The Little Chapel

The Little Chapel, tucked into the green heart of Guernsey, is one of the island's most enchanting and unusual treasures, often described as one of the smallest working chapels in the world. Built and rebuilt from 1914 by a devoted monk, Brother Déodat, this miniature fairy-tale church is a labour of love, its every surface, inside and out, lovingly encrusted with a shimmering mosaic of seashells, coloured pebbles and thousands of fragments of broken china and pottery donated by islanders. Tiny turrets, arches and a jewel-like interior make it feel like something from a storybook. Utterly charming and unique, this glittering little chapel is a delight to discover and a testament to one man's extraordinary devotion.

What you actually see

• The mosaic walls - the shimmering shell and broken-china decoration.
• The tiny interior - the jewel-like miniature chapel within.
• The turrets and arches - the fairy-tale miniature architecture.
• The story - the labour of love by Brother Déodat.

When to go

April to October brings the mildest weather and greenest surroundings for a visit, though the chapel is a quick, all-weather stop open year-round; quieter times of day are best for taking in the intricate detail without crowds. The mosaic sparkles beautifully in sunlight.

Honest expectations

The Little Chapel is tiny, so only a few visitors fit inside at once and it can feel busy at peak times, and a visit is naturally brief. As an utterly enchanting, one-of-a-kind miniature church encrusted with shimmering shells and broken china, a labour of love unlike anywhere else, though, the Little Chapel is a genuinely delightful treasure.

Nearby

The lanes of central Guernsey and the capital St Peter Port lie nearby.