It's no wonder that Jersey is a beloved vacation destination among tourists from all corners of the globe. Like most small islands, it has a friendly, laid-back atmosphere with warm, sunny summers to match— but there's a lot more to this tiny patch of paradise than soft sandy beaches and swaying palm trees.
The largest of Britain's Channel Islands, the Bailiwick of Jersey, is just 14 miles from the French coast. This proximity allows for a unique blurring of two cultures — the rustic charm of the French countryside and the happy-go-lucky atmosphere of a classic British seaside holiday. Although Jersey is an English-speaking island, the critically endangered local language is Jèrriais, which is closely related to French.
Jersey is proof that the best things really do come in small packages. Its compact size makes it easy to get around and explore at your own pace. Soak in the island's mysterious history through its ancient castles and coastal forts, and savor the unique blend of French and British culinary and cultural traditions. As the locals say, "Bouan viage!" (That's "safe travels" in Jèrriais.)
01 Mont Orgueil Castle
Mont Orgueil means "Mount Pride" in French, and for 800 years, this pink granite castle has more than lived up to its name. Looming large over Gorey Harbor on the east coast of the island, the imposing fortress has worn many interesting hats over the centuries -- a prison, a defense against the French, a refuge for 18th-century aristocrats, and a Nazi observation post.
If you treat yourself to a guided tour, prepare to stare at some pretty unique exhibits, including the holes in the wall through which soldiers poured boiling oil on invaders.
The views alone are worth the climb to the top -- you can see the coast of France on a clear day. Once you've built up an appetite from all that climbing, you can enjoy a picnic in the grassy courtyard, literally surrounded by history.
02 Jersey War Tunnels
The Channel Islands were the only part of the British Isles captured by German Forces during the Second World War. Until they were liberated by the British in 1945, captured slave laborers were forced to dig tunnels into Jersey's hills to hide the enemy troops from Allied air raids.
Fun fact: The laborers used their native tongue, Jèrriais (the language of Jersey), as a stealthy way to communicate with one another while their island was occupied.
Today, the tunnels are now the Jersey War Tunnels, and with its immersive exhibits, the museum serves as an eerie reminder of the island's Nazi occupation. (There's a WWII-themed Escape Room, too.)
03 Elizabeth Castle
Built on a tidal island a mile out to sea, Elizabeth Castle is a 15-acre stronghold that has defended the harbor of St. Aubin's Bay for over 400 years. At low tide, you can stroll across a stone causeway to reach the fortress on foot. At high tide, however, you'll have to hop aboard one of the amphibious Castle Ferries.
The castle was built in 1594 on the orders of Queen Elizabeth I in 1594 when it became clear that the medieval Mont Orgueil wasn't cutting it against cannon attacks. (Speaking of cannons, if you want to watch a real one being fired, you'll see it at Castle Elizabeth.)
Visitors can explore the many bunkers, battlements, and two living history museums throughout this sprawling, sometimes-stranded-at-sea castle.
04 St. Brelade's Bay
Want to get your feet wet or just stretch out your legs for a while? St. Brelade's soft, sandy beach has serene, shallow waters, making it an oasis for swimmers and sunbathers alike. If you crave a bit more action, Absolute Adventures offers adrenaline-charged activities like sea kayaking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and fast-paced RIB tours of the shoreline.
Once you're ready to wet your whistle, you'll find no-frills seaside cafés, bars, and tea rooms along the promenade with striking views of the island's south coast.
05 Jersey Zoo
Since the age of six, conservationist Gerald Malcolm Durrell has dreamed of creating a safe space for endangered species. In 1959, his dreams became a reality when he founded the 32-acre Jersey Zoo as the headquarters of The Durrell Conservation Trust. The zoo not only protects vanishing wildlife but is also firmly committed to preserving Jersey's native habitat.
Prepare to be captivated as you spend a day where rare animals roam free in their spacious wooded sanctuaries. Among the zoo's esteemed residents are majestic mountain gorillas, a family of aye-ayes, a vibrant array of ultra-rare birds, the unique mountain chicken frogs, and a lemur affectionately known as "Madagascar's honey-colored teddy bear."
You can book an animal experience on the website to make the most of your day at the zoo or unleash your wild side with the fully immersive "Keeper for a Day" experience.
06 Gorey Village
If you're seeking a laid-back spot to dine and unwind, you'll find it in Gorey, Jersey's beloved fishing village. The views here are unforgettable -- pastel cottages and alfresco restaurants serving locally caught seafood hug the curved coastline, with a front-row-seat view of Mont Orgueil's medieval turrets.
After dinner, take a 20-minute stroll along the photogenic Gorey Promenade to the castle, where you can watch the sun sink below the horizon.
07 La Hougue Bie Museum
Stepping on to La Hogue Bie is like stepping back in time. Hidden beneath a grassy mound under a 16th-century chapel, you'll find a Neolithic passage grave that will let you ponder the depths of Jersey's distant history. After crawling through the small stone opening, you can catch an eyeful of ancient artifacts and discover a chamber that's perfectly aligned to the equinox sunrise. You can also explore the nearby replica Neolithic Longhouse, where volunteers give insight into daily life in the New Stone Age.
08 Jersey Museum & Art Gallery
The first humans settled on Jersey about 250,000 years ago, and a lot has happened since then! Jersey Museum & Art Gallery in St. Helier gives you a rare glimpse into the island's history, all within the walls of a handsomely restored 19th-century merchant's house. You'll find an eclectic range of exhibits that will take you from the Middle Paleolithic age (before Jersey was even an island) all the way through the extravagant 1980s.
