• “'Clark Land Ranger' stands atop the stone marking the start of Trust land at Pleinmont.”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Pleinmont Headland – South West Coast
  • “'Leo Land Ranger' enjoys a fine view of Le Hanois lighthouse from Pleinmont peninsular”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Pleinmont Headland – South West Coast
  • “Pleinmont, Vaux de Monel. The significant first land holding donated to the Trust by founder member May Bonamy Collings.”

    National Trust of Guernsey

    Pleinmont Headland – South West Coast

Pleinmont Headland – South West Coast

The dramatic Pleinmont headland incorporates several acres of NTG land at Le Vaux de Monel, donated to the Trust in 1961 by May Bonamy Collings.The ruins can be seen of her family’s holiday home, which was burned down by the Germans during the war. Clues to a past house and garden include Hydrangea, Crocosmia and Rhododendron flowering in an otherwise woodland place.

A trackable walking map and history of Pleinmont, created by Peter Harris and volunteers, can be found below.

Information

Approaching from the west coast road, it is possible to park just beyond the Imperial Hotel and walk along the tarmac road above Portelet bay. Trust land starts shortly after passing the high-pitched Trinity Cottages, which used to house the families of the lighthouse keepers. A field bordering the sea is clearly marked Guernsey National Trust [sic] and slightly before that, three steps of dressed granite mark the entrance to Trust land at the valley entrance of Vaux de Monel. Rough-hewn granite steps take you up to a plateau which shows the footprint of May Bonamy Collings’s old house, where there is now a picnic table with benches. A tree commemorating HW Le Patourel VC is planted at this site.

A trackable walking map and history of Pleinmont, created by Peter Harris and volunteers, can be found here

Details

Parking: Available at Portelet

Kiosk: Yes

Facilities: Public facilities

Terrain: Mobility and pedestrian friendly at lower levels, otherwise hilly coastal trails

Distance: On average, a mile or more depending on personal choice of route

Geocaching: Yes

How to find us

Perry's guide: 32D2 | GPS 49.434207, -2.664403

Bus routes: 91, 92. Alight at Portelet

“National Trust of Guernsey's endeavour to preserve island heritage started with Founder Member May Bonamy Collings's gift of land here at Pleinmont.”