How To Have a 90s-Style Summer in Guernsey

To say that summer looked a little different in the 1990s is a bit of an understatement. There were no smartphones, no streaming services and no group chats constantly pinging in your pocket. 

If you wanted to spend time with your friends you had to call them on a landline (and actually speak to them), knock on their door and hope they were home, or head out and see who you bumped into. If you were bored, that wasn’t necessarily a problem. In fact, some of the best summer memories happened when you had absolutely nothing planned.

For many of us, summer meant leaving the house after breakfast and not returning until teatime. We rode bikes, built dens, played made-up games, spent entire days at the beach and somehow managed to fill six weeks of school holidays without a packed schedule of activities.

Of course, not everything about the 90s deserves a comeback. But there was something special about those long, unstructured days and the freedom to make your own entertainment. There was less pressure to document every moment and more time spent simply enjoying it. 

 

Image credit: Tracey Thomson

With conversations about smartphone-free childhoods gaining momentum and many of us feeling increasingly tied to our screens, perhaps there’s never been a better time to borrow a few ideas from the last truly offline decade. 

Whether you’re looking for ways to entertainmen the kids, reconnect with your own childhood memories or simply slow things down for a few weeks, here are some ideas to help you enjoy a 90s-style summer in Guernsey.

 

Image credit: Tracey Thomson

Go To The Beach

Some of the best summer memories involve a trip to the beach. Whether it's a full beach day with a picnic, a morning exploring rock pools at low water or a spontaneous sunset dip after work, make the most of one of the best things about living in Guernsey. The beach was a playground for many of us in the 90s, and it still might be the island's best free day out.

 

Explore Lihou Island

Walking across the causeway to Lihou always feels like a small adventure. It takes a bit of planning to time your visit with the tides, but it’s worth it. Have a dip in the Venus Pool, go birdwatching, wander around the ruins and explore one of Guernsey's most unique landscapes. 

 

Enjoy Fish & Chips On The Beach

Few things feel more like a Guernsey summer than fish and chips at Cobo as the sun begins to set. Gather a few friends or family members, find a spot on the beach and watch the sky change colour as the tide rolls in. Whether you're dipping your toes in the sea, skimming stones or sitting and chatting, it's one of those simple pleasures that never seems to lose its appeal. 

 

Take Photos On A Disposable Camera

Before smartphones put a camera in everyone's pocket, you never quite knew whether your holiday photos would turn out until the film had been developed. There was no instant preview, no filters and no opportunity to take twenty versions of the same shot. Pick up a disposable camera and capture your summer the old-fashioned way. The anticipation of seeing the photos afterwards is all part of the fun. 

 

Sleep Under The Stars

Back garden sleepovers were a summer holiday rite of passage for many 90s children. Dust off the tent, grab some blankets and spend a night outside. There's something surprisingly exciting about sleeping in the garden, even when home is only a few steps away. Children will love the novelty, and adults might be surprised by how much they enjoy it too. 

 

Go Rockpooling

Rockpooling is one of the easiest ways to lose track of time, whatever your age. Head out at low tide and see what you can discover among the rocks. Crabs, anemones, shells and seaweed are all waiting to be found. Take a bucket and net for the kids and they’ll soon be caught up in the excitement of it all.

 

Visit Herm Or Sark

A day trip to one of the sister islands still feels wonderfully nostalgic. Pack a picnic, leave the car behind and enjoy a slower pace for a few hours (or longer, if you’re going all in and staying over for a few days). It's the sort of simple day out that many of us remember from childhood.

 

Set Up A Hedge-Veg Stall

Honesty boxes have long been part of island life. Encourage children to set up their own mini-stall, selling anything from homemade lemonade to pre-loved books and toys. You never know, it might spark an entrepreneurial streak. And don’t let the kids have all the fun. Whether it's homegrown produce, homemade jam or a craft project you've been meaning to finish, summer is a great time to share your creativity too.  

 

Get Creative With Chalk

A packet of pavement chalk can provide hours of entertainment. Create hopscotch courts, obstacle courses, giant doodles or colourful messages. It’s simple, inexpensive and surprisingly good fun.

 

Go Sea Swimming

Summer isn't complete without at least one swim in the sea. Whether you're ticking off bays as part of the 30 Bays challenge, taking a dip at the Bathing Pools or heading to your favourite bay, sea swimming remains one of the simplest ways to enjoy the season. Our list of the best sea swimming spots around the Bailiwick can help you choose the right bay for you.

 

Cool Off The 90s Way

Before air conditioning and endless screen time indoors, children found creative ways to stay cool. Run through a garden sprinkler, sit and play in a paddling pool, make homemade ice lollies, blend fruit smoothies or simply enjoy an ice cream in the shade. Sometimes the simplest ideas are still the best.

 

Rediscover Board Games

Many of the games we grew up with can still be found in charity shops for a few pounds. Dig out an old favourite or try something new and swap an evening of scrolling for a little friendly competition.

 

Enjoy A Summer Event

From regattas and Music at the Castle to Twilight Cinema screenings and community events, summer in Guernsey still offers plenty of opportunities to gather together and make memories. Some summer traditions have changed very little since the 90s, and that's part of what makes them special.

 

Read A Book

Before smartphones and Netflix, getting lost in a good book was a popular way to pass the time during the summer. Find a shady spot in the garden or take a book to the beach and get lost in the latest bestseller or an old favourite from childhood. 

 

Leave The House With No Plan

For many of us in the 90s, summer didn't come with an itinerary. Meeting friends, finding something to do and making it up as you went along was part of the fun. It might sound simple, but leaving a little room for spontaneity could be the most authentic 90s activity on this list.

 

Perhaps that’s the part of a 90s summer worth bringing back. A little less planning, a little more freedom and a reminder that some of the best summer days are often the simplest.