Jersey (St Helier)

A Crown Dependency in the southern English Channel where medieval castles, German WWII tunnels and a coastline shaped by huge tides meet – famous for its seafood and Jersey cows.

Jersey is a British Crown Dependency and the largest of the Channel Islands, covering about 118 sq km and lying just 22 km or so off the coast of Normandy, France. Its capital is St Helier on the south coast. English is spoken, Norman French place names survive, and the island has its own parliament and currency (the Jersey pound, at par with sterling). It is a well-known offshore financial centre and the home of the Jersey cow and Jersey Royal potatoes. The climate is mild, and Jersey is one of the sunniest places in the British Isles. May–Sep is best for beaches and coastal walks; spring brings wildflowers and new potatoes, and summer has the Battle of Flowers parade in August. Winters are windy, and many heritage sites close or cut their hours. One of the island's defining features is its tidal range of up to 12 m, with low tide exposing vast intertidal flats. It's easiest to plan by area: in St Helier there's the Royal Square, Central Market, Jersey Museum and Maritime Museum, with Elizabeth Castle on its tidal islet just offshore; the east has Gorey harbour and Mont Orgueil Castle, the Neolithic site of La Hougue Bie, Durrell's Jersey Zoo and guided low-tide walks to Seymour Tower; the south coast has the harbour village of St Aubin, Noirmont Point and St Brelade's Bay; in the west, surf St Ouen's Bay and watch the sunset at Corbière Lighthouse; the north coast is strung together by cliff paths linking Plémont Bay, Grève de Lecq and the Devil's Hole, while the Jersey War Tunnels lie in the centre of the island. Getting there: direct flights from London and other UK cities take about 1 hour, and ferries run from Saint-Malo in France and Poole and Portsmouth in England. The island bus network covers the main sights, or you can drive (low speed limits, narrow lanes) or cycle. Allow 3–4 days. If entering on a UK visa, check the applicable rules; a Jersey Heritage pass offers better value.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries