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'I swapped the city for a laid-back island lifestyle-I can still be in London in an hour'
Reach Daily Express | August 16, 2025 2:39 AM CST

The hustle and bustle of London can be a full-on lifestyle, and it's certainly not for everyone. That's why Kirstie Allen, a wellness enthusiast and founder of Hot Haus wild sauna relocated to Guernsey from London over 10 years ago.

Guernsey is a small island in the Channel Islands, just an hour flight from the mainland. The island is small but mighty, boasting 27 beautiful beaches - ensuring that wherever you are on the island, you're never more than 10 minutes from the sea. This was perfect for Kirstie who developed a passion for wild swimming after she moved to the island.

She said: "I used to work in the leisure and fitness industry back in the UK and once relocated to Guernsey my love of sea swimming began.

"With the beautiful coastline of Guernsey and such easy access to the sea my thoughts turned to having a sauna by the sea, so islanders could experience the huge benefits of hot and cold therapy and all the health benefits that runs alongside it."

With some of Britain's cleanest waters and excellent surfing spots, coastal living is easy on Guernsey.

As well as its gorgeous beaches, Guernsey also offers a rich network of walking trails, making it easy for residents to embrace the outdoors and enjoy Guernsey's natural beauty year-round.

Kristie said: "It's a brilliant lifestyle especially for bringing up children as it's safe and outdoorsy, so it is super healthy and a better standard of living.

"Guernsey has given me the opportunity to set up my small business which in turn means I can give something back to the people of Guernsey."

Even better, if Kirstie wants to head back to the city she's just a 50-minute flight or a three-hour ferry from mainland England, meaning she gets the best of both worlds.

It's proving more and more popular as a place to relocate with a 52% surge in the number of enquiries about relocation in recent months, according to Locate Guernsey - a government agency that promotes Guernsey as a destination of choice for relocation.


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