How many Channel Islands are there and what are they called

Asks marmalade

A. There are eight inhabited Channel Islands - Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, Herm, Brechou, Jethou and Lihou. There are some other smaller islands, which in total cover approximately 75 square miles. The islands of Alderney, Brechou, Sark, Herm, Jethou and Lihou are all dependencies of Guernsey.

Q. Are the Channel Islands part of the UK

A. No, they are part of the British Isles.

Q. Where are the Channel Islands

A. They are off the North West coast of France (Alderney is only eight miles from Normandy).

Q. Which is the largest

A. Jersey is the largest (with an off season population of 83,000 that can rise to about 140,000 during the summer), and most popular with tourists.

Q. What is the currency on the Channel Islands

A. The Channel Islands has its own notes however, Sterling is accepted on all of the islands, French francs on Jersey and Guernsey. Channel Islands notes and coins are not accepted in the UK, although they can be reconverted at parity in UK banks.

Q. Why do the islands attract so many tourists

A. Jersey and Guernsey are the most popular islands, and day trips can be made by boat to the other islands, all of which are reached within an hour of each other. The Channel Islands are popular because they are areas of natural beauty, favour warm and temperate weather conditions and are tax-free.

Q. What are the main attractions

A. The main attractions (on Jersey, Guernsey and Sark) include the following:

Jersey: St Helier is the capital of the island and very popular with tourists. Among its attractions include two forts - Elizabeth Castle that dates back to 1650; and Fort Regent on the hill above the town. Other areas of interest include the Jersey Museum, Bowl Island Entertainment Centre, the Maritime Museum and the Occupation Tapestry Gallery. Other parts of Jersey worth visiting include the beaches at Plmon, St Brelade's Bay and St Ouen's Bay, the fishing village of Rozel and the Jersey Zoological Park in Trinity founded by Gerald Durrell.

Jersey is well known for its local crafts - all of which can be bought around the island e.g. candles, pottery and leather at St Ouen. St Saviour's Howard Davis Park is another popular attraction on the island as it is full tropical trees and plants. If you get the chance visit the east coast - St Catherine's Bay and the Bay of Grouville (also well known for its castle Mont Orgueil) - as this area boasts some of the best beaches on the island.

Guernsey is 30 miles from France and 80 miles from England. Its main town is St Peter Port, which dates back to the 12th Century and in some parts, still resembles the fishing village it once was. Its main attractions include Castle Cornet, the Island Museum, and Hauteville House, the former home of the writer Victor Hugo. Other interesting parts of the island include Saumarez Park and its Folk Museum; dolmens (prehistoric tribe tombs) which can be found all around the island; Ivy Castle; the underground hospital at St Andrews which is the largest remaining German structure on the island left over from WWII. If you get the chance try and visit the Little Chapel at Les Vauxbelets as it is the smallest church in the world - that only fits in one priest and two other people.

Sark: the fact that there are no cars on Sark and the island itself (Great Sark and Little Sark are actually two islands joined together by a thin strip of land) is only three miles long make it a welcome retreat from the busier parts of the Channel Islands. Most people visit the island for the day from Jersey or Guernsey or as part of a boat trip around the islands. Local legend has it that the caves and inlets around Sark are full of treasure - and many people still stop off to check them out.

Q. Are the Channel Islands easy to reach

A. It only takes 40 minutes to fly to Jersey from London, Heathrow. Alternatively you can travel by sea (catamaran) from Poole and Weymouth in Dorset with crossings taking approximately three and a half hours. There are regular links between Jersey, Guernsey and the other islands via the sea.

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By Karen Anderson