World Country Guide

Introduction

The largest of the Channel Islands, Jersey is highly developed for tourism. It boasts a formidable array, for its small size, of modern attractions and special events catering for its huge number of visitors. The island does not neglect its natural and historical heritage though – there is plenty of historical interest as well as many beautiful scenic attractions.

Two historic fortifications overlook the capital, by far the biggest town on the island. Elizabeth Castle stands on an island on the bay, accessible by causeway at low tide. This imposing fortress withstood Cromwell’s forces for seven weeks in 1651, and housed occupying Germans during World War II. On an outcrop above the town, Fort Regent is now a leisure complex with sports and conference facilities. The former castle’s ramparts offer excellent views across the town and the bay. Highlights in the town centre include the award-winning Jersey Museum, the Maritime Museum and the Occupation Tapestry Gallery.
Jersey is known for its Points, clifftop headlands overlooking the sea and offering fine views. Most of these are on the northern side of the island, notably those at Grosnez and Plemont on the northwest corner. Further east are Belle Hougue, Ronez, Sorel and Vicard Points, while on the southwest tip, Corbire Point is another popular sightseeing port of call.
Visitor attractions dotted around the coastline include mighty Mont Orgeuil castle at Gorey, as well as a number of restored military bunkers in various locations. The Jersey Zoological Park, in Trinity, is the headquarters of the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust, founded by the late Gerald Durrell. The Trust is a sanctuary for many endangered species of animals and is close to Bouley Bay. At La Grve de Lecq, there is the British Army Barracks Museum, while a Flower Centre with tropical gardens and trout pond and the Kempt Tower Interpretation Centre are in St Ouen’s Bay.
On the south side of the island, and on either side of St Helier, extensive beaches stretch 5km (3 miles) west around St Aubin’s Bay, and east to La Roque Point. Portelet, a secluded sandy bay; St Brelade’s Bay, regarded as one of the island’s most beautiful beaches and popular for windsurfing and water-skiing; and Beauport, a small bay flanked by towering rocks of pink granite, are situated to the west of St Aubin.
Both east and west seaboards are dominated by long, sweeping beaches - the Royal Bay of Grouville and St Catherine’s Bay flanking the town of Gorey to the east, and the 8km- (5mile-) beach on St Ouen’s Bay, which forms almost the entirety of the west coast. This area is particularly good for surfers. There are fewer beaches on the north coast, but Plmont, with its rock pools and caves, is particularly attractive. Bouley Bay is popular with sub-aqua enthusiasts and anglers; and Rozel, on the northeast coast, is a fishing harbour with an old fort and a small sandy beach.
Traditional crafts are a feature of the island, and many of the workshops are open to visitors. Leatherwork at L’Etacq (St Ouen) and stoneground flour from locally grown corn at Le Moulin de Quetivel, St Peter’s Valley, are among these, while in Grouville at Jersey Pottery, also renowned for its restaurant and gardens, one is able to visit the workshops and retail area.
La Mare Vineyards, close to Devil’s Hole, has vineyards set in the grounds of an 18th-century farmhouse. There are displays from the local cider industry and homemade products are on sale.
St Peter is the home of the 24-lane Jersey Bowl bowling centre, and the award-winning Living Legend Village attraction. There is also a museum in St Ouen, displaying floats entered in the Battle of Flowers, a festival held on the second Thursday in August each year. At La Hougue Bie in Grouville, a museum housed in a massive neolithic tomb dating back 5000 years has exhibitions on the agriculture, archaeology, geology and history of the island. Howard Davis Park in St Saviour is an attractive public garden with many subtropical plants flourishing in the mild climate. In the St Lawrence parish, St Peter’s Valley, is the German Military Underground Hospital, which contains displays of photographs and documents, and a collection of firearms, daggers and memorabilia from the World War II occupation.