Victorian Promenade

History of La Vallette

On the other side of the road from here you will see a strange bulge in the sea wall. This is the Half Moon Battery. It was initially built as a gun emplacement to defend the harbour before the construction of the breakwater.

During the English Civil War of 1642–1651, the island of Guernsey, which supported Parliament, held the Royalist stronghold of Castle Cornet in siege for 9 years. They would fire cannon here at the boats arriving bringing supplies to the besieged Royalists. Both St Peter Port and Castle Cornet suffered damage from each other's guns.

Plant Spotter

Victorian Promenade

The development of this area in the mid-18th century included the design of a promenade, called La Promenade des Terres, later renamed La Promenade de la Vallette. It was initially planned to stretch along the coastline connecting all the way around to Fermain Bay.

This area was at one time planted out with palm trees, formal beds and a fernery.

The planting along this area is maintained by a team of volunteers, with future plans to restore the area to its previous glory.

Rocks and Geology

From here, turn left off the La Vallette trail and head down the Havelet slipway (unless the tide is right up!)

Sit down on the beach and reach around you to pick up pebbles.  You should be able to find at least 6 different pebbles based on colour, composition, smoothness, shape and hardness. Look for the minerals held within the granite rocks (quartz is white/clear, mica is black / dark and feldspar is red/pink.

The different rock types are found more in different parts of the island. Pink granite comes from west coast quarries, blue/grey granite from northern quarries, gneiss from La Valette.

Feel the texture of the rocks. Some are smooth, some are rough. Can you work out why?  

Most of the pebbles have been abraded – abrasion is the ‘throwing’ of rocks against the cliff faces, and by attrition – rolling against each other to become rounded pebbles

Please leave the pebbles at the beach.   Did you know it is illegal to remove sediment from the beaches. Why do you think this is illegal? (answer – Sediment is needed to protect the coast as it absorbs wave energy and reduces erosion)