The Channel Islands are a group of islands off the coast of Normandy , France , in the English Channel . They comprise two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey. Jersey is the biggest island, with Guernsey in second place. Alderney, Sark and Herm are smaller and less visited. The islands have a very pleasant climate, even in winter temperatures rarely fall below 10 degrees Celsius. In summer you can count on more than 250 hours of sunshine in the month of July alone!

The Islands were annexed to the Duchy of Normandy in 933. In 1066 the Duke William the Conqueror invaded and conquered England , becoming the English monarch. Since 1204, the loss of the rest of the monarch's lands in mainland Normandy has meant that the Channel Islands have been governed as separate possessions of the Crown.

The bailiwicks have been administered separately from each other since the late 13th century, and although those unacquainted with the islands often assume they form one political unit, common institutions are the exception rather than the rule. The two bailiwicks have no common laws, no common elections, no common representative body although politicians consult regularly. There is no common newspaper or radio station, but size of population required a common television station, Channel Television.

During the Second World War the islands were the only British soil occupied by Germany .