right. 5-10 minutes, and you have arrived.
Website: germanundergroundhospital.co.uk
