Tour of Jersey, Channel Islands

Jersey is made up of 12 parishes: Grouville, Saint Brelade, Saint Clement, Saint Helier, Saint John, Saint Lawrence, Saint Martin, Saint Mary, Saint Ouen, Saint Peter, Saint Saviour & Trinity.

The parishes to the north only have very small villages.

The island measures just 14.5 km / 9 miles by 8 km / 5 miles. In general, the main resorts and beaches lie on the southern side of Jersey, while the northern areas tend to be more rugged and exposed.

The A Roads run round the island through all the parishes with B Roads leading off to the coast.

The island has a speed limit of 40 MPH.

Drivers must always stay on the left-hand side of the road and note that single yellow lines indicate where you are required to give way.
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St Helier is the capital of Jersey, situated in St Aubin's Bay on the southern side of the island. Most of the Hotels are situated here or in St Aubin's across the Bay.

The affluent town has a vibrant atmosphere, definitely British but with distinct French and Portuguese influences.

The town centre boasts a huge variety of stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. Jersey's own produce, including flowers, Jersey Royal potatoes and freshly caught fish are on sale in the Central Market which dates from 1882.

The harbour and marina are always full of activity. Here visitors can watch the comings and goings of ferries, ocean-going yachts and small fishing vessels or take a walk around the fascinating historic harbour's, led by a Blue Badge guide.

The view right is of Liberation Square, built in 1995 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Jersey being liberated from Nazi occupation.

The Jersey Museum and Art Gallery in St Hellier tells the story of Jersey from neolithic times to the modern day. Discover the island's finest treasures on display including a priceless Bronze Age gold torque and Millais' famous portrait of Lillie Langtry.

The story at Jersey Museum begins 250,000 years ago when the first people arrived in Jersey and continues through the centuries to explore the factors that shaped this unique island and the people who live here.

More Information.

Taking a tour of the island anti-clockwise that covers 48 miles of coast.

Saint Clement is one of the twelve parishes of Jersey in the Channel Islands. It is situated just east of Saint Helier. The area contains some of the suburbs of St Helier as seen right.

Samares Manor is situated in St Clement. These unique gardens were created in the nineteen twenties by millionaire shipping magnate and philanthropist, Sir James Knott.

Here you can visit the Manor House, The Rural Life and Carriage Museum, Herb Garden, Herb Garden Café and much more.

More Information.

Gorey is a village in the parishes of St. Martin and Grouville on the east coast of Jersey. It is one of the three main harbour's of the island.

As Gorey is the closest strategic point on the island to France, it has a history of fortification going back at least to the Iron Age.

After the division of the Duchy of Normandy in 1204, the strategic location of the harbour led to the construction of the castle of Mont Orgueil, as seen right, to protect the island against the French.

The castle also served as residence for Governors of Jersey until Elizabeth Castle was constructed off Saint Helier in the late 16th century.

More Information . Large Image.

Heading west along the north of the island is the Parish of Trinity. The parish is home to the headquarters of the Royal Jersey Agricultural and Horticultural Society at the Royal Jersey Showground, the States Farm and Jersey Zoo (now officially named Durrell Wildlife) at Les Augres Manor.

Also in the area is the Pallot Steam, Motor & General Museum. This fascinating Museum is managed by a Trust which was established by its founder, the late Don Pallot, with the object of promoting the permanent preservation of the Island's mechanical heritage.

www.pallotmuseum.co.uk.

Next traveling west is the Parish of St John then the Parish of St Mary. On the north coast of the Parish of St Mary are the Greve de Lecq Barracks.

Explore The Barracks wherever you find the doors are open. Feel free to wander around and discover the many different things there are to see. Find information on Jersey's north coast, Greve de Lecq's history, scenes from 19th century military life and the story of the defence of the island. A collection of horse-drawn vehicles and farm implements are on display and local artists exhibit their work. The Barracks are also home to the National Trust for Jersey shop. More Information.

Another attraction in the area is Le Moulin de Quetivel, a water mill located on a site where there has been mills since the early 14th century. It has been restored to working order by the Trust and grinds its own flour. Apart from the machinery, the mill includes a display of Neolithic quern stones found in Jersey, an exhibition on the history of milling and a video room where you can watch a 20 minute film about Quetivel.

St Ouen is situated in the north west of the Island, the largest parish by surface area. St Ouen's Bay, as seen left, is a popular place for water sports.

