Guernsey Post Office Bailiwick
Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau will release Post & Go stamps featuring some of the historic fortifications of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. From medieval castles to 20th-century observation towers, the issue depicts structures that have stood watch over the islands’ coastline (issue date: 1 April 2026).
Built in response to threats ranging from medieval conflict to Napoleonic invasion and the German Occupation of the Second World War, the Bailiwick’s forts and defensive structures have guarded its shores for generations.
Bailiwick Forts: the stamps
GY Letter – Nid L’Herbe Battery and Magazine, Loophole Tower 5, L’Ancresse
Constructed between August 1778 and March 1779, Guernsey’s British loophole towers were built to defend the island from possible French attack after France allied with the Americans during the Revolutionary War. Located on the eastern side of L’Ancresse Bay, Nid L’Herbe Battery and its magazine were associated with Loophole Tower 5, later strengthened during the Napoleonic Wars.
GY Large – Fort Hommet, Vazon
Overlooking Vazon Bay, Fort Hommet’s origins date back to the late 17th century, with fortifications added during the Napoleonic and Victorian eras. It was heavily reinforced during the German Occupation, leaving behind concrete bunkers, casemates and gun emplacements that reflect its layered history.
UK Letter – Fort Saumarez Tower, L’Eree
Completed in 1804 as part of Guernsey’s response to the Napoleonic threat, Fort Saumarez features a circular Martello tower that provided a strong vantage point for coastal defence and surveillance and remains remarkably intact. During the Second World War, German occupying forces built an observation structure on top of the tower, further adapting the site for military use.
UK Large – Fort Grey, Rocquaine
Known locally as the “Cup and Saucer,” Fort Grey stands on a small tidal islet off Rocquaine Bay. Completed in 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars, it formed part of Britain’s coastal defences against possible French invasion. Circular in design and linked to the shore by a causeway, the fort later became a shipwreck museum telling stories of courage and tragedy along Guernsey’s coast.
EUR Letter – L’Angle Observation Tower MP4, Pleinmont
Perched on the dramatic southwest cliffs, L’Angle Observation Tower MP4 was built during the German Occupation of the Second World War. As part of the Atlantic Wall, its observation levels were used to spot and relay range data for coastal batteries guarding the island’s western approaches.
ROW Letter – Castle Cornet, St Peter Port
Dominating the entrance to St Peter Port harbour, begun in the 13th century under the English Crown, Castle Cornet has evolved into a formidable fortress with curtain walls, bastions and barracks. It survived sieges, explosions and centuries of modification, notably during the English Civil War, when it remained Royalist while the island supported Parliament.
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: “The Bailiwick’s forts are powerful reminders of the islands’ strategic importance and the generations who worked to defend them. This stamp issue celebrates these remarkable landmarks, each representing a different chapter in our history.”
The stamp products are available to pre-order from 18 March at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling Philatelic Customer Services on 01481 716486.