Guernsey Post’s philatelic bureau will issue stamps depicting Victoria Tower, one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks overlooking St Peter Port (stamp issue date: 27 May 2026).
The stamps form part of a joint issue with SEPAC (Small European Postal Administration Cooperation) for its 2026 theme, Iconic Landmark. Each of the 11 SEPAC member countries, including Guernsey, has produced a stamp (ÂŁ1.47 value), reflecting this theme and bearing the SEPAC logo.
Victoria Tower was constructed in 1848 to commemorate the first visit to Guernsey by a reigning monarch, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, in August 1846. The occasion marked an important moment in the island’s history, symbolising the strong relationship between the Crown and the people of Guernsey.
Designed by architect William Colling, the tower draws inspiration from medieval Italian civic architecture and the Victorian Gothic Revival style. Built from locally quarried red granite, its distinctive façade, turrets and lantern crown give it a commanding presence above the town and surrounding coastline.
Victoria Tower has also become part of the island’s cultural heritage. It is associated with the exiled French writer Victor Hugo, who lived in Guernsey during the mid-19th century. Local tradition suggests the tower served as a meeting place for Hugo and his companion, Juliette Drouet, adding a romantic element to its history.
In the surrounding gardens, two rare German First World War guns - buried during the German Occupation and rediscovered in 1978 - serve as poignant reminders of Guernsey’s wartime past.
Following a period of closure due to structural concerns, Victoria Tower was restored and officially reopened on 24 May 2006, coinciding with Queen Victoria’s birthday.
Bridget Yabsley, head of philatelic at Guernsey Post, said: “Victoria Tower is one of Guernsey’s most recognisable landmarks, with a story that spans royal history, architecture, and remarkable wartime intrigue. This stamp issue celebrates not only its visual prominence, but also the rich and intriguing history that surrounds it.”
The stamp
products are available to pre-order from 13 May 2026 at www.guernseystamps.com or by calling
Philatelic Customer Services on +44 (0)1481 716486.