09 St. Helier
Situated on the southern coast, Jersey's cosmopolitan (but compact) capital, St. Helier, is the heart and soul of the island. Once you start down King Street, you'll see why it's so popular with visitors and locals alike. Shops and stores of all sizes are huddled up along both sides of the buzzing pedestrian thoroughfare -- everything from off-beat boutiques to high-end luxury department stores. You're in for a treat when you reach the city's beloved 200-year-old centerpiece, Central Market. The grand Victorian marketplace is teeming with local treasures from independent vendors, ranging from a rainbow of produce to vintage vinyl records. (The perfect place to snag a souvenir or two!)
It's impossible to stay hungry for long in St. Helier's. The city boasts a ridiculous array of dining options, including two Michelin-starred restaurants.
10 The Harbour Gallery
Open seven days a week, The Harbour Gallery is a three-story treasure trove of Channel Island creativity. It proudly showcases the work of over 100 local artists and makers spread over three floors, along with working studios that provide art education for all ages.
The volunteer-run gallery hosts nine major exhibitions annually and year-round workshops taught by highly skilled local tutors.
11 La Mare Wine Estate
Set on the peaceful grounds of an 18th-century farmhouse in the Jersey countryside, La Mare Wine Estate and Distillery is the perfect place to "sip back" and relax on the island.
Indulge in a guided "Tour and Tasting" around the estate's 20 acres of vineyards, orchards, the cognac-style distillery, and the chocolate production kitchen. In addition to wine tasting, you'll get to sample genuine Jersey cream liqueur, apple brandy, chocolate, jams, chutneys, and the island's specialty, Jersey black butter. All ages are welcome on the tours -- kids get apple juice instead of alcohol, and there are fun activities to entertain everyone. The on-site Vineyard Cafe, which serves brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, and glasses of wine by the vines, is open until 5 pm.
12 Plemont Bay
Plemont Bay, which juts off the north coast of Jersey, is the world's southernmost nesting place for puffins -- and home to two giant, 13-foot puffin statues to honor their conservation. The beaches and rock pools here are wild; the cliffs are tall, and the caves are mysterious, making for captivating coastal walks when the weather cooperates. Dramatic high tides and rough seas make the bay a go-to spot for local surfers -- swimmers, not so much.
13 The Botanic Gardens at Samares Manor
For over a century, the grand private gardens at Samares Manor have been a living testament to millionaire philanthropist Sir James Knott's passion for rare and exotic plants. You can either stop and smell the roses at your leisure or step into history with a guided tour of the Seigneur de Samarès's manor house, the tranquil Japanese garden, the willow labyrinth, the jungle path, and beyond. Don't forget to pop into the authentically French Cocorico Cafe for its famous crêpes, quiches, and goat cheese galettes.
14 Jersey Lavender Farm
If some alfresco aromatherapy sounds like just what the doctor ordered, Jersey Lavender Farm is home to a lavish nine acres of lavender swaying in the sea breeze. You can stroll the vast aromatic gardens at your own pace. Or, you can take an interactive tour of the working farm, which grows, harvests, and processes the purple plant to make a wide range of fragrant Jersey lavender products right on-site. Be sure to stock up on some scented souvenirs at the Sprigs Shop, then stop by the Sprigs Cafe for a bite to eat -- their lavender scones are legendary!
15 Bonne Nuit Bay
The name "Bonne Nuit" was first recorded in 1150 and translates to "Good Night" in French, reflecting this bay's peaceful, sleepy nature. To this day, Bonne Nuit Bay remains a sanctuary for locals seeking respite from the hubbub of nearby St. Helier. The towering cliffs that are a natural barrier to the blustery north winds are also the highest point in Jersey where people can launch paragliders. (Don't forget to look up!)
16 The Channel Islands Military Museum
A repurposed German bunker from the Second World War, The Channel Islands Military Museum is stuffed to the gunnels with World War II memorabilia. You can check out uniforms, medals, ammunition, weapons, and even a few candid photos of German soldiers off duty. The exhibits will give you a sobering perspective on what life was really like on The Channel Islands under German occupation, including the story of a Jersey local who got the death sentence for sending a message to Britain with a pigeon.
17 St. Matthew's Glass Church
Looking at it from the outside, you'd never know the interior of St. Matthew's Church is a work of art. It features an altar, font, illuminated pillars, and towering cross, all masterfully crafted out of glass. In the 1930s, Lady Trent, wife of the founder of the British pharmacy chain Boots, commissioned master glassmaker René Lalique to adorn St. Matthew's with his exquisite work.
18 La Corbière Lighthouse
Isolated on a craggy tidal island on Jersey's extreme southwestern point is a stark white 19th-century lighthouse. Its name, La Corbière, is French for "a place where crows gather" -- an ominous symbol in folklore. Before the lighthouse's construction, treacherous tides and dangerous rocks in the area caused the demise of many ships. La Corbière is inaccessible to the general public, but you can arrange an exclusive tour in advance.
19 Jersey Pearl
Stop by the family-run Jersey Pearl in St. Ouen to learn everything you never knew you wanted to know about pearls. Immerse yourself by choosing a pearl directly from an oyster, creating a bespoke design, and then observing its creation.
Afterward, visit the Pearl Cafe for afternoon tea and tasty treats on the terrace, made with locally sourced ingredients.
20 Victoria Tower
If you're in Gorey Village, you can hike right up to Victoria Tower, which offers sweeping panoramic views of St. Catherine's Pier and Mont Orgueil Castle
The tower, nestled on the hilltop above Gorey's Harbour, was built in the 1830s in defense against a potential French invasion. It was named after Queen Victoria to commemorate her accession to the throne and is the island's only stronghold with a moat around it.
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