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Jersey Destination Guide
Jersey lies 100 miles south of mainland Britain, only 14 miles from the coast of France and has one of the best sunshine records in the British Isles. Jersey has over 350 miles of roads and country lanes with over 20 beaches and coves to explore and spectacular scenery which takes you from sweeping bays in the south to dramatic cliffs in the north.
Within this compact island there are so many things to see and do. For many, the greatest attraction is the coastline. Ranging from the towering cliffs in the north to the Atlantic rollers of the windy west to the long swathes of golden sand in the south, nowhere in Jersey is more than two miles from the sea. Don’t neglect inland, though – pretty countryside, old stone farmhouses and beautiful flowers. Getting around in Jersey is easy. For maximum flexibility, you should hire a car, so that you can seek out the hidden beaches, explore the glorious coastline and find some off the beaten track places. If you are staying in town, be aware that parking can be limited and if you have a car, you may need to park in public car parks. These are generally free overnight, but there are charges during the day. Even without a car, you can make use of the extensive bus network around the island which will take you to most of the main places of interest. For the more energetic, take to two wheels and hire a bicycle to explore the Green Lanes, but don’t forget that one of the absolute best ways of getting around is on foot!!
- The sights
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St Helier - the streets of St Helier, Jersey’s capital, hold a host of hidden delights. It has sophisticated shops, varied nightlife and a mouth-watering selection of restaurants, whilst the pace of life is leisurely and guaranteed to put you in holiday mode.
The Central Market, St Helier – as you might expect on an island renowned for some of its food exports (Jersey Royals and tomatoes to name but two), the Central Market in Halkett Place is a bustling commercial area in St Helier. The market itself is housed in a stunning Victorian building which dates back to 1803. Noted for its fine architecture as well as the colourful displays of famed Jersey produce. A great place to buy flowers and Jersey Lily bulbs!
Waterfront complex – a more recent addition to St Helier’s attractions is the Waterfront complex, which is a great place for all the family. Comprising a marina, multi-screen cinema, swimming pool with slides and a fun pool, a nightclub and a range of eateries, this is the new place to be in town.
Jersey Museum – located by the Weighbridge behind the bus station, the Jersey Museum’s
"Story of Jersey" exhibition is an ideal introduction to the island.Elizabeth Castle – the turrets and towers of Elizabeth Castle, named after Queen Elizabeth I by Sir Walter Raleigh, are marooned on a rock a mile out to sea at high tide when they can be reached by "duck boat", but at low tide, they can be reached on foot via a causeway.
Fort Regent – originally built as a safe haven for the citizens of St Helier, Fort Regent is now dedicated to fun comprising a superb sport and leisure facility with a swimming pool, squash and badminton courts, refreshment outlets and housing various travelling exhibitions and audio-visual shows about its history. The views over St Aubin’s and St Clement’s Bay alone make a visit worthwhile.
Jersey Zoo – owned by the Durrell Worldlife Conservation Trust and internationally known for its work in saving and breeding endangered species, Jersey Zoo is well worth a visit.
Jersey War Tunnels - The Jersey War Tunnels are Jersey’s most evocative museum of the five years of German occupation during World War II. Originally intended for use as an artillery barracks it was converted to a hospital in 1944.
The Living Legend – A purpose built attraction which very cleverly tells the story of the island of Jersey via an effective audio-visual presentation. An Adventure Golf Course, Craft and Shopping Village, Go-Karting track and an excellent restaurant make this a fun day out for all the family.
Jersey Potteries – A lovely place to while away an afternoon watching pottery demonstrations (or even trying it out yourself), browsing around the shop and glorious gardens or sampling a Jersey cream tea in the restaurant.
Mont Orgueil Castle - Towering over the picturesque harbour of Gorey is Mont Orgueil, where 13th Century islanders watched anxiously for invaders. It served as a German command and observation post during World War II. The recent renovation, which opened up a labyrinth of stairways and passageways previously closed to the public, makes the castle well worth a visit.
- The beaches
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St Brelade - St Brelade in the south of the Island has a fabulous stretch of golden sands which are perfect for beach games.
Portelet Bay - a short drive from St Aubin takes you to one of Jersey’s most photogenic beaches, Portelet Bay. Sheltered by steep headlands, the only way down to the inviting golden sands is by a five minute walk.
Plemont Bay - a well shielded, wide, golden sand beach, reached by steep steps. Cliffs and rocky headlands provide good shelter.
Greve de Lecq - the north coast’s most popular and busiest family beach. One mile east of Greve de Lecq you will find Devil’s Hole, as good a place as any to get a flavour of the north coast’s stunning scenery.
Rozel Bay - is small and unspoiled, nestled in a cove with a wooded hillside rising behind it. A single street of houses and seaside stalls front the promenade. It is also home to a resident flock of geese who saunter across the rocky beach at low tide.St Ouen’s Bay - St Ouen’s Bay on the west coast is where you’ll find the rolling waves and due to the mild climate there’s always an opportunity for surfing. At the far end of St Ouen’s stands Corbiere Lighthouse, which is accessible via a causeway at low tide.
St Clement’s Bay - has a vast expanse of beach children will love to explore, as low tide reveals numerous rocks and pools.