Also in the area, on Mile Road, is the Channel Islands Military Museum. This museum is a collection assembled over many years allowing visitors the opportunity to see items, many of which are still in the same condition as when they were when last used over 60 years ago.

Being displayed in one of Hitler's former Atlantic Wall defences, helps visitors to get a true feeling for those dark days of the 1940s. A major collection of historical memorabilia not to be missed.

Battle of Flowers Museum is also in the area. The museum was opened only in 1971 although Miss Bechelet's first exhibit was in 1934 when she was only 16. It comprises of 23 part or complete floats built entirely by Miss Bechelet, each float may take up to 1400 hours to construct and is completely covered in wild flowers, such as Harestails and Marrem Grasses.

More Information . Les Mielles Golf and country Club.

Saint Brelade Parish is situated on the south west of the island. St. Brelade has some of the most popular bays in Jersey, with St. Brelade's Bay, Ouaisné, Portelet and parts of both St. Ouen's Bay and St. Aubin's Bay falling within the parish boundaries.

In the area is the Noirmont Command Bunker, a well-preserved German naval command bunker that controlled the artillery battery “Lothringen” from 1944-45. On two floors, this impressive bunker contains numerous displays and exhibits, and guided tours are available on request. Much of the adjacent artillery battery has also been restored, including various gun emplacements and an observation tower.

See also: La Moye Golf Club. Booking.com.

St Aubin is now the hub of the parish of St. Brelade, a popular holiday rsort. It is situated on the south coast looking over St Aubin's Bay to St Helier. There is a long sandy beach that connects St Aubin to St Helier.

St Aubin's harbour bustles now with the movement of small yachts and cruisers, the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club is located there.

Standing a little offshore, but accessible at certain low tides, is St Aubin's Fort, built in 1542, during the reign of Henry VIII (1509-47), as a bastion against sea raiders.

Late Rooms . Booking.com.

Just north of St Aubin & St Helier, at St Peter's, is Living Legend Village, nine acres of fun and entertainment for all ages, a very popular island attraction.

‘The Jersey Experience’ is an award-winning multi-media re-creation of Jersey through the ages, there are two challenging 18 hole adventure golf courses, a go-karting track, craft and shopping village, outdoor play area plus full programme of live entertainment.

This large adventure and leisure village is ideal for families with restaurants and a creperie.

More Information.

Just north of St Aubin & St Helier is Hamptonne, the museum of country life. You can get close to 300 years of Jersey's rural heritage in this collection of farm buildings and meadows. The site is brought alive with characters from the past, demonstrations of by-gone skills, guided tours and a variety of farmyard animals. In addition to visiting the farm buildings, give yourself plenty of time to explore the buildings and stroll around the kitchen garden, orchard and meadows. More Information.

Also in this area is the the German Underground Hospital or Jersey War Tunnels, a partially completed underground hospital complex built by German occupying forces during the occupation of Jersey during World War II. Over 1 km (1,100 yd) of tunnels were completed. After the liberation of the Channel Islands, the complex was converted into a museum detailing the occupation and remains a tourist attraction. More Information.

There are a few boat trips you can take from Jersey such as the most popular Jersey - Guernsey ferry that takes about 1 hour in the fast craft as seen right leaving St Helier Port, or 2 hours on a conventional ferry. Price is about £36 return per person booking direct at : www.condorferries.co.uk.

For information on all the destinations in the Channel Islands, France, England and Ireland that the ferries travel to, visit: www.jersey.com/english/transport/bysea.

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St Peter Port is the capital of Guernsey, port of call for the St Helier ferries.

Guernsey’s capital has been a busy entrepot since Roman times. Her deep, safe anchorage and relative remoteness from France, made Saint Peter Port the Channel Islands’ premier port, graced by the wealth of ship builders, privateers and merchant adventurers.

Georgian and Regency styles were enriched by an influx of French emigres, including Victor Hugo, whose influences included Parisian-style urinoirs.

Shopping in Saint Peter Port is an unmissable experience.

Electronic and photographic equipment, jewellery and perfume are all good, low duty buys, along with wines, spirits and tobacco and of course the famous Guernsey jumper. Small boutiques offer exclusive clothes, shoes and leather goods, whilst the Old Quarter is the place to find antiques.

For more information on Jersey, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jersey.