The best Channel Island beaches

The beaches of the Channel Islands offer white sands, solitude and unique wartime history. Here are Matt Baird's magnificent seven

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1 SHELL BEACH, HERM

Just a 20-minute boat trip from Guernsey, carand bike-free Herm is a walking, swimming and picnic paradise. Its northern tip is dominated by the white sands (and titular tiny shell fragments) of the 700m-long Shell Beach, one of the British Isles' finest shorelines. While the turquoise sea may recall the Caribbean, the average water temperature of 12°C might result in an expletive or two breaking the island tranquillity. A seasonal shack sells cups of tea, crab sandwiches and other essentials.

2 BELVOIR BEACH, HERM

Shell Beach might hog most of the plaudits but the adjacent Belvoir Bay is a close second for the title of the Channel Islands' most glorious stretch of sand. More secluded and sheltered than Shell, Belvoir is easily found along Herm's four-mile coast path and offers views of France on a clear day. Its gently sloping shoreline makes this a favourite for young families, aided by the seasonal café.