St Aubin - on the west side of the bay is the picturesque fishing village of St Aubin where quayside bistros and cosy inns offer tempting fare. St Aubin’s Bay itself is a sweeping crescent of smoothly sloping sandy beach where the waters are calm enough for water-sports.
- The walks
A network of over 45 miles of ‘Green Lanes’, where the maximum speed limit is 15mph and where priority is given to walkers, cyclists and horse riders, meander through the various parishes whilst 15 miles of coastal footpaths stretch along the north coast. In places the cliffs rise 400 feet from the sea and all along the coast, secluded coves are waiting to be discovered. Throughout the year Jersey Tourism organises a full programme of escorted walks in the company of some of the island’s most experienced ramblers and registered Blue Badge Tourist Guides. A copy of the programme is available from Jersey Tourism.
Why not stay at the Merton hotel in St Helier who organise the famous “Walks with Webb” (guided walks around Jersey)?
We also recommend the following hotels, which are ideally situated near the Green Lanes and Coastal Paths:
- The cycling
Whether you are a keen cyclist, or just prefer to see, hear and smell the environment around you, in a way that only pedal power can offer, Jersey is an island made for cycling - small enough to make everywhere accessible, but ‘tall’ enough to provide a challenge for the experienced rider. It boasts a 96 mile network of sign posted cycle routes covering the whole island. The network uses many of the island’s unique ‘Green Lanes’. To help you find your way around the island, a number of escorted cycle tours are available from May to September led by local qualified cycle guides and customised to match the ability, size and interests of the group. A copy of the cycling guide is available from Jersey Tourism.
Why not stay at the Fairholme guest house in St Helier who organise guided cycle tours, inclusive of packed lunch and cycle hire.
- The sport and leisure
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Jersey is an excellent destination for sports enthusiasts looking for an active holiday year round. With its clean waters, the island attracts windsurfers, waterskiers and yachtsman alike. Qualified scuba divers can explore fish-filled caves, rocks, caves and sunken wrecks and equipment hire and tuition are available. The best venue for surfing is St Ouen’s Bay, where the waves are definitely championship standard and there are good windsurfing facilities at St Brelade’s and St Aubin’s. Other sports include horseriding, tennis, lawn bowls, croquet, clay pigeon shooting and fishing. If the sun doesn’t shine, there’s still plenty to do if you move indoors. Attempt a strike at ten-pin bowling, play a frame of snooker or enjoy the extensive facilities at Fort Regent.
- The flora and fauna
Jersey enjoys a climate that makes the island a gardener’s paradise throughout the year. With seas warmed year-round by the nearby Gulf stream and an envious sunshine record, the climate is often warmer and sunnier than mainland Britain. This means that plants flower about a month earlier than most parts of the UK. There are also a number of private gardens, which open several times throughout the year allowing visitors an exclusive look behind the scenes.- The heritage
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Although geographically closer to France and belonging more naturally to it, the island was ruled by France for only 200 years of the 900 years when their ownership was contested. In 1066, Jersey became part of the Anglo Norman realm when William the Conqueror defeated King Harold at the Battle of Hastings. In 1204, King John lost Normandy to the French, but Jersey chose to remain loyal to England and in 2004, Jersey celebrated the 800th anniversary of this memorable decision. Although English is spoken by all islanders, there is a local "patois" (spoken and understood by very few these days) and most streets and districts have retained their French names. The Jersey War Tunnels paint a vivid picture of the World War II period when Jersey was occupied by German troops and the Jersey Museum in St Helier, housed in a magnificent merchant’s house, tells the story of Jersey from pre-historic to present times. For a more interactive viewpoint, visit the Living Legend.
- The food
Good food has been one of Jersey’s attractions for many years and the island has built up an international reputation for its range of restaurants and cooking styles, which continues to impress visitors and locals alike. With over 100 restaurants offering everything from the exotic to good old fish and chips, there is something to suit every taste. Travelling around the island you will always stumble across a welcoming pub where the food is plentiful and good value for money - children are usually catered for too with special menus and smaller portions. Seafood, as you would expect, is a speciality and it would be a crime not to indulge in a Jersey cream tea - you can always walk off the calories with a stroll along a beach or cliff path!- The nightlife
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Over the past few years, the nightlife in Jersey has transformed and whatever age, you will be spoilt for choice with trendy bars, restaurants, traditional style pubs and lively nightclubs. There is also a popular cabaret show hosted by the Royal hotel, which is open to non-residents. - The facts
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Geography: Located 100 miles from the southern coast of Britain and just 14 miles from France, Jersey measures just nine miles by five miles with an area of 45 square miles.Travelling times: Jersey is just a short flight from mainland UK and accessible from a wide range of regional airports or alternatively, you can travel by fast sea cat from the south coast in around 3 ½ hours.
Transfer times: Travelling time from the airport to St Helier is around 20 minutes and most places can be reached within 30 minutes. For sea arrivals, the port is in St Helier just minutes from most town hotels. Hotels around the rest of the island are not usually more than 30 minutes away.
Passports: You don’t need a passport to travel to Jersey, but the majority of airlines do require that you produce photo ID at check in. However, St Malo in France is just a short ferry journey away, so if you are planning a trip, don’t forget your passport.
Currency: Jersey’s currency is sterling. They do have their own coins and notes, although they are identical in size to ours. UK sterling currency is accepted in all shops, hotels etc, although you may receive change in Jersey coins and notes which are not accepted in the UK