Vale, Guernsey Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Vale

Parish

Flag

Location of Vale in Guernsey

Crown Dependency

Guernsey, Channel Islands

Area

• Total

8.8 km² (3.4 sq mi)

Area rank

Ranked 2nd

Population

(2019)

• Total

9,514

• Density

1,081/km² (2,800/sq mi)

Time zone

GMT

• Summer (DST)

UTC+01

Vale (in Guernésiais language: Lé Vale; in French: Le Valle) is one of the ten parishes of Guernsey. Guernsey is a beautiful island located in the Channel Islands. Vale is a special place with a long history.

In the year 933, the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, became part of the Duchy of Normandy. Before this, they were controlled by the Duchy of Brittany. The Channel Islands are the last remaining parts of the old medieval Duchy of Normandy.

A large part of Vale parish used to belong to a special area called the fief Saint Michael. This area helped the Benedictine monks who lived in an abbey next to the Vale Church. This land was given to them in 1032 by Robert of Normandy. He had apparently been caught in a storm and his ship found safety in Guernsey. The rights to this land were taken away by King Henry VIII when he closed down many monasteries.

Vale Castle
Modern Vale
Exploring Vale's Features
Other Connections
Images for kids
See also

Vale Castle

The Castle of Saint Michael, now known as Vale Castle, is very old. It has been around for at least 1,000 years! It was used as a safe place to hide from pirate attacks. It probably started being built in the late 900s.

In 1372, Owain Lawgoch, who wanted to be the King of Wales, attacked Guernsey. He led a group of soldiers on behalf of France. This event is famously called La Descente des Aragousais. Owain Lawgoch left after killing 400 of the island's local soldiers. A poem about this event calls the castle the Château de l'Archange. This was the place where the islanders made their last stand against the attackers.

In 1615, the island was responsible for keeping Vale Castle in good condition. At the same time, the Crown (the King or Queen) took care of Castle Cornet. Vale Castle has always been an important place for defense. The most recent changes to the castle were made by the German soldiers who occupied the island during World War II.

Modern Vale

Until 1806, Vale parish was made up of two parts. One part was on the main island of Guernsey. The other part was a whole separate tidal island called Le Clos du Valle. This tidal island was the northern tip of Guernsey. It was separated from the mainland by Le Braye du Valle, which was a channel filled with water at high tide.

Le Braye du Valle was drained and filled in during 1806 by the British Government. This was done as a way to improve defense. Because of this, Vale now has two parts that are not connected to each other.

The postal codes for Vale mainly start with GY3, but some also start with GY8.

Exploring Vale's Features

Vale parish has many interesting places to see and visit.

Churches and Memorials

Vale Parish Church, also known as St Michel du Valle.
Vale Mission Fellowship.
St Pauls Methodist Church.
The Parish war memorial, which is located at the Vale Avenue-Braye Road Cross Roads.

Harbours and Landmarks

Bordeaux Harbour, a busy port.
The Vale Mill, which is the most famous landmark in the parish.
The northern part of Saint Sampson's Town.
The northern part of Saint Sampson's Harbour.

Nature and Outdoors

Vale Pond, which is a protected nature reserve.
Beaucette marina, a place where boats are kept.
Pembroke Beach, which is recommended by the Marine Conservation Society for its clean waters.
L'Ancresse Beach.
Ladies Bay Beach.
Bordeaux Harbour Beach.
Many lovely countryside walks.
An 18-hole golf course on L'Ancresse Common.
A weekly 5-kilometer Parkrun event, where people can run or walk for fun.

Historic Military Sites

Vale has many old military sites that show its history of defense:

Vale Castle.
Fort le Marchant.
Fort Doyle.
Fort Pembroke.
Rousse Tower.
Eight Guernsey loophole towers, numbered 4 to 11. These towers were built to help defend the island.
Beaucette Battery, built during the Napoleonic Wars.
La Lochande Battery, also from the Napoleonic Wars.
Nid L'Herbe Battery and Magazine, dating from the Napoleonic Wars.
Portinfer Battery, another site from the Napoleonic Wars.
German fortifications, which were built when Germany occupied the Channel Islands from 1940 to 1945.

Ancient Archaeology

Vale is home to some very old archaeological sites:

Le Dolmen de Déhus, which is an ancient burial chamber. It has a special carving known as Le Gardien (The Guardian).
La Varde passage grave, which is the biggest dolmen (stone tomb) on the island.
Les Fouaillages, located on L'Ancresse Common.
La Platte Mare, a stone circle with a burial cist inside.
La Mare es Mauves, another stone circle with a burial cist.
Martelo 7, a stone circle with a burial cist.

Other Important Places

Guernsey Electricity Power Station.
Fort le Marchant shooting range.
Many industrial buildings.
Maison Maritaine.
Vale Douzaine Room, where local parish meetings are held.
Vale Primary School.
Numerous quarries, where stone is dug out of the ground.
Many old greenhouses, called vineries, some of which are still used today.
The annual music festival 'Vale Earth Fair' held at Vale Castle.

Other Connections

In 1987, Vale parish became twinned with the French port town of Barneville-Carteret in Normandy. This means they have a special friendship and connection.

Images for kids

L'Ancresse Loophole Tower no. 6
Le Gardien carving at Le Dolmen de Déhus

Vale, Guernsey facts for kids

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