Herm, Car-free island in the Channel Islands, UK.
Herm is a car-free island in the Channel Islands within the United Kingdom, stretching roughly 2.5 kilometers from north to south. Sandy beaches line the eastern shore, while the southern coast features rocky cliffs and the interior holds meadows and low scrub.
Hunter-gatherers settled here roughly 10,000 years ago during the Mesolithic period, leaving behind numerous stone tools. Later the territory served as grazing land for monks from France before passing into private management in the 19th century.
Residents use tractors and electric carts to haul supplies, while visitors walk the network of footpaths connecting beaches to meadows. In warmer months the local church and a handful of shops near the harbor open for guests who stop by for fresh milk or handmade souvenirs.
A ferry service links the island to Guernsey several times daily, taking about 15 minutes. Overnight stays are available at the local hotel or in a handful of holiday cottages, which should be booked well in advance.
The local hotel deliberately omits televisions and telephones from its rooms to encourage full retreat from daily routines. Even the few street lamps are dimmed at night, allowing visitors to experience a nearly unobstructed view of the stars.